As we approached the port we looked with eager eyes for "No.
290," and her consort, the Agrippina, which had been despatched to her
from London with the armament. Greatly to our satisfaction we soon
discovered the spars, and then the hulls of both vessels lying snugly in
the bay, and apparently in contact, and indicating the transhipment of
the battery, &c.
At about 11.30 A.M. we steamed into the harbour, and were immediately
boarded by Captain Butcher, who reported that he had already gotten on
board all the heavy guns, and many of the paymaster's stores, &c. As the
harbour is open to the east, and as the wind was blowing from the N.E.,
driving a considerable swell in, which caused the two vessels to lie
very uneasily alongside of each other, I gave orders that they should
both follow me to the bay of Angra, where we all anchored about 4 P.M.
Hauled the two steamers alongside, and commenced discharging the two
additional guns.
After having shown the new vessel to the seamen I had on board the
Bahama (numbering thirty-seven), I addressed them, telling them that
they were released from the contract they had entered into at Liverpool,
and were now perfectly free to dispose of themselves, and that I invited
them to enter with me on board my ship. I spoke of the war, explained to
them the object of my contemplated cruise, and the inducements held out
to them of prize-money, &c. This afternoon about one-half the number
shipped; the others hung back, perhaps, for better terms.
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