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 LIBRARY 
 
 DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 Rec’d 
 
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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 with funding from 
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I 
 

 
 
 
 
Burning of the Kent, East Indiaman. 
 
THE 
 
 BOOK OF THE OCEAN, 
 
 AND 
 
 LIFE ON THE SEA: 
 
 CONTAINir^fe 
 
 THRILLING NARRATIVES AND ADVENTURES OF OCEAN LIFE 
 IN ALL COUNTRIES, FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD 
 TO THE PRESENT TIME. 
 
 \ 
 
 WITH SIXTY ILLUSTEATIOHS. 
 
 YOL. r. 
 
 AUBURN: 
 
 ALDEN, BEARDSLEY & CO. 
 ROCHESTER : 
 
 WANZER, BEARDSLEY & CO. 
 
 1852. 
 

 •A ‘ 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Shipwreck may be ranked among the greatest 
 evils which man can experience. It is never void 
 of danger, frequently of fatal issue, and invariably 
 productive of regret. It is one against which there 
 is the least resource, where patience, fortitude and 
 ingenuity are in most cases, unavailing, except to 
 protract a struggle with destiny, which, at length, 
 proves irresistible. 
 
 But amidst the myriads unce.'isingly swallowed 
 up by the deep, it is not by the numbers that we 
 are to judge of the miseries endured. Hundreds 
 may at once meet an instantaneous fate, hardly 
 conscious of its approach, while a few individuals 
 may linger out existence, daily in hope of succor, 
 and at length be compelled to the horrible alternative 
 of preying on each other for the support of life. 
 Neither is it by the Narratives about to be given 
 that we are to calculate on the frequency of ship- 
 wreck. It is an event that has been of constant 
 occurrence since a period long anterior to what the 
 earliest records can reach. In England it is calcu- 
 lated that about 5000 natives of the British Isles 
 yearly perish at sea. 
 
 This perpetual exposure to peril, however, mate 
 rially contributes to the formation of character, and 
 hence are sailors preeminently distinguished by 
 courage, endurance, and ready invention. Habitu- 
 ated to the instability of the ocean, they make little 
 account of danger, and are invariably the first in 
 
VI 
 
 I’REJ’ACE. 
 
 matters of the most daring enterprise. Incessantly 
 subjected to toil, they labor long and patiently with- 
 out murmur, and the prompt and vigorous measures 
 which are indispensable to their security, teach 
 them the immediate application of whatever means 
 are within their power. 
 
 A natural desire to know the fate of their fellow 
 creatures seems implanted in the breast of mankind, 
 and the most powerful sympathies are excited by 
 listening to the misfortunes of the innocent. To 
 record some impressive examples of calamity, or 
 unlooked for deliverance, is the object of these 
 pages; and it will be seen of what astonishing 
 advantage are the virtues of decision, temperance, 
 perseverance and unwavering hope in moments of 
 extreme peril and despair. 
 
 V \ : 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Shipwreck of the Frances Mary 9 
 
 Loss of the Ship Albion on the Coast of Ireland - 12 
 
 Loss of the Ship Logan by fire - - - - ] 8 
 
 Loss of the Ship Margaret, of Salem - - - 20 
 
 Burning of the Kent, East Indiaman - - - 24 
 
 Loss of the Ship Boston, by fire - - - - 31 
 
 Loss of the whale Ship Essex, of Nantucket, and the 
 suDsequent sufferings of the crew - - - 34 
 
 Narrative of the wreck of the English Ship Isabella - 36 
 
 Explosion of the U. S. Steam Frigate Fulton - - 41 
 
 Skeleton of the wreck - - - - - 42 
 
 Explosion of the Steamboat Helen Mc’Gregor - 44 
 
 Loss of the Ship Beverly, by fire - - 49 
 
 Loss of the Ship Hercules on the coast of Caffraria, and 
 the sufferings of the crew on their journey to the Cape 
 of Good Hope - - - - - 51 
 
 Description of a storm at Sea - - - 79 
 
 Wreck of the Brig Commerce on the Western coast of 
 Africa 86 
 
 The Spanish Wreck - - - - - -111 
 
 The Fatal Repast - - - - 115 
 
 Adventures of Madame Denoyer - 125 
 
TUI 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Narrative of Capt. W. L. Cazneau 
 The Main-Truck, or a Leap for Life 
 
 
 
 - 130 
 
 - 134 
 
 The frigate Constitution 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 143 
 
 Loss of the British Ship Hibernia 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 153 
 
 Mutiny of the Ship Bounty 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 155 
 
 Narrative of Capt. Lincoln 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 169 
 
 Narrative of John R, Jewitt, of the Ship Boston, 
 
 taken 
 
 by the Savages at Nootka Sound 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 207 
 
 A. Monkey Trick - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 285 
 
 The Eddystone Light House - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 286 
 
 A Polite Sea Robber 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 290 
 
 Forty-five Days Sufferings 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 293 
 
 The Pirate’s Treasure 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 299 
 
 Wreck of the Cumberland Packet 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 316 
 
 Loss of the Brig Sally - - - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 319 
 
 Sufferings of Ephraim Howe - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 321 
 
 Voyage from Halifax to Burmuda 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 223 
 
 Loss of the Transport Harpooner 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 327 
 
 A Tale of the Sea - - . 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 331 
 
 Loss of the Lady of the Lake 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 334 
 
THE 
 
 BOOK OF THE OCEAN. 
 
 SHIPWRECK OF THE FRANCES MARY. 
 
 The Frances Mary was anew ship, of about 400 tons bur- 
 then, commanded by Capt. Kendall, and bound from New 
 Brunswick to Liverpool, laden with timber. We publish the 
 .following particulars of this dreadful disaster as related by 
 Capt. Kendall. 
 
 Sailed from St. Johns, N. B., Jan. 18, 1826. Feb. 1, strong 
 gales from the W. N. W., — carried away the main-topmast and 
 mizzen-mast head ; — hove to, — got boat’s sails in the main 
 rigging, to keep the ship to the wind. At 11, P. M. shipped a 
 heavy sea, which washed away the cabouse, jolly boat, and 
 disabled five men. Feb. 2, cleared away the wreck and made 
 sail before the wind, strong breezes. Feb. -5, 1 1, A. M., strong 
 gales, with a heavy sea; clewed up the sails and hove to, head 
 to the southward; — shipped a sea, which carried away the 
 long boat, companion, tiller, the best bower chain, unship- 
 ped the rudder, and washed a man overboard, who was after- 
 wards saved. At 10, P. M. another heavy sea struck us, 
 which stove in our stern. Cut away our foremast and both 
 bower anchors, to keep the ship to the wind. Employed in 
 getting what provision we could, by knocking out the bow port; 
 saved 50 lbs. of bread and 5 lbs. of cheese, which we stowed 
 in the maintop. Got the master’s wife and female passenger 
 up, whilst we were clearing away below, lightening the ship; 
 most of the people slept in the top. At daylight, found Pat- 
 rick Conney hanging by his tegs to the catharpins, dead from 
 fatigue; — committed his body to the deep. 
 
 Feb. 6, at 8, A. M., saw a strange sail standing towards us; 
 made signals of distress, — stranger spoke us, and remained in 
 1 * 
 
10 
 
 THE FRANCES MARY. 
 
 company 24 hours, but gave us no assistance; the American 
 making an excuse that the sea was running too high. Made 
 a tent of spare canvass on the forecastle — put the people on an 
 allowance of quarter of a biscuit a day. Feb. 3, saw a brig to 
 leeward — strong gales. Feb. 9, 10 A. IM., observed the same 
 vessel to windward — made the signal of distress ; stranger 
 bore up and shewed American colors. Feb. 10, he spoke us, 
 asking how long we had been in that situation, and what we 
 intended to do, — if we intended leaving the ship.^ Answered 
 yes. He then asked if we had any rigging? Answered yes. 
 JVight coming on, and blowing hard, saw no more of the stran- 
 ger. Suffered from hunger and thirst. 
 
 On the 11th, saw a large ship to the northward — did not 
 speak her; — wore head to the northward. At this time all 
 our provisions were out, suffered much from hunger, having 
 received no nourishment for nine days. Feb. 12, departed this 
 life, James Clark, seaman, — read prayers, and committed his 
 body to the deep. We were at this time on a half gill of water a 
 day, and suffered much from hunger. During the whole period 
 of being on the wreck we were wet from top to toe. Feb. 22, 
 John Wilson, seaman, died at 10, A. ]\I.; preserved the body 
 of the deceased, cut him up in quarters, washed them over- 
 board, and hung them up on pins. Feb. 23, J. Moore died, 
 and was thrown overboard, having eaten part of him, such as 
 the liver and heart. From this date to Saturday, oth of March, 
 the following number perished from hunger, viz . Henry 
 Davis, a W^elch boy, Alex. Kelley, seaman, John Jones, ap- 
 prentice boy, nephew of the owner, James Frier, cook, 
 Daniel Jones, seaman, John Hutchinson, seaman, and John 
 Jones, a boy — threw the last named overboard his blood being 
 bit.er. 
 
 James Frier was working his passage home, under a pro- 
 mise of marriage to Ann Saunders, the female passenger 
 who attended on the master’s wufe, and w^ho, when she heard 
 of Frier’s death, shrieked a loud yell, then snatching a cup 
 from Clerk, the mate, cut her late intended husband’s throat 
 and drank his blood ! insisting that she had the greatest right 
 to it. A scuffle ensued, but the heroine got the better of her 
 adversary, and then allowed him to drink one cup to her 
 two. 
 
 Feb. 26, on or about this day an English brig hove in sight; 
 hoisted the ensign downward, stranger hauled his wind towards 
 us, and hauled his foresail up when abreast of us; kept his 
 course about one mile distant — set his foresail, and we soon 
 
THE FRANCES MARY. 
 
 II 
 
 lost sight of him — fresh breeze with a little rain — the sea 
 quite smooth, but he went off having shown English colors. 
 Had he at this time taken us ofi’ the wreck, much of the sub- 
 sequent dreadful suffering would have been spared us. 
 
 March 7. His B. J\l. ship Blonde came in sight, and to 
 our relief, in lat. 44, 43, North, long. 31, 57, W. Words are 
 quite inadequate to express our feelings, as well as those 
 which liord Byron and our deliverers most evidently possess- 
 ed, when they had come to rescue si.x of their fellow crea- 
 tures, two of them females, from a most awful, lingering, but 
 certain death. It came on to blow during the night a fresh 
 gale, which would no doubt have swept us all overboard. 
 Lieut. Gambier came in the ship’s cutter to bring us from the 
 wreck. He observed to us, “ You have yet, I perceive, 
 fresh meat.” To which we were compelled to reply, “ No sir, 
 it is part of a man, one of our unfortunate crew, — it was our 
 intention to put ourselves on an allowance even of this food 
 this evening, had not you come to our relief.” The master’s 
 wife, who underwent all the most horrid sufferings which the 
 human understanding can imagine, bore them much better 
 than could possibly have been expected. She is now, al- 
 though much emaciated, a respectable good looking woman, 
 about 25 years of age, and the mother of a boy 7 years old. 
 But what must have been the extremity of v/ant to which she 
 was driven, when she ate the brains of one of the apprentices, 
 saying it was the most delicious thing she ever tasted ; and it 
 is still more melancholy to relate, that the person, whose 
 brains she was thus forced by hunger to eat, had been three 
 times wrecked before, but was providentially picked up by a 
 vessel, after being 22 days on the wreck, water logged: but 
 in the present instance, he perished, (having survived similar 
 sufferings for a space of twenty nine days,) and then became 
 food for his remaining shipmates ! 
 
 Ann Saunders, the other female, had more strength in her 
 calamity than most of the men. She performed the duty of 
 cutting up and cleaning the dead bodies, keeping two knives 
 for the purpose in her monkey jacket; and when the breath 
 was announced to have flown, she would sharpen her knives, 
 bleed the deceased in the neck, drink his blood, and cut him 
 up as usual. From want of water, those who perished drank 
 their own urine and salt water. They became foolish, and 
 crawled upon their hands round the deck when they could, 
 and died, generally, raving mad ! 
 
12 
 
 THE SHIP ALBION. 
 
 After floating about the Ocean for some months, this ill 
 fated vessel was fallen in with by an English ship, and carried 
 into Jamaica, where she was refitted, and again sent to sea. 
 The putrid remains of human bodies, which had been the only 
 food of the unfortunate survivors, was found on board the 
 vessel 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP ALBION. 
 
 The following account of this melancholy shipwreck was 
 given by Henry Cammyer, first mate of the vessel. 
 
 We sailed from New York on the first of April, 1822, in 
 the ship Albion, of 447 tons, with a crew, including oflicers, 
 of twenty five in number, besides twenty three cabin, and six 
 steerage passengers ; making in the whole fifty four persons, 
 only nine of whom now live to relate the melancholy tale. 
 For the first twenty days we continued our voyage with mod- 
 erate and favorable weather ; and at about half past one 
 o’clock in the afternoon of Sunday the 21st, we made the land. 
 The Fastnet rock bore by compass, E. N E., distance about 
 three leagues. At 2, made Cape Clear, bearing E. and by 
 N., distance about two leagues. Thick and foggy, blowing 
 
THE SHIP ALBION. 
 
 13 
 
 fresh, and heavy squalls from the southward. Ship heading 
 Up E. S. E., carrying all prudent sail to crowd the ship off the 
 land. The gale increasing, shortened sail occasionally. At 
 4 o’clock, thien under double reefed topsails, foresail and 
 mainsail, carried away the foreyard, and split the foretopsail. 
 Got the pieces of the yard down, and prepared to get another 
 yard up. Gale increasing, about half past four, took in the 
 mainsail and mizzen-topsail, and set the main-trysail. Night 
 coming on, cleared the decks for working ship. At half past 
 eight, gale still increasing, with a high sea. Shipped, a heavy 
 sea, which threw the ship on her beam ends, and carried away 
 the mainmast by the deck, the head of the mizzen-mast, and 
 fore-topmast, and swept the decks clear of every thing, includ- 
 ing boats, cabouse house, bulwarks and compasses, and stove 
 in all the hatches, state rooms, and bulwarks in the cabin, 
 which was nearly filled with water. At the same moment, six 
 of the crew and one cabin passenger, Mr. A. B= Convers, of 
 Troy, N. Y., were swept overboard. 
 
 The ship being unmanageable, and the sea making a com- 
 plete breach over her, we were qbliged to lash ourselves to 
 the pumps, and being in total darkness, without correct com- 
 passes, could not tell how the ship’s head lay. The axes 
 being swept away, had no means of clearing the wreck. 
 About 1 o’clock, made the light of the Old Head of Kinsale, 
 but could not ascertain how it bore; and at 2, found the ship 
 embayed. The Captain, anticipating our melancholy fate, 
 called all the passengers up, who had not before been on deck. 
 Blany of them had received considerable injury when the sea 
 first struck her, and were scarcely able to come on deck ; 
 others had been incessantly assisting at the pumps; and it is 
 an interesting fa^t, that Miss Powell, an amiable young lady, 
 who was on board, was desirous to be allowed to take her turn. 
 One gentleman, who had been extremely ill during the pas- 
 sage, Mr. William Everhart, of Chester, Penn., was too 
 feeble to crawl to the deck without assistance, but strange to 
 say, he was the only cabin passenger who was saved. 
 
 Our situation at that moment, is indescribable, and I can 
 scarcely dwell upon, much less attempt to detail its horrors. 
 About 3 o’clock, the ship struck on a reef, her upper works 
 boat in over the rocks, and in about half an hour after coming 
 in over the first reef, she parted midships, and her quarter 
 deck drifted in on the top of the insidu ledge, immediately 
 under the cliffs. Up to the period of her parting, nearly 
 twenty persons were clinging to the wreck, among whom 
 
14 
 
 THE SHIP ALBION. 
 
 were two females, Mrs. Pye, and Miss Powell. Captain 
 X7illiams had, with several others, been swept away soon 
 after she struck; a circumstance which may be attributed to 
 the very extraordinary exertions which he used, to the last 
 moment, for the preservation of the lives of the unfortunate 
 passengers and crew. 
 
 A short time before she parted, myself and six of the crew 
 got away from the vessel. After gaining a rock in a very ex- 
 hausted state, I was washed off, but by the assistance of 
 Providence, was enabled, before the return of the sea, to 
 regain it ; and before I could attempt to climb the cliff, which 
 was nearly perpendicular, I was obliged to lie down, to regain 
 a little strength, after the severe bruises and contusions I had 
 received on the body and feet. One of the passengers. Col. 
 Augustine J. Prevost, reached the rock with me alive, but was, 
 together with one of the stewards, washed off and drowned. 
 
 Some of the passengers were suffocated on deck and in the 
 fore rigging, and some must have been destroyed by an anchor 
 which was loose on the forecastle before the ship parted. It 
 is scarcely possible to describe the devastation which follow- 
 ed. The entire cargo, consisting of cotton, rice, turpentine 
 and beeswax, together with a quantity of silver and gold, to a 
 large amount, was in all directions beaten to pieces by the 
 severity of the sea, without a possibility of saving it. 
 
 Very soon after we got upon the clifls, my poor shipmates 
 and myself found our way to a peasant’s cottage. Early in 
 the morning, Mr. James B. Gibbens, of Ballinspittle, came to 
 me from the wreck, where he had been since five o’clock, en- 
 deavoring to save some of the lives. Pie most humanely sent 
 Mr. Everhart, Mr. Raymond, the boy, and myself, to his 
 house, about a mile from the spot, where we experienced the 
 kindest and most hospitable attention. The remaining sur- 
 vivors were taken home by IMr. Purcell, steward of Thomas 
 Rochfort, Esq. of Garretstown, where every attention was paid 
 them. Coffins were provided by Mr. Purcell, according to the 
 orders of Mr. Rochfort, and the bodies that were found, were 
 interred at Templetiine Churchyard, about four miles from 
 Ivinsale, and one from the fatal spot. The Rev. lUr. Evan- 
 son kindly officiated on the occasion. On Tuesday, I went to 
 Kinsale to note a protest, and then first met Mr. Mark, the 
 Consul for the U. S., who happened to be at Kinsale at that 
 time on other business. He came over and gave directions for 
 clothing the sufferers, who were destitute of every thing 
 
THE SHIP ALBION', 
 
 15 
 
 Unremitting exertions were used daily fr.r the recovery of 
 the goods and specie, but without success, as none of the 
 cargo, and but a small part of the materials of the vessel, 
 were saved, together v/ith property in specie to the amount 
 of about £ 5 , 000 . 
 
 The following is a correct list of the crew and passen- 
 gers. 
 
 Crew. John Williams, captain , drowned; Henry Cammyer, first mate, 
 saved ; Edward Smith, 2d mate, drowned ; William Hyate, boatswain, 
 saved ; Alexander Adams, carpenter, Harman Nelson, Harman Richard- 
 son, Henry Whittrell, William Trisserly, James Wiley, Robert Me Lellan, 
 and Thomas Goodman, drowned ; John Simson, John Richards, Francis 
 Bloom, and Ebenezer Warner, saved ; Samuel Wilson and William Snow, 
 boys, drowned ; tVilliam Dockwood, drowned, body found and interred ; 
 Hierom Raymond, saved ; Lloyd Potter, Samuel Penny, stewards, and 
 Francis Isaac, boy, blacks, all drowned; Thomas Hill and Adam Johnson, 
 cooks, blacks, both drowned, bodies found and interred. 
 
 Cabin Passenger.s. W. Everhart, Esq. of Chester, Penn, saved; 
 Lieut. Col. Augustine J. Prevost, Maj. William Gough, of the 6Sth re- 
 giment ; Rev. G. R. G. Hill, last from Jamaica ; Nelson Ross, of Troy 
 N. Y. ; William H. Dwight, of Boston ; Mr. Beynon, of London : Pro- 
 fessor Fisher, of New Haven College; Mr. William Proctor, of New York; 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Clark, Mrs. Pye and Miss Powell, of Canada, daugh- 
 ter of Judge Powell, all drowned, found and interred ; Mr. A. B. Con- 
 vers, of Troy, N. Y., and Madame Gardiner and son, of Paris, drowned; 
 (Madame G’s body was feund and interred;) five French gentlemen, 
 names unknown, (except Mr.VictorxMillicent) drowned, found and interred. 
 
 Steerage Passengers. Stephen Chase, of Canada, saved ; Mrs. 
 Mary Brereton, and Mary Hunt, drowned, found and interred; Mr. Har- 
 rison, carpenter, Mr. Baldwin, cotton spinner, from Yorkshire, Eng., and 
 Dr. Carver, a veterinary surgeon, drowned. 
 
 Four bodies were also found and interred that could not be 
 recognised. 
 
 The following account of the wreck ofthe Albion was com- 
 municated to the Editor of the Village Record, of Chester, 
 Penn., by William Everhart, Esq., after his return to the 
 United States. Mr. Everhart, it will be recollected, was the 
 only cabin passenger who was saved, out of twenty three per- 
 sons. As his statement affords some additional particulars of 
 the disaster that may be interesting, we publish it entire. 
 
 Mr. Everhart says, that up to the 21st of April, the voyage 
 had been prosperous and pleasant for the season, though he 
 had himself suffered much from sea-sickness, and was almost 
 
16 
 
 THE SHIP ALBION. 
 
 constantly confined to his room. The storm of the day it was 
 supposed, was over ; they were near to the coast, and all 
 hands flattered themselves that in a short time they should 
 reach their destined harbor; but about 9 o’clock in the even- 
 ing a heavy sea struck the ship, swept several seamen from the 
 deck, carried away her masts, and stove in her hatchways, so 
 that every wave* which passed over her, ran into the hold 
 without any thing to stop it, — the railings were carried away 
 and the wheel which aided them to steer. In short, that fatal 
 wave left the Albion a wreck. She was then about 20 miles 
 from the shore, and Capt. Williams steadily and coolly gave 
 his orders; he cheered the passengers and crew with the hope 
 that the wind would shift, and before morning blow off shore. 
 The sea was very rough, and the vessel unmanageable ; and 
 the passengers were obliged to be tied to the pumps, that they 
 might work them. All who could do no good on deck, retired 
 below, but the water was knee deep in the cabin, and the fur- 
 niture floating about, rendered the situation dangerous and 
 dreadful. 
 
 All night long the wind blew a gale, directly on shore, to- 
 wards which the Albion was drifting, at the rate of about three 
 miles an hour. The complete hopelessness of their situation 
 was known to few except Capt. Williams. The coast was 
 familiar to him ; and he must have seen in despair and horror 
 throughout the night, the certainty of their fate. At length 
 the ocean, dashing and roaring upon the preci|)ice of rocks, 
 told them that their hour was come. Capt. Williams sum- 
 moned all on deck, and briefly told them that the ship must 
 soon strike ; it was impossible to preserve her. JMr. Ever- 
 hart says, that he was the last that left the cabin. Professor 
 Fisher was behind, but he is confident that he never came on 
 deck, but perished below. Some, particularly the females, 
 expressed their terror in wild shrieks. IMajor Gough, of the 
 British army, remarked, that “ d^ath, come as he would, was 
 an unwelcome messenger, but that they must meet him like 
 men.” Very little was said by the others; the men waited the 
 expected shock in silence. Gen. Lefebvre Desnouetts, dur- 
 ing the voyage had evidently wished io remain without par- 
 ticular observation ; and to prevent his being known, besides 
 taking passage under a feigned name, had suffered his beard 
 to grow during the whole voyage. He had the misfortune, 
 before the ship struck, to be much bruised, and one of his 
 arms was broken, which disabled him from exertion if it could 
 have been availing It is not possible to conceive the hor- 
 
THE SHIP ALBION. 
 
