Title
A Voyage to the East Indies: Page 50
Description
-al Fever on board as had the Atlas Indiaman, which was fatal to many. On the second or third day from the Attack they were so delirious as to jump overboard whereby several were drown’d. During the Passage several Ships left the Admiral to go to their respective ports but the Grafton & Atlas sailing very heavy were obliged to be towed. The Superbe had likewise the Scurvy on board to a great degree, as had the other Men of War, but the Indiamen scarcely perceived it. This was owing to the little Care taken of the sick Men at the Cape where they were sufferd to great drunk with Cape Wine & rowl about the Streets, having at the same Time Scorbutic Ulcers etc. on their Limbs. On the Contrary the Men from the Indiamen had Contrus put over them to prevent their drinking a greater Quantity of Wine than allow’d by the Surgeon; the Consequence of which was that the Indiamen went to Sea perfectly healthy & the greatest Part of the Men of War in as bad a Situation as the came in, leaving two hundred at the Cape unable to be got on board. . . On Our Arrival at Madras, we found Sr Edwd. Vernon, with the Ruffion, Aria, Coventry & Sertine Men of War, The Walpole Indiaman who had left the Fleet since our departure from the Cape, The General Barker who parted Company before we made the Cape, & the Bessborough, Captn. Montgomery. [end page 50]
