the Acheron (then in the rear of the convoy), per telegraph, ‘what they were?’ On answering my signal, she immediately wore, stood towards them, and made the private signal; which not being answered, she told me ‘they were suspicious.’ At 11-15, I made the signal for the vessels of the convoy on each quarter to close; the Arrow then leading the convoy with the brig Adventure in tow. This vessel was leaky and her rudder shaken almost to pieces; we were heaving part of her cargo overboard in the hope of stopping her leaks, and if possible, by lightening her, to unship the rudder, and repair it on board the Arrow. At 11-50, the Acheron made the signal ‘they were frigates’ At noon, Cape Albatel bore S. by W. ½ W. 10 or 11 leagues[1].
“On the 4th, at two minutes past noon, I slipped the Adventure, wore, and hauled to the wind on the larboard tack, for the purpose of joining the Acheron, which ship had wore, and was returning to the convoy under all sail with light winds. At 10 minutes past, made the Duchess of Rutland’s signal ‘to lead the convoy, steering the same course, &c.’ and directed the convoy ‘to follow her motions, though the men of war acted otherwise.’ At a quarter past, made the signal ‘for the convoy to make all sail possible.’ About one, I tacked to the northward, and shortened sail for the Acheron to close me. At 1-15 she made the signal, ‘the strange ships were enemies;’ ditto, made the signal to the convoy ‘that an enemy was in sight, to make all possible sail, and proceed to the appointed rendezvous;’ which was enforced by several guns at different times, and repeated by the Acheron in the same manner; also by Lieutenant Coggan, agent of transports, in the Trial brig bomb tender, who remained with the convoy[2]. At 2, the Acheron closing but slowly, brought to for her, the frigates continuing their course about W.N.W. under all sail with light winds. About 4, the Acheron joined me, and Captain Farquhar came on board the Arrow. I consulted with him the best means to protect the convoy, and
- ↑ Captain Farquhar had by this time approached the strangers sufficiently near to discover that they were large frigates, with their spare anchors stowed in the main chains, which led him to suppose they were French.
- ↑ The Duchess of Rutland was the only transport belonging to the convoy: twenty-nine sail were British merchant vessels; and one a Spanish prize which had recently joined the fleet and received instructions from Captain Vincent.