 17 
 
 rorg oi Iheir situation. The deadly and relentless blast im- 
 pelling them to destruction ; the ship a wreck ; the raging of 
 the billows against the precipice, on which they were driving, 
 sending back from tlie caverns and the rocks, the h( arse and 
 melancholy warnings of death, dark, cold and wet ! In such 
 a situation the stoutest heart must have quaked in utter de- 
 spair. IVhen there is a ray of hope, there may be a corres- 
 ponding buoyance of spirit. When there is any thing to be 
 done, the active man may drown the sense of danger while 
 actively e.xerting himself j but here there was nothing to do 
 but to die ! Just at the grey of dawn the Albion struck. 
 
 The perpendicular precipice of rocks is nearly two hun- 
 dred feet in height ; the sea beating for ages against it has 
 worn large caverns in its base, into which the waves rushed 
 violently, sending back a deep and hollow sound, then run- 
 ning out in various directions, formed whirlpools of great vio- 
 lence. For a perch or two from the precipice, rocks rise out 
 of the water, broad at bottom and sharp at top ; on one of 
 these the Albion first struck, the next wave threw her further 
 on the rock, the third further still, until nearly balanced, she 
 swung round, and her stern was driven against another, near 
 in shore. In this situation, every wave making a complete 
 breach over her, many were drowned on deck. A woman, 
 Mr. Everhart could not distinguish who, fell near him and 
 cried for help. He left his hold and raised her up, — another 
 wave came, but she was too far exhausted to sustain herself, 
 and sunk on the deck. Fifteen or sixteen corpses, at one 
 time, Mr. Everhart thought, lay near the bows of the ship. 
 
 Perceiving now that the stern was higher out of water, and 
 the sea had less power in its sweep over it, Mr. Everhart 
 went aft. He now perceived that the bottom had been broken 
 out of the ship. The heavy articles must have sunk, and the 
 cotton and lighter articles were floating around, dashed by 
 every wave against the rocks. Presently the ship broke in 
 two, and all those who remained near the bow were lost. 
 Several from the stern of the ship had got on the side of the 
 precipice, and were hanging by the crags as well as they 
 could. Although weakened by previous sickness and pre- 
 sent suffering, Mr. ilverliart made an effort and got upon the 
 rock and stood upon one foot, the only hold that he could ob- 
 tain. He saw several around him, and among the rest. Col. 
 Prevost, who observed, on seeing him take his station, “ here 
 is another poor fellow.” But the waves, rolling heavily 
 against them, and often dashing the spray fifty feet above their 
 
18 
 
 THE SHIP LOGAN. 
 
 heads, gradually swept those who had taken refuge ore by 
 one away; and one poor fellow losing his hold, grasped the 
 leg of Mr. Everhart, and nearly pulled him fioin his place. 
 Weak end sick as he was, Mr. Everhart stood several hours 
 on one foot on a little crag, the billows dashing over him, and 
 he benumbed with cold. 
 
 As soon as it was light, and the tide ebbed so as to render 
 it possible, the people descended the rocks as far as they 
 could, and dropped him a rope, which be I’astened around his 
 body and was drawn out to a place of safety. Of twenty 
 three cabin passengers he alone escai)cd ! IMr. Everhart 
 mentions numerous instances of the kindness shewn by the 
 people to the survivors. A sailor was drawn ashore naked, 
 and one of the peasants, although a cold rain was falling, took 
 the shirt from his own back, and put it on (bat of the suiTerer. 
 Mr. Everhart himself was taken to the hospitable mansion of 
 Mr. James B. Gibbens, where he lay for several weeks ex- 
 ceedingly ill, receiving the kindest attention. “ They could 
 not have treated me more tenderly,” said ]Mr. Everhart, “ if 
 I had been a brother.” 
 
 The attentions paid the survivors, were in the style of true 
 Irish hospitality. Such disinterested kindness exalts the 
 human character, and is calculated to have not a limited ef- 
 fect, but will prove of national advantage. 
 
 This terrible wreck and loss of lives, and on the part of 
 Mr. Everhart, such a miraculous preservation, excited the 
 public sensibility throughout Europe and America. When he 
 landed at Liverpool it was difficult for him to get along the 
 streets, the people crowded around in such numbers to see the 
 only passenger saved from the w'reck of the Albion. 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP LOGAN BY FIRE. 
 
 The ship Logan, Captain Bunker, was #Jruck bv lightning, 
 and consumed on her passage from Savannah to Liverpool, on 
 the 19th Dec. 1832. The following account of this dreadful 
 accident was furnished by the Captain. 
 
 Tne Logan left Tybee on the 16th Dec. with a fair wind 
 from South, which continued blowing a heavy gale from West- 
 
THE SHIP LOGAN 
 
 19 
 
 ward until the 19th, bn which day, at 45 minutes past one 
 o’clock, P. M. she was struck by lightning, which descended 
 the starboard pump, from thence it passed up the after hatch- 
 way and went off. It was immediately observed that the ship 
 was on fire, and the crew commenced breaking out c^;iton 
 from the main hatchway, for the purpose of extinguishing it. 
 In the course of half an hour, got into the lower hold, and on 
 the starboard side of the pump well, found the cotton on fire. 
 They commenced throwing on water and heaving the cottc^r 
 overboard, first cutting the bales in pieces. After working in 
 this way for some time, and heaving overboard 8 or 10 bales, 
 it was found that the fire was raging between decks on the lar- 
 board side ; they then left the lower hold, and commenced 
 breaking out between decks, and in a short time broke out 
 20 or 30 bales ; but the smoke became so suffocating as to 
 oblige the hands to leave the hold and close the hatches. 
 
 It was now night, and the ship was under close reefed 
 topsails ; after all the hatciies were closed up, the upper 
 decks began to grow hot: with the determination, therefore, 
 to save the ship and cargo if possible, holes were cut around 
 the pumps and capstern, and water poured down, which was 
 continued all night. At daylight found that all the upper deck, 
 from the mainmast to the after hatch, was on fire, and in 
 some places the deck had burnt through. The main hatches 
 were taken off, and about one hour was spent in heaving down 
 watv^r, when the smoke became so dense that the men could 
 stand it no longer. The hatches were then closed for the 
 last time, and they continued throwing water through the 
 holes that were cut, the fire still gaining so fast that no hope 
 was left of saving the ship. 
 
 The long boat was now ordered out, and 60 gallons of 
 water and what provision could be obtained, put on board, 
 when the officers and crew, 16 in number, embarked in her, 
 (being in lat. 33 N. long. 66 W.) having saved nothing but 
 a chronometer and quadrant, and what clothes they stood in. 
 The nearest land was the Island of Bermuda, which boro 
 about S. E., 100 miles distant, which they endeavored to 
 reach, but the wind blowing heavy from W. S. W., could not 
 fetch it, but drifted to the eastward of it, when they fortu- 
 nately fell in with the Grand Turk, and were rescued from a 
 watery grave, after having been in the boat five days, most 
 which time it was blowing a gale. Capt. Madigan kindly 
 took them on board, and treated them with every attention 
 which their distressed situation required. 
 
20 
 
 THE SHIP MARGARET. 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP MARGARET, 
 
 Of Salem, wrecked at sea on the 21st of May, 1810. The 
 following account was published by Capt. Fairfiei.d, after his 
 arrival at Marblehead. 
 
 We sailed from Naples, homeward bound, on the 10th of 
 April, with a crew, including officers, of fifteen in number, 
 together with thirty-one passengers, making forty-six in all, 
 men and boys. We passed through the Gut of Gibraltar the 
 22d of April; nothing of moment occurred until Sunday, 20th 
 May, when in lat. 40, N., long. 39, 30, AV., having strong 
 breezes of wind at S. E. and E. S. E. and rainy weather; at 
 10 A. M. took in royals, top-gallant studding-sails, fore and 
 mizzen top-gallant-sails, jibs, staysails, and mainsail; at me- 
 ridan, wind and weather continued as before mentioned; at 1 
 P. M. on the 21st, the foretopmast studding-sail haulyards 
 parted, the studding-sail fell overboard, filled with water, and 
 carried away the studding-sail boom — we took in lower stud- 
 ding-sail, spanker, and mizzen top-sail, by which time it be- 
 came squally, and we immediately clewed down fore and main 
 top-sail, and let fly the sheets — the wind shifted in an instant 
 from E. S. E. to S. AV., and although the helm was hard to 
 weather, we could not get the ship before the wind, but was 
 instantly hove on her beam ends. Every person on board the 
 ship being at this time on deck, reached either the bottom or 
 side of the ship, and held on. AA^e secured an axe, and im 
 mediately cut away the weather lanyard of the shrouds, masts 
 and long boat, which being done the ship righted, being full ot 
 water, her hatches ofi’, chests, water-casks, Slc. drifting 
 amongst the wreck; tne guns, anchors, camboose, and every 
 article on deck, we hove overboard to lighten the ship, and 
 endeavored to clear the wreck of spars, rigging. See. which 
 lay beating against her to windward; but our efforts were ir, 
 vain, the starboard lanyards of the shrouds being deep under 
 water, and fast to the ship, and the sea making a continual 
 breach over her : during this time the long boat lay beating 
 among the wreck of spars. Sec bottom up, the pinnace being 
 wrecked entirely to pieces except her keel, and about three 
 streaks of the boaids of her bottom, lay in the same situation 
 as the long boat, and the stern boat lying at a small distance 
 from the ship, full of water, with her gunwales turn off, butts 
 
THE SHIP MAEGAEET. 
 
 21 
 
 started, and stern about half stove in. It was with the utmost 
 difficulty that we bailed her out, and kept her so far free as to 
 enable us to get a rope fast to the long boat, by which we 
 hauled her alongside the ship, turned her over and found her 
 to be badly stove, her gunwales and stem broken entirely otF, 
 her wood ends and garberd streak open, and large holes in 
 her bottom, so that we found it impossible to bail her out, and 
 we were under the necessity of upsetting her again in the sea, 
 with the hope of being able to stop a part of the holes in her 
 bottom, which we in part effected by driving the butts togeth- 
 er and by putting canvass, &c. into the largest holes in her 
 bottom, after which we turned her over again, and by con- 
 tinual bailing with every bucket, &.c. which we could pro- 
 cure, we were enabled to keep her from sinking, still keeping 
 under ^he lee of the ship. By this time it was about 7 P. INI., 
 when the boat being hauled near to the ship for the purpose 
 of getting canvass and oakum to stop the leak, as many men 
 as could reach the long-boat jumped into her, and finding the 
 boat would be again sunk if we remained so near the ship, we 
 were obliged to veer the boat to leeward of the ship at the dis- 
 tance of 15 or 20 fathoms, being twelve in number in the boat; 
 we had not been in this situation but a short time before one 
 man jumped from the ship into the sea and made for the boat ; 
 we took him in, but finding that all on board w'ere determined 
 to pursue the same plan, we were obliged to veer the boat 
 further off. We stated to those on board the ship our situa- 
 tion which was also evident tp them, as it required all our ex- 
 ertions to keep the boat from sinking. During the night we 
 lay with a rope fast from the ship to the boat, and under her 
 lee, when the people on board the ship being exceedingly anx- 
 ious to get into the boat (which had they effected we should 
 all have been inevitably lost) kept hauling the boat towards 
 them ; we then bent on another rope, and veered out as they 
 hauled ; but finding they were determined to sink the boat by 
 getting into her, we were obliged (after stating repeatedly to 
 them our situation) to tell them that provided they persisted 
 in getting into the boat, we should be obliged, though very 
 reluctantly, to cut the rope and leave them ; after wliich they 
 desisted from hauling the boat towards the ship. At this time 
 w'e were 13 in number in the long boat, and two men in the 
 storn-boat lying under the lee of the ship, continually bailing 
 to keep her from sinking, which augmented our number to 
 more than could with any degree of safety attempt to leave 
 the ship, in the long boat, in the shattered condition she was 
 then in. 
 
22 
 
 THE SHiP MARGARET, 
 
 Monday Morning,— moderate breezes and sea tolerably 
 smooth ; at which time the people on the wreck were about 
 half of them on the taffre! rail, and the remainder on the bow- 
 sprit and windlass, every other part of her being under water, 
 continually. They kept entreating us to take them into the 
 boat; we then told them our determination was to continue 
 by the ship while she kept together, and that the boat was not 
 in a situation to leave them unless they attempted to come 
 into her, but if any of them once made the attem.pt we should 
 he under that necessity, notwithstanding our wretched situa- 
 tion, having no compass, cjuadrant, or any instrument whatever 
 by which we could direct our course, not a single drop of 
 fresh water in the boat, and two men continually bailing ; all 
 of which circumstances were known to them. 
 
 About this time, casks of brandy and sundry other articles 
 of the cargo were drifting from the v/reck, amongst which we 
 picked up the mizzen top-gallant sail, 2 spars, 5 oars, 1 cask 
 of oil, ] drowned pig, and 1 goat, 1 bag of bread, and they 
 hove us a gallon keg of brandy from the ship ; we then fi.xed 
 a sail for the boat from the mizzen top-gallant sail. It being 
 now about 11 A. M. the people on the wreck were again 
 determined to get into the boat and began by jumping into the 
 sea. Seeing their intention, we veered the boat further from 
 the ship and they again returned to her, after which we re- 
 peated to them our determination to continue by them so long 
 as the ship held together, but if any other person attempted to 
 come into the boat we should th^t instant leave them, notwith- 
 standing our desperate situation. At this time they had se- 
 cured on the wreck, 2 quadrants, 2 compasses, 1 hhd. of water, 
 bread, flour, and a plenty of provisions, as they frequentlv in- 
 formed us, but they would not spare us any of these article.s 
 unless we consented to come along side the ship with the 
 boat, which had we done we should have been sunk in an 
 instant, as they were prepared to jump, having oars, chests, 
 &c. ready for the purpose on the taffrel rail. Notwithstand- 
 ing they knew our determination and the impossibility of our 
 taking them into the boat, they still persisted in trying to get 
 into her, and one of them jumped into the sea and made for tire 
 small boat, which lay veered to the leeward of the ship, which 
 he reached, but finding we would not take him into the long- 
 boat, he returned to the ship with the small boat. As they 
 were now all determined to pursue the same plan, we were 
 under the painful necessity of cutting the rope by which we 
 were fast to the ship, and row and sail from them for the pre- 
 
THE SHIP MARGARET. 
 
 23 
 
 servation of our lives, in the hope of falling in with some 
 vessel to relieve us, which was almost the only hope we had 
 left, being about 400 miles distant from the nearest land, and 
 in the desperate situation before stated. At this time it was 
 about meridian, with moderate wind from the southward and 
 westward; we made our course as nearly east as possible, for 
 the Island of Corvo or Flores, and the last we saw of the ship 
 she was lying in the same situation as when we parted from 
 her. We continued our course to the eastward, having the 
 winds variable from S. S. E. to N. W., and two men con- 
 stantly balling; steering in the night by the stars, when to be 
 seen, and in dark cloudy weather, by the heaving of the 
 sea, and in the day time by judging from ti.e bearing of the 
 sun, when to be seen, and when not, by the best of our judg- 
 ment. For four days we continued in this situation without 
 seeing any vessel; but on Saturday, 26th of May, at 1 P. M. 
 to our great joy we espied a sail, which proved to be the brig 
 Poacher, of Boston, Capt. James Dunn, from Alicant, who 
 took us on board and treated us with every attention and 
 civility. 
 
 As nothing was afterwards heard of the vessel, all that re- 
 mained on the wreck, (thirty-one in number,) undoubtedly 
 perished 
 
24 
 
 BURNING OF THE KENT. 
 
 BURNING OF THE KENT. 
 
 [by an eye witness.] 
 
 The Kent, Capt. Henry Cobb, a fine new ship of ono 
 thousand three hundred and fifty tons, bound to Bengal and 
 China, left the Downs on the 19th of February, with twenty 
 officers, tlirce hundred and forty-four soldiers, forty-tliree 
 women, and sixty-six childreti, belonging to the thirty-llrst 
 regiment; with twenty private passengers, and a crew (in- 
 cluding officers) of one hundred and forty-eight men, on 
 board. 
 
 On the night of IMonday, the 23th of February, 1827, when 
 the Kent was in lat. 47 degrees 30 minutes, long. 10 degrees, 
 a violent gale blew from the west, and gradually increased 
 during the following morning. The rolling of the vessel be- 
 came tremendous about midnight, so that the best fastened ar- 
 ticles of furniture in the principal cabins were dashed about 
 with violence, and the main chains were thrown at every 
 lurch under water. 
 
 It was a little before this period, that one of the officers of 
 the ship, with the well-meant intention of ascertaining that all 
 was fast below, descended with two of the sailors into the hold, 
 where they carried with them, for safety, a light in the patent 
 
BURNING OP THE KENT. 
 
 25 
 
 lantern ; and seeing that the lamp burned dimly, the officer 
 took the precaution to hand it up the orlop-deck to be trim- 
 med. Having afterwards discovered one of the spirit casks 
 to be adrift, he sent the sailors for some billets of wood to se- 
 cure it ; but the ship in their absence having made a heavy 
 urch, the officer unfortunately dropped the light ; and letting 
 go his hold of the cask in his eagerness to recover the lantern, 
 it suddenly stove, and the spirits communicating with the 
 lamp, the whole place was instantly in a blaze. 
 
 It so happened that the author, went into the cuddy to ob- 
 serve the state of the barometer, when he received from Capt. 
 Spence, the captain of the day, the alarming information that 
 the ship was on fire in the after hold. 
 
 As long as the devouring element appeared to be confined 
 to the spot where the fire originated, and which we were as- 
 sured was surrounded on all sides by water casks, we ventured 
 to cherish hopes that it might be subdued ; but no sooner was 
 the light blue vapor that at first arose succeeded by volumes 
 of thick dingy smoke, which speedily ascended through all the 
 four hatchways, rolling over every part of the ship, than all 
 farther concealment became impossible, and almost all hope 
 of preserving the vessel was abandoned. “The flames have 
 reached the cable tier,” was exclaimed by some individuals, 
 and the strong pitchy smell that pervaded the deck confirmed 
 the truth of the exclamation. 
 
 In these awful circumstances Capt. Cobb, with an ability 
 and decision of character that seemed to increase with the im- 
 minence of the danger, resorted to the only alternative now left 
 him, of ordering the lower deck to be scuttled, the combing of 
 the hatches to be cut, and the lower ports to be opened, for 
 the free admission of the waves. 
 
 These instructions were speediy executed by the united ef- 
 forts of the troops and seamen : but not before some of the 
 sick soldiers, one woman, and several children, unable to gain 
 (he upper deck, had perished. On descending to the gun- 
 deck with Colonel Fearon, Capt. Bray, and one or two other 
 officers of the .31st regiment, to assist in opening the ports, I 
 met, staggering towards the hatchway, in an exhausted and 
 nearly senseless state, one of the mates, who informed us that 
 he had just stumbled over the dead bodies of some individuals 
 who must have died from suffocation, to which it was evident 
 that he himself had almost fallen a victim. So dense and op- 
 pressive was the smoke, that it was with the utmost difficulty 
 we could remain long enough below to fulfil Captain Cobb’s 
 VOL I. 2 
 
26 
 
 BURNING OF THE KEJ'iT. 
 
 wishes ; which were no sooner accomplished than the sea 
 rushed in with extraordinary force, carrying away in its resist- 
 less progress to the hold, the largest chests, bulk-heads, kc. 
 
 On the one hand stood death by fire, on the other death by 
 water : the dilemma was dreadful. Preferring always the 
 more remote alternative, the unfortunate crew were at one 
 moment attempting to check the fire by means of water ; and 
 when the water became the most threatening enemy, their ef- 
 forts were turned to the exclusion of the waves, and the fire 
 was permitted to rage with all its fury. 
 
 The scene of horror that now presented itself, baffles all de- 
 scription. The upper deck was covered with between six and 
 seven hundred human beings, many of whom, from previous 
 sea-sickness, were forced on the first alarm to flee from below 
 in a state of absolute nakedness, and were now running about 
 in quest of husbands, children or parents. 
 
 While some were standing in silent resignation, or in stupid 
 insensibility to their impending fate, others were yielding them- 
 selves up to the most frantic despair. Some on their knees 
 were earnestly imploring, with significant gesticulations and 
 in noisy supplications, the mercy of Him, whose arm they ex- 
 claimed, was at length outstretched to smite them ; others 
 were to be seen hastily crossing themselves, and performing 
 the various external acts required by their peculiar persuasion, 
 while a number of the older and more stout-hearted sailors 
 suddenly took their seats directly over the magazine, hoping 
 as they stated, that by means of the explosion, which they 
 every instant expected, a speedier termination might thereby 
 be put to their sufferings. 
 
 Captain Cobb, with great forethought, ordered the deck to 
 be scuttled forward, with a view to draw the fire in that direc- 
 tion, knowing that between it and the magazine were several 
 tiers of water casks ; while he hoped that the wet sails, kc. 
 thrown in tlie afte-- hold, would prevent it from communica- 
 ting with the spirit-room abaft. 
 
 Several of the soldiers’ wives and children, who had fled for 
 temporary shelter into the after cabins on the tipper deck, 
 were engaged in praying and in reading the scriptures with 
 the ladies, some of whom were enabled with wonderful self- 
 possession, to offer to others those spiritual consolations, 
 which a firm and intcdligent trust in the Redeemer of the 
 world appeared at this awful hour to impart to their own 
 breasts. 
 
 All hope had departed ! the employment of the different in- 
 dividuals indicated utter despair of rescue — one was removing 
 
BURNING OP THE RENT. 
 
 27 
 
 a lock of hair from his writing desk to his bosom — others were 
 awaiting their fate in stupor — ‘some with manly fortitude — 
 others bewailing it with loud and bitter lamentation — and part 
 were occupied in prayer and mutual encouragement. 
 
 It was at this appalling instant, when “ all hope that . we 
 should be saved was taken away,” that it occurred to Mr. 
 Thompson, the fourth mate, to send a rnan to the foretop, 
 rather with the ardent wish than the expectation, that some 
 friendly sail might be discovered on the face of the waters. 
 The sailor, on mounting, threw his eyes round the horizon for 
 a moment — a moment of unutterable suspense — and waving 
 his hat, exclaimed, “A. sail on the lee-bow !” The joyful 
 announcement was received with deep-felt thanksgiving, and 
 with three cheers upon deck. Our flags of distress were in- 
 stantly hoisted, an J our minutes guns fired: and we endea- 
 vored to bear down under our three topsails and foresail upon 
 the stranger, which afterwards proved to be the Cambria, a 
 small brig of two hundred tons burden, Capt. Cook, bound to 
 Vera Cruz, having on board twenty or thirty Cornish miners, 
 and other agents of the Anglo-IVIexican company. 
 
 While Captain Cobb, Colonel Fearon, and Maj. Macgregor 
 of the 31st regiment, were consulting together, as the brig was 
 approaching us, on the necessary preparations for getting out 
 the boats. Sic. one of the officers asked Major IM. in what 
 order it was intended the officers should move off to which 
 the other replied, “ of course the funeral order ; ” which in- 
 junction was instantly confirmed by Colonel Fearon, who said, 
 “ Most undoubtedly the juniors first — but see that any man is 
 cut down who presumes to enter the boats before the means 
 of escape are presented to the women and children.” 
 
 Arrangements having been considerately made by Captain 
 Cobb for placing in the first boat, previous to letting it down, 
 all the ladies, and as many of the soldiers’ wives as it could 
 safely contain, they hurriedly wrapt themselves up in what- 
 ever article of clothing could be most conveniently found ; and 
 I think about two, or half past two o’clock, a most mournful 
 procession advanced from the after cabins to the starboard 
 cuddy port, outside of which the cutter was suspended. 
 Scarcely a word was heard — not a scream was uttered — even 
 the infants ceased to cry, as if conscious of the unspoken and 
 unspeakable anguis-f. that was at this instant rending the hearts 
 of the parting parents^— nor was the silence of voices in any 
 way broken, except in one or two cases, when the ladies 
 plaintively entreated to be left behind with their husbands. 
 
