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