Folios 405-406: James Cornwallis, HMS Sheerness, Cork Harbour. Reports his arrival,...

Folios 405-406: James Cornwallis, HMS Sheerness, Cork Harbour. Reports his arrival, having sailed from Plymouth on 21 November with a convoy of six vessels bound for Africa: the Duke of Buccleuch, Eliza, Express, Ranger, Mary and Mary Hall. He kept them company until 26 November when they were separated by a heavy gale off the old Head of Kinsale. The gales and high seas continued until 30 November and both his topsails were rendered unserviceable. On arrival at Cork he found two of the convoy: the Eliza and Express, and learned from them that the Mary Hall had put into Castlehaven. He expects she may arrive at Cork that day. Encloses a letter received that morning from the Master of the Duke of Buccleuch, informing him of its arrival at Crookhaven, and of the loss of the Ranger. Requests a main-topsail from Kinsale. Confirms that he has received the orders issued on 24 November this morning and will execute them as soon as possible. Reports that the sloop HMS Bittern sailed some days ago from Waterford, and he found HMS Zephyr when he arrived at Cork.

Folios 407-408: enclosure with folios 405-406. George Cleland, the Duke of Buccleuch, Crookhaven, March 27 1796 to James Cornwallis. Reports that he had to enter port on the morning of 26 March due to adverse weather conditions off the old Head of Kinsale. He was accompanied by the America and a convoy of twelve ships, mostly Indiamen, from the East Indies. Will proceed to Cork as soon as the weather allows. Reports that the Ranger, Captain Anderson, was run down by one of the Indiamen on Saturday morning before daylight. They are afraid that it has sunk as it has not been seen since. The crew aboard the Woodcot pretended they had not seen her at all, in the hope that it was with Captain Cornwallis.