28 
 
 BURNING OF THE KENT. . 
 
 But on being assured that every moment’s delay might occa- 
 sion the sacrifice of human life, they successively suffered 
 themselves to be torn from the tender embrace, and with a 
 fortitude which never fails to characterize and adorn their sex 
 on occasions of overwhelming trial, were placed, without a 
 murmur, in the boat, which was immediately lowered into a 
 sea so tempestuous, as to leave us only “ to hope against 
 hope” that it should live in it for a single moment. Twice 
 the cry was heard from those on the chains that the boat was 
 swamping. But he who enabled the Apostle Peter to wmlk 
 on the face of the deep, and was graciously attending to the 
 silent but earnest aspirations of those on board, had decreed 
 its safety. 
 
 After one or two unsuccessful attempts to place the little 
 frail bark fairly upon the surface of the water, the command 
 was at length given to unhook ; the tackle at the stern was in 
 consequence, immediately cleared ; but the ropes at the bow' 
 having got foul, the sailor there found it impossible to obey 
 the order. In vain was the axe applied to the entangled 
 tackle. The moment was inconceivably critical ; as the boat, 
 which necessarily followed the motion of the ship, was grad- 
 ually rising out of the water, and must, in another instant have 
 been hanging perpendicularly by the bow, and its helpless 
 passengers launched in the deep, had not a most providen- 
 tial w'ave suddenly struck and lifted up the stern, so as to en- 
 able the seaman to disengage the tackle ; and the boat being 
 dexterously cleared from the ship, was seen after a little w hile, 
 battling wdth the billows ; now raised, in its progress to the 
 brig, like a speck on their summit, and then disappearing for 
 several seconds, as if engulphed “ in the horrid vale” between 
 them. 
 
 Two or three soldiers, to relieve their wdves of a part of 
 their families, sprang into the water with their children, and 
 perished in their endeavors to save them. One young lady, 
 who had resolutely refused to quit her father, whose sense of 
 duty kept him at his post, wms near falling a sacrifice to her 
 filial devotion, not having been picked up by those in the 
 boats, until she had sunk five or six times. Another individ- 
 ual, who was reduced to the frightful alternative of losing his 
 wife, or his children, hastily decided in favor of his duty to the 
 former. Ilis wfife was accordingly saved, but his four chil- 
 dren, alas ! were left to perish. A fine fellow, a soldier, who 
 had neither wife nor child of his own, but who evinced the 
 greatest solicitude for tire safety of those of others, insisted on 
 
BURNING OF THE KENT 
 
 29 
 
 having three children lashed to him, with whom he plunged 
 into the water ; not being able to reach the boat, he was drawn 
 again into the ship with his charge, but not before two of the 
 children had expired. One man fell down the hatchway into 
 the flames, and another had his back so completely broken as 
 to have been observed quite doubled falling overboard. The 
 numerous spectacles of individual loss and suffering were not 
 confined to the entrance upon the perilous voyage between 
 the two ships. One man who fell between the boat and brig, 
 had his head literally crushed fine — and some others were lost 
 in their attempts to ascend the sides of the Cambria. 
 
 When the greater part of the men had been disposed of, the 
 gradual removal of the officers commenced, and was marked 
 by a discipline the most rigid, and an intrepidity the most ex- 
 emplary : none appearing to be influenced by a vain and 
 ostentatious bravery, which in cases of extreme peril, affords 
 rather a presumptive proof of secret timidity than of fortitude; 
 nor any betraying unmanly or unsoldier-like impatience to quit 
 the ship ; but with the becoming deportment of men neither 
 paralysed by, nor profanely insensible to, the accumulating 
 dangers that encompassed them, they progressively departed 
 in the different boats with their soldiers ; — they who happened 
 to proceed first leaving behind them an example of coolness 
 that could not be unprofitable to those who followed. 
 
 Every individual was desired to tie a rope round his waist. 
 While the people were busily occupied in adopting this re- 
 commendation, I was surprised, I had almost said amused, by 
 the singular delicacy of one of the Irish recruits, who in 
 searching for a rope in one of the cabins, called out to me 
 that he could find none except the cordage belonging to an 
 officer’s cot, and wished to know whether there would be any 
 harm in his appropriating it to his own use. 
 
 Again ; As an agreeable proof too, of the subordination and 
 good feeling that governed the poor soldiers in the midst of 
 their sufferings, I ought to state that toward the evening, 
 when the melancholy groupe who were passively seated on 
 the poop, exhausted hy previous fatigue, anxiety and fasting, 
 were beginning to experience the pain of intolerable thirst, a 
 box of oranges was accidentally discovered by some of the 
 men, who with a degree of mingled consideration, respect, 
 and affection, that could hardly have been expected at such a 
 moment, refused to partake of the grateful beverage, until 
 they had afforded a share of it to their officers. 
 
 The spanker-boom of so large a ship as the Kent, which 
 projects, I should think, sixteen or eighteen feet over the 
 
30 
 
 BURNING OF THE KENT. 
 
 stern, rests on ordinary occasions about nineteen or twenty 
 feet above the water ; but in the position in which we were 
 placed, from the great height of the sea, and consequent pitch 
 ing of the ship, it was frequently lifted to a height of not less 
 than thirty or forty feet from the surface. 
 
 To reach the rope, therefore, that hung from its e.xtremity, 
 was an operation that seemed to require the aid of as much 
 dexterity of hand as steadiness of head. For it was not only 
 the nervousness of creeping along the boom itself, or the ex- 
 treme difficulty of afterwards seizing on and sliding down by 
 the rope, that we had to dread, and that occasioned the loss 
 of some valuable lives, by deterring the men from adopting 
 this mode of escape : but as the boat, which one moment was 
 probably under the boom, might be carried the next, by the 
 force of the waves, fifteen or twenty yards from it, the unhappy 
 individual, whose best calculations were thus defeated, was 
 generally left swinging for some time in mid-air, if he was not 
 repeatedly plunged several feet under water, or dashed with 
 dangerous violence against the sides of the returning boat — 
 or, what not unfrequently happened, was forced to let go his 
 hold of the rope altogether. As there seemed, however no 
 alternative, I did not hesitate, notwithstanding my compara- 
 tive inexperience and awkwardness in such a situation, to 
 throw my leg across the perilous stick ; and with a heart ex- 
 tremely grateful that such means of deliverance, dangerous 
 as they appeared, were still extended to me ; and more grate- 
 ful still that I had been enabled, in common with others, to 
 discharge my honest duty to my sovereign and to my fellow- 
 soldiers ; I proceeded after confidently committing my spirit, 
 the great object of my solicitude, into the keeping of Him 
 who had formed and redeemed it, to creep slowly forward, 
 feeling at every step the increased difficulty of my situation. 
 On getting nearly to the end of the boom, the young officer 
 whom I followed and myself were met with a squall of wind 
 and rain, so violent as to make us fain to embrace closely the 
 slippery stick, without attempting for some minutes to make 
 any progress, and to excite our apprehension that we must re- 
 linquish all hope of reaching the rope. But our fears were 
 disappointed, and after resting for awhile at the boom-end, 
 while my companion was descending to the boat, which he 
 did not find until he had been plunged once or twice over 
 head in the water, I prepared to follow ; and instead of 
 lowering myself, as many had imprudently done at the moment 
 when the boat was inclining towards us — and consequently 
 
THE SHIP BOSTON. 
 
 31 
 
 being unable to descend the whole distance before it again re- 
 ceded — I calculated that while the boat was retiring, I ought 
 to commence my descent, which would probably be completed 
 by the time the returning wave brought it underneath; by which 
 means I was, I believe, almost the only officer or soldier who 
 reached the boat without being either severely bruised or im- 
 mersed in the water. But my friend Colonel Fearon had not 
 been so fortunate; for after swimming for some time, and be- 
 ing repeatedly struck against the side of the boat, and at one 
 time drawn completely under it, he was at last so utterly ex- 
 hausted, that he must instantly have let go his hold of the rope 
 and perished, had not one in the boat seized him by the hair 
 of the head and dragged him into it, almost senseless and 
 alarmingly bruised. 
 
 Captain Cobb, in his immovable resolution to be the last, 
 if possible, to quit his ship, and in his generous anxiety for the 
 preservation of every life entrusted to his charge, refused to 
 seek the boat, until he again endeavored to urge onward the 
 few still around him, who seemed struck dumb and powerless 
 with dismay. But finding all his entreaties fruitless and hear- 
 ing the guns, whose tackle was burst asunder by the advan- 
 cing flames, successively exploding in the hold, into which they 
 had fallen — this gallant officer, after having nobly pursued, for 
 the preservation of others, a course of exertion that has been 
 rarely equalled either in its duration or difficulty, at last felt 
 it right to provide for his own safety, by laying hold on the 
 topping lift, or rope that connects the driver-boom with the 
 mizzen-top, and thereby getting over the heads of the infat- 
 uated men who occupied the boom, unable to go either back- 
 ward or forward, and ultimately dropping himself into the 
 water. 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP BOSTON. 
 
 An unusual degree of sensation was excited in Boston, on 
 the first of June, by the melancholy tidings of the loss of the 
 packet ship Boston. This strong and elegant ship — one of 
 the finest packets that belonged to this country — was struck 
 by lightning in the Gulf Stream, six days out from Charleston, 
 
32 
 
 THE SHIP BOSTON. 
 
 and burnt to the water’s edge. We present the details below, 
 as furnished by Capt. Mackay. 
 
 “ On Tuesday, the 25th of May, lat. 39, 31, long. 63, 46, 
 commenced with fresh breeze and squally weather — at 2 P. M. 
 heavy rain which continued until about sunset — at 8 P. M. 
 forked lightning in the southwest, and dark and heavy clouds 
 rising from the westward — at 9, the wind hauled to the west- 
 ward — at 10 P. M. a heavy cloud began to rise in the south- 
 west — at half past 10, sharp lightning, clued up the topgallant 
 sails, and hauled the mainsail up — at 11, heavy thunder and 
 sharp lightning; the second flash struck the ship, burst the 
 main-royal from the gaskets and burnt it; knocked down tbe 
 steward and Isaac Hopkins a sailor, and filled the ship full of 
 electric fluid. We examined the ship immediately to ascer- 
 tain if the masts were injured, or the lightning had passed 
 through the deck ; but the mast appeared uninjured, a bright 
 complaisance resting on each royal-mast head. We single 
 reefed the maintop-sail, and were nbout to hand the mainsail, 
 when we ascertained that the ship was on fire. We immedi- 
 ately cleared the main and after hatchways, to get at the fire, 
 heaving the cotton overboard and cutting holes in the deck, 
 plying water in every direction — but all in vain; the cotton in 
 the main hold was on fire, fore and aft, on both sides, burning 
 like tinder. Our only alternative was to clear away the boats 
 and get them out, part of the crew and passengers at \vork 
 keeping the fire down as much as possible by drawing and 
 heaving water, the scuppers being stopped up ; we stove 
 water casks over holes cut in the deck and in the main 
 hatchway ; starting the water, but all to no good purpose, for 
 before we could get the long boat over tbe ship’s side the fire 
 had burst through the deck and out the larboard side of the 
 ship. The flames raged with such violence and consumed the 
 vessel so quick, that nothing could be saved from the wreck. 
 We got about forty gallons of water and provisions sufficient, 
 on a short allowance, to keep the passengers and crew alive 
 for three weeks — almost every thing else was burnt up in the 
 ship, even the money, watche-s, and clothes — all destroyed 
 At 3, A. M. the main and mizzen masts were burnt off below 
 deck, and the masts fell in the water; at half past 3, the pas- 
 senger.= and crew were all in the boats ; the flames had then 
 reached the forecastle, and the ship was one complete flame 
 of fire, fore and all. The passengers had exerted themselves 
 to the utmost to assist us. The officers had with unwearied 
 exertion, coolness and persevering activity done all that men 
 
THE SHIP BOSTON. 
 
 83 
 
 could do. The ship’s crew worked like horses and behaved 
 like men ; but all would not do. About three hours time 
 had changed one of the best ships that ever swam to a com- 
 plete volcano, and cast twenty-three persons adrift on the 
 open ocean. 
 
 The cabin passengers were Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin and 
 servant, Dr. William Boag, and his sister Miss Ansella Boag, 
 Mr. Neil McNeil, and Mr. Samuel S. Osgood. It was then 
 raining, and every person was drenched through with water; 
 in this situation the constitution of Miss Boag, the only lady 
 passenger, soon gave way. This amiable young lady’s firm- 
 ness of conduct at the first alarm of fire, and during the whole 
 scene, is worthy of the highest praise. To the divine will of 
 her God she submitted without a murmur, and at 1 1 o’clock on 
 Wednesday, she died in the arms of her brother, in the boat, 
 thanking him in the most affectionate manner for his kindness, 
 giving her blessing to us all. On the following day she was 
 buried with the church service, our situation not admitting of 
 the corpse being kept longer in the boat. We remained in 
 the boats near the fire of the wreck, two days, and at three 
 o’clock P. M. on Thursday, were taken on board the brig 
 Idas, of Liverpool, N. S. from Demarara, bound to Halifax, 
 Capt. Joseph Barnaby, who with his officers and crew treat- 
 ed us with every kindness and attention. We remained on 
 board the brig two days, when Sunday morning. May 30th, 
 falling in with the brig Camilla, Capt. Robert B. Edes, he 
 was good enough to offer us a passage to Boston, and receiv- 
 ed us on board his vessel.” 
 
 Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, after landing from the brig Cam- 
 illa, authorized his agent to present Capt. Mackay with a 
 check for five hundred dollars; and subsequently sent him an 
 elegant gold watch, to replace one which he had lost by the 
 destruction of the ship. 
 
 VOE. I. 
 
84 
 
 THE WHALE SHIP ESSEZ. 
 
 LOSS OF THE WHALE SHIP ESSEX. 
 
 This vessel sailed from Nantucket on a Whaling vorage, 
 commanded by Capt. Pollard. On the 13th of iSovember, 
 1820, they were among the wliales, and the three boa id W6f6 
 lowered down. They succeeded in capturing a young whale, 
 but the mate’s boat got stove, and returned to the ship to be 
 repaired. Shortly alter a whale of the largest class, probably 
 the dam of the one they had just taken, struck the ship, knock- 
 ed part of the false keel off, just abreast of the main channels. 
 
 The animal then remained for some time along side, endea- 
 voring to clasp the ship within her jaws, but could not accom- 
 plish it. She then turned, went round the stern, and came 
 up on the other side ; and went away ahead about quarter of 
 a mile. Then suddenly turning, she came at the ship with tre- 
 mendous velocity, head on. The vessel was going at the rate 
 of five knots, but such was the force with which she struck the 
 ship, which was under the cat-head, that the vessel had stern 
 way, at the rate of three or four knots. The consequence 
 was, that the sea rushed into the cabin windows, every man 
 on deck was knocked down, and worse than all, the bows 
 were completely stove in. In a few minutes, the vessel filled 
 and went on her beam ends. 
 
THE WHALE SHIP ESSES. 
 
 35 
 
 At this unhappy juncture, the captain and second mate 
 were both fast to a whale; but on beholding the awful catas- 
 trophe that had taken place, immediately cut from the fish and 
 made for the ship. As soon as the captain got on board he 
 gave orders for cutting away the masts, which w^as accord- 
 ingly done, and the vessel righted; — the upper deck was then 
 scuttled, and some water and bread were procured for the two 
 boats, in which they were compelled to remain as all thoughts 
 of saving the ship were given up. In expectation of falling in 
 with some vessel, they remained by the wreck, making sails, 
 &.C., but were finally compelled to abandon it, and stood away 
 to the southward, in hopes of getting the variable winds, and 
 experiencing fine weather ; but the wind being constantly from 
 the east and southeast, they made much lee-way and w'ere 
 prevented from keeping to the southward. They continued 
 beating about in this way for thirty days, when they made an 
 island, which they took for Ducie’s Island, at which place the 
 boats remained one week; but the island affording hardly any 
 nourishment, and in fact, exhibiting nothing but sterility, they 
 resolved on venturing for the coast ; leaving behind them 
 three men who preferred remaining there, rather than to ven- 
 ture across the ocean in an open boat. 
 
 After a series of disasters, a part of the crew finally reach- 
 ed Valparaiso. Capt. Downes, of the U. S. frigate Mace- 
 donian, on becoming acquainted with the particulars, resolved 
 to rescue the three unfortunate men, who were left behind on 
 the island. Accordingly he fitted out a schooner, at an ex- 
 pense of a thousand dollars, and sent her in search for them. 
 She was out, however, but one month, and returned dismasted. 
 The ship Surrey, Capt. Raine, lying at Valparaiso, was on the 
 eve of sailing for New Holland, and as Ducie’s Island was not 
 far from her track, Capt. Downes offered her commander three 
 hundred dollars, to call there and take off the men. 
 
 On Thursday, the 5th of April, Capt. Raine, considering 
 himself within a short distance of Ducie’s island, which is laid 
 down in Norie’s Epitome to be in lat. 24 degrees 40 minutes 
 S. and long. 124 deg. 17 minutes W., kept a good look out. 
 About 2, P. M. land was perceived, which turned out to be 
 an island in lat. 24 deg. 26 minutes. As the vessel neared 
 the land, they discharged a gun, and shortly after the three 
 poor men were seen to issue from the woods. The boats 
 were presently lowered, Capt. Raine taking one himself. On 
 approaching the shore it was found not only dangerous, but 
 utterly impracticable to land ; of which circumstance they 
 
S6 
 
 WRECK OF THE ISABELLA. 
 
 were informed, in weak and tremulous voices, by the almost 
 starved and nearly worn out creatures themselves, who could 
 scarcely, from the miserable plight they were in, articulate a 
 syllable. One poor fellow summoned up courage enough to 
 plunge into the waves, and with great difficulty reached the 
 boat : he said, one of the others only could swim. 
 
 After warily backing the boat as near the rocks as possible, 
 amidst a heavy surf, the other two men succeeded in getting 
 on board, much bruised and lacerated by the repeated falls ; 
 which object was no sooner effected, when each devoutly ex- 
 pressed his gratitude to that benign Being who had so won- 
 derfully preserved them from sharing in the destruction to 
 which most of their unhappy shipmates had fallen victims. 
 They had been on the island four months, living on wild 
 berries, resembling a cherry, sometimes killing a sea-gull by 
 throwing stones, and no fresh water but when it rained, which 
 was very seldom. On the island they discovered the name of 
 the ship Elizabeth, of London, carved on a tree, and a cave, 
 with eight human skeletons, lying together. 
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 OF THE WRECK OF THE ISABELLA, OFF HASTINGS, ENG. 
 
 The details below were furnished by one of the passengers, 
 in a letter to a friend, dated 
 
 Eastbourne, March 15, 1833. 
 
 This wreck is still visible; she was a fine ship of 340 tons, 
 and offers an awful evidence of the power of nature over the 
 noblest works of art. JMy heart still sickens with dismay at 
 the recollection of the dreadful trials I have passed through. 
 I have not before had health and strength enough to give you 
 an outline of the particulars, and even now I tremble as they 
 pass ill review before me. 
 
 All our valuable furniture, plate, books, manuscripts, outfit 
 and necessaries had been put on board the Isabella in the 
 docks, when she dropped down to Gravesend, where I joined 
 her on the evening of Saturday the 16th of February, with my 
 
WRECK OF THE ISABELLA. 
 
 37 
 
 wife and three children, a girl of 1 8 months, and two boys of 
 four and six years. We were opposed by contrary winds, and 
 put our pilot on shore on Monday evening. On Tuesday the 
 wind freshened into a gale; and the dreadful enervating sick- 
 ness usually attending these scenes dispossessed my wife and 
 myself of all energy and strength. The wind was now di- 
 rectly against us, and every hour increasing its fearful power ; 
 but our captain, full of intrepidity and confidence, determined 
 to proceed, although he left behind a fleet of perhaps an hun- 
 dred sail. As night closed the tempest raged yet more fear- 
 fully. Our gallant ship was but as a feather on the wave’s 
 surface, and all was fearfully dark as any night in the black 
 catalogue of tempests ; the wind right ahead; there was equal 
 peril now in advancing or receding ; the captain, however, 
 gave his orders with as much precision as if he were exhibit- 
 ing in a state pageant. The loud voice of the speaking trum- 
 pet was the only sound that could be heard amid the wild roar 
 of contending elements. Between 3 and 4 o’clock, our cap- 
 tain entered the cabin: he spoke little. I saw the distressed 
 workings of his mind, and one or two questions constituted all 
 the interruptions I offered. He took brandy and water, threw 
 off his saturated dress, and having sat a little in dry clothes, 
 retired. 
 
 From this time the ship seemed to me to labour and strain 
 more than before, and the hurricane to drive and lay down the 
 ship lower on her side ; but as the captain was taking rest, I 
 had fancied more security, and had lain myself on the floor of 
 the cabin in the hope of getting also some repose. I had been 
 lying down I suppose 30 minutes, when I thought I heard or felt 
 the keel of the ship drag. I had been to this time sick to death. 
 I was exhausted and listless, almost lifeless, when the dread- 
 ful suspicion and announcement of “ shore” alarmed me ; I 
 was ill no more. I jumped up and was rushing through the 
 cabin to mention my fears, wlien the ship beat twice on a 
 rock, and I heard the cry of “ The ship has struck !” I call- 
 ed the captain. The dreadful shock and loud cries of alarm 
 combined to summon all on deck, excepting the ladies and the 
 poor children, who had been roused at last by the general 
 crash, and these I would not allow to leave their berths lest 
 they might interrupt the exertions making above. Here, in- 
 deed, was redoubled energy. The rudder was unshipped 
 when we first struck, and was abandoned. Now was the loud 
 cry for the speaking-trumpet, — now for the axes, which for a 
 time could not be found. I asked if there were no guns to 
 
38 
 
 WRECK OF THE ISABELLA. 
 
 fire signals of distress ? No guns. No rockets to let off to 
 acquaint the coast guard with our condition ? No rockets. 
 It was manifest our captain had been, as Napoleon said of 
 Massena, a spoiled child of fortune ! Always happy and suc - 
 cessful in his adventures, his voyages deservedly fortunate, 
 had superseded all contemplation of disater. Every effort was 
 now made, by manoeuvring the sails, to force the ship once 
 more to sea, and made in vain — we were constrained to wait 
 until day-light enabled us to appreciate our real situation, 
 and procure for us from the shore the necessary assistance 
 Ii is difficult to judge of distance on water, but I believe 
 we lay nearlv half a mile from the beach. Every succeeding 
 wave raised the ship several feet, and subsiding, we beat with 
 tremendous violence on the rock. An immense quantity of 
 bricks had been shipped in lieu of ballast; between these and 
 the rock, the ship’s bottom might represent the metal works 
 between the anvil and the hammer, and strange it would have 
 been had it not severely siitfered. Every wave r\ as a fearful 
 mountain, while the hurricane momentarily threatened to 
 shiver us into atoms. Such a storm has not been felt on these 
 shores during the last fifty years. As the ungoverned state 
 of the rudder was now breaking up all within its range, the 
 binnacles were removed below for security, and the rudder 
 lashed to the boom ; but the cords were soon rent asunder like 
 threads. After lying in this situation for nearly two hours, 
 sometimes’ fancying we saw boats approaching to our assist- 
 ance and sometimes that we saw lights as signals, the dawn at 
 length assured us we were descried from the shore, where we 
 saw a general activity corresponding to the peril of our un- 
 happy condition. Not a boat could, however, venture to put 
 out through the frightful surf, and I own I felt little hopes ot 
 relief while the elements continued tlieir frightful ravages, 
 jlhe shore was now lined with spectators, but their svmpathv 
 could avail us nothing. While this was our condition with- 
 out, within the ship, all was devastation. At each new con- 
 cussion something was strained and gave way. Bedsteads, 
 lamps, tables and trunks were hurled from side to side with 
 frightful noise, which made the females believe, in spite of our 
 assurances, the ship was breaking up. But now beamed sud- 
 denly forth in our extremity, the dawn of our deliverance. We 
 had watched a team laboring along the beach conveying to 
 windward a boat. It was launched, and in the same moment 
 manned. It was the God-like life-boat, equipped with the most 
 ‘ntrepid crew that ever deserved their country’s gratitude. In 
 half an hour of unequalled struggles they were alongside, and 
 
WRECK OF THE ISABELLA. 
 
