Folios 277-278: Thomas Wolley, HMS Arethusa, Spithead. Reports difficulty getting...

Folios 277-278: Thomas Wolley, HMS Arethusa, Spithead. Reports difficulty getting over the Bar of Lisbon on the 21 December 1799. I spoke with several of the convoy of HMS San Fiorenzo and HMS Castor who in consequence of the bad weather and impossibility of getting over Oporto Bars had hove up for Lisbon, several of them have I fear been picked up by the Spanish row boats that lurk under the Rocks of Lisbon and 3 were lost with all hands attempting Oporto Bars. HMS Brilliant appeared off Lisbon Bar on the 18 December in very bad weather when much of her convoy got in, but one was unfortunately wrecked on the bars and no persons saved. I fell in with HMS Brilliant and Admiral John Thomas Duckworth's Squadron on the 25 December 1799 when Captain Charles Paget informed me he had HMS San Fiorenzo. Reports on the 4 January 1800 off Scilly he saw a fleet of Men of War of more than 20 sail but due to weather he could not ascertain who they were. On his way to Spithead for as much of the ships under my convoy were bound to the Northward of Scilly, I had no expectation of falling in with them again.