Page:Authentic narrative of the proceedings of His Majesty's Squadron.pdf/8

 the course of the enemy, and what their ultimate destination. His anxious and active mind, however, would not permit him to rest a moment in the same place, he therefore shaped his course to the Northward, for the coast of Caramanea, to reach as quickly as possible some quarter where information could most probably be obtained, as well as to supply his ships with water of which they began to run short.

On the 4th of July we made the coast of Caramanea; steering along the South side of Candia, carrying a press of sail both night and day with a contrary wind, on the 18th we saw the island of Sicily, when the Admiral determined to enter the Port of Syracuse. With this Harbour no person in the feet was acquainted—but by the skill and judgment of the Officers, every ship safely got in, and immediately proceeded to get in water, &c. with all possible expedition. This was the first opportunity that the Vanguard had had of receiving water on board from the 6th of May, so that not only the stock of that ship, but of several others of the squadron, was very nearly exhausted. Although there was no proper or regular watering-place, yet the great exertions of the Officers and men enabled us to complete this necessary service in five days, and on the 25th the squadron again put to sea.

We received vague accounts while at Syracuse, that the enemy's fleet had not been seen in the Archipelago nor the Adriatic, nor had they gone down the Mediterranean: the conclusion then seemed to be, that the Coast of Egypt was still the object of their destination, therefore, neither our former disappointment, nor the hardships we had endured from the heat of the climate, though we were still to follow an uncertain pursuit, could deter the Admiral from steering to that point where there was a chance of finding the enemy.

Now that it is ascertained by events that Alexandria was the object of the enemy, it may seem strange that they should have been missed by us both in our passage thither and our return to Syracuse; but it appears that