 S9 
 
 boarded us ; and now, indeed, I saw countenances where the 
 glad gleam of joy endeavored to penetrate through a mass of 
 suffering and despair; but we had scarcely interchanged con- 
 gratulations when I was told the boat had left the ship. I 
 could not believe it. I ran aloft and found it true. I felt I 
 had now a duty to perform to my family, and I asked the cap- 
 tain if the boat were dismissed, what could be his plan ? I re- 
 presented that as our rudder was useless he could have no 
 command of the ship if she floated with the coming flood, and 
 if her bottom was pierced, of which there could be no doubt, 
 we must expect that if she dipped into deep water she would 
 fill and go down, and all would inevitably perish — that it 
 would be impossible in her present crippled state, to work her 
 into any port, and I submitted, therefore, that our safety 
 should be consulted above all things. Our captain firmly an- 
 swered, our safety was his principal duty and first care; that 
 1 might rely on his word tliat he would not hazard our lives; 
 and that if the ship was not in a condition to leave the shore, 
 he would not attempt it. I own I returned to my family with 
 a heavy heart to announce the fearful experiment. 
 
 The flood-tide was rolling in, and the trumpet of our vigi- 
 lant captain was again in full activity. After many mighty 
 workings, an awful blast drove us over the reef, and hurried 
 us to sea. Hope beamed again, but it wms found that the ship 
 had made 5 feet of water in 10 minutes. The signal of dis- 
 tress w'as hoisted, and every possible effort made to put the 
 ship’s head to the shore, but without the assistance of her 
 rudder she was wholly unmanageable, and very soon became 
 water-logged. I now caught the captain’s eye; he motioned 
 me, and gave the dreadful intelligence that the ship was sink- 
 ing, and I must prepare my wife and children for any event ! 
 I asked how long it might be before she would go down ? 
 He said, “some time }Ct.” Without making any com- 
 munication, I conveyed my family on deck, and watched the 
 pro^^^ress the ship visibly made in sinking. Efforts were again 
 made to put the ship about but they were fruitless. 
 
 Happily for our safety, the life boat, better acquainted with 
 the distressing features of disaster, had kept hovering around 
 I had grieved at its dismissal but now suddenly heard it hail- 
 ing the captain to let go the remaining anchor. — After drag- 
 ging a little, it held on, and threw her stern round ; but the 
 ship was water-logged and made little progress. She was 
 now so low that every wave rolled in one side and discharged 
 itself on the other. We had thrown out a line to the boat, 
 but it had quickly snapped, and we threw others, in the hope 
 
40 
 
 WRECK OF THE ISABELLA. 
 
 of keeping them at a short distance. As it appeared we must 
 in a few seconds go down, I was preparing cords for the safety 
 of my family, when a squall, a hundred times more frightful 
 than any that had yet assailed us, gave hopes, and the crew 
 cried out, “Now — now the masts must go.” But still they stood 
 to our great danger and annoyance. The ship had, however, 
 felt the impulse received from the last blast, and been impel- 
 led forward; — and now a shock succeeded which gave the 
 glad auspicious tidings of shore. The men clasped their 
 hands, and looked towards Heaven with emotions of gratitude. 
 The last nearly overwhelming gale had lifted us forward, and 
 proved our deliverance; and now the exertions of the crew of 
 the boat were increased tenfold, and they were quickly under 
 our stern. Our intrepid captain, lashing himself for security, 
 jumped over the ship’s side, and, though overwhelmed by 
 every wave, called aloud for the children first. I had taken 
 them below, lest the fall of the masts should injure them. I 
 flew down and in an instant my eldest son was in the arms of 
 the captain. The life boat was now riding on the brink of the 
 wave, and now was lost in the abyss; but as she was descend- 
 ing my son was caught as the captain loosed his arm, by a 
 dozen eager arms raised for his safety. The second boy met 
 with more facility, and the infant was thrown and caught, 
 when the whole crew, with generous sympathy, cried out, 
 “ Now the mother.” The mother was soon with her children, 
 and seemed to us protected by these our worldly saviours 
 from destruction. The other females were then handed down, 
 with a youth of 14; and I next followed, in agonizing anxiety 
 to share with those I felt dearer to me than life, the yet re- 
 maining perils. 
 
 Lifted sometimes mountains high, sometimes hidden from 
 all view in the depths into which we descended, we at last 
 reached the shore. The people upon the beach rushed into 
 the surf to receive us, and braved its perils for our security. 
 The boat was soon lighted, and a cart stood readv to convey 
 us to an adjoining house, where dry clothing was soon ex- 
 changed for garments long saturated with brine. The captain 
 and crew were left on the wreck with one passenger, and two 
 hours elapsed before the boat could succeed in extricating 
 these from the dangers assailinji them. For a considerable 
 period the sea had been covered with floating packages, car- 
 ried by the storm and tide many miles along the beach, but at 
 nightfall began the active work of plunder, and that which had 
 resisted other violence was soon conveyed away from obser- 
 vation. 
 
EXPLOSION OP THE FULTON. 4i 
 
 LOSS OF THE UNITED STATES STEAM FRIGATE 
 FULTON. 
 
 One of the most destructive explosions in the history of this 
 country, took place at the Navy Yard in Brookline, N. Y. on 
 the evening of the 4th of June, 1829, by which accident, 
 SEVENTY FIVE pcrsons were killed and twenty two wounded. 
 
 The accident originated in the carelessness of the gunner, 
 a man about sixty years of age, who had but the day before 
 received his appointment, and who was blown up with the 
 others. On descending to the magazine, it had been usual 
 to place the lamp behind a glass ceiling, which effectually pre- 
 vented all contact with the powder ; but in this instance, the 
 precaution, it was supposed, was not taken. 
 
 The Fulton had been used as a receiving vessel ever since 
 the war, and also as a school for new recruits in the , service. 
 She was moored within two hundred yards of the shorb. The 
 report of the explosion was not louder than that of a common 
 cannon, and many supposed it originated from such ai source, 
 until they saw the immense volume of smoke issuing from the 
 smouldering ruin. A midshipman who was sleeping on board 
 the frigate U. States, within 200 yards of the Fulton, was not 
 
42 
 
 SKEI.ETON OF THE WRECK. 
 
 by the accident. A most singular and promotion-worthy pre- 
 sence of mind was manifested by a private soldier, who wa.*" 
 stationed as sentinel upon the bridge, and though fragments 
 of dead bodies, splinters, and timbers fell around him, in 
 showers, he continued to do his duty as unconcerned as though 
 nothing had happened. 
 
 But two days previous to the e.xplosion, there were sixty 
 two rr;en drafted from the Fulton, to form part of the crew of 
 the U. S. frigate Constellation, then on the eve of her depar- 
 ture for a foreign station, and the Band, seventeen in number, 
 at the time of the disaster, were on shore. 
 
 It being ebb tide, fragments of the Frigate floated down in 
 shoals in [ront of the city of JNew York, and hundreds of small 
 boats were seen busily engaged in securing them. She was 
 made a complete wreck. JNlany of the timbers, although four 
 feet in thickness, and all the otiier parts of corresponding 
 strength, were blown entirely asunder, and left her, dissevered 
 of her glory, lying in the place where she was moored. 
 
 Among the number wounded was a son of the lion. Henry* 
 Eckford, who had been singularly unfortunate in regard to a 
 promising family. It was but a short time previous that an 
 accomplished daughter fell a sacrifice to the flames, — a sou, 
 who traveled in Europe with Professor Carter, died in the 
 morning of life of a consumption ; and another, by this fatal 
 accident, was most cruelly wounded. 
 
 SKELEION OF THE WRECK 
 
 While Sir Michael Moore was in the command of the Ame- 
 thyst frigate, and was cruising in the Bay of Biscay, the wreck 
 of a merchant ship drove past. Her deck was just above 
 water; ber lower masts alone standing. jVot a soul could be 
 seen on board, but there was a cambouse on deck, which had 
 the appearance of having been recently patched with old can- 
 vass and tarpauling as if to afford shelter to some of the crew. 
 It blew at this time a strong gale ; but Sir Michael, listening 
 only to the dictates of humanity, ordered the ship to be put 
 
SKELETON OF THE WRECK. 
 
 43 
 
 about and sent off a boat with instructions to board the wreck, 
 and ascertain whether there was any being still surviving 
 whom the help of his fellow men might save from the grasp of 
 death. The boat rowed towards the drifting mass, and while 
 struggling with the difficulty of getting through a high run- 
 ning sea close along side, the crew shouting all the time as 
 loud as they could, an object, like in appearance to a bundle 
 of clothes, was observed to roll out of the cambouse appar- 
 ently against the lee shrouds of the mast. With the end of 
 the boat hook they managed to got hold of it, and hauled it 
 into the boat, when it proved to be the trunk of a man bent 
 head and knees together, and so wasted as scarce to be felt 
 within the ample clothes which had once fitted it in a state of 
 life and strength. The boat’s crew hastened back to the Ame- 
 thyst with this miserable remnant of mortality; and so small 
 was it in bulk, that a lad of fourteen years of age was able 
 with his own hands, to lift it into the ship. When placed on 
 deck, it showed for the first time, to the astonishment of all, 
 signs of returning life; it tried to move; the next moment mut- 
 tered in a hollow sepulchral tone, “ there is another man.” 
 
 The instant these words were heard. Sir Michael ordered 
 the boat to shove off again for the wreck; looking into the 
 cub house, they found two other human bodies, wasted, like 
 the one they saved, to the very bones but without the least 
 spark of life remaining. They were sitting in a shrunk up 
 posture, a hand of one resting on a tin pot, in which there was 
 a gill of water, and a hand of the other reaching to the deck, 
 as if to regain a bit of salt beef, of the size of a walnut, which 
 had dropped from its nerveless grasp. Unfortunate men ! they 
 had lived on their scanty store, till they had not strength re- 
 maining to lift the last morsel to their mouths ! The boat’s 
 crew having completed their last melancholy survey, returned 
 on board where tliey found the attention of the ship’s com- 
 pany engrossed by their efforts to preserve the generous skele- 
 ton, who seemed to have just life enough to breathe the re- 
 membrance, that there was still “ another man,” his companion 
 in suffering, to be saved. 
 
 Captain S. committed him to the special charge of the sur- 
 geon, who spared no means which humanity or skill could sug- 
 gest to achieve the noble object of creating anew, as it were, 
 a fellow creature, whom the unparalelled famine had stripped 
 of almost every living energy. For three weeks he scarcely 
 ever left his patient, giving him nourishment with his own 
 hand every five or ten minutes; and at the end of three weeks 
 
44 
 
 STEAM BOAT HELEN MACGREGOR. 
 
 more, the “ Skeleton of the wreck” was seen walking on th 
 deck of the Amethyst! — and to the surprise of all who recol 
 lected that he had been lifted into the ship by a cabin boy, 
 presented the stately figure of a man nearly six feet high. 
 
 STEAM BOAT HELEN McGREGOR. 
 
 The following is a description, by a passenger, of one of 
 the most fatal steam boat disasters that has ever occurred on 
 the western waters. 
 
 “ On the morning of the 24th of February, 1830, the Helen 
 McGregor stopped at 3Iemphis, on the IMississippi river, to 
 deliver freight and land a number of passengers, who resided 
 in that section of Tennessee. The time occupied in so doing 
 could not have exceeded three quarters of an hour. When 
 the boat landed, I went ashore to see a gentleman with whom 
 I had some business. I found him on the beach, and after a 
 short conversation, I returned to the boat. 1 recollect look 
 ing at my watch as I passed the gang-way. It was half past 
 eight o’clock. A great number of persons were standing ob 
 
STEAM BOAT HELEN MACGREGOR. 
 
 49 
 
 what is called the boiler deck, being that part of the upper 
 deck situated immediately over the boilers. It was crowded 
 to excess, and presented one dense mass of human bodies. — 
 In a few minutes we sat down to breakfast in the cabin. The 
 table, although e.xtending the whole length of the cabin, was 
 completely filled, there being upwards of sixty cabin passen- 
 gers, among whom were several ladies and children. The 
 number of passengers on board, deck and cabin united, was 
 between four and five hundred. I had almost finished my 
 breakfast when the pilot rung his bell for the engineer to put 
 the machinery in motion. The boat having just shoved off, I 
 was in the act of raising my cup to my lips, the tingling of the 
 pilot bell yet on my ear, when I heard an explosion, resem- 
 bling the discharge ofasmall pieceof artillery — the report was 
 perhaps louder than usual in such cases — for an exclamation 
 was half uttered by me that the gun was well loaded, when the 
 rushing sound of steam, and the rattling of glass in some of 
 the cabin windows checked my speech and told too well what 
 had occurred. I almost involuntarily bent my head and body 
 down to the floor — a vague idea seemed to shoot across my 
 mind that more than one boiler might burst, and that by as- 
 suming this posture, the destroying matter would pass over 
 without touching me. 
 
 The general cry of “ a boiler has burst” resounded from one 
 end of the table to the other; and, as if by a simultaneous 
 movement, all started on their feet. Then commenced a 
 general race to the ladies’ cabin, which lay more towards the 
 stern of the boat. All regard to order or deference to se.x 
 seemed to be lost in the struggle for which should be first and 
 farthest removed from the dreaded boilers. The danger had 
 already passed away! I remained standing by the chair on 
 which I had been previously sitting. Only one person or two 
 staid in the cabin with me. As yet no more than half a min- 
 ute had elapsed since the explosion; but, in that brief space 
 how had the scene changed! In that “drop of time” what 
 confusion, distress and dismay! An instant before and all 
 were in tbe quiet repose of security — another, and they were 
 overwhelmed with alarm and consternation. It is but justice 
 to say that in this scene of terror, the ladies exhibited a de- 
 gree of firmness worthy of all praise. No screaming, no 
 fainting; their fears, when uttered, where for their husbands 
 and children, not for themselves. 
 
 I advanced from my position to one of the cabin doors fo. 
 the purpose of inquiring who were injured, when, just as 
 reached it, a man entered at the opposite one, both his han 
 
46 
 
 STEAM BOAT HELEN MACGREGOR. 
 
 covering his face, and exclaiming “Oh God, Oh God! I am 
 lost! lam ruined!” He immediately began to tear off his 
 clothes. When stripped, he presented a most shocking and 
 afflicting spectacle ; his face was entirely black — his body 
 witliout a particle of skin. He had been flayed alive. He 
 gave me his name, and place of abode — then sunk in a state 
 of exhaustion and agony on the floor. I assisted in placing 
 him on a mattrass taken from one of the berths, and covered 
 him with blankets. He complained of heat and cold as at 
 once oppressing him. He bore his torments with manlv 
 fortitude, yet a convulsive shriek would occasionally burst from 
 him. His wife, his children, were bis constant theme; it was 
 hard to die without seeing them — “ it was hard to go without 
 bidding them one farewell !” Oil and cotton were applied to 
 hi» wounds ; but he soon became insensible to earthly misery. 
 Before I had done attending to him, the whole floor of the 
 cabin was covered with unfortunate sufferers. Some bore up 
 under the horrors of their situation with a degree of resolution 
 amounting to heroism. Others were wholly overcome by the 
 sense of pain, the suddenness of the disaster, and the near ap- 
 proach of death, which even to them was evident — whose pangs 
 they already felt. Some implored us, as an act of humanity, 
 to complete the work of destruction, and free them from pre- 
 sent suffering. One entreated the presence of a clergyman 
 to pray by him, declaring he was not fit to die. I inquired ; 
 none could be had. On every side were to be heard groans 
 and mingled exclamations of grief and despair. 
 
 To add to the confusion, persons were every moment run- 
 ning about to learn the fate of their friends and relatives; 
 fathers, sons, brothers ; for, in this scese of unmixed calamity, 
 it was impossible to say who were saved, or who had perished. 
 Tiie countenances of manv were so much disfigured as to be 
 past recognition. JVIy attention, after some time, was parti- 
 cularly drawn towards a poor fellow who lay unnoticed on the 
 floor, without uttering a single word of complaint. He was 
 at a little distance removed from the rest. He was not much 
 scalded, but one of his thighs was broken, and a principal 
 artery had been severed, from which the blood was gushing 
 rapidly. He betrayed no displeasure at the apparent neglect 
 with which he was treated — he was perfectly calm. I spoke 
 to him; he said “ he was very weak; but felt himself going — 
 it would soon be over.” A gentleman ran for one of the phy- 
 sicians ; he came, and declared that if expedition were used, 
 he might be preserved by amputating the limb ; but that, to 
 effect this, it would be necessary to remove him from the boat 
 
 
STEAM BOAT HELEN MACGREGOR. 
 
 47 
 
 Unfortunately the boat was not sufficiently near to run a plank 
 ashore. We were obliged to wait until it could be close haul- 
 ed. I stood by him calling for help ; we placed him on a 
 mattrass, and bore him to the guards ; there we were detained 
 some time, from the cause I have mentioned. Never did any 
 thing appear to me so slow as the movement of those engaged 
 in hauling the boat. 
 
 I knew, and he knew, that delay wms death— -that life was 
 fast ebbing. I could not take my gaze from his face — there 
 all was coolness and resignation. No word or gesture indica- 
 tive of impatience escaped him. He perceived by my loud and, 
 perhaps, angry tone of voice, how much 1 was excited by what 
 I thought tlie barbarous slowness of those around ; he begged 
 me not to take so much trouble ; that they were doing their 
 best. At length we got him on shore. — It was too late ; he 
 was too much exhausted, and died immediately after the am- 
 putation. 
 
 So soon as I was relieved from attending on those in the 
 the cabin, I went to examine that part of the boat where the 
 boiler had burst. It was a complete wreck — a picture of de- 
 struction. It bore ample testimony of the tremendous force 
 of that power which the ingenuity of man has brought to his aid. 
 The steam had given every thing a whitish hue — the boilers 
 were displaced — the deck had fallen down — the machinery 
 was broken and disordered. Bricks, dirt and rubbish, were 
 scattered about. Close by the bowsprit was a large rent through 
 which I was told the boiler after exploding, had passed out, 
 carrying one or two men in its mouth. Several dead bodies 
 were lying around ; their fate had been an enviable one com- 
 pared with that of others — they could scarcely have been 
 conscious of a pang ere they had ceased to be. On the star- 
 board wheel house lay a human body, in which life was not yet 
 extinct, though apparently, there was no sensibility remaining. 
 The body must have been thrown from the boiler deck, a dis- 
 tance of thirty feet. The whole of the forehead had been 
 blown away ; the brains were still beating. Tufts of hair, 
 shreds of clothing, and splotches of blood might be seen in 
 every direction. A piece of skin was picked up'by a gentle- 
 man on board, which appeared to have been pealed off by the 
 force of the steam; it extended from the middle of the arm 
 down to the tips of the fingers, the nails adhering to it. So 
 dreadful had been the force that not a particle of the flesh 
 adhered to it ; the most skilful operator could scarcely have 
 effected such a result. Several died from inhaling the steam 
 or gas, whose skin was almost uninjured. 
 
48 
 
 STEAM BOAT HELEN MACGREGOR. 
 
 The number of lives lost will, in all probability, never be 
 distinctly known. Many were seen flung into the river, most 
 of whom sunk to rise no more. Could the survivors have been 
 kept together until the list of passengers was called, the pre- 
 cise loss would have been ascertained ; that, however, though 
 it had been attempted, would, under the circumstances, have 
 been next to impossible. 
 
 Judging from the crowd which I saw on the boiler deck im- 
 mediately before the explosion, and the statement which I re- 
 ceived as to the number of those who succeeded in swimming 
 out after they were cast into the river, I am inclined to believe 
 that between fifty and sixty must have perished. 
 
 The cabin passengers escaped owing to the peculiar con- 
 struction of the boat. Just behind the boilers were several 
 large iron posts, supporting, I think, the boiler deck ; across 
 each post was a large circular plate of iron of between one 
 and two inches in thickness. One of those posts was placed 
 exactly opposite the head of the boiler which burst, being the 
 second one on the starboard side. Against this plate the head 
 struck and penetrated to the depth of an inch, then broke and 
 flew off at an angle, entering a cotton bale to the depth of a 
 foot. The boiler head was in point blank range with the 
 breakfast table in the cabin, and had it not been obstructed by 
 the iron post must have made a clear sweep of those who were 
 seated at the table. 
 
 To render any satisfactory account of the cause which pro- 
 duced the explosion can hardly be expected from one who 
 possesses no scientific or practical knowledge on the subject, 
 and who previously thereto was paying no attention to the 
 management of the boat. The captain appeared to be very 
 active and diligent in attending to his duty. He was on the 
 boiler deck when the explosion occurred ; was materially in- 
 jured bv that event, and must have been ignorant of the mis- 
 management, if any there were. 
 
 From the Engineer alone could the true explanation be af- 
 forded ; and, if indeedit was really attributable to negligence, 
 it car. scarcely be supposed he will lay the blame on himself. 
 If I might venture a suggestion in relation thereto, I would as- 
 sign the following causes : — That the water in the starboard 
 boilers had become low in consequence of that side of the boat 
 resting upon the ground during our stay at Memphis; that, 
 though the fires were kept up some time before we shoved otf, 
 that the head which burst had been cracked for a considrable 
 time, that the boiler was e.xtremely heated, and the water, 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP BEVERLY. 
 
 49 
 
 thrown ifi when the boat was again in motion, was at once 
 converted into steam, and the flues, not being sufficiently 
 large to carry it off as quickly as it was generated, nor the 
 boiler head of a strength capable of resisting its action, the 
 explosion was a natural result. 
 
 The ship Beverly, Capt. IMoore, bound to Valparaiso, was 
 burnt at sea, on the 13th Nov. 1826. She was upwards of 
 700 tons burthen, owned by Israel Thorndike of Boston, and 
 VOL. I. 3 
 
60 
 
 LOSS OP THE SHIP BEVERLY 
 
 the value of the ship and cargo was estimated at 118,000 
 dollars. 
 
 On the 13th of Nov. lat. 6, 26, Ion. 27, 2, at half past 3, 
 P. M. the ship was discovered to be on fire in the fore peak, 
 and every e.xertion was made to extinguish it for three hours, 
 but without success. From the inflamable nature of the cargo, 
 (which consisted of tar, rosin, pitch, turpentine, linseed oil, 
 spirits and cabinet furniture,) the fire spread with alarming 
 rapidity. They succeeded in getting out the boats, into which 
 the officers and crew were divided, and in a few minutes left 
 her, having previously taken in a quantity of provisions 
 They lay by to the w'indward, until about 10 o’clock, when 
 the ship had burnt to the water’s edge, and then shaped their 
 course for the coast of Brazil. Finding their progress retard- 
 ed by waiting for each other, they mutually agreed to sepa- 
 rate on the third day afi,er leaving the ship. There were nine 
 in the pinnace, fifteen in the long boat, and six in the whale 
 boat, making a total of thirty persons cast adrift on the open 
 ocean. 
 
