ABSTRACT

Finally, at first light on the 21st with the strong breeze still blowing from NW, I was able to signal all the ships to set sail. The excellent disposition in which His Majesty’s ships, the ships of the Lima trade and six of the Montevideo trade had found themselves since nightfall allowed them all to do so as promptly as the Descubierta. It was not so, however, with the other four merchantmen of this same trade, as either due to indolence or because they had not been ready, they had not gained sufficient offing the previous afternoon and now, with the tide having fallen in the port, they were no longer afloat.