_February_ the 15th, Captain _Boscawen_ and Captain _Knowles_ were sent with a Message to the _French_ Governor; the Purport of which was, that the Admiral not being on board his Ship, when an Officer came off to speak to him, he had not seen him, but now sends to know what he had to offer; that the Fleet was forced by strong Breezes into the Bay; that he desires Leave to Wood and Water: They return'd with a very polite Answer, and brought an Account of the Marquiss _d'Antin_'s being sail'd for _Europe_. Capt. _Renton_ came into the Fleet, and confirm'd the Report, "_That the Marquis_ d'Antin _sail'd with his Squadron for_ Europe, _January_ the 26th." _February_ the 16th, the principal Council of War being assembled, it was resolved, that the Fleet, after having taken in Wood and Water at _Iros_, _Tiberon_ and _Donna-Maria_ Bays, should thence proceed directly to _Carthagena_. _February_ the 17th, the Fleet sailed from the Isle of _Vache_, and the Day following came to an Anchor in _Iros_, _Tiberon_ and _Donna-Maria_ Bays. Seven Days having been employ'd in taking in Wood and Water; Detachments from the _American_ Regiment, and from the Negroes, were daily sent on Shore to cut Fascines and Pickets. _February_ the 25th, the _Weymouth_, the _Experiment_, and the _Spence_ Sloop, were order'd a-head, under the Command of Capt. _Knowles_, to sound _Punto-Canoa_ Bay, which lies about two Leagues to the Windward of _Carthagena_. _February_ the 26th, the whole Fleet got under Sail, and came to an Anchor in _Punto-Canoa_ Bay, _March_ the 4th. _March_ the 5th, a general Council of War composed of the four principal Officers of the Army, and of the four principal Officers of the Navy, was held for settling the Shares of Plunder; but no Scheme could be then formed for attacking the Town, "from the Want of proper Intelligence."[3] _March_ the 6th, the General, accompany'd by some of the principal Land Officers, went on Board the _Lyon_ Man of War to reconnoitre the Town, the Coast adjoining, the Forts on _Tierra Bomba_, &c. but did not return to the Fleet before the 8th in the Morning: The _Lyon_ having lost her Main-Mast by the great Swell of the Sea. The _Weymouth_, the _Dunkirk_, the _Experiment_, and the _Spence_ Sloop, were order'd to the Mouth of the Harbour, for taking the Soundings, and for getting Information how near the large Ships could approach for battering the Forts on _Tierra Bomba_. _March_ the 8th, a general Council of War being assembled, and having received, and carefully weighed, the Reports of the General Officers, and of the Captains of the _Dunkirk_ and _Weymouth_, it was unanimously resolved, that Sir _Chaloner Ogle_ should the next Morning fall down with his Division to the Mouth of the Harbour, and batter the Forts, St. _Philip_, St. _Jago_, &c. The General afterwards assembled a Council of War, composed of Land Officers; when a Disposition was made for landing the Troops.