 On the 3d of December, the pinnace landed at Paraiba, 
 three weeks after abandoning the ship. Capt. Moore stated 
 that while he was in the boat he had fine weather, and with 
 the aid of a sail, averaged over 90 miles a day, using the oars 
 but once during the passage. He computed the distance run 
 by the boat at nearly 1600 miles. The fire originated through 
 the carelessness of the cook, who went below with a lantern, 
 and it is supposed took the candle out. The flames spread so 
 rapidly that he had his clothes and skin burnt, before he could 
 be extricated, and finally died of his wounds in the boat. 
 
 One of the boys, who arrived with Capt. Moore in the pin- 
 nace, after having escaped the perils of “ fire and flood,” was 
 so unfortunate as to have one of his legs bit off by a shark, 
 while bathing, soon after he landed. 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 51 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES, 
 
 ON THE COAST OF CAFFRARIA. 
 
 The account of the fate of the American ship Hercules, 
 and of the adventures and sufferings of her crew, which set 
 out on her voyage from Bengal in the month of December, 
 1795, involves so much interest, as cannot fait to prove ex- 
 tremely entertaining ; nor can it be better detailed than from 
 the account given by her commander, Capt. Benjamin Stout. 
 
 The Hercules was laying at Bengal, and it was the inten- 
 tion of the Captain to take in a private freight for Hamburg, 
 but not finding one that would answer his expectations, he 
 chartered his ship to the British East India Company, who 
 were at that time busily employed in shipping rice for England. 
 Intelligence having reached the settlements in India, that a 
 failure of corn throughout the whole of Great Britain was 
 likely to produce a famine, the most active and laudable exer- 
 tions were made in India to supply the markets at home with 
 rice. Capt. S. received on board upwards of nine thousand 
 bags, with directions to proceed to London with every possible 
 despatch. The crew, most of whom having been engaged in 
 India, consisted of Americans, Danes, Swedes, Dutch, Portu- 
 
62 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 guese, but chiefly Lascars, amounting in the whole, men and 
 boys, to about sixty-four persons. The necessary arrange- 
 ments for the voyage being completed, they sailed from Sagar- 
 roads on the 17th of March, 1796. 
 
 Nothing material occurred during the voyage until the 1st 
 of June following, at which time they reached the latitude of 
 about 35 south, and 28, 40 east longitude. It then began to 
 blow a gale from the westward, and which obliged them to lay 
 to under their mizzen stay-sail for about six days. During 
 this time the gale continued to blow from the west, but increas- 
 ed progressively until the 7th, when the contentions of the 
 sea and winds presented a scene of horror, of which, perhaps 
 the annals of marine history give us no e.xample. “ Although 
 bred to the sea, (says Captain Stout) from my earliest life, 
 yet all I had ever seen before, all I had ever heard of or read, 
 gave me no adequate idea of those sublime effects which the 
 violence and raging of the elements produce, and which, at 
 this tremendous hour, seemed to threaten nature itself with 
 dissolution.” The ship raised on mountains of water, was in 
 a moment precipitated into an abyss, where she appeared to 
 wait until the coming sea raised her again into the clouds. 
 The perpetual roaring of the elements echoing through the 
 the void, produced such an awful sensation in the minds of the 
 most experienced of the seamen, that several of them appear- 
 ed for some time in a state of stupefaction ; and those less 
 accustomed to the dangers of the sea, added to this scene of 
 misery by their shriekings and exclamations. 
 
 The terrors of the day could only be surpassed by those of 
 the night. When the darkness came on, it is impossible for 
 man to describe, or human imagination to conceive, a scene 
 of more transcendant and complicated horror. To fill up the 
 measure of their calamities, about the hour of midnight a sud- 
 den shift of wind threw the ship into the trough of the sea, 
 which struck her aft, tore aw'ay the rudder, started the stern- 
 post from the hauden ends, and shattered the whole of the 
 stern-frame. The pumps w’ere immediately sounded ; and in 
 the course of a few minutes the water had increased to four 
 feet. A gang was immediately ordered to the pumps, and the 
 remainder were employed in getting up rice out of the run of 
 the ship, and heaving it overboard, in order, if possible, to get 
 at the leak. After three or four hundred bags were thrown 
 into the sea, the principal leak was discovered, and the water 
 poured in with astonishing rapidity. In order, therefore, to 
 decrease as much as possible the influx of water, sheets, shirts, 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 53 
 
 jackets, bales of muslin, and every thing of the like descrip- 
 tion were thrust into the aperture. Had not these exertions 
 been attended with some success, the ship must certainly have 
 gone down, although the pumps delivered fifty tuns of water 
 an hour. 
 
 As the next day advanced, the weather began to moderate. 
 The men worked incessantly at the pumps, and every exer- 
 tion was made to keep the ship afloat. They were at the time 
 about two hundred miles from the eastern coast of Africa. 
 
 On the 9th, although the violence of the tempest had in a 
 great measure subsided, yet the swell of the sea was tremen- 
 dous. The long-boat was ordered out; but the captain having 
 reason to suspect that some of the crew would endeavor to 
 make off with her, he directed the second mate and three sea- 
 men to take possession of her ; at the same time giving them 
 arms and express orders to shoot the first man who attempted 
 to board her without his permission. They were also instruct- 
 ed to keep astern, and to stick by the ship until she came to an 
 anchor. 
 
 The men having taken their stations in the boat, a raft was 
 ordered to be made of all the large spars, which was accord- 
 ingly done. The whole when lashed together measured about 
 35 feet in length, and 15 in breadth. At this time the captain 
 apprehended the ship could not make the land, and being con- 
 vinced, in case of her going down, that all the people could 
 not be received into the long-boat, determined not to neglect 
 any measure that presented even a chance of saving the 
 whole. 
 
 When the second mate was preparing to obey the orders 
 he had received, and take command of the long-boat, the car- 
 penter addressed the captain in a respeetful manner, and ear- 
 nestly entreated him to leave the ship. On being reprimand- 
 ed for not attending to the pumps, the man burst into tears, 
 and declared, that the whole of the stern-frame was shook and 
 loosened in such a manner, that he expected every hour she 
 would go down. The miserable appearance of this man, and 
 the affecting tone of voice in when he delivered his apprehen- 
 sions, considerably increased the terrors of the crew ; where 
 upon the captain thought it necessary to declare that he would 
 perform his duty, and stick to the ship until he was convinced 
 from his own observation that all hopes of saving her was at 
 an end. The carpenter repeated his solicitations, when he 
 was ordered to his post, and assured, at the same time, that 
 unless he made every exertion to encourage the people in 
 
54 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HEPvCULES, 
 
 their duty at the pumps, he should be immediately thrown into 
 the sea. He retired, and exerted himself afterwards with a 
 manly perseverance. 
 
 The captain was immediately addressed on the departure of 
 the carpenter by many of the sailors, and on the same subject. 
 They were so clamorous, and differed so much in their opin- 
 ions, that he was nearly going to extremes with some of 
 them. 
 
 These circumstances are mentioned as a caution to future 
 navigators, who are entrusted with a command. They too 
 frequently listen to the opinions of their people in time of dan- 
 ger, who are generally for quitting the ship and taking to 
 boats, masts, yards and spars formed into a raft, or whatever 
 timbers they can lash together; indeed, as the prejudices and 
 sentiments of the common sailors on these occasions are so 
 various, it is not to be supposed that any thing can arise from 
 such mistaken conduct, but confusion and misfortune. 
 
 A crew, such as composed that of the Hercules, which con- 
 sisted of people of various nations, require indeed from their 
 commander a peculiar attention. It may happen, that by 
 humoring their religious prejudices at a particular moment, 
 an essential service may be obtained ; and the following re- 
 markable anecdote will tend to elucidate this opinion. 
 
 At a period when the tempest raged with the utmost vio- 
 lence, the captain directed most of the crew below, particular- 
 ly the lascars, to work the pumps. One of them, however, 
 was perceived coming up the gang-way, with a handkerchief 
 in his hand ; and on being questioned what he was about, he 
 answered in a tone of voice that discovered a perfect confi- 
 dence in the measure he proposed, that he was going to make 
 an offering to his God. “ This handkerchief,” said he, “ con- 
 tains a certain quantity of rice, and all the rupees I am 
 worth ; suffer me to lash it to the mizen-top, and rely upon it. 
 Sir, we shall all be saved.” The captain was going to order 
 him back to the pumps, but recollecting that in so doing he 
 might throw both him and his countrymen into a state of de- 
 spondency, and thereby lose the benefit of their exertions, he 
 acquiesced. The lascar thanked him, and he soon beheld this 
 child of prejudice mount the tottering ladder without discover- 
 ing a single apprehension. He lashed the handkerchief to 
 the mizen top-mast head, fearless of all danger, and arrived in 
 safety on the deck. Confident now that his God was the 
 Captain’s friend, he went below to inform his brethren that he 
 had done his duty; all the lascars seemed transported with 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 55 
 
 j)y, embraced their virtuous companion, and then laboured at 
 the pumps with as much alacrity and perseverance, as if they 
 had encountered, before, neither apprehension nor fatigue. 
 To their unceasing labors, was owing in a great measure the 
 preservation of his people. 
 
 The shift of wind which threw the ship into the trough of 
 the sea and tore away the rudder, was fortunately a squall of 
 but short duration, not continuing above a quarter of an hour. 
 Had it lasted but a little longer, the ship must have been torn 
 to pieces. The wind came round to its former quarter, and 
 moderated gradually. 
 
 After the long-boat had been delivered to the care of the 
 second mate, and the raft completed, the captain held a con- 
 sultation with the officers, and they were all decidedly of opin- 
 ion, that it was impossible to save the ship, and that they had 
 no other chance to preserve their lives, than to make the land 
 and run her on shore. 
 
 The people, when informed of the issue of this consultation, 
 appeared to work with renovated spirits. This disposition was 
 kept up by being assured they would soon be within sight of 
 land, and that by constantly working at the pumps, the ship 
 would be kept afloat, until they reached the shore. 
 
 The ship for some time had been unmanageable, frequently 
 standing with her head from the land, which all their efforts 
 could not prevent, the captain got a rudder made out of the 
 topmast, and fixed it in the place of the one they had lost; but 
 it was found of little use without the help of the long-boat, 
 which he ordered therefore to be hauled athwart her stern, and 
 this served, although with the greatest difficulty, to get her 
 head towards the shore, the wind being variable from the east- 
 ward. A cable could have been got out, that might have an- 
 swered tolerably well to steer the ship ; but the people could 
 not be spared from the pumps to attend rousing in on the 
 tackles, or guys, as occasion might require. 
 
 On the evening, however, of the 15th, they discovered land 
 at about six leagues distance. All on board at this moment 
 expressed their joy in shouts and acclamations. The ship 
 still kept nearing the shore, with five feet water in her hold. 
 
 On the 16th in the morning, being then about two miles 
 from the land and the wind from the westward, the captain 
 ordered the anchor to be let go, that a last effort might be 
 made to stop the leaks, and, if possible, save the ship. But 
 her stern was shattered in such a manner, that, after holding 
 another consultation with his officers, it was finally resolved 
 
56 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 to run the ship on the coast then opposite to them. Another 
 gale threatened them, and no time was to be lost. 
 
 The captain immediately ordered his second mate, who was 
 in the boat, to come on board, and he then delivered into his 
 custody the ship’s register, and all the papers of consequence 
 he had. After providing him and his three men with water 
 and provisions he ordered him into the boat again, with direc- 
 tions to keep in the offing ; and that after they had run the 
 ship on shore, provided they got safe to land, he would search 
 for some inlet into which he might run with safety. They de- 
 sired him also to look out for signals which would be occa- 
 sionally thrown out from the shore to direct his course. The 
 mate faithfully promised to obey his instructions, and then re- 
 turned to his boat. 
 
 They were now on the coast of Caffraria, within a few leagues 
 of where the river Infanta disembogues itself into the sea. 
 A dreadful crisis approached, and they agreed to meet it with 
 becoming fortitude. The captain therefore gave directions 
 to set the head sail, to heave the spring tight, in order to 
 set her head towards the shore, and then to cut the cable 
 and the spring. His orders were obeyed with the greatest 
 promptitude. 
 
 After running until within something less than half a mile 
 of the shore, she struck on a cluster of rocks. The swell at 
 this moment was tremendous ; and from the ship’s thumping 
 so violently, it w'as scarcely possible for the men to hold on. 
 In this situation she remained for about three or four min- 
 utes, when a sea took her over the rocks, and carried her 
 about a cable’s length nearer the shore, where she again 
 struck, and kept heaving in with a dreadful surf, which every 
 moment made a breach over her. 
 
 The Jashings that held the raft .having given way, and the 
 spars carried to a considerable distance from the ship, they 
 lost all hope from that quarter. At length, one of the crew, 
 who was a black, plunged into the waves, and by e.xertions 
 which seemed more than human, gained and seated himself or 
 the raft. He scarcely remained in that situation for ten min- 
 utes, when the whole was turned over, and the man com- 
 pletely enveloped in the sea. In a few moments, however, 
 they perceived him in his former seat. Again he endured a 
 similar misfortune; and a third succeeded. Still he buffeted 
 the waves, and gained the raft, until at length, after suffering 
 two hours of fatigue, which, until then, the captain could not 
 possibly imagine human nature could survive, he drifted on 
 land. 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 67 
 
 The natives, Avho had kindled several fires, appeared in 
 great numbers on the shore. They were mostly clothed in 
 skins, armed with spears, and accompanied by a vast number 
 of dogs. A party of them seized the man who had landed, 
 and conducted him behind the sand hills that line the coast, 
 and which hid him entirely from their view. 
 
 Twelve of the captain’s people now launched themselves 
 on different spars, and whatever pieces of timber they could 
 find. They braved all difficulties, and at last gained the land 
 No sooner had they reached the heach than the natives came 
 down, seized and conducted them also beliind the sand-hills. 
 As it was impossible for those who remained on board, to dis- 
 cover what they were about, and observing several parties of 
 the natives appear at different times on the shore, but unac- 
 companied by any of the people, they conceived all those who 
 had landed were massacred, and that a similar fate awaited the 
 whole of them. They who had remained on board the ship 
 were •ibliged to shelter themselves in the forecastle, as the 
 wreck, becoming a fixed object, the sea made over her, and 
 there was no other part where they could remain, even for 
 a moment, in a state of security. 
 
 Suspense and apprehension reigned during the whole of 
 the night. Some were of opinion, that, to avoid being tor- 
 tured by the savages, perhaps thrown into the fires they per- 
 ceived on shore, it would be more advisable to resign them- 
 selves to a watery element, as in that situation they should 
 only endure a few struggles and then life would be no more. 
 Others entertained different sentiments, and were for making 
 the shore in as compact a body as possible. “ We shall then,” 
 said they, “ attack the savages with stones, or whatever v/e 
 can find.” This was overruled as a measure impracticable ; 
 there was i o possibility of six men keeping together ; but if 
 such a number could, by a miracle, get on shore without 
 being divided, the natives could destroy them in a moment with 
 their spears. The whole of this miserable night was spent in 
 such consultations ; and as the next sun was to light them to 
 their fate, they trembled at his approaching the horizon. 
 
 As soon as morning appeared, they looked towards the 
 shore; but not an individual was to be seen. Distraction was 
 now visible in every countenance, and what death to choose, 
 the principal consideration. At length, about the hour of nine, 
 the scene changed in a moment. A delirium of extacy suc- 
 ceeded, which no pencil can pourtray, no being can conceive, 
 but those who beheld it. All the people who had landed the 
 VOL I. 3* 
 
68 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 day before, were observed making towards the shore , and 
 they soon perceived them beckoning and inviting them to 
 land. In a few minutes, every spar, grating, and piece of 
 timber that could be procured, were afloat, and completely oc- 
 cupied; some with two people, others with more, according 
 to the size. “ I immediately (says the cajitain) stript off my 
 shirt, put on a short jacket, wrapt a shawl around my waist, 
 in the corner of which I put a gold watch, and, keeping my 
 breeches on, seized a spar, and launched into the sea. For 
 nearly three quarters of an hour I preserved my hold, and 
 drifted towards the shore. Sometimes I was cast so near, 
 as to touch the rocks with my feet, then hurried away to a 
 considerable distance; again I was precipitated forward, and in 
 a moment afterward carried off by the returning sea. At 
 length a sudden jerk, occasioned by the swell, strained both 
 my arms, and I was compelled to quit the spar. At this in- 
 stant, although a considerable distance from the beach, a wave 
 that was proceeding rapidly towards the shore, bore me%long, 
 and in a few moments cast me senseless on the sand. IMy 
 people, who were on shore, observed my situation; they ran 
 down, and snatching me from the danger of the coming waves, 
 bore me to a place of security. I was insensible at this time, 
 but soon revived, as they placed me near a fire, and used 
 every means in their power for rny recovery. The first sub- 
 ject of inquiry, when my faculties returned, was, of course, 
 the fate of my unfortunate crew; and I enjoyed the heartfelt 
 pleasure of beholding them all around me, e.xcept those in the 
 long-boat, and one man, who perished near the shore. I 
 then addressed myself to the natives; but on this occasion I 
 laboured under the difficulty of not being understood. 1 knew 
 nothing of their language, and for some time I endeavored to 
 explain myself by signs. Fortunately there was a Hottentot 
 present, who had lived with the Dutch farmers, and could 
 speak their language. My third mate was a Dutchman, and 
 these served as interpreters. 
 
 “ This difficulty being happily removed, I endeavored by 
 every means in my pow'er to secure the friendship of the na- 
 tives. I thanked them in the name of my whole crew, and on 
 the part of my nation, for the liberal and humane assistance 
 they had afforded us in the hour of our misfortune, and solicit- 
 ed their future, kindness and support. 
 
 “ This being, as 1 conceived, at no great distance from the 
 spot where the Grosvenor was lost in 1782, I inquired of the 
 natives whether any of them remembered such a catastrophe 
 
LOSS OP THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 59 
 
 Most of them answered in the afBrmative, and, ascending one 
 of the sand-hills, pointed to the place where the Grosvenor 
 suffered. 
 
 “ I then desired to know of them, whether they had received 
 any certain accounts respecting the fate of Captain Coxson, 
 who commanded the Grosvenor, and who was proceeding on 
 his way to the. Cape, with several men and women passengers, 
 who were saved from the wreck. They answered, that Cap- 
 tain Coxson and his men were slain. One of the chiefs hav- 
 ing insisted on taking two of the white ladies to his kraal, the 
 captain and people resisted, and not being armed, were im- 
 mediately destroyed. The natives, at the same time, gave me 
 to understand, that at the period when the Grosvenor was 
 wrecked, their nation was at war with the colonists; and 
 as the captain and his crew were whites, they could not tell, 
 provided they had reached the Christian farms, but they 
 would assist the colonists in the war. This affected my situ- 
 ation so directly, that I d^'sired to know on what terms the 
 Caffrees and the colonists then stood. ‘ We are friends,’ 
 said they, ‘ and it will be their fault if we do not always 
 remain so.’ 
 
 “ This answer relieved me from a very serious embarrass- 
 ment ; but the fate of the two unfortunate ladies gave me so 
 much uneasiness, that I most earnestly requested of them to 
 tgll me all they knew of their situation; whether they were 
 alive or dead; and if living, in what part of the country they 
 were situated. They replied, and with apparent concern, that 
 one of the ladies had died a short time after her arrival at the 
 kraal; but they understood the other was living, and had 
 several children by the chief. — ‘ here she now is,’ said 
 they, ‘ we know not.’ 
 
 “ After I had received every possible information on this 
 melancholy subject, we employed ourselves principally during 
 the remainder of the day in assisting the natives to save what- 
 ever came on shore from the wreck. When they got a piece 
 of timber, they placed it immediately on the fire, as the read- 
 iest method of procuring the iron, and which they sought after 
 with the most persevering diligence.” 
 
 When night came on, the natives retired, and left them to 
 sleep under the sand-hills, without covering and without food. 
 The sveather was boisterous, with a strong wind from the west- 
 W’ard, and the cold severe; a consultation was held in what 
 manner they should dispose of themselves until the morning, 
 and they at length resolved, that some of them should keep 
 
60 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 watch during the night, and the rest place themselves near 
 the fire, and if possible obtain a little rest. 
 
 The night passed without any of the unfortunate sufferers 
 enjoying a moment of repose. Their bodies on one side were 
 heated by the fire; but the cold chilled the other in such a 
 manner as to render the pain hardly supportable. The sand, 
 driven by the winds in prodig'ous quantities, filled their eyes, 
 ears and mouths as they lay under the banks, and kept them 
 in perpetual motion. They likewise entertained apprehen- 
 sions respecting the natives. 
 
 At length day appeared, and the Caffrees returned in great 
 numbers. The chief knowing they were in want of food, 
 brought a bullock, which they immediately slaughtered by 
 knocking the animal on the head with clubs, and penetra- 
 ting its sides with their spears. It was skinned almost in 
 a moment, and they cut it up in lumps, which they placed on 
 the fire to singe rather than to roast, and then devoured their 
 respective shares with the highest .satisfaction.^ The beast, as 
 it was given to the famished crew, it might be supposed, would 
 be left for their disposal; but the Caffrees were hungry, and 
 they knew nothing of European etiquette. It is true, they 
 presented the bullock to them as a donation; but they saw no 
 reason why they should not dispose of the greater part of it. 
 
 On cutting up the animal, it was observed they paid more 
 than ordinary attention to the paunch. Several of the Caf- 
 frees laid violent hands on it; and after giving it a shake for 
 the purpose of emptying the contents, they tore the greater 
 part in slits with their teeth, and swallowed the whole as it 
 came warm from the beast. 
 
 Their meal, such as it was, being finished, part of the crew 
 proceeded to the shore, and the long boat was observed at a 
 considerable distance. The sliip was dividing very fast, and 
 the gale increasing, many things were therefore cast on shore, 
 which the Caffrees were indefatigable in procuring. A cask, 
 however, was thrown on the beach, which considerablv excit- 
 ed the captain’s anxiety: it contained sixty gallons of rum, a 
 quantity sufficient to have intoxicated the whole of the na- 
 tives, although they amounted to at least 300. Their predilec- 
 tion for such liquor is well known, and the consequence of 
 their intoxication was particularly dreaded by the captain. 
 The only way left was to steal to the spot where the cask lay, 
 and stave in the head without being perceived by them. This 
 was happily accomplished, and they afterwards stripped the 
 vessel of the iron hoops, without discovering what had been 
 done, or what it formerly contained. 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 61 
 
 In the general search on the shore, one of the Caffrees had 
 picked up the ship’s compass. Not knowing what it was, yet 
 pleased with its formation, he delivered it to the chief, who 
 immediately took it to pieces, and after contemplating the 
 various parts, took the copper ring in which it hung, and sus- 
 pended it from his neck. He appeared highly pleased with 
 the ornament; and this circumstance induced the captain to 
 present him with one still more glittering, and of course, in 
 his estimation, more valuable; recollecting that he had in his 
 possession a pair of paste knee-buckles, he presented them to 
 the chief, and hung one upon each of his ears. 
 
 The moment this was done, the chief stalked about with an 
 air of uncommon dignity. His people seemed to pay him 
 greater reverence than before, and they were employed for 
 some time in gazing at the brilliancy of the ornaments, and 
 contemplating the august deportment of their chief magistrate. 
 
