The 28th, the Gloucester came into the squadron again.

On the 7th of March we passed through the Streights of Le Mair; Cape Diego, on the island of Terra de Fuego, bore N.W., three leagues, and the west end of the island, Staten Land, bore E.N.E., distant four leagues, the squadron under reeft courses.

On the 10th, we lost sight of the Ann pink, on the 12th carried away the rails and timbers of the head on both sides.

On the 16th, the Ann pink joined the squadron again.

On the 3Oth, the Gloucester broke her main-yard in the slings.

April the 1st, the commodore ordered Mr Cummins, the carpenter, on board the Gloucester.

On the 8th, carried away the mizen-mast, two feet above the awning; there was no sail on the mast.  Upon the rowl of a sea, all the chain-plates to windward broke, lat. 56, 31, long. 87.4, west.  At noon Cape St Bartholomew bore north, 84 deg.  E., distant 229 leagues.

The 10th, lost sight of the Severn and Pearl, lat. 56, 29, long. 85 west.  At ten last night fell in with two small islands; at eight in the morning the islands bore N.N.W., by the compass distant eight leagues, in the latitude 54, 00 south; we took ’em for the islands which lay off Brewer’s Streights, lat. 54, 50 south, long. 84, 56 west.

On the 12th, we had very hard gales at west, with the largest swell I ever saw; I was officer of the watch (though I was gunner of the ship, I had the charge of a watch during the whole voyage); we had our larboard tacks on board:  Between six and seven in the morning, holding by the topsail hallyards to wind-ward, there broke a sea in the ship, which carried me over the wheel, bilged the cutter, and canted her over the sheet’s bottom up athwart the barge; it likewise half filled the long-boat; the boatswain was for heaving the cutter overboard, I order’d him to do nothing with her till I had acquainted the captain, who was then very ill in his cabin:  The captain desired me to use all means to save the cutter; at the same time I ask’d leave to skuttle the long-boat, and get the sprit-sail yard and jib in, for fear of endangering the bowsprit; which he ordered to be done, and told me, it was a very great misfortune that he should be ill at such a time.  When I came from the captain, I found the lieutenant on the deck, got the cutter in her place, skuttled the long-boat, and got the sprit-sail yard and jib-boom in.  The carpenter is still aboard the Gloucester.

The 13th, under reeft courses, the larboard tacks; the commodore being on the weather quarter, bore down under our lee, and spoke with us.  He ask’d the captain, if the carpenter was returned from the Gloucester?  The captain answer’d, No; and am surprised Captain M——­d should detain him, when he knows I must want him about my mizen-mast.  The commodore told him he would speak with the Gloucester, and order him on board.  He then ask’d the captain why he did not set the main-top-sail, and make more sail?  Captain C——­p made answer, My rigging is all gone, and broke fore and aft, and my people almost all taken ill, and down; but I will set him as soon as possible.  The commodore desired he would, and make what sail he could after him.