F 0 RT E R ' S J O U m A L . 



213 



CHAPTER IX. 



JAMES' ISLAND ; FORT RENDEZVOUS. 



On the morning of the 4th5 at six o'clock, we were be- 

 tween James' Island and Albemarle, beating up the pass- 

 age, which is about eighteen miles wide, to reach the har- 

 bour, which was now in sight, when the New Zealander, 

 being far to Iqeward, made a signal for a strange sail to the 

 eastward ; but on chasing, it proved to be a rock off the 

 east part of James' Island. This prevented our getting into 

 the bay until half past two, when we came to an anchor in 

 six fathoms water, within a quarter of a mile of the middle 

 of the beach, over a soft sandy bottom, and moored with 

 our bower-anchor to the southward, and the stream to the 

 northward, the southwest part of Albany Island bearing 

 northwest by north ; Cape Marshall, on Albemarle, north- 

 west ; and the west point of the bay southwest by south, 

 i caused the prizes to moor ahead and astern of the Essex, 

 in a line along the shore, so close as to prevent an enemy 

 from passing inside of us in case of attack, and directed 

 their commanders to keep them constantly prepared for 

 defence. I caused the pinnace and cutters to be hoisted 

 out, rigged, and anchored in shore, to be in constant readi- 

 ness for service, in the event of an enemy appearing. Af- 

 ter every arrangement was made that could suggest itself 

 to me for the safety of the ships, as well for oifensive as de- 

 fensive operations, I commenced making those little repairs, 

 which every ship requires, in a greater or less degree, on 

 going into port, after being some time at sea. I also filled 

 lip my water from the New Zealander, took on board such 

 provisions and stores as were requisite for us, and removed 

 irom the Seringapatam to that vessel all empty casks and 

 other cumbrous articles, taking from her such provisions 

 and stores as were not necessary for her, and might here- 

 after be wanted for us, and put them on board the Seringa- 

 patam. I also caused the Seringapatam to be painted ex- 



actlv like the Essex, so that it would have been verv diffi- 



1/ 



