On 1 April, 1766, the Admiralty issued Hugh Palliser, Governor of Newfoundland, with fresh instructions, including,
And whereas it is intended that the Grenville Schooner, now refitting at Deptford, shall be continued on the service of surveying the Coasts of the Island of Newfoundland, you are to take her under your command also, and employ her, in such manner as you shall find best on the said Service; Mr Cooke her Master being directed to obey your Orders.1
The other Royal Navy vessels (and their captains) directed to be in Newfoundland waters in 1766 were Guernsey (John Gell), Pearl (Charles Saxton), Gilbraltar (Richard Brathwaite), Merlin (John Hamilton), Wells (James Lawson), Niger (Sir Thomas Adams), Favourite (William Hamilton), Zephyr (Cornthwaite Ommanney), Spy (Thomas Allwright) and Hope (William Stanford).
During April Grenville’s company continued their preparation at Deptford dock for the crossing back to Newfoundland to resume the survey. The brig left Deptford on 20 April, and headed down the Thames via Woolwich, where it received its ordnance supplies. A few days later,
24 April. At 7 anchored in 7 fathoms water off Sheerness, the Garrison bearing SW, distance 1 mile. At 6am moored with the kedge anchor. am Sent the boat with the men to Chatham to be paid their wages to the 30th September 1765.
Cook reached the Downs on the 28th, and began sailing down the English Channel. The Scilly Isles, off Cornwall, were passed on 6 May, and Grenville crossed the Atlantic, taking three weeks. On 29 May, Cape Race, the southeasternmost point of Newfoundland, was sighted beyond some icebergs. Cook worked his way along the south coast past St Pierre et Miquelon to enter Bonne Bay, west of Hermitage Bay. He anchored in Killbuck Cove on the west side of the main bay.
31 May. 7 Anchored in a little cove on the west side of Bon Bay in 7 fathoms water and moored with the hawser fast on shore.
The previous year Cook had surveyed from the south side of the Burin Peninsula at Great St Lawrence Harbour, via Fortune Bay, to the Bay d'Espoir. He was now intending to carry on, moving west from where he had left off in 1765. It would prove a lonely and uninhabited coast. Even in the twenty first century there are few settlements along this rugged and beautiful coastline.
Grenville was carrying stores and provisions for the schooner Hope, which had spent the winter nearby at Great Jervis Harbour. Hope, purchased by Lord Colvill in 1765, carried 30 men, under the command of Lieutenant William Stanford.
2 June. pm Began the survey. Employed overhauling the hold and platting the cable. Supplied His Majesty's schooner, the Hope with 293 lbs bread, 30 pieces of beef, 30 pieces of pork.
William Stanford was from Bilberry Hill, in County Cavan, Ireland. He had gone to sea after a failed marriage, and had served as lieutenant in HMS Pearl from 1763, before being given command of Hope. He served a further two years before leaving the navy, and returning to Ireland. In 1774, he became High Sheriff of Cavan, but died that year while in office.
Meanwhile, Cook set off on survey.
7 June. At 5am came to sail. At noon Bon Bay NE 2 miles. Sounded the coast along.
He entered Facheux Bay, a long inlet about 8 km to the west of Bonne Bay.
8 June. At 4 PM anchored in the NW arm of the Bay Fochee in 24 fathoms water and moored with the hawser on shore.
After leaving Facheux Bay, William Parker reported that Cook had left Grenville.
11 June. 6am The Master with the cutter and crew left the vessel to carry on the survey.
They next put into, and examined, Chaleur Bay. While Cook surveyed, Parker organized brewing, and restocking of wood and water. They moved on the 17th, passing Hare’s Ears Point (Ragged Point).
17 June. PM Received on board all the beer and water. At 5 AM came to sail. At noon Ragged Point N 2 miles.
Cook moved offshore to investigate the Penguin Islands.
19 June. Anchored under the large Penguin Island with the small bower in 38 fathoms water.
Returning to the coast, Grenville entered La Hune Bay, and anchored in a cove. On Cook's chart it is named Lance Cove, but today it is known as Deadman Cove.
20 June. Standing into Cape Bay. Anchored in a cove in Cape Bay in 10 fathoms water.
They were now close to the headland of Cape La Hune. Cook prepared sailing directions.
Cape La Hune is the Southernmost point of land on this part of the coast, and lies in the latitude 47° 31' 42" North. West Half North from Pass Island, and N.W. half N. 10½ leagues from cape Miquelon; it may
be easily known by its figure, which much resembles a sugar loaf; but in order to distinguish this, you must approach the shore at least within 3 leagues, (unless you are directed to the Eastward or Westward of it) otherwise the elevation of the high land within it will hinder you from distinguishing the sugar loaf hill; but the cape may always be known by the High Land of La Hune, which lies one league to the Westward of it; this land rise directly from the sea, to a tolerable height, appears pretty flat at top, and may be seen in clear weather 16 leagues.
Grenville remained in La Hune Bay until the end of the month, before sailing west on 1 July, 1766.
John Robson
References
- The National Archives (TNA). Out letters. Vol. 93, p. 182. Admiralty. Secretary to Hugh Palliser. 1 April 1766.
Originally published in Cook's Log, page 28, volume 39, number 2 (2016).