t sight of the Victory,
Dreadnought, Vigo, and Orion. On the 20th at half past eight
A.M. signal from the St. George to wear; at ten A.M. the St.
George cast off the tow rope; moderate breezes and hazy
weather; hauled up to the S.E. to get soundings on the Jutland
shore, in order to round the Scaw the better. During the night
fresh breezes and hazy weather; a strong current from the S.W.
setting to the N.E. swept the squadron close to Saloe beacon, on
the Swedish coast. On the morning of the 21st light airs and
hazy, a strong current setting about north at the rate of three
miles per hour: very great difficulty in keeping the ships from
falling on the rocks, they not being further than three miles
off, with a heavy swell right on, and no wind to command the
ships, or stem the current. Telegraph from the St. George to
the Cressy about half past eleven, A.M. "What shall we do this
night?" Cressy's answer, "In a few minutes I will give my
opinion." At three quarters past eleven, A.M., telegraph from
Cressy to St. George, "Anchor in Saloe if possible." About noon
got a Swedish pilot from Saloe, brought by the Bellete. At one
P.M. a strong breeze sprung up from N.N.E. and N.E. St. George,
Cressy, Defence, and Bellete made sail (close-reefed the
topsails, reefed courses, top-gallant masts struck) to the
westward, and continued our course all night through the
Sleeve. St. George steered and sailed very well about five
knots per hour. At ten A.M. on the 22nd, saw the land on the
lee beam, distance eight leagues; made the same known to the
St. George. At half-past eleven made the signal to the St.
George for the Holmes, bearing S.S.W. distance six or seven
leagues. At four P.M. Bovenbergen bore south about seven
leagues; stood to the westward all night; moderate weather,
wind about N. or N. by W. On the 23rd, at nine A.M., Cressy to
the St. George by signal, "Shall I take you in tow?" answered
with the negative flag: observed one of her rudder guys gone,
and the people repairing it. Wind had shifted to N.W. by W. the
squadron wore about seven hours thirty minutes A.M. and stood
to the N.E., with a view to open the Sleeve, the weather
appearing to indicate a gale of wind from that quarter. At ten
A.M. strong gales and squally with rain; St. George