INTRODUCTORY 7 



the fleet would be greatly hindered by the ponderously slow sailing 

 of the Charlotte and Lady Penrhyn, which soon proved themselves 

 quite unequal to keep up with the others. But the inevitable had 

 to be accepted, and the more rapid sailers were ordered to keep 

 under easy canvas rather than risk a dispersion of the convoy. 



On the 20th of May the first and only outbreak of insubordina- 

 tion amongst the convicts was discovered, and promptly punished. 

 It occurred on board the Scarborough, where 205 male convicts 

 were guarded by thirty-one privates and three officers of marines. 

 According to the report of one of the prisoners, who turned King's 

 evidence, a plot had been concocted for overpowering the guard by 

 a sudden rush and taking possession of the ship though what 

 they could have done with her in the immediate proximity of three 

 men-of-war had probably never entered into their consideration. 

 Two men who were denounced as ringleaders were sent on board 

 the Sirius, when, while firmly protesting their entire innocence, 

 they were awarded each two dozen lashes, and relegated in extra 

 irons to the Prince of Wales. The Hycena, frigate, left the same 

 day on her return to port, five of her crew having volunteered to 

 accompany the expedition in place of an equal number who had 

 deserted from the Fish-bourne, store-ship, on the eve of sailing. 

 The armed tender brig Supply was ordered to keep six miles ahead 

 of the squadron, and to signal when land was seen. In this order 

 they proceeded with light and variable winds until on the evening 

 of the 3rd of June the whole fleet dropped anchor in the roads of 

 Santa Cruz, off the island of Teneriffe. 



The object of so early a break in the voyage was to replenish 

 the stock of fresh water and give the crowded passengers and 

 crews the benefit of a liberal supply of vegetables and fruit. 



A hundred years ago the outbreak of scurvy at sea was a 

 standing menace on all extended voyages. Pork and beef, salted 

 to a condition of petrifaction, with hard biscuit frequently honey- 

 combed with weevil, was the staple of the commissariat, while 

 the practice of condensing drinkable water being then unknown, 

 the quantity to be stored for the requirements of 1,200 persons 

 was very considerable. During the week which the fleet remained 

 at Teneriffe all hands were dieted on fresh meat and soft bread, 



