Vancouver's ships neared Kealakekua Bay on June 12, 1794. As they the crew worked to enter the bay John Young came with a letter of welcome from Kendrick's agent John Howell, who was living ashore under the protection of Keeaumoku Pāpaiahiahi, chief of the Kona district and one of Kamehameha's highest ministers. While Vancouver's ships lay becalmed outside the bay Young brought Kamehameha ashore. As the ships—"Discovery", "Chatham", and "Daedalus"—made their way into the bay late in the day, Kendrick raised the US flag. As dusk turned to night Vancouver's ships anchored close to "Washington". The 90 ton, long "Washington" was dwarfed by the 340 ton, long, "Discovery", 135 ton, "Chatham", and the massive store ship "Daedalus". In addition, Vancouver's men, numbering over 180, far outnumbered Kendrick's crew of less than 30.