the expedition, on his way to
Halifax; but the season had been so severe that Louisburg, usually free
from ice, was found to be unapproachable, so he went on, arriving at
Halifax on 30th April. Admiral Durell had been sent out earlier from
England, and was now despatched from Halifax with a squadron, of which
the Pembroke was one, to prevent, if possible, the entry into the river
of the usual spring fleet from France with supplies and reinforcements
for Quebec, and to keep the French from putting up any fortifications on
the Ile aux Coudres, thereby adding to the difficulties of the fleet in
ascending this dangerous portion of river. The weather was bad, and the
trouble caused by fog and ice so great that Durell found the fleet of 18
sail, convoyed by two frigates, had escaped him, but one or two small
store ships were captured which proved of service to the British
afterwards. On the way up the Gulf, Captain Simcoe of the Pembroke died,
and the ship was given temporarily to Lieutenant Collins of Durell's
ship, and afterwards to Captain Wheelock, who remained in her till after
Cook left.

Durell's squadron arrived off the Ile aux Coudres on the 25th, and on the
28th the Pembroke landed the troops she had on board, "as did ye rest of
ye men of warr," and they took possession of the island, which was found
to be deserted by its inhabitants. The troops that were on board Durell's
ships were under the command of Colonel Carleton, the
Quartermaster-General of the force, and Wolfe's great friend, whose
services had only been obtained from the king with the greatest
difficulty. Whilst awaiting the arrival of Saunders with the remainder of
the expeditionary force, every endeavour was made to gain knowledge of
the difficulties of the river, and Cook's log notes how the boats were
out "sounding ye channel of ye Traverse"; and on the 11th June there is:
"Returned satisfied with being acquainted with ye Channel." The Traverse
here spoken of is that channel running from a high black-looking cape,
known as Cape Torment, across into the south channel, passing between the
east end of the Ile d'Orleans and Ile Madame. It is still looked upon as
one of the worst pieces of the river navigation.

The British had some charts of the river showing the course taken by the
French vessels, for in a note to the orders issued by Saunders on 15th
May to the Masters of Transports, special attention is called to "a plan
or chart showing the route w