III. THE CROWN
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
On April 5th, 1753, Captain Barrington assumed command of
H.M.S. Crown. He was to make a report on the forts on the West
Coast of Africa which had been vested in the new Africa Company
which Parliament had just reconstructed by 25 George II, cap. 40.
Attached to the Act of Parliament was a survey made in 1749 by
Captain Thomas Pye of H.M.S. Humber.
The Crown sailed from Spithead on July 27th and, after calling
in at Funchal and Porto Praya, arrived in the River Gambia on
October 4th, 1753. His report on the forts completed, Barrington
proceeded to the West Indies; the Crown sailed from Cape Coast
Castle on January 27th, 1754, and arrived in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes,
on March 12th. Having replenished, the Crown was ordered by
Commodore Thomas Pye to Port Royal, Jamaica, for caulking and
repair of running rigging and sails. From Jamaica her return was
delayed by Commodore Thomas Cotes at the request of the merchants
who petitioned for her being stayed to carry to England the specie
expected from Porto Bello in the snow Wallington (John Schaife,
Master). The Crown was delayed till the Wallington was ten weeks
overdue, when Cotes gave Barrington sailing orders for Spithead.
The Crown reached Spithead on July 10th, 1754. Barrington
was ordered to Woolwich, to turn over his ship's company to the
Winchester; on his way round, however, these orders were changed
and he was ordered to Chatham, to turn over to the Norwich.