George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

CHAPTER IX
August, 1744— July, 1748
FIFTH VOYAGE—ADVENTURES AND CONTROVERSIES—WANDER-
INGS IN AMERICA INVALIDED IN BERMUDAS — SIXTH
VOYAGE
THE
fifth voyage was diversified with nautical adventures
and theological discussions. The usual dangers of
ocean travelling were at this time, August, 1 744, increased by
the men-of-war which were cruising for spoil. France and
England were at their old folly of treating each other as
natural enemies. The fleet of one hundred and fifty ships
which sailed out of Plymouth Sound was therefore attended
by several convoys, and a good deal of nervousness was
evidently abroad. Whitefield was in poor health, suffering
from a violent pain in his side, and the tedious voyage
increased his trouble. Fully six weeks were consumed
between Plymouth and the Western Isles, and off the islands
they lay floating in a calm for days ; then, as the wind sprung
up a little, there came a mishap which might have sent a vessel
to the bottom. Orders were given to tack about, to take
advantage of the breeze, and one of the ships, missing her
stays in turning, ran directly against the Wilmington, on the
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