nine o'clock
Not until the 8th did the sea moderate sufficiently for a disembarkation to be attempted . This delay of seven days was most unfortunate , as it enabled the French general to make every preparation for opposing the landing . On the morning of the 8th the brigade of Guards , and part of the 1st brigade , amounting in all to 5500 men , under the command of Major-general Coote , embarked in boats , and at three started for the spot where they were to gather for the landing . But the ships were widely scattered , and it was not until nine o'clock that the boats were all marshalled in order . In the meantime the remainder of the 1st and the 2nd brigades were taken to the ships close inshore , so that no time might be lost after the boats had landed the other division . Edgar had the night before been rowed to the ship on which were the general and his staff , and accompanied them to the vessel near the shore on which he took his post . On either flank of the transport 's boats were posted three gun-vessels and two of the fleet 's launches .