HAVING received my commission, which was dated the 19th of June 1766, I went on board the same day, hoisted the pendant, and beagn to enter seamen, but, according to my orders, took no boys either for either myself or any of the officers.

The ship was fitted for the seas with all possible expedition, during which the articles of war, and the act of parliament were read to the ship’s company: on the 26th of July we sailed down the river, and on the 16th of August, at eight o’clock in the morning, anchored in Plymouth Sound.

On the 19th I received my sailing orders, with directions to take the Swallow sloop, and the Prince Frederick storeship under my command: and this day I took on board, among other things, three thousand weight of portable soup, and a bale of cork jackets. Every part of the ship was filled with stores and necessaries of various kinds, even to the steerage and state-room, which were alloted to the slops and portable soup. The surgeaon offered to purchase an extraordinary quantity of medicines, and medical necessaries, which, as the ship’s company might become sickly,

Voyaging Accounts