NO. 2 LAST CRUISE OF H.M.S. LOO — PETERSON 27 



He then went on to point out the suitability of Port Royal as a 

 harbor and its strategic location in relation to the Florida Straits and 

 the Spanish trade routes : 



And as most of the trade and treasure of France and Spain must come through 

 the Gulf of Florida, where can it be so properly waited for as here, where a few 

 great ships stationed, to cruize betwixt this and Cape Florida, a very easy navi- 

 gation, must become masters of everything.^^^ 



The Governor reported that Captain Dansant, captain of the Loo's 

 prize, would be sent off without being permitted to see the fortifica- 

 tions of Charleston, and "The forty-four marines belonging to the 

 Loo," he stated, were being "lodged at the expense of this government 

 and shall be well taken care of." ^^* The sailors were no doubt taken 

 into the other ships present on the station, the Governor not mention- 

 ing them. 



Governor Glen spoke a good word for Captain Utting with the 

 Lords of Trade, describing him as "a Gentleman who by a long resi- 

 dence in this Province, has established a character amongst all ranks 

 of people here, for strict honors and veracity, as well as for his care, 

 diligence, and knowledge, as an officer." ^^^ 



Early in April Utting and his officers, who had arrived from the 

 Bahamas, sailed for England and arrived there late on the night of 

 May 24. The next day Utting reported his arrival to the Admiralty 

 and requested an early court martial for the loss of the Loo. (See 



%. 3-) 



Six days later. May 31, the court of 12 captains sat on board the 

 ship-of-the-line Sandzvich with Vice Admiral James Steuart presiding. 

 After a consideration of the depositions and testimony of Utting and 

 his officers the Court was "unanimously of the opinion that Cap". Utting 

 and his several officers did in no wise contribute to her going ashore, 

 but that it was owing to some unknown accident, it appearing to the 

 Court, that the course the ship steered was a good one, and must have 

 carried her thro the Gulph of Florida, with all safety had not some 

 unusual current rendered the said course ineffectual." ^-^ 



On June 6 the Lords of the Adiniralty ordered the Navy Board to 

 procure funds from the Treasury and pay the officers and men of the 

 Loo through the day she was lost. On August 10, 1744, the officers 

 and men gathered on Broad Street in London and were paid the 1,510 



117 Ibid. 



118 Ibid. 



119 Ibid. 



120 Report of Court Martial dated June i, 1744, Admiralty In-Letters, ADM i, 

 vol. 5283. 



