which we avoided running aground. We anchored in the
Downs in five fathoms water, the South Foreland bearing S.W.
by S. half S. and Sandown Castle^IfeK. W. I t blew strong, and,
from the appearance of the weather, I had every .reason to believe
that the gale would increase, which it did on the making
of the flood: before dark we got every thing snug, and gave
the vessel a greater scope ofi cable: the:keels were found of
great ..-use. .in steadying her, and preventing her rigging front'
straining. At this time there was a very large- eonyoy-for .the
Westward lying in the Downs, which had been detained'nearly
a month with westerly winds. On the evemng^ of the 33 d the
wind from the S. S. W. came on with the flood, and blew very
hard, with a. heavy sea. At eleven o’clock a t night many signals
of distress were made in the offing, and several ships drove
past us. Finding the Lady Kelson drive*, «another
anchor, which presently brought ns up, and enabled us to ride
out the gale with ease. H ie following moming six vessels were
on shore, dismasted; and in the Offing two more5 withouteitber
masts or—bowsprits. This" ciicwnastance, though very unfortunate
f ||r other vessels, was, T confess;; very pleasing tovme,
as it must of course satisfy my cvew o f thegood quaMti^-dffhe
vessel in which they had to perform so long-a voyage : more
especially as their minds were, in some,degree,, prejudiced
against her from the many unfavourable reports in circulation
with respect to the impossibility of her performing the voyage.
As the day advanced -the gale ceased; and towards evening it
blew a steady breeze from the W. On the 26th it again
freshened into a gale, and blew very hard from W. by S. but
with the former precautions we rode it out, affording me the
satisfaction of' finding, that any little vessel was easy when at
anchor, and perfectly dry. The wind still continuing steady
in theJS. W. quarter, I judged it mbst prudent to shelter my
charge
charge as much as possible; particularly, as many vessels had
gone into Ramsgate Harbour. Having obtained leave for that
purpose, and being provided with a pilot, wte run into that harbour;
where I was detained by the same wind till the 7th of
February, when if hauled to the northward. I sailed bn the
evening of that day* and got to Spithead the following. The
Lady Kelson, on this occasion, outsailed all vessels of her size
going the same way.
On the 9th we went into Portsmouth Harbour, and brought
up off Gosport, in order to wait for a convoy to the Westward,
and to have some alterations made on our boats, See. As we
had only two brass carriage guns bn board, we were supplied
with four more, from three to four pounders. With small aims
and ammunition we were well furnished: our provisions and
stores were also completed; and some oak plank was taken
on board to repair the sliding keels m case of accident. The
vessel by these means became veiy deep ia thee water, insomuch
th a t we had only two feet nine inches clear abreast the gangway.
Many people who saw the: Lady Kelson reckoned her
unfit for so long a voyage, which gave me much trouble to
keep the crew together, particularly as the day of departure
approached. The.meit became very dissatisfied; and how to
replace some that escaped from me was a difficult business, as
the crimps, who procured men for the East India fleet, and
other ships about to sail, picked up every man they could get
hold of. They were very assiduous in seducing shfed*-young
men I had, whose minds were easily worked upon by representing
the impracticability and risk of mji Undertaking.
On the 15th of March, my friend Captain Schathk, accompanied
by Mr. Rayley^of the Royal Academy, Portsmouth,
paid me; a visit. They observed, that the vessel was deep though
she had nothing but what Wes absolutely necessary. I anb
2 swered