 Towards evening the captain again addressed the chief on 
 the subject of their departure. He requested him to send 
 a guide with them through the desarts to the first Christian 
 settlement, and that nothing should be wantii.g on his part to 
 recompense his kindness. The Caffree paused for a moment, 
 and then very coolly replied, that he would gratify the cap- 
 tain’s wishes; and being desired to name the time when he 
 would suffer them to depart, he gravely answered, “ When I 
 consider that matter you shall be made acquainted with my 
 determination.” These answers alarmed the unfortunate 
 sufferers. The countenance of the savage appeared to dis- 
 cover same hostile measure that was lurking in his mind; and 
 yet his former conduct was so liberal and humane, that they 
 had no just grounds for suspecting his integrity. The na- 
 tives, however, were perceived consulting together in parties, 
 and from their gestures nothing favorable could be perceived. 
 When the day was drawing to a close, the crew were left to 
 rest under the sand-hills, as on the former night. 
 
 The fire was recruited with some timber from the wreck, 
 and sentinels placed as before. The wind blow'ing hard from 
 the same quarter, they were again tormented with clouds of 
 sand and a chilling atmosphere. June being one of the winter 
 months, they had to encounter the severities of the season. 
 It was impossible to shift their quarters as they could not pro- 
 cure timbers to light new fires, and the Caffrees might be dis- 
 pleased at their not remaining in their former situation. The 
 night passed in consultation and gloomy predictions. The 
 captain told his people not to do any thing that might have the 
 
62 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 least tendency to displease the natives; to give them every 
 thing they asked for, as the inhabitants of these desarts were 
 only to be dreaded when provoked. But, at the same time, if 
 contrary to their expectation they made an attack, or endeav- 
 ored to detain them after a certain time, then he hoped they 
 would firmly unite and either force their way or perish in the 
 conflict. 
 
 When the sun made his appearance, they mounted the most 
 elevated of the sand-hills to look out for the long boat; but 
 she was not to be discovered in any direction. In a short time 
 they perceived the Caffrees advancing. ]\Iost of them had 
 assagays in their hands; others were furnished with clubs; 
 some were decorated with ostrich’s feathers, and their chief 
 wearing a leopard’s skin, with the captain’s knee-buckles sus- 
 pended as before. They saluted the crew in a very friendly 
 manner, and were accompanied by them to the beach. The 
 wind increased during the night, and several parts of the ship 
 came on shore. One of the people had picked up a hand-saw, 
 and as he perceived the Caffrees were indefatigable in procu- 
 ring iron, he hio it in the sands. This was a valuable acquisi- 
 tion, and became of infinite service to them in the course of 
 their proceedings. 
 
 Having secured all they could obtain from the wreck, the 
 captain requested the chief to order some of his people to dis- 
 play their skill in the use of the assagays. This is a spear of 
 about four feet six inches in length, made of an elastic wood, 
 and pointed with iron, which the natives contrive to poison 
 so effectually, that if it wounds either man or beast, death is 
 the inevitable consequence. 
 
 The captain’s wishes were immediately gratified. The Caf- 
 frees first placed a block of wood on the ground, and then re- 
 tired about seventy yards from the spot where it lay. The 
 •hief then said, they would now behold their manner of fight- 
 ing when engaged in battle. These compliances, as they 
 seemed to remove former suspicions, gave great satisfaction 
 to the sufferers. A party of about thirty began their ma- 
 neuverings. They first ran to a considerable distance, then 
 fell, as if motionless, on the ground; in a moment they start- 
 ed up, divided, joined again, and ran in a compact body to the 
 spot from whence they originally set out. After halting for 
 about a minute, they let fly a shower of assagays at the mark, 
 and with a precision that was truly astonishing. 
 
 Not a word more passed this day about the departure of the 
 crew. The natives retired as usual on the apprcach of night 
 
toss OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 63 
 
 All were employed to gather wood, and after procuring a suf- 
 ficient quantity, they stretched themselves on the ground, and 
 in spite of wind, sand and cold, slept until the morning. 
 
 When day appeared, all were again employed in looking 
 out for the long boat; but she was not to be seen, nor did they 
 ever hear of her again. 
 
 The Caffrees did not make their appearance this day until 
 the sun had proceeded two hours in his course. As little 
 now was to be procured from the wreck, Captain Stout beg- 
 ged the chief to appoint a guide for himself and crew, as he 
 proposed taking his departure on the next day. “ I shall fur- 
 nish you with two,” said the chief. These joyful tidings were 
 Jelivered with so much frankness, that the captain was re- 
 ieved at once fronj all apprehension and suspicion. 
 
 Desirous of having the Hottentot who served as an inter- 
 reter to accompany them through the desart, the chief was 
 given to understand how much the services of this man would 
 not only contribute to their pleasure, but also to their safety. 
 The honest savage, however, had anticipated their wishes; he 
 had previously mentioned it to the Hottentot, who had con- 
 sented to proceed to the first Christian farm. Another of the 
 tribe, who was better acquainted with the country, had like- 
 wise agreed to be of the party; and this information which was 
 communicated to the crew, diffused a general joy and satis- 
 faction. 
 
 After assuring the chief and the Caffrees in general of their 
 unalterable friendship, and that the guides should be rewarded 
 to the extent of their wishes, “ I told him, (says the captain), 
 we had endured great distress for want of water, and begged 
 to know wliere we could procure some. ‘ I will conduct 
 you,’ said he, ‘ to a spring of excellent water; it is not far 
 from this place, and, if you think proper, we will proceed di- 
 rect to the spot.’ No sooner was the proposal made than we 
 set out; the Caffrees singing and dancing as they proceeded, 
 and my people, although not without suspicions, in tolerable 
 spirits.” 
 
 After travelling westward about four miles through a de- 
 lightful country, they came at last to a wood, in the bosom of 
 which was discovered a hollow. The Caffrees descended first, 
 and when they all arrived at the bottom, the chief pointed to 
 the brook. They drank of the water and found it delicious. 
 After allaying their thirst, they looked about and from the dis- 
 mal appearance of the place, were again in a state of ap- 
 prehension. Being mostly of opinion, that nothing less wag 
 
64 
 
 LOSS OP THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 intended by the CafFrees than to massacre the whole party in 
 this sequestered place; that they were decoyed here for the 
 purpose; and that every man should prepare to defend his life. 
 The captain, however, endeavored to quiet their apprehen- 
 sions, and at last succeeded. 
 
 The Cafirees having invited the party to remain on this spot 
 during the night, they began to prepare wood for the fires. 
 All hands went to work, and by the assistance of a hand-saw, 
 tliey procured some dry trees and underwood that afforded ; 
 very comfortable fire. One of the Hottentots, who was so 
 rich as to possess a tinder-box struck a light; and this accom- 
 modation being not only highly useful but unexpected, gave 
 new spirits to the whole party. 
 
 The natives, as the night came on, did not retire as usual to 
 their kraal. This gave a fresh alarm, which did not appear 
 to be without some cause; situated as the party then were, 
 they were obliged to abide the event, and therefore prepared 
 for the worst that could happen. The watch was set as for- 
 merly; but the Caffrees huddling together, were soon lost in 
 sleep. This place, however dismal in its appearance, afforded 
 a tolerable shelter for the niglit ; clouds of sand were no 
 longer troublesome and the severities of the wind and cold 
 were mitigated by the friendly shade afforded by the trees. 
 
 “We were roused,” says the captain, “ by the savages as 
 the sun appeared, and we departed from this supposed Gol- 
 gotha in tolerable spirits. We had, however, consumed the 
 last pound of our bullock before we left the sand-hills, and oui 
 party began to dread an approaching famine. I mentioned 
 the distress of my people to the chief, and he promised to re- 
 lieve us. We had journeyed but a few miles, when the Caf- 
 frees told us we must remain where we were that night. We 
 accordingly set to work to procure fire wood, and had scarcely 
 completed this necessary business, when the chief presented 
 us with another bullock. It was soon despatched, skinned, 
 cut into pieces of about four pounds each, and we then pro- 
 ceeded to dress them as provision for our journey. This wa: 
 a business of so much importance, that most of the day was 
 spent in accomplishing it. 
 
 “ The night passed with less apprehension than before, and 
 when the morning came we prepared for our departure. 
 
 “ The moment now arrived when the real intentions of the 
 Cafirees were to be developed. The natives came about us, 
 and assisted in dividing the provisions. Each man was to 
 carry his own stock which amounted to about three or four 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 65 
 
 pounds of beef; this with some biscuits, which a few of my 
 people had contrived to preserve from the wreck, was to serve 
 us until we reached a Christian settlement. So far from any 
 appearance of hostility, the natives seemed to view our depart- 
 ure with regret. I took the chief by the hand, and thanked 
 him for his great and friendly attentions to me and my unfor- 
 tunate crew; assuring him at the same time, that if I survived 
 the journey, it would ever be my first consideration to render 
 him and his people some essential service. He thanked me, 
 and then requested I would tell the colonists our ship was lost 
 at sea, and so distant from the land, that no part of her could 
 possibly reach the shore. He also desired me to place the ut- 
 most confidence in my guides, as they would certainly direct 
 me for the best. After my people and the natives had ex- 
 changed some mutual civilities, we parted, and gave one 
 another a last and affectionate adieu.” 
 
 They did not take their departure on the morning of the 
 23d until the sun was well up. The guides were intelligent, 
 and gave them to understand that they must on no account 
 travel early, as the wild beasts constantly rose with the sun, 
 and then ranged the desarts in quest of their prey. As they 
 were all unarmed, a single lion, leopard or panther, could 
 have destroyed most of them. It became therefore highly 
 necessary they should not stir until these animals had satisfied 
 their hunger, and were retired for the day. 
 
 Notwithstanding this cautious and necessary advice, and 
 which was given with a laudable earnestness for their preser- 
 vation, still the people were so desirous of getting on, that they 
 grew uneasy; but the guides could not be induced to quit the 
 fires until about nine o’clock, at which time they all proceed- 
 ed and in good spirits. 
 
 Not more than three or four of the party were at this mo- 
 ment in possession of shoes. They had many hundred miles 
 to travel through unknown countries, to ascend mountains of 
 stupendous elevation, penetrate woods, traverse desarts, ford 
 rivers; and yet they were to combat all these difficulties bare- 
 footed, not having saved above four pairs of shoes, and even 
 these but in sad condition. 
 
 “As my feet were naked (says the captain) like most of my 
 people, one of them offered me an old pair of boots which he 
 then wore; but I refused them. My habiliments were a short 
 jacket, a table cloth, which I found on the shore, wrapt round 
 my loins; a shawl over it, four shirts which I wore at the same 
 time, a pair of trowsers, and a hat. We bore to the west- 
 
68 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES, 
 
 ward on our setting out, for the purpose of obtaining fresh 
 water in the course of our journey. Our guides observed, 
 that near the coast the water was generally brackish; we 
 therefore struck into the interior, and were not entirely disap- 
 pointed in our expectations.” 
 
 They now travelled through a country beautifully variega- 
 ted with hills, dales, extensive plains iinely watered, but less 
 wooded than the former. The grass appeared of an extra- 
 ordinary height; but in the course they pursued, not a human 
 foot-step could be traced; no cattle, no sign of cultivation 
 could be observed. They were not interrupted by any beast 
 of prey, although they constantly perceived their dung. At 
 length, after travelling about thirty-five miles, they began to 
 feel the want of water. 
 
 Having searched for this indispensable aliment with the ut- 
 most anxiety and attention, they were so fortunate as to dis- 
 cover, before sun-set, a brook that ran near the corner of a 
 wood; and here they determined to rest for the night. They 
 began, therefore, to prepare a sufficient quantity of fuel. The 
 wood was chiefly composed of trees that partook in some degree 
 of the nature of thorn: they cut several, and arranged their tires. 
 One of the Caftrees struck a light, and the whole, in a few 
 minutes, was in a blaze. The tinder which he provided was 
 of a particular description; it consisted of a pitchy substance, 
 extracted from a reed, and so tenacious of fire, that a single 
 spark from the steel caught it in a moment. The weather 
 being cold, they resolved to sleep close to one another, but 
 the guides tola them, the place they had fixed upon to rest 
 during the night was known to be infested with leopards; and 
 '.hat, if they scented the party, nothing could prevent them 
 from destroying some of them. This intelligence induced 
 them to enlarge their fires, and they began to consult upon 
 other measures that were likely to contribute also to their 
 preservation. But such is the powerful influence of 3Iorpheus 
 over the harrassed soul, that their conversation had scarcely 
 commenced on this important subject, when they were all re- 
 lieved from any sense of danger, by gently falling into a sound 
 sleep, in which they remained in perfect security until the 
 morning. 
 
 No sooner had the sun peeped above the horizon, than they 
 were all roused by the tremendous roaring of lions. Never 
 W'ere men in a situation more truly alarming. Had they dis- 
 covered them during the night they must have been torn to 
 pieces when sleeping, as not an individual could attend the 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 67 
 
 watch, or keep awake even for an hour. They therefore con- 
 gratulated one another on finding they had all escaped, and 
 set out about seven in the morning, in company with their 
 guides. They soon arrived at the bank of a river, which being 
 perfectly dry, they crossed without difficulty. Shortly after 
 they came to another, which they likewise passed in a few 
 minutes. They reached at length some islands, from the tops 
 of which they discovered several beautiful vales, clothed with 
 long dry grass, small clusters of trees, and in other places 
 forests of considerable extent, skirting mountains of different 
 elevations. In the course of the day they were in great dis- 
 tress for want of water, and lost much time in the pursuit of it. 
 Indeed they almost despaired of finding any, as the earth ap- 
 peared so dry as to exhaust all the brooks they had visited. 
 Luckily, however, about sun-set, tliey discovered a small rivu- 
 let that ran near the skirt of a forest; and, although the water 
 was not good, yet it still relieved them from a dreadful situation. 
 
 Having travelled this day about thirty miles, they deter- 
 mined to remain where they were during the night. All 
 hands, therefore, went immediately to work, for the purpose 
 of getting fuel. They had seen no animals in the course of 
 the day, but frequently observed the dung of the elephant and 
 the rhinoceros. 
 
 As their situation for this night was as dangerous and de- 
 plorable as on the preceding one, they determined to enlarge 
 their fires, as the only means of safety they had left. This 
 was accordingly done, and they had the pleasure to find, when 
 the day appeared, that not an individual was missing of the 
 whole party. 
 
 They proceeded on their journey shortly after sun-rising; 
 and, as they were to travel through a wood of considerable ex- 
 tent, the guides told them to be upon their guard, as they 
 would certainly be interrupted by wild animals, which resort- 
 ed to that place in prodigious numbers. They determined, 
 notwithstanding, to brave all dangers, and accordingly pro- 
 ceeded. They indeed escaped the lions, the panthers, the 
 rhinoceros, the elephant, &c. but, unfortunately, about noon, 
 came up with a horde of Caffrees, that were distinguished by 
 their own countrymen, as a bad tribe. They spoke at first to 
 come Caflree women, who behaved kindly, and gave them one 
 or two baskets of milk. These baskets are made of twigs, 
 wove so closely together as to hold water. 
 
 Having proceeded but a short way, after receiving this in- 
 stance of female liberality, they were stopt by twelve Caffree 
 
68 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 men, armed with spears, and clothed in leopards’ skins. Their 
 guid s, alarmed at the appearance of these savages, flew to 
 the banks of the great fish river, which at that time was not 
 more than two hundred yards from the place where they stood. 
 They repeatedly called on them to return, but in vain; they 
 immediately crossed the bed of the river, which was dry, and 
 having reached the opposite shore ascended an adjoining 
 mountain with the utmost precipitation. The savages bran- 
 dished their spears, and appeared by their gestures to menace 
 the destruction of the people. They could not understand 
 what they said; but supposed they demanded from them what- 
 ever articles they possessed; and as these principally consist- 
 ed of the little stock of provisions they had left, and their 
 clothes, they determined not to part with either. 
 
 One of the captain’s people had a knife, which was slung 
 over his shoulder. A Cafliee perceiving it, made a snatch at 
 the handle; but the owner resisting it, he lost his hold. This 
 so enraged the savage, that he lifted up his assagay with an 
 apparent intention of dispatching the object of his resentment. 
 At the moment he stood in this attitude, a more finished pic 
 ture of horror, or what may be conceived of the internals, was 
 perhaps never seen before. The savage wore a leopard’s 
 skin; his black countenance bedaubed with red ochre; his 
 eyes, inflamed with rage, appeared as if starting from their 
 sockets; his mouth e.xpanded, and his teeth gnashing and grin- 
 ning with all the fury of an exasperated demon. He was, 
 however, diverted from his purpose, and dropped the assagay. 
 
 The crew instantly proceeded to the river, and crossed it in 
 pursuit of their guides, who were standing on the summit of 
 the mountain; when they came up, the guides expressed the 
 utmost satisfaction at their escape. They gave them a terri- 
 ble description of the people they had just lefl, and assurer 
 them, if the remainder of their horde had not been hunting at 
 the time they got to the fish river, not a man of them woula 
 have sjrvived. They also declared, that they were the most 
 abominable horde throughout the whole of Caffraria. 
 
 Their conversation lasted but a few minutes, when they re- 
 solved to descend the mountain, and pursue their journey 
 Scarcely had they put themselves in motion, when a scene o^ 
 the most extensive and luxuriant beauties burst in a momen'. 
 on their view. The danger they had just escaped, engaged 
 their attention so entirely, when they gained the summit, that 
 they did not immediately perceive the world of beauties tha,*. 
 now lay spread before them. All stood for some time in e 
 
LOSS OP THE SHIP HERCULES, 
 
 69 
 
 state of rapture and amazement. The country was mostly a 
 level, yet pleasingly diversified with gentle elevations, on the 
 tops of which they could perceive clumps of the mimosa tree, 
 and the sides clothed with shrubs of various denominations. 
 A thousand rivulets seemed to meander through this second 
 .Eden; frequently skirting or appearing to encircle a planta- 
 tion of wood; then suddenly taking a different direction, glid- 
 ed through a plain of considerable extent, until it came to a 
 gentle declivity; here it formed a natural cascade, and then, 
 following its course, proceeded in an endless variety through- 
 out the whole of the country. 
 
 As they stood gazing on this sylvan scene, they perceived 
 innumerable herds of animals, particularly of the species of 
 the gazelle, scouring over the plains; some darting through 
 the woods, others feeding, or drinking at the rivulets. As 
 far as the eye travelled in pursuit of new beauties, it was 
 most amply gratified, until at length the whole gradually fad- 
 ed on the view, and became lost on iiie horizon. They were 
 so wrapt in ecstacy on this landscape, that they forgot their 
 danger, and remained too long upon the mountain. They at 
 length descended, and proceeded on their journey. 
 
 Before the day closed they fixed on a place where they were 
 to remain until the morning. It was near a wood, mostly 
 composed of that kind of thorn already mentioned. Several 
 of these they immediately cut, not only for the purpose of fuel, 
 but to form a barricade or defence against the wild animals 
 during the night. 
 
 After completing their fortification, lighting the fires, and 
 supping in the best manner possible, they lay down to rest; 
 but their sleep was constantly disturbed during the night, by 
 a herd of elephants brushing through the wood, passing and 
 returning almost every moment. Had not the fence been 
 erected the preceding evening, they would in all probability, 
 have been trampled to death by these monstrous animals. 
 They had the good fortune however to escape; and, about 
 seven the next morning, proceeded on their journey, in com- 
 pany with the guides. 
 
 They travelled this day through a delightful country. The 
 land, in some places, seemed to be composed of a red and 
 yellow clay, and the valleys appeared covered with a very 
 thick and long grass, but not a sign of agriculture was to be 
 observed. In the course of the day, they perceived a few de- 
 serted huts, one of which they entered, but paid severely fo’’ 
 their curiosity; as those who ventured in, were in a momeiy 
 covered entirely with fleas. 
 
70 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 Water was found sometimes, but it was brackish, although 
 they were at least 50 miles from the sea. They kept at tiiis 
 distance during most of the journey. 
 
 They brougut up for the night, after traveling about So 
 miles, at the skirt of a small forest, and provided fuel, with a 
 temporary defence, as before. The provisions being nearly 
 exhausted, they were obliged to eat sparingly, although most 
 of them were ravenously hungry. 
 
 About seven in the morning, they again set out; but many 
 of the people dropt astern in the course of the day, being 
 almost worn out with fatigue. In this situation it was thouglu 
 advisable for such of the party as could travel, to get forward, 
 and provide a place where wood and water could be had. The 
 captain was of this company; and that all those who remained 
 behind might find their way, he ordered the Caffree guides to 
 set fire to the long grass, which served during the night as a 
 point of direction. He was likewise in expectation of their 
 coming up before the morning; but was sadly disappoinied. 
 They remained stationary until the sun appeared, and then 
 went on. 
 
 Not one of the people left behind appeared this morning; 
 but the guides were of opinion tliey would reach a Christian 
 settlement in the course of the day, where assistance would 
 certainly be had. This intelligence gave them new s[>irifs; 
 and they traveled with an unusual alertness, until they came 
 to a farm house. Here relief was expected, but none was to 
 be found: the whole place had been deserted for some time; 
 they were obliged, therefore, to sleep again in the air, and 
 leave their absent and miserable companions to all the horrors 
 of the desart. 
 
 This was not a night of sleep, but lamentation. They sat 
 round the fire, and spoke of nothing but their absent mess- 
 mates and their unfortunate situation. Thev were left de- 
 fenceless, without food, hardly able to stand erect, and in a 
 country where the ferocious animals were most numerous. 
 They were likewise every hour in danger of an attack from 
 the Boshis-men, who swarm in these parts, and destroy the 
 unhappy object of their vengeance by arrows that are poison- 
 ed. The sensibility of the people on this melancholy occa- 
 sion, displayed the genuine character of a sailor. Men who 
 could brave all the dangers of the tempest, and face death 
 without a trembling nerve, even in the cannon’s mouth, could 
 not, however, speak of their distressed and absent brethren 
 without a tear. Their own misfortunes were forgotten ; and 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 71 
 
 their only consideration, during the night, was their unhappy 
 messmates, whom they never expected to behold again. 
 
 They remained here for more than an hour after the rising 
 •of the sun. Out of sixty, that composed the party, when they 
 departed from the beach, thirty-six were so maimed and worn 
 down by fatigue, as to be unable to travel, these remained in 
 the desart, if not already destroyed; and had no hope of pre- 
 servation, but from the exertions of the party who were able 
 to proceed; the guides were now certain that a Christian 
 habitation was at hand. The last they saw had been destroyed 
 by the Caffrees during the war with tlie colonists. It was, 
 therefore, determined to proceed to a place where relief could 
 be obtained, with every possible dispatch. The people pro- 
 ceeded witli redoubled energy; the salvation of their com- 
 -anions was the incentive, and that consideration banished 
 every idea of danger or fatigue. 
 
 They traveled without a single halt for about three hours 
 when one of the guides who was advanced, roared out, in 
 transport of joy, “ I see a Hottentot, attending a flock o^ 
 sheep.” It was the voice of a seraph proceeding from a Caf< 
 free. They ran to the place where he stood, and at a conside 
 rable distance, oltservcd a man attending a flock of at leas*^ 
 four thousand. They moved in a body towards the shepherd, 
 who seemed at first to lie alarmed; but perceiving they wers. 
 mostly whites, and unarmed, he stopt until they came up. The 
 captain requested of him to direct them the nearest way to the 
 first settlement, which he did, and at the same time informed 
 him, the proprietor was a good man; the distance, he said, was 
 about three hours. The pleasure diffused throughout the 
 party, on receiving this information, it is impossible to de- 
 scribe. Tlie captain embraced this opportunity, and went on; 
 a general joy succeeded, and who should be foremost, the 
 principal consideration. 
 
