Borrowdale carries stores out and a stricken crew home

Borrowdale was one of three colliers chartered to carry provisions, together with Golden Grove and Fishburn. Their sturdy coal-carrying hulls suited a long stores voyage, much as a collier had served as the basis for Cook's Endeavour. Months passed between arrival and departure while cargo was unloaded and the ship was prepared for the voyage home. Scurvy left the crew so weak near Cape Horn that the master diverted to Rio de Janeiro, where the harbor master and local sailors had to bring Borrowdale into her berth. Five men still died during the return voyage, including the captain's father, an experienced coastal master.