Appointment to H.M.S.  Northumberland.

Before the fleet left, however, Cook’s connection with H.M.S.  Pembroke came to an end.  Captain King, who was with Cook on his last voyage, writes to Dr. Douglas that he does not know the exact date of Cook’s appointment to the Northumberland, but he was certainly Master of that ship in 1758.  Here King is in error, for Lieutenant James Norman, of the Pembroke, has the following entry in his log under date 23rd September 1759:  “Mr. Cook, Master, superseded and sent on board the Northumberland, per order of Admiral Saunders.”  It has been said that Lord Colville made this appointment, but of course he could not do so, though he may perhaps have applied for Cook’s services, but it is far more probable that the appointment was made by Saunders for the special purpose of having the survey of the St. Lawrence thoroughly well carried out.

CHAPTER 4. 1759 TO 1762.  H.M.S.  NORTHUMBERLAND.

On the way down the river from Quebec, the fleet appears to have found the passage very difficult, the dangers of the Channel being aggravated by the strength of the current and bad weather.  The Captain, Vesuvius, and Royal William were aground for some time, but were ultimately got off again without much damage; and the Terrible, which was drifting and in great danger, was only brought up by means of an anchor constructed for the occasion by lashing one of the quarter-deck guns to two small anchors.  When her large anchors were hauled up they were found to be broken; and so great was the loss of these articles that Lord Colville was obliged to press the Admiralty for a fresh supply to be sent out immediately, as he found it impossible to replace those lost in the Traverse either at Boston or any other place in America.

Relief of Quebec.

Colville’s squadron arrived in Halifax on 27th October, Cook’s thirty-first birthday, and as soon as the winter was over, and the ships were cleaned and fitted for sea as well as the limited appliances would permit, it left for the St. Lawrence, sailing on 22nd April 1760, but was “so retarded by frozen fogs, seas of compacted ice, and contrary winds,” that it did not arrive off the Ile de Bic before 16th May.  Here they were met by a sloop with the news that Quebec was in urgent need of help.  General Murray, hearing of the approach of General de Levis, with a French force, had left the shelter of the forts, and notwithstanding he was greatly outnumbered, had offered battle in the open.  He had at first chosen a strong position, but hearing from spies that the French were busy cleaning their arms after being caught in a heavy storm the night before, he advanced upon them, and owing to the sudden attack and the superiority of his artillery, at first gained a considerable advantage, but afterwards the weight of numbers told, and the British were forced to retire to the town with sadly reduced numbers, and Quebec was again besieged.  On receipt of this news Colville pushed on with his squadron, and the arrival of the Vanguard and Diamond on the 17th, followed by the Northumberland and the remainder on the next day, caused the French to retire.