British observers detected the Dutch preparations and sent HMS Carysfort ahead with warning while the expedition took a much longer Atlantic route. The detour toward Brazil was defended as a way to avoid the doldrums, but it gave British preparations a substantial lead. By the time Lucas reached South Africa, the Cape held a reinforced fleet and a garrison of roughly 9,400 troops. His own crews were short of water and suffering from scurvy, so sick men went ashore and sails came down for repair. A council of war ran from 9 to 16 August before agreeing to sail for Ile de France, yet the sick men were still ashore. The delay allowed the British to repair storm damage and blockade Saldanha Bay before the Dutch could leave.
Notable Point · 29:20-36:34
Intelligence and logistics doomed the Saldanha expedition
British warning and reinforcement outran the Dutch expedition, whose long route, sick crews, depleted water, and sail repairs left it immobile when the blockade arrived.