On June 23 the expedition was ready to sail. Bad weather plagued the Spaniards from the outset. First, a savage northeastern storm broke just as the fleet was about to weigh anchor and delayed final departure of the expedition for a full week. Then, when the squadron finally put to sea on July 1, westerly squalls caused the separation of many of the smaller boats from the main body of the fleet. In good weather these vessels could have negotiated the voyage from Saint Augustine to Saint Simon’s in no more than two days, but ultimately it took 16 days before all the launches, pirogues, galleys, and half-galleys assembled at the entrance to Jekyl Sound at the southern tip of Saint Simon’s Island. When his entire force finally reached the rendezvous point, Montiano did not delay. (Tepaske GSF)