In the beginning of 1654 as soon as the _Örn_ had gone to sea preparations for the _Gyllene Haj_ were begun again. But matters progressed slowly, and as late as February 10 Ankerhjelm reported that the ship was leaking. The admiral seemed to have had doubts as to the success of the journey. “I know not how the voyage with the _Gyllene Haj_ will turn out,” he wrote; “the captain pays little attention to the ship, and each officer, is, I understand his own master, so that one will not give in to the other. A short time ago a soldier gave the mate two black eyes, on account of which I have placed the former under arrest on the crown’s ship _Hercules_.” Captain Amundsson, who had been appointed head of the expedition, was finally removed from his post, as he had proved himself utterly incompetent. It seems, however, that too many duties had been assigned to him, and two men Sven Höök and Hendrick von Elswick were assigned to his post. Höök was to command the vessel on the voyage, and to supervise the shipbuilding in New Sweden. Hendrick von Elswick, who had been recommended by Rising to the position of “head merchant” in the colony, was to have superior command on the voyage, and was to argue the claims of the _Katt_ expedition before the governor of Porto Rico. As Captain Hans Amundsson had private claims in Porto Rico to look after, he was permitted to go on the _Haj_ with his family and two servants, promising to assist Elswick as much as he could. In the beginning of March, definite information reached the commercial college that Printz was in Holland on his way home. A commission, appointing Johan Rising director of New Sweden and Sven Skute, commander of the military forces, was drafted in the beginning of March, and entrusted to Elswick, who was to deliver it on his arrival in New Sweden. Obstacles of many kinds delayed the expedition. Elswick found that the ship was poorly armed and without ammunition. Time was consumed before these things could be supplied. Finally a ship carpenter and a couple of sailors were lacking. Both Elswick and Admiral Ankerhjelm did their utmost to supply these wants, but days and weeks passed, and the ship had to ride at anchor, waiting for insignificant necessities. Finally, on March 31, Elswick’s luggage was brought on board, the people took their oath of allegiance, and a good wind was the only thing lacking. “But some of the people were bad”, the mate was incompetent and a “rascal”, and many things foreboded an unhappy journey.