The delegation departed Portsmouth aboard three ships on 26 September 1792. The warship HMS "Lion", commanded by Captain Sir Erasmus Gower, led the mission. The "Hindostan", belonging to the East India Company (and later purchased by the Royal Navy as HMS "Hindostan"), was commanded by Captain William Mackintosh. These two vessels were accompanied by a brig, the "Jackall". A storm soon hit the squadron, forcing it to stop temporarily at Tor Bay. After making repairs, the "Lion" and "Hindostan" resumed their voyage without the "Jackall", which had gone missing in the storm. Fortunately, the gifts to be presented to the emperor were stored on the "Lion" and the "Hindostan". Thomas Staunton spent the voyage studying Chinese with the mission's interpreters.