Here it was hoped that a fresh supply of coal might be obtained, and the little Sumter staggered along under a press of canvas towards her new destination, the violent motion causing great distress to the captain, who was still confined to his cabin, and almost entirely to his hammock.
On the 15th July, the weather moderated for a time, and a warm sunny afternoon, with comparatively little sea, gave an interval of rest.

The next morning saw the wind again blowing freshly, but at 9 A.M.land was seen on the starboard bow, and at four in the afternoon the Sumter passed the north end of the island of Curacao, running down the coast to within about a mile of St.Anne's, where she arrived at a little after seven o'clock.

A gun was fired as a signal for a pilot, and soon after one came off, promising to return again in the morning, and carry the vessel into harbour.
Morning came, and, true to his word, the pilot once more made his appearance upon deck.

But the remainder of his promise he was unable to fulfil.

"The Governor regrets," he said, in reply to Captain Semmes' inquiries, "that he cannot permit you to enter, he having received express orders to that effect." A little diplomacy, however, soon removed the difficulty, which had arisen from the urgent representations of the United States consul on the previous evening, aided, no doubt, by a defective description of the vessel from the pilot.