Captain Semmes embarked on board the Bahama at Liverpool, on the morning of Wednesday, 13th August, joining the ship in a steam-tug, the Bahama having dropped down towards the mouth of the Mersey a few hours previously.  Captain Bullock, who, as it has been said, had seen the new ship safely off upon her voyage before leaving her at the Giant’s Causeway, and had reported the happy commencement of the adventure, accompanied him on board the Bahama, in which were also a number of seamen, shipped, like those on board “No. 290,” for a feigned voyage, in the hope of inducing them to join when the ship was fairly in commission.

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As the tug left us to return to the city—­writes Captain Semmes—­the crew gave us three hearty cheers, to which we responded.  After a passage of seven days, we made the island of Terceira, and soon afterwards the port of Praya, at the eastern end of the island, our appointed rendezvous.  As we approached the port we looked with eager eyes for “No. 290,” and her consort, the Agrippina, which had been despatched to her from London with the armament.  Greatly to our satisfaction we soon discovered the spars, and then the hulls of both vessels lying snugly in the bay, and apparently in contact, and indicating the transhipment of the battery, &c.

At about 11.30 A.M. we steamed into the harbour, and were immediately boarded by Captain Butcher, who reported that he had already gotten on board all the heavy guns, and many of the paymaster’s stores, &c.  As the harbour is open to the east, and as the wind was blowing from the N.E., driving a considerable swell in, which caused the two vessels to lie very uneasily alongside of each other, I gave orders that they should both follow me to the bay of Angra, where we all anchored about 4 P.M.  Hauled the two steamers alongside, and commenced discharging the two additional guns.

After having shown the new vessel to the seamen I had on board the Bahama (numbering thirty-seven), I addressed them, telling them that they were released from the contract they had entered into at Liverpool, and were now perfectly free to dispose of themselves, and that I invited them to enter with me on board my ship.  I spoke of the war, explained to them the object of my contemplated cruise, and the inducements held out to them of prize-money, &c.  This afternoon about one-half the number shipped; the others hung back, perhaps, for better terms.  There are, perhaps, some sea-lawyers among them influencing their determination.  I moved my baggage on board, and slept my first night on board my new ship.  Warned by the authorities that West Angra was not a port of entry, and that we must move to East Angra.