the appearance of the high hills whether there will be a good breeze or not during the night in the Bocas; but indeed it is seldom or ever calm in the great Boca at this season of the year.
“The squadron should proceed into the Gulph through the great or southernmost Boca. As soon as the Gulph is entered, the sea is as smooth as a mill pond, and it is most probable that a stretch of 6 or 7 miles to the southward, and a tack of 5 or 6 miles to the northward, will enable the squadron either to enter Shagaramus Bay, or to weather it. The troops ought to be immediately embarked in the boats, and an attack made on Gasper Grande, where the enemy have erected a redoubt surrounded with pallisades, since last reconnoitred. Three hundred men would ensure complete success to this attack; the rest of the troops ought instantly to be landed in Trimbladaire Bay, and take possession of the neck of land which separates Point Gourd from the main, where there is nothing to oppose them; by having possession of Point Gourd, and Gasper Grande, the enemy’s ships have no retreat nor communication with the shore left them, and must fall into our hands; Point Gourd not only commands Shagaramus Bay, but also Trimbladaire Bay, and is 50 yards higher than Gaspar Grande.
“In case any black troops accompany the expedition, it might be proper to land them on the low marshy land, to the southward of the town, as well to ensure abundant supplies of cattle, as to cut off all communication with the town and this quarter, from whence it draws its chief subsistence.
The successful result of the expedition against Trinidad has been already stated at p. 112: we shall therefore content ourselves with observing that Captain Wood was immediately after its capture promoted to the command of the San Damaso, of 74 guns, the only Spanish line-of-battle ship which, at that time, fell into our possession. His post commission was confirmed by the Admiralty, March 27, 1797.
Soon after the above important event, the San Damaso escorted a large fleet of merchantmen to England; but as she was not continued in commission, Captain Wood was appointed to the Garland frigate, then employed at the Cape of Good Hope, under the orders of Sir Hugh C. Christian, by whom he was sent, in company with a small squadron, upon a cruise off the islands of Mauritius and Bourbon, during which intelligence was received that two large French frigates had been committing great depredations in the Indian seas, and were proceeding towards Madagascar.
In consequence of this information, the squadron went in pursuit of the enemy; and at length Captain Wood discovered a large vessel at anchor near the former French settle-
