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 Cook, Master, superseded and sent on board the Northumberland,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.