Folios 139-140: John Dilkes, HMS Madras, at Sea [Position given]. Report, Having...

Folios 139-140: John Dilkes, HMS Madras, at Sea [Position given]. Report, Having fallen in with HMS Fishguard off Cape Finisterre he wrote you for information for the Admiralty that the Walker having joined the Convoy he had given him instructions; on the 3 July 1799 he hailed him and said he leaked so much in his rudder coat that he must go to some of the Cape Verd Islands. He told him he did not consent a she doubted the fact, however he parted company, as did the Lively the same day by permission, the Adventurer on the 8 July 1799 and the Aurora on the 10 July 1799. We had the misfortune of meeting all between the Latitudes 9 and 2 North; with fresh, as well as light variable winds, and so strong an Easterly current that I found bu the India Ships Chronometers that we were little more than 30 Longitude from the coast of Africa when we got a blast off to the Westward and Southward, however we have now a pleasant breeze at East, and I have the pleasure of not having one sick man in the ship. When abreast Cape St Vincent he boarded a Dane, one of a fleet of 120 sail under Convoy of four Frigates but they dispersed. On 23 July 1799 he boarded a Portuguese who two days before had parted from 80 sail under convoy of two Ships of the Line, a frigate and a sloop, they had been 63 days from Lisbon bound for Rio [de] Janeiro.