Admiral Sir Charles Saunders was selected to command the fleet that was to be employed in this new movement against the capital of New France; a man of whom Horace Walpole wrote: 

“The Admiral was a pattern of the most sturdy bravery, united with the most unaffected modesty.  No man said less, or deserved more.  Simplicity in his manners, generosity, and good-nature adorned his genuine love of his country.”

With Durell’s squadron.

He left Spithead on 17th February 1759, with the intention of calling at Louisburg, the appointed rendezvous for the expedition, on his way to Halifax; but the season had been so severe that Louisburg, usually free from ice, was found to be unapproachable, so he went on, arriving at Halifax on 30th April.  Admiral Durell had been sent out earlier from England, and was now despatched from Halifax with a squadron, of which the Pembroke was one, to prevent, if possible, the entry into the river of the usual spring fleet from France with supplies and reinforcements for Quebec, and to keep the French from putting up any fortifications on the Ile aux Coudres, thereby adding to the difficulties of the fleet in ascending this dangerous portion of river.  The weather was bad, and the trouble caused by fog and ice so great that Durell found the fleet of 18 sail, convoyed by two frigates, had escaped him, but one or two small store ships were captured which proved of service to the British afterwards.  On the way up the Gulf, Captain Simcoe of the Pembroke died, and the ship was given temporarily to Lieutenant Collins of Durell’s ship, and afterwards to Captain Wheelock, who remained in her till after Cook left.

Durell’s squadron arrived off the Ile aux Coudres on the 25th, and on the 28th the Pembroke landed the troops she had on board, “as did ye rest of ye men of warr,” and they took possession of the island, which was found to be deserted by its inhabitants.  The troops that were on board Durell’s ships were under the command of Colonel Carleton, the Quartermaster-General of the force, and Wolfe’s great friend, whose services had only been obtained from the king with the greatest difficulty.  Whilst awaiting the arrival of Saunders with the remainder of the expeditionary force, every endeavour was made to gain knowledge of the difficulties of the river, and Cook’s log notes how the boats were out “sounding ye channel of ye Traverse”; and on the 11th June there is:  “Returned satisfied with being acquainted with ye Channel.”  The Traverse here spoken of is that channel running from a high black-looking cape, known as Cape Torment, across into the south channel, passing between the east end of the Ile d’Orleans and Ile Madame.  It is still looked upon as one of the worst pieces of the river navigation.