 At length — ecstatic reflection — they came within sight of a 
 Christian farm. “ Come on, my lads,” said the captain, 
 ‘‘ we are safely moored at last; and our people, in the desarts, 
 A'ill be soon relieved,” Some tottered as they stood, over- 
 come by joy, and could not move; others appeared as in a 
 trance, until at length about ten followed him, and they enter- 
 ed the house of Jan du Pliesies. 
 
 Fortunately, this was a settler of the best order, about sixty 
 years old, born in Holland, but had resided in Africa for 
 many years; humane, generous, and possessing a heart that 
 appeared to be the constant mansion of a virtuous sympathy 
 
72 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 His cottage was formed of clay, thatched with a kind of reed, 
 and furnished with a few stools, a table, and some kitchen 
 utensils. His family consisted of five or six sons their wives 
 and children, together with a daughter, making in all about 
 twenty people. His stock, however, was considerable, not 
 less than twelve thousand sheep, and one thousand cacen. 
 
 After the alarm, which their first appearance occasioned, 
 had subsided, the captain told the story of their melancholy 
 disaster, and implored his assistance for the relief of the un- 
 happy people who were left behind. This good man could 
 not listen to the relation without discovering by his counte- 
 nance the tenderness of his nature. His face, whicii was 
 naturally pallid, became, at certain intervals, of a crimson hue; 
 these emotions appeared as the etfervescence of sensibility, 
 and to exhibit, in glowing colours, the complexion of virtue. 
 
 As no time, he said, should be lost in preparing fer the re- 
 lief of the unhappy people, he immediately directed two of 
 his sons to harness eight oxen to a waggon. His orders were 
 obeyed with a cheerfulness that evinced an hereditary good- 
 ness, and that it had descended, unimpaired, from the sire to 
 his children. They were directed to travel all night; and 
 the guides described the spot so minutely, as to avoid all pos- 
 sibility of a mistake. The w'aggon was soon out of sight, and 
 they all sat down to partake of a sheep, which their liberal 
 host had ordered to be killed for their entertainment. 
 
 When the meal was over, the worthy colonist began to in- 
 terrogate them respecting their journey through CafiVaria. 
 He could not possibly conceive, he said, how the Tamboebis 
 could be induced to suffer their departure. They were such 
 a horrid race, that nothing was so gratifying to their nature as 
 the shedding of human blood. The Boshis-men he also ob- 
 served, were so perpetually on the look-out, that he was amaz- 
 ed at their traveling with any degree of seeurity; but when 
 he considered that they came through a part of CafiVaria, so 
 infested with carnivorous animals, that people eouli never 
 travel safely but in parties, and well armed, he declared their 
 being then in his house appeared to him a kind of miracle. 
 
 The captain took this opportunity of giv ing our worthy host 
 a proper idea of the Tambochis. His mind had beer poison- 
 ed by some of his depredating neighbours, and never going on 
 such parties himself, had entertained these prejudices without 
 having an opportunity of know ing the contrary. He appeal- 
 ed much pleased at the conduct of the Tambochis, anil declar- 
 ed this circumstance alone would relievehim from many hours 
 of uneasiness. 
 
LOSS OP THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 73 
 
 His sequestered mansion was nearly surrounded by trees, 
 on which were hung to dry, the skins of lions, tigers, panthers, 
 and other destructive animals, killed in the vicinity of his own 
 habitation. The carcasses of two enormous creatures were 
 observed lying near the door, which had the appearance of 
 being recently destroyed. They were two rhinoceroses that 
 the farmer’s sons had killed, but the day before, on their own 
 land. This gave rise to a narrative respecting these animals, 
 which the good man related with great circumspection, and 
 which appeared very extraordinary. 
 
 “ These creatures, said the farme'", are more savage, and 
 infinitely more to be dreaded, than any other animal of the 
 desarts. Even the lion, when he perceives a rhinoceros, will 
 fly from him on the instant. I had a proof of this, said he, 
 about two years ago. As I was traversing my lands in the 
 morning, I perceived a lion enter a thicket, about the distance 
 of half a mile from the place where I stood. In a few minutes 
 after I observed a second, then a third, and a fourth came; 
 they seemed to follow one another at their leisure, and, in less 
 than an hour, I counted nine that entered the same wood. 
 jVever having seen so many of the same species together, I 
 was desirous to know the event of their meeting, and I con- 
 cealed myself for the purpose. After waiting for rather more 
 than an hour in my lurking place, without either seeing any of 
 them, or hearing any noise from the quarter where they lay, 
 I began to despair of having my curiosity in the least gratified. 
 At length, I perceived a rhinoceros of uncommon magnitude 
 approach the wood. He stood motionless for about five 
 minutes, when he arrived at a small distance from the thicket, 
 then tossed up his nose, and at last scented the animals that 
 lay concealed. In an instant I saw him dart into the wood, 
 and in the space of about five minutes afterwards I observed 
 all the lions scamper away in different directions, and appa- 
 rently in the greatest consternation. The rhinoceros beat 
 about the M’ood in pursuit of his enemies for a considerable 
 time; but not finding any, he broke cover at last and appeared 
 on the plain. He then looked around him, and, enraged at his 
 disappointment, began tearing up the earth, and discovered 
 every sign of madness and desperation. I remained quietly 
 in my retreat until the animal disappeared, and then returned 
 to my house.” 
 
 The travelers slept this night on sacks, which their host 
 had arranged for their accommodation. At breakfast on the 
 succeeding morning, their benefactor entertained them with 
 VOL. I. 4 
 
74 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES 
 
 some very interesting observations respecting the country 
 where lie resided. He particularly stated the hardships, 
 which the colonists endured from the restrictive orders and 
 persecuting conduct of the government at the Cape. “ I have 
 lead ore, said he, on my own farms, so near the surface that 
 we can scrape it up with our hands, and yet we dare not touch 
 it. If we were known to melt and use a single pound of it, we 
 should be all transported for life to Batavia.” 
 
 Before they had finished their meal, their benefactor dis- 
 patched messengers to liis neighboring friends, desiring their 
 assistam s to get the c'ew to the Cape. Several of them 
 came and behaved with the greatest tenderness and liberality. 
 They went so far as to say, that such as were desirous of re- 
 maining in the country until they had perfectly recovered, 
 should be accommodated at their houses; and as they travel- 
 ed once in every year to the Cape, they would take the first 
 opportunity of conveying them thither. The captain thanked 
 them for their kindness, but declined accepting their proposal, 
 as his intention was to make the Cape with every possible 
 expedition. 
 
 This conversation was interrupted by a Hottentot servant 
 who ran info the house and declared the “ waggon was in 
 sight.” All flew to meet it, and the captain had the heartfelt 
 consolation of perceiving twenty-three of his unfortunate 
 people, chiefly lascars, laying down in the machine. On their 
 arrival, the two sons of du Pliesies said, they found them near 
 a wood perfectly resigned to their fate, having given up all 
 hopes of relief The preceding day, thirteen of their com- 
 panions separated from them; but where they had strayed to not 
 one of them could even guess at. These poor fellows after en- 
 during for a long time the most unexampled miseries, all arriv- 
 ed in safety at the Cape. 
 
 They were now forty-seven in number, and as they were to 
 proceed in waggons, such as were alllicted with sore feet, or 
 weak through hunger and fatigue, would not again be sepa- 
 rated from their companions. 
 
 Their benevolent host now provided them with a waggon 
 and two sets of oxen, each set containing eight. They were 
 occasionally to relieve each other on the way, and two or 
 three Hottentot servants were appointed as drivers, and to 
 take charge of the relaying cattle. One of the farmer’s sons, 
 completely armed, was likewise directed to attend them, and 
 the waggon was stored with provision and water sufficient un- 
 til they arrived at the ne.xt settlement. 
 
LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 75 
 
 They took their departure from the hospitable mansion of 
 the benevolent du Pliesies on the morning of the second of 
 July. The guard was perpetually on the watch, lest the Bo- 
 shis-men or the wild animals might dart upon them unperceiv- 
 ed. About eight in the evening, however, they reached the 
 second farm in perfect security. The distance traveled was 
 about thirty-five miles this day, and all the people in good 
 spirits. 
 
 The owner, whose name was Cornelius Englebrock, they 
 found also a beneficent character. His cottage was poor in- 
 deed; but all that he could afibrd he gave with cheerfulness. 
 His neighbour’s letter was produced, which he read with 
 great attention, and then said, “ my friend is a good man, and 
 I always valued him; but you wanted no other recommen- 
 dation to my poor services, than your misfortunes.” 
 
 They remained here during the night, after partaking of a 
 frugal repast which their host had provided, and which was 
 given with many innocent apologies for its scantiness. 
 
 Before their departure on the ensuing morning, the farmer 
 generously presented them with nine sheep. The poor man 
 lamented he could not let them have a morsel of bread. “ We 
 live, (sa>id he), the year round cliiefly on mutton and game; 
 but seldom enjoy the luxury of a loaf.” He insisted, how- 
 ever, on the captain’s taking the sheep, which he accepted 
 with many thanks, and they then departed on their journey. 
 
 During the four or five succeeding days, they traveled on 
 from house to house, generally at fifteen or sixteen hours dis- 
 tance from each other, and were received at all of them with 
 a disinterested hospitality. These occurrences are related 
 with a scrupulous attention to fidelity, because the colonists, 
 without distinction, have been frequently represented as a 
 ferocious banditti, scarcely to be kept within the pale of au- 
 thority. 
 
 During several days trial they could get but little bread, 
 and not much water. The countries were alternately hill 
 and dale, and often afforded the most romantic prospects. 
 They frequently perceived vast quantities of wolves, and often 
 such droves of that species of deer which the farmers call 
 spring buck, that one flock alone could not contain less than 
 from twelve to fourteen thousand. Indeed many of tne settlers 
 said, they had seen double that number at one time, and fre- 
 quently killed three at a single shot. Our travelers likewise 
 saw vast quantities of guinea fowl, which after a showor of 
 rain, are easily caught by the farmers’ dogs. 
 
76 
 
 LOSS OF THE SHIP HERCULES 
 
 Ihe zebra, or wild ass, is common in these advanced col- 
 onies, and many of them were seen — ostriches likewise nu- 
 merous. They had such plenty of venison at the houses where 
 they stopped, that their stock of nine sheep, furnished by 
 honest Englebrock, was diminished but three in the course 
 of six days. 
 
 From the 8th to the 16th of June, their journey was not 
 interrupted by any disagreeable occurrence. The countries 
 through which they passed, displayed at every mile a new 
 change of beauties. The mountains were in many places of 
 stupendous height, and the valleys, decorated with wood, were 
 astonishingly fertile in vegetable productions. One of the 
 most e.xtensive of these valleys, took them no less than three 
 days and a half in passing. It is called by the settlers Long 
 Cluff, and affords, perhaps, as many romantic scenes as can be 
 found in any spot of the same e.xtent on the face of the earth. 
 
 The hills for seventy or eighty miles run parallel to each 
 other. The lands betw'een are wonderfully rich, and produce 
 vast quantities of a plant similar in its smell and taste to our 
 thyme. On this fragrant herb are fed immense quantities of 
 sheep and cattle; they devour it with great eagerness, and it 
 gives the mutton a flavour so like our venison, that an epi- 
 cure might be deceived in the taste. The valleys are generally' 
 level from four to eight miles in breadth, and in several places 
 intersected with rivulets, on the borders of which are frequent 
 ly perceived whole groves of the aloe tree. 
 
 On or about the fourteenth, they reached the settlement of 
 an old and blind man. He had a large family, and appeared 
 to possess a comfortable independence. When he heard the 
 story of the travelers, the good farmer burst into tears, and 
 ordered a glass of brandy to be given to each of the crew. 
 After this unusual and cheering repast, he directed some 
 mutton to be delivered to the people, and gave them a [)ot 
 to dress it in. He then requested of the captain to mess with 
 the family, yvhich w'as complied with, and when supper was 
 ended, this worthy creature said he was so pleased with their 
 escaping the dangers of the sea and the Caffrees, that he 
 would celebrate the meeting with a song. He immediately 
 began and sung with the voice of a Stentor. A general plau- 
 dit succeeded; and then their honest benefactor said, “Now, 
 captain, I have a favour to ask of you. Pray desire all your 
 people to sing.” It was impossible to help laughing at this 
 whimsical request; but it was thought good-humour at such a 
 moment should not be interrupted; therefore an American 
 
LOSS OP THE SHIP HERCULES. 
 
 77 
 
 sailor was desired to sing one of his best songs. He no 
 sooner began than all the lascars tuned their pipes; this set 
 a-going the Swedes, Portuguese, Dutchmen, and all the crew; 
 each party sang in their several languages, and at the same 
 time. Such a concert was never heard before; but the liberal 
 and merry old colonist was so entertained with their music, 
 that he had nearly dropt from his chair in a fit of laughter. 
 
 The captain was provided this night with a sheep’s skin, on 
 which he rested under the roof of the farmer’s cottage; but 
 there was not room for all, and therefore most of the poor fel- 
 lows were obliged to sleep in the air. A similar inconve- 
 nience had happened so frequently since they reached the 
 colonies, that they determined to separate. 
 
 On the morning of the 17th they separated, and the c.aptain 
 took with him his chief and third mate, together with one or 
 two more who were solicitous to accompany him. The 
 country, as they advanced, increased in population; and the 
 farm-houses were, in several places, not more than two hours 
 distance from each other. JMany of them were beautifully 
 situated, and tbe lands produced grain, oranges, figs, and 
 lemons in abundance. Their grapes likewise appeared to 
 flourish, and supplied them with wine and brandies, which they 
 vended chiefly at the Cape. Vast herds of deer, and part- 
 ridges out of all number, were seen, and immense tracts of 
 land covered entirely with aloe trees. 
 
 From the 17th to the 21st, they traveled a mountainous 
 country; but the valleys constantly presented farms and habi- 
 tations where the industry of the husbandman was amply re- 
 warded. The flocks of sheep were prodigious; but the cattle 
 were not so numerous, nor in such good condition as those 
 seen in the more advanced colonies. 
 
 On the 22d they arrived at Zwellingdam, and proceeded to 
 the landorse-house. The landorse is the chief man of the 
 place, and his settlement consists of about sixteen or eighteen 
 houses, surrounded by a delightful country, and producing 
 grain, vegetables for culinary purposes, grapes and fruits of 
 almost every description. 
 
 This gentleman gave them a very hospitable reception, and 
 the next morning furnished the captain with a horse and guide, 
 to conduct him to his brother’s-in-law; that nothing might be 
 omitted on his part to secure a favorable reception at the Cape, 
 the captain’s worthy host gave them a very kind letter to his 
 friend General Craig, commander in chief, acquainting him 
 with the loss of the ship, and the miseries endured by the crew 
 
73 
 
 LOSS OP THE SHIP HEPlCULES. 
 
 in their travels through the desart. He also requested the 
 general would do them every kindness in his power, which he 
 would acknowledge as an obligation conferred upon himself. 
 
 They arrived at the settlement of Johannes Brinch at Stallen 
 Bush, on the third or fourth day, after traveling through a 
 country highly cultivated, and producing immense forests of 
 the aloe-tree. The farmers lived here in affluence, and the 
 crew continued to experience the most liberal and kind atten- 
 tion during the remainder of their journey. 
 
 On their arrival at Stallen Bush, the captain waited on Mr. 
 Brinch whose reception can never be mentioned but in terms 
 of the most fervent gratitude and esteem. His residence is 
 one of those deliglitful places which, from its natural situation 
 and fertility, wraps the beholder, the moment he sees it, in an 
 ecstacy. The vines there are reared with great attention, and 
 are highly productive. Grain, vegetation, and fruits, yield 
 abundant crops; and camphor-trees of very large dimensions 
 thrive also in the settlement. Indeed, the whole settlement 
 seemed to be so precisely what it should be, that any altera- 
 tion must be a deformity. The people here dress well, but 
 nearer the English than the Dutch style. They have nothing 
 of that sullen taciturnity belonging to the character of the Hol- 
 lander; but are sprightly and good humored. 
 
 “ I remained two days (says the captain) under the roof of 
 this liberal and benevolent gentleman. He pressed me to stay 
 longer; but I was desirous of reaching the Cape, and there- 
 fore declined his hospitable invitation. In the morning, tliere- 
 fore, he provided me with a horse and guide, and I took my 
 departure from Stallen Bush, on the 30th, in the morning. 
 Our journey was but short, as we arrived the same evening at 
 the Cape of Good Hope; and although emaciated in my frame, 
 yet in tolerable health.” 
 
DESCRIPTION OP A STORM AT SEA. 
 
 79 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF A STORM AT SEA. 
 
 We continued our cruize along the coast until we had run 
 down into the Bay of Arcapoon, where we captured two or 
 three vessels and obliged many more to run on shore. And 
 here we had an instance how very important it is that a captain 
 of a man of war should be a good sailor, and have his ship in 
 such a discipline as to be strictly obeyed by his crew. I 
 heard the officers unanimously assert, after the danger was 
 over, that nothing but the presence of mind which was shown 
 by Captain Savage, could have saved the ship and crew. We 
 had chased a convoy of vessels to the bottom of the bay ; the 
 wind was very fresh when we hauled off, after running them 
 on shore, and the surf on the beach even at that time was so 
 great, that they were certain to go to pieces before they could 
 be got afloat again. We were obliged to double reef the top- 
 sails as soon as we hauled to the wind, and the weather look- 
 ed very threatening. In an hour afterwards, the whole sky 
 was covered with one black cloud which sunk so low, as near- 
 ly to touch our mast heads, and a tremendous sea, which a p- 
 peared to have risen up almost by magic, rolled in upon s, 
 setting the vessel on a dead lee shore. As the night clof jd 
 in, it blew a dreadful gale, and the ship was nearly bui ed 
 with the press of canvass which she was obliged to carry, for 
 had we sea room, we should have been lying-to under storm 
 staysails ; but we were forced to carry on at all risks, hat 
 we might clear off shore. The seas broke over us as we lay 
 in the trough, deluging us with water from the forecastle aft to 
 the binnacles ; and very often as the ship descended with a 
 plunge, it was with such force that I really thought she would 
 divide in half with the violence of the shock. Double breech- 
 ings were rove on the guns, and they w'ere further secured 
 with tackles, and strong cleats nailed behind the trunnions, 
 for we heeled over so much when we lurched, that the guns 
 were wholly supported by the breechings and tackles, and had 
 one of them broke loose, it must have broken right through 
 the lee side of the ship, and she must have foundered. The 
 captain, first lieutenant, and most of the officers, remained on 
 deck during the whole of the night ; and really, what wdth the\ 
 howling of the wind, the violence of the rain, the washing of 
 the waters about the decks, the w’orking of the chain pumps. 
 
80 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF A STORM AT SEA. 
 
 and the creaking and groaning of the timbers, I thought ive 
 must inevitably be lost ; and I said my prayers at least a dozen 
 times during the night, for I felt it impossible to goto bed. I 
 had often wished, out of curiosity, that I might be in a gale of 
 wind, but I little thought it was to have been a scene of this 
 description, or anything half so dreadful. What made it more 
 appalling was, that we were on a lee shore, and the consulta- 
 tions of the captain and officers, and the eagerness with which 
 they looked out for daylight, told us that w’e had other dan- 
 gers to encounter besides the storm. At last the morning 
 broke, and the look-out man upon the gangway called out 
 “ Land on the lee beam.” I perceived the master dash his 
 fist against the hammock rails, as if with vexation, and walk 
 away without saying a word, and look very grave. 
 
 “ Up, there, Mr. AVilson,” said the captain to the second 
 lieutenant, “and see how far the land tends forward, and 
 whether you can distinguish the point.” The second lieuten- 
 ant went up the main rigging, and pointed with his hand to 
 about two points before the beam. “Do you see two hillocks 
 inland ? ” 
 
 “Yes, sir,” replied the second lieutenant. 
 
 “Then, it is so,” observed the captain to the master, “and 
 if we weather it we shall have more sea room. Keep her full, 
 and let her go through the water ; do you hear, quarter- 
 master ? ” 
 
 “ Aye, aye, sir.” 
 
 “ Thus, and no nearer, my man. Ease her with a spoke or 
 two when she sends ; but be careful, she ’ll take tire wheel 
 out of your hands.” 
 
 It really was a very awful sight. AA'hen the ship was in the 
 trough of the sea, you could distinguish notliing but tumultu- 
 ous water ; but when she was borne up on the summit of the 
 enormous waves, you then looked down, as it were, upon a 
 low, sandy coast, close to you, and covered with foam and 
 breakers. “ Sbe behaves nobly,” observed the captain, step- 
 ping aft to the binnacle, and looking at the compass ; “ if the 
 wind does not baffle us, we shall weather.” The captain had 
 scarcely time to make the observation, when the sails shivered 
 and flapped like thunder. “ Up with the helm ; what are you 
 about, quarter-master ? ” 
 
 “ The wind has headed us, sir,” replied the quarter-master, 
 coolly. 
 
 The captain and master remained at the binnacle, watching 
 the compass, and when the sails were again full, she had 
 
DESCRIPTION OF A STORM AT SEA. 
 
 81 
 
 broken off two points, and the point of land was only a little 
 on the lee bow. 
 
 “We must wear her round, Mr. Falcon. Hands, wear 
 ship — ready, oh, ready.” 
 
 “ She has come up again,” cried the master who was at the 
 binnacle. 
 
 “ Hold fast there a minute. How’s her head now ?” 
 
 “ N. N. E., as she was before she broke off, sir. ” 
 
 “ Pipe, belay,” said the captain. “Falcon,” continued he 
 “ if she breaks off again, we may have no room to wear; indeed, 
 ♦here is so little room now, that I must run the risk. Which 
 cable was ranged last night — the best bower 
 
 “ Yes, sir.” 
 
 “Jump down, then, and see it double bitted and stoppered 
 at thirty fathoms. See it well done — our lives may depend 
 upon it.” 
 
 The ship continued to hold her course good ; and we were 
 within half a mile of the point, and fully expected to weather 
 it, when again the wet and heavy sails flapped in the wind, 
 and the ship broke off two points as before. The officers and 
 seamen were aghast, for the ship’s head was right on to the 
 breakers. “ Luff now, all you can, quartermaster,” cried the 
 captain. “ Send the men aft directly. My lads, there is no 
 time for words — I am going to club haul the ship for there is 
 no room to wear. The only chance of safety, is to be cool, 
 watch my eye, and execute my orders with precision. Away 
 to your stations for tacking ship. Hands by the best bower 
 anchor. Mr. Wilson attend below with the carpenter and his 
 mates ready to cut away the cable at the moment I give the 
 order. Silence there, fore and aft. Quarter-master, keep 
 her full again for stays. Mind you ease the helm down when 
 I tell you.” About a minute passed before the captain gave 
 any further orders. Tlie ship had closed to within a quarter 
 of a mile of the beach, and the waves curled and topped around 
 us, bearing us down upon the shore, which presented one con- 
 tinued surface of foam, extending to within half a cable’s length 
 of our position, at which distance the enormous waves cul- 
 minated and fell with the report of thunder. The captain 
 waved his hand in silence to the quarter-master at the wheel, 
 and the helm was put down. The ship turned slowly to the 
 wind, pitching and chopping as the sails were spilling. When 
 she bad lost her way, the captain gave the order. “Let go 
 the anchor. We will haul all at once, Mr. Falcon,” said the 
 captain. Not a word was spoken, the men went to the fore- 
 VOL I 4 * 
 
83 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF A STORM AT SEA. 
 
 brace, which had not been manned ; most of them knew, although 
 I did not, that if the ship’s head did not go round the otlier way, 
 we should be on shore, and among the breakers, in less than 
 half a minute. I thought at the time that the captain said 
 that he would haul all the yards at once, there appeareu to be 
 doubt or dissent on the countenance of iUr. Falcon ; and 1 
 was afterwards told that he had not agreed with the captain, 
 but he was too good an officer, and knew that there was no 
 time for discussion, to make any remark; and the event prov- 
 ed that the captain was right. At last the ship was head to 
 wind, and the captain gave the signal. The yards flew round 
 with such a creaking noise, that I thought the masts had gone 
 over the side, and the next moment the wind had caught the 
 sails, and the ship, which for a moment or two had been on 
 .aneven keel, careened over to her gunwale w ith its force. The 
 captain, who stood upon the weather hammock rails, holding 
 by the main rigging, ordered the helm a midships, looking full 
 at the sails, and then at the cable, which grew broad upon the 
 weather bow, and held the ship from the shore. At last he 
 cried, “ Cut away the cable.” A few strokes of flie axes 
 were heard, and then the cable flew out of the hawse-hole in 
 a blaze of fire, from the violence of friction, and disappeared 
 under a huge wave, which struck us on the chess tree, and 
 deluged us with water fore and aft. But we were now on the 
 other tack, the ship regained her way, and we had evidently 
 increased our distance from the land. 
 
