about
eight o'clock
Her name was the _ Queen Charlotte _ ; she mounted twenty-two guns ; her captain was called by the seamen the Gallipot Captain , as he had formerly been doctor on board the same vessel , and , her captain having died in her last voyage , he was now the commander , in consequence of having brought her home . I went on board in the captain 's boat , which was waiting for me , and to my great joy , found an old messmate who had sailed in the Exeter man-of-war with me . He was now second-mate of the _ Queen Charlotte _ , and I was engaged as boatswain . We were soon ready for sea ; and unmoored about eight o'clock , the wind chopping about to the east . The captain and pilot came on board through the night , and we set sail for the African coast on the morning of the 1st of May , 1788 . We passed the island of Madeira on the 8th of the month ; and having got beyond the Canary and Cape de Verd islands , all became bustle on board , making preparations for the coast ; the carpenters fitting up barricades to keep the male and female slaves apart , and the cooper getting ready all the tubs and vessels for their use . Though in anticipation , I may say that the males are never allowed to see the females until they are put on shore .