Disease and provisioning on the outward voyage

The five ships departed in late June, already late for the intended passage. Contrary winds and sickness forced a stop on the Guinea coast, where landing sick men brought little improvement. Adams's letter describes the seizure of an island town to obtain cattle, oranges and other provisions. Fresh supplies did not end the illness, and some men deteriorated as others recovered. The African stops consumed about two months. A broken mainmast then required replacement at sea, adding another delay on the way toward the Strait of Magellan.