Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

10 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE1796.parries were engaged in the operations againstthe expedition sent from Holland under AdmiralLucas, for the purpose of again obtaining possessionof the colony of the Cape of Good Hope.A fleet had been fitted out, consisting of theDordrecht, 68 ;Van Tromp, 64 ; Revolutionnaire,64 ; Castor, 40 ; Brave, 40 ; Syren, 24 ; Havre,24 ; Bellona, 24 ;and the Maria, transport.On board this fleet, 2000 soldiers, principallyGerman mercenaries, were embarked,this number being considered sufficient for thepurpose; as it was anticipatedthat before theirarrival the British fleet, with a large portion ofthe land forces, would have left for the EastIndies, and that the expedition would be joinedoff the Cape by a French squadron, with troopsfrom Mauritius and Java. It was expected alsothat the colonistswould join the Dutch army assoon as a landing was effected.The expeditionwas placed under the command of Admiral Lucas,who accepted the charge with reluctance, as hebelieved the force to be too small and too poorlyfitted out to accomplish the end in view. Soill-supplied was he, that his provisions werenearly exhausted before he reached the colony,and he therefore put into Saldanha Bay, with the