On the 9th of June, thirteen ships of the line sailed for New York under the command of Vice-Admiral John Byron.[20] These delays occasioned a singular and striking illustration of the ill effects upon commerce of inadequate preparation for manning the fleet.

A considerable number of West India ships, with stores absolutely necessary for the preservation of the islands, waited at Portsmouth for convoy for upwards of three months, while the whole fleet, of eighty sail, was detained for five weeks after it had assembled; "and, although the wind came fair on the 19th of May, it did not sail till the 26th, owing to the convoying ships, the _Boyne_ and the _Ruby_, not being ready." Forty-five owners and masters signed a letter to the Admiralty, stating these facts.

"The convoy," they said, "was appointed to sail April 10th." Many ships had been ready as early as February.

"Is not this shameful usage, my Lords, thus to deceive the public in general?
There are two hundred ships loaded with provisions, etc., waiting at Spithead these three months.

The average expense of each ship amounts to L150 monthly, so that the expense of the whole West India fleet since February amounts to L90,000." The West Indies before the war had depended chiefly upon their fellow colonies on the American continent for provisions, as well as for other prime necessaries.