sidered to depend on the difficulty of effecting a landing, from the reefs which surround every part of the coast, and the supposed impossibility of being able to find anchorage for a fleet of transports. “These difficulties,” says Major-General Abercromby, “were fortunately removed by the indefatigable exertions of Commodore Rowley, assisted by Lieutenant Street, of the Staunch, Lieutenant Blackiston, of the Madras engineers, and the masters of the Africaine and Boadicea. Every part of the leeward side of the island was minutely examined and sounded, and it was discovered that a fleet might anchor in the narrow passage formed by the small island of the Gunners’ Quoin and the main land; and that at this spot there were openings through the reef, which would admit several boats to enter abreast. These obvious advantages fixed my determination, although I regretted that circumstances would not aUow of the disembarkation being effected at a shorter distance from Port Louis. Owing to light and baffling winds, the fleet did not arrive in sight of the island until the 28th November; and it was the morning of the following day before any of the ships came to an anchor.”
At 11 a.m. the whole of the transports and covering vessels, consisting of from 50 to 60 sail, brought up in ten fathoms water, on a bottom of coral, the heads of which were clearly seen through the translucent stream. At 2 p.m., the boats, with the first division of the army, under Major-General Henry Warde, pulled towards the shore, and effected a landing in the bay of Mapou, under an extensive line of sea-wall, without the smallest opposition. In order to ascertain whether any of the enemy’s troops were concealed behind this natural defence. Lieutenant Lloyd had obtained permission to land by himself; and on his ascending the bank, and finding only a few unarmed negroes there, he waved his hat to the anxious spectators afloat, cheering at the same time as a signal for the boats to advance. The disembarkation continued till 8 o’clock, by which time most of the troops, with all the requisite ammunition, provisions, &c. were safely put on shore.
