Folios 397-398: John Cooke, HMS Quebec, Spithead. Reports his arrival at Spithead....

Folios 397-398: John Cooke, HMS Quebec, Spithead. Reports his arrival at Spithead. He sailed from St Helens on 28 February, as ordered on 27 February, under the command of Sir Charles Cotton of HMS Mars, in company with Vice-Admiral William Cornwallis and his convoy of 102 ships. On the night of 1 March there was a gale and the Royal Sovereign broached and fell foul of two or three other ships. This and the bad weather resulted in them being separated, although the signal was made to bring to. On the morning of 2 March they resumed with only 33 ships, including HMS Royal Sovereign, Mars, Minotaur, Quebec, and Alfred. That night there were further gales and squalls of snow, and he was separated from the convoy. He made his way to the rendezvous south-west of Scilly, as instructed by Sir Charles Cotton, and arrived on 6 March. He cruised there until 12 March but saw neither HMS Mars or Minotaur. He was then ordered by Sir Charles to return to Spithead. Encloses a state and condition report of his vessel.