April the 23d, 1741, in latitude 58° S, and about 10 degrees of longitude Westward of Cape Horne, in a heavy gale of wind, and in the night, the Wager frigate, commanded by David Cheap, was separated from Commodore Anson's squadron. A short time before this happened, the Wager had carried away her mizen-mast, without any sail being set on it, by a sudden and violent roll of the ship, which snapped all the chain plates to windward.

After the separation, Captain Cheap directed his course for the Island Socorro, which was the first appointed place of rendezvous. On May the 13th, in latitude between 48° and 49°; the ship was steering to the NE, with a fresh gale from the SE. The sight of birds and sea-weed indicated that the American coast was not far distant, and some uneasiness was felt at running in to make the land in stormy weather without a mizenmast. It was known to Captain Cheap that Commodore Anson intended to attack Baldivia, and most of the ordnance and military stores had been shipped in the Wager; her junction with the squadron at Socorro therefore appeared to him of material consequence, and as the coast of Chili in that latitude was believed to lay in a North and South direction, and was so drawn in the charts, no doubt was entertained of the ship being able to run off from the land at any time, if they should see occasion.