4
ed to demand from a neutral power; the governor of St. Pierre, however, had orders from the French not to admit any British ships: bat their utmost hostility could not prevent us from anchoring in the road—The resources which British Seamen always have within themselves, availed us much upon this occasion. Captain Berry, with the very great assistance he received from Sir James Saumarez and Captain Bail, was enabled with great expedition to equip the Vanguard with a jury foremast, jury main and mizen top masts, and to fish the bowsprit, which was sprung in many places; and on the 4th day from our anchoring in St. Pierre's road, we again put to sea with top-gallant yards across.
It is; roper here to observe, that although the Governor of St. Pierre, in consequence of peremptory orders from the French, denied us a public reception, he yet privately acted in a friendly manner, giving us in an underhand way, every assistance in his power.
The Admiral, eager to execute the orders which he had received, did not think of sailing to Naples or any other port where he could have received the most open and friendly assistance, in getting the ship properly refitted, which her condition seemed to require, but immediately steered for his appointed rendezvous, nor did he ever express the smallest intention of hiding his flag to either of the other ships, which to many Officers the peculiar circumstances of his own ship might have seemed to render desirable.—The Admiral and Officers of the Vanguard indeed had the happiness to find that the ship sailed and worked as well as the other ships, notwithstanding her apparently crippled condition.
The Squadron reached the rendezvous on the 4th of June, and on the following day was joined by La Mutine, Capt. Hardy, who was charged with orders to the Admiral, and who brought the highly acceptable intelligence, that Capt. Troubridge bad been detached with ten sail of the line, and a fifty gun ship, to reinforce us. This intelligence was received with universal joy throughout our little Squadron; and the Admiral observed to Capt.Berry,
