Bligh broke camp by 3 in the morning of the 11th and reached the beach at Saint Cast before 9 but the embarcation went very slowly. The transports stood well off shore and the flat-bottomed landing boats used to carry some 70 men each[18] were initially employed loading supplies, artillery, livestock and horses.[19] Hardly any soldiers had embarked when the French appeared and began a cannonade of the beach.[20]