 “ My lads,” said the captain to the ship’s company, “ you 
 have behaved well, and I thank you ; l)ut I must tell you 
 honestly, that we have more difficulties to get through. W e 
 have to weather a point of the bay on this tack. 31 r. Falcon, 
 splice the main-brace, and call the watch. How’s her head, 
 quarter-master ? ” 
 
 “ S. W. by S. Southerly, sir.” 
 
 “ Very well ; let her go through the water and the cap- 
 tain beckoning to the master to follow him, went down in the 
 cabin. As our immediate danger was over, I went down into 
 the berth to see if I could get any thing for breakfast, ^^here I 
 found O’Brien and two or three more. 
 
 It was as nate a thing as ever I saw done.” observed 
 O’Brien. “jVow, where’s the chart, Robinson. Hand me 
 down the parallel rules and compasses, Peter, they are in the 
 corner of the shelf. Here we are now, too near this infernal 
 point. Who knows how her head is .”’ 
 
 “ I do, O’Brien ; I heard the quarter-master tell the captain, 
 S. W. by S. Southerly.” 
 
DESCRIPTION OF A STORM AT SEA. 
 
 83 
 
 “ Let me see,” continued O’Brien, “ variation 2 1-4, lee 
 way — rather too large an allowance of that, I’m afraid ; but 
 however, we’ll give her 2 1-2 points; the Diomede would 
 blush to make any more, under any circumstances. Here — 
 the compass — we ’ll see and O’Brien advanced the parallel 
 rule from the compass to the spot where the ship was placed 
 on (he chart. “ Bother ! you see it ’s as much as she ’ll do 
 to weather the other point now, on this tack, and that ’s what 
 the captain meant when he told us we had more difficulty. I 
 could have taken my oath that we were clear of every thing, 
 if the wind held.” 
 
 “ See what the distance is, O’Brien,” said Robinson. It 
 was measured, and proved to be thirteen miles. “ Only thir- 
 teen miles ; and if we do weather, we shall do very well, for 
 the bay is deep beyond. It ’s a rocky point, you see, just by 
 way of variety.” 
 
 On deck the superior officers were in conversation with the 
 captain, who had e.xpressed the same fear that O’Brien had in 
 our berth. The men, who knew what they had to e.xpect — for 
 this sort of intelligence is soon communicated through a ship 
 — were assembled in knots looking very grave, but at the 
 same time not wanting in confidence. They knew that they 
 could trust to the captain, as far as skill or courage could avail 
 them, and sailors are too sanguine to despair, even at the last 
 moment. As for myself, I felt such admiration for the cap- 
 tain, after what I had witnessed that morning, that whenever 
 the idea came over me, that in all probability I should be lost 
 in a few hours I could not help acknowledging how much more 
 serious it was that such a man should be lost to his country. 
 
 I do not intend to say that it consoled me ; but it certainly 
 made me still more regret the chances with which we were 
 threatened. 
 
 Before twelve o’clock, the rocky point which was so much 
 dreaded was in sight, broad on the lee bow ; and if the low 
 sandy coast appeared terrible, how much more did this, even' 
 at a distance ; the black masses of rock, covered with foam, 
 which each minute dashed up in the air higher than our lower 
 mast heads. The captain eyed it for some minutes in silence, 
 as if in calculation. 
 
 “ Mr. Falcon,” said he, at last, “ we must put the mainsail 
 on her.” 
 
 “ She never can bear it, sir.” 
 
 “ She must bear it,” was the reply. “ Send the men aft 
 to the main sheet See that careful men attend the bunt- 
 lines.” 
 
84 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF A STORM AT SEA. 
 
 The mainsail was set, and the effect of it upon the ship was 
 tremendous. She careened over so that her lee channels 
 were under the water, and when pressed by a sea, the lee side 
 of the quarter deck and gangway were afloat. She now re- 
 minded me of a goaded and tiery horse, mad with the stimulus 
 applied ; not rising as before, but forcing herself through 
 whole seas, and dividing the waves, which poured in one con- 
 tinual torrent from the forecastle down upon the deck below. 
 Four men were secured to the wheel — the sailors were oblig- 
 ed to cling, to prevent being washed away — the ropes were 
 thrown in confusion to leeward — the shot rolled out of the 
 lockers, and every eye was fixed aloft, watching the masts, 
 expected every moment to go over the side. A heavy sea 
 struck us on the broadside, and it was some moments before 
 the ship appeared to recover herself; she reeled, trembled, 
 and stopped her way as if it had stupified her. The first lieu- 
 tenant looked at the captain, as if to say, “ This will not do.’’ 
 “ It is our only chance,” answered the captain to the appeal. 
 That the ship went faster through the water, and held a better 
 wind, was certain ; but just before we arrived at the point, the 
 gale increased in force. “ If any thing starts we are lost, 
 sir,” observed the first lieutenant again. 
 
 “ I am perfectly aware of it,” replied the captain, in a calm 
 tone ; “ but as I said before, and you must now be aware, it 
 is our only chance. The consequence of any carelessness or 
 neglect in the fitting and securing of the rigging, will be felt 
 now ; and this danger, if we escape it, ought to remind us 
 how much we have to answer for if we neglect our duty. The 
 lives of a whole ship’s company may be sacrificed by the neg- 
 lect or incompetence of an officer when in harbor. I will pay 
 you the compliment, Falcon, to say, that 1 feel convinced, that 
 the masts of this ship are as secure as knowledge and atten- 
 tion can make them.” 
 
 The first lieutenant thanked the captain for his good opin- 
 ion, and hoped it would not be the last compliment which he 
 paid him. 
 
 “ I hope not too ; but a few minutes will decide the point.” 
 
 The ship was now within two cables length of the rocky 
 point ; some few of the men I observed to clasp their hands, 
 init most of them were silently taking off’ their jackets, and 
 kicking off’ their shoes, that they might not lose a chance of 
 escape provided the ship struck. “ ’T will be touch and go 
 indeed Falcon,” observed the captain, (for I had clung to the 
 belaying pins, close to them, for the last half hour, that the 
 
DESCRIFTION OP A STORM AT SEA. 
 
 85 
 
 mainsail had been set.) “Come aft, you ar.d I must take the 
 helm. We shall want nerve there, and only there now.” 
 
 The captain and first lieutenant went aft, and took the fore 
 spokes of the wheel, and O’Brien, at a sign made by the cap- 
 tain, laid hold of the spokes behind him. An old quarter-mas- 
 ter kept his station at the fourth. The roaring of the seas on 
 the rocks, with the howling of the wind, were dreadful ; but 
 the sight was more dreadful than the noise. For a few mo- 
 ments I shut my eyes, but anxiety forced me to open them 
 again. As near as I could judge we were not twenty yards 
 from the rocks at the tim.e the ship passed abreast of them. 
 We were in the midst of the foam, which boiled around us ; 
 and as the ship was driven nearer to them, and careened with- 
 the wave, I thought that our main -’ard-arm would have touch- 
 ed the rock ; and at this moment a gust of wind came on, 
 which laid the ship on her beam-ends, and checked her pro- 
 gress through the water, while the accumulated noise was 
 deafening. A few moments more the sliip dragged on, another 
 wave dashed over her and spent itself upon tlie rocks, while 
 the spray was dashed back from them, and returned upon the 
 decks. The main rock was within ten yards of her counter, 
 when another gust laid us on our beam ends, the foresail and 
 mainsail split, and were blown clean out of the bolt ropes, the 
 the ship righted, trembling fore and aft. I looked astern; 
 tne rocks were to windward on our quarter, and we were safe. 
 I thought at the time, that the ship, relieved of her courses, 
 and again lifting over the waves, was not a bad simile of the 
 relief felt by us all at that moment ; and, like her, we trem- 
 bled as we panted with the sudden reaction, and felt the re- 
 moval of the intense anxiety which oppressed our breasts. 
 
 The captain resigned the helm, and walked aft to look at the 
 point, which was now broad on the weather quarter. In a 
 minute or two, he desired Mr. Falcon to get new sails up and 
 bend them, and then went below to his cabin. I am sure it 
 was to thank God for our deliverance ; I did most fervently, 
 not only then, but when I went to my hammock at night. We 
 were now comparatively safe ; in a few hours completely so ; 
 for strange to say, immediately after we had weathered the 
 rocks, the gale abated, and before morning we had a reef out 
 of the topsails. 
 
86 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE, 
 
 WRECK OF THE BRIG COMMERCE, 
 
 On the Western coast of Africa, August ‘iSih, 18ir>, and the slavery 
 and sufferings of the Crew on the Desert of Zahura. Compiled 
 from the Narratives of Capt. Riley and Archibald Robbins. 
 
 There is not, perhaps, in the annals of shipwreck, a person- 
 al narrative more deeply distressing, or more painfully inter- 
 esting, than that of Captain Riley. Were there not the most 
 ample testimony to his excellent moral character and unim- 
 peachable veracity, we might be led to withhold our belief 
 from some parts of his narrative, on the simple ground that 
 human nature on the one hand, was utterly incapable of in- 
 flicting, and on the other, of enduring, such hardships and 
 sufTcrings as this gentleman and his |)oor shipwrecked com- 
 panions had to undergo — sufferings which, as Capt. Riley truly 
 Bays, have been as great and as various as ever fell to ihe lot 
 of humanity. 
 
 The brig Commerce, commanded by Capt. James Riley, 
 cleared from IMiddletown, Conn, on the 6th of IMay', 1815, 
 bound to New Orleans, with the intention of taking in a 
 freight at that place for a foreign market. She arrived at her 
 destined port without any material accident, discharged her 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 87 
 
 cargo, and took in a freight for Gibraltar, at which place she 
 arrived after a passage of forty five days. 
 
 The officers and crew at this time, consisted of James Riley, 
 captain ; George Williams, chief mate ; Aaron R. Savage, 2d 
 mate ; William Porter, Thomas Burns, James Clark, Archi- 
 bald Robbins, John Hogan, and James Barrett, seamen; 
 Richard Delisle, a colored man, cook ; and an elderly man, 
 by the name of Antonio Michael, who was taken on board at 
 Gibraltar, to work his passage to New York. 
 
 On the 23d of August they set sail from Gibraltar for the 
 Cape de Verd islands to complete the cargo with salt. The 
 usual course from Gibraltar to these islands is, to run down 
 and make the island of Madeira ; but Capt. Riley, wishing to 
 make the voyage as expeditious as possible, run down between 
 the Canary islands and the African coast. The weather at this 
 time, being thick and foggy, they passed the Grand Canaries 
 without discovering them. On the 28th of August, at merid- 
 ian, it was noticed by the mate and crew, that the water was 
 colored, indicating a near approach to land. This circum- 
 stance was mentioned to Capt. Riley, but he was of opinion 
 that the appearance of the water was occasioned by the fog 
 and thick weather, and continued his course to the S. W., 
 sailing at the rate of ten knots an hour. At about 10 o’clock 
 on the same evening, the brig ran ashore with such violence, 
 as to prostrate the crew upon the deck. They immediately 
 let go the sheet anchor, clewed down the sails, and used every 
 exertion to save her. But her fate was decided, and their ex- 
 ertions vain. 
 
 The sea broke with tremendous power over the starboard 
 quarter, and as the vessel was momentarily in danger of going 
 to pieces, they broke open the hold, and exerted all their en- 
 ergy in filling small casks with water, from the larger ones, 
 knowing that the dismal coast on which they were driven, 
 was almost destitute of that indispensable necessary of life. 
 They also secured what provisions they could, as the vessel 
 was fast filling with water. At 12 o’clock they discovered 
 the beach off' the larboard bow, the weather having become 
 sufficiently clear. They immediately cut away the larboard 
 bulwark, and launched the boats Capt. Riley and William 
 Porter jumped into the small boat, and carried a rope ashore, 
 which they made fast by means of sticks which had floated 
 there from the wreck. The men on board, then hauled the 
 long boat under the larboard bow, and put into her two or 
 three barrels of bread and some pork. They also threw over- 
 
88 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 board, some barrels of water and wine which floated to the 
 shore, and were secured. Two seamen got into the boat, and 
 veering her by means of the rope fastened on board the brig, 
 they approached the shore. The surf immediately filled her, 
 and the men jumped overboard to save some of their wet provi- 
 sions, and secured one barrel of bread wholly dry. Capt. Kiley 
 and three others were now on shore, but the long boat being 
 bilged, and the small boat unable to stand the surf, they could 
 not return to the wreck. Their companions on board in the 
 meantime were heaving overboard chests, beds and every 
 article that would float, that they could get at, and those on 
 shore secured them as they floated within reach. Day light 
 at length appeared. Capt. Riley hailed the mates who were 
 both on board, ordering them to make fast one of the ropes 
 that extended from the wreck to the shore, around his trunk 
 which contained some specie. This being done, they dragged 
 the trunk ashore. 
 
 The brig was now completely filled with water, and Capt. 
 Riley ordered the masts to be cut away. The next considera- 
 tion was, how the people on the wreck could be rescued from 
 the imminent danger surrounding them. The rope that ex- 
 tended from the shore to the brig was loosened and made fast 
 to the hawser, which was drawn to the shore, and made as fast 
 as their slender means would admit. It was then high water. 
 The brig lay about thirty rods from the shore, and between 
 them the surf was rolling and roaring in a manner calculated 
 to produce consternation and despair in the stoutest heart. 
 Capt. Riley made signals to those on the wreck to come ashore, 
 on the hawser. He placed himself, together with the three 
 men, at the hawser, as far in the water as thev could stand, 
 the surf all the while breaking over them. At length Hogan 
 attempted the perilous passage ; suspended upon the rope 
 between two worlds, uncertain to which every returning surge 
 might waft him, he approached the shore. Before he reached 
 it, he was so much exhausted that he lost his hold, — a surf 
 washed him within reach, and he was saved. In this way, 
 one after another succeeded in getting safe to land, and found 
 themselves, at sunrise, upon a coast containing a race of 
 beings more merciless than the waves from which they had 
 just escaped. For nearly a mile the beach was strewed with 
 fragments of the valuable cargo. They hauled the boats from 
 the surf, and gathered together the small amount of provisions 
 and clothing which was strewed about. In the captain’s 
 trunk were two bags of specie containing about $1,000 each; 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 89 
 
 one of these was opened, and the money distributed among the 
 men, to conceal about their persons ; — the other they buried 
 in the sand. 
 
 About sunrise, their attention was attracted by the appear- 
 ance of a human creature, at the distance of nearly half a 
 mile, approaching them. As he discovered the wrecked ar- 
 ticles and the wretched group, he manifested by his actions, 
 the commotions of a mind agitated by the mingled operations 
 of joy and fear. He came within twenty rods of them, and 
 then by signs showed an intention of departing. Capt. Riley 
 walked gently towards him, and by every sign that could be 
 resorted to, endeavored to persuade him to come and take 
 possession of some of the articles. After interchanging signs 
 in token of peace, this horrible figure left them to reflect upon 
 the adventure. 
 
 They proceeded to erect a tent from the spars, oars, and 
 sails, which they had saved from the wreck, to secure their 
 provisions and water ; scarcely thinking of any thing else 
 from the peculiar perils of their situation. While busily en- 
 gaged in this service the figure before mentioned reappeared, 
 being joined by two aged females of the most frightful aspect, 
 a boy, and two small girls, probably their children. 
 
 More terrible visages never presented themselves to the 
 astonished eyes and agitated hearts of men. The gnashing 
 teeth and opened mouth of the old man, stretching almost 
 from ear to ear, — his long grey beard hanging down upon his 
 breast, — his head, covered with long bushy hair, standing out 
 in every direction, six or eight inches from his head, — the red 
 and flashing eyes of the old women, their tushes projecting 
 from their jaws, and the more mild, though terrible appear- 
 ance of their ferocious brood, imparted feelings to the aston- 
 ished mariners, better imagined than described. They broke 
 open the chests, plundered the clothing, and proceeding to- 
 wards the tent, were about to pillage their provisions and water, 
 which the crew resolved to defend to the last extremity. They 
 finally departed, and left the wretched party to take measures 
 for their future escape or safety. Capt. Riley proposed le- 
 pairing the long boat, by which they might be enabled to 
 reach the Cape de Verd islands. The wind lulled a little in 
 the afternoon and William Porter succeeded in reaching the 
 wreck and procured a few nails and a marline-spike ; with 
 which they worked upon the boat till it was quite dark. 
 
 Some of the natives had furnished them with fire, which en- 
 abled them to cook some salted pork, which, together with 
 
LOSS OP THE BRIG C05IMERCE. 
 
 •”f0 
 
 bread and butter furnished them %vith the last meal they were 
 to enjoy from the provisions saved from the wreck. A watch 
 for the night was set, who were to give an alarm in case of 
 the approach of the natives, and keep burning a guard fire. 
 
 “Night,” says Capt. Riley, “had now spread her sable 
 mantle over the face of nature, the savages had retired, and 
 all was still, except the restless and unwearied waves, which 
 dashed against the deserted wreck, and tumbled among the 
 broken rocks a little to the eastward of us, where the high 
 perpendicular cliffs, jutting out into the sea, opposed a barrier 
 to their violence, and threatened, at the same time, inevitable 
 and certain destruction to every ill fated vessel and her crew' 
 that should, unfortunately, approach too near their immovable 
 foundations; these wehad escaped only by a few rods. From 
 the time the vessel struck to this moment, I had been so en- 
 tirely engaged by the laborious exertions which our critical 
 situation demanded, that I had no time for reflection ; but it 
 now rushed like a torrent over my mind, and banished from my 
 eyes that sleep wliich my fatigued frame so much required. 
 I knew I was on a barren and inhospitable coast ; a tempestu- 
 ous ocean lay before me, whose bosom was continually tossed 
 and agitated by wdld and furious winds, blowing directly on 
 shore; no vessel or boat sufficient for our escape, as I 
 thought it impossible for our shattered long-boat to live at 
 sea, even if we should succeed in urging her through the 
 tremendous surges that broke upon the shore, with such vio- 
 lence, as to make the whole coast tremble ; beliind us were 
 savage beings, bearing the human form indeed, but in its mo.«t 
 terrific appearance, whose object I knew, from what had 
 already passed, would be to rob us of our last resource, our 
 provisions; and ['did not doubt, but they would be sufficiently 
 strong in the morning, not only to accomplisli what thev 
 meditated, but to take our lives also, or to seize upon our per- 
 sons, and doom us to slavery, till death should rid us of our 
 miseries. 
 
 “ This w'as the first time I had ever suffered shipwreck. I 
 had left a wife and live young children behind me, and on 
 whom I douted, and who depended on me entirely for their 
 subsistence. IMy children would have no father’s, and per- 
 haps no mothei’s care, to direct them in the paths of virtue, 
 to instruct their ripening years, or to watch over them, and 
 administer the balm of comfort in time of sickness ; no gener- 
 ous friend to relieve their distresses, and save them from in- 
 digence, degradation, and ruin. These reflections harrowed 
 
LOSS OF THE EHIG COMMERCE. 
 
 91 
 
 up my soul, nor could I cease to shudder at these imaginary 
 evils, added to my real ones, until I was forced mentally to 
 exclaim, ‘ Thy ways, great Father of the universe, are wise 
 and just, and what am I ! an atom of dust, that dares to mur- 
 mur at thy dispensations.’ ” 
 
 The night passed slowly and tediously away, and in the 
 morning the old man once more made his appearance, with 
 additional reinforcements. He was- armed with a spear of 
 iron, about twelve feet long. This he balanced in his right 
 hand above his head. He ordered them off to the wreck, 
 pointing to a drove of camels, descending a hill to the east- 
 ward. They all fled to the boat, while Capt. Riley defended 
 himself with a piece of spar, with the most consummate 
 bravery. 
 
 As soon as they had reached the wreck, the Arabs com- 
 menced an indiscriminate plunder of every thing they wanted, 
 occasionally brandishing their Weapons and bidding defiance 
 to the crew. They gathered up the trunks, chests, sea in- 
 struments, books and charts, consumed them in a pile, and 
 stove all casks of water and ^\ine that they could not carry 
 off, and emptied the contents in the sand. 
 
 The sight of the deplorable situation of the crew now seem- 
 ed to excite pity in the breasts of the savages. They came 
 down to the water’s edge, bowed themselves to the ground, and 
 beckoned Capt. Riley to come on shore, making all the signs 
 of peace and friendshio they could. The men carried their 
 arms up over the sand hills and returned without them. See- 
 ing no possible chance of preserving their lives, in any other 
 way but by the assistance of the natives, Capt. Riley descend- 
 ed on the hawser to the shore. He was immediately seized by 
 two of the stoutest of the young men, who placed themselves 
 on each side of him for safe-keeping. They grasped his 
 arms like lions, and at that instant, th» women and children 
 presented their daggers, knives and spears at his breast. 
 One of the Arabs seized hold of him by the throat, and with a 
 scimetar at his breast gave him to understand there was 
 money on board, and it must instantly be brought ashore. 
 Capt. Riley hailed his men, and told them what the savages 
 required ; a bucket was accordingly sent on shore with about 
 a thousand dollars. An old Arab instantly laid hold of it, and 
 forcing Riley to accompany him, they all went behind the 
 sand-hills to divide the spoil. In this situation he felt himself 
 very uneasy, and in order to regain the beach, he made signs 
 that there was still more money remaining in the ship. The 
 
92 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 hint succeeded ; and under the idea of getting it they allow- 
 ed him again to hail his people ; when, instead of money, he 
 desired them to send on shore Antonio Michael (an old man 
 they had taken in at Gibraltar), as the only possible means 
 left for him of effecting his own escape. The Arabs finding, 
 on his reaching the shore, that he had brought no money with 
 him, struck him, pricked him with their sharp knives, and 
 stripped him of all his clothes. Mr. Riley seized this oppor- 
 tunity of springing from his keepers, and plunged into the sea. 
 On rising through the surf, be perceived the old Arab within 
 ten feet of him, up to his chin in water, with his spear ready 
 to strike him ; but another surf rolling at that instant over him, 
 saved his life, and he reached the lee of the WTeck in safety. 
 The remorseless brutes wreaked their vengeance on poor An- 
 tonio, by plunging a spear into his body, which laid him life- 
 less at their feet. 
 
 The v/reck was, by this time, going rapidly to pieces ; the 
 long-boat writhed like an old basket. The crew had neither 
 provisions nor water ; neither oars nor a rudder to the boat ; 
 neither compass nor quadrant co direct their course ; yet, 
 hopeless as their situation was, and expecting to be swallowed 
 up by the first surf, they resolved to try their fate on the 
 ocean, rather than to encounter death from the relentless 
 savages on shore. By great exertion, they succeeded in find- 
 ing a water cask, out of which they filled four gallons into a 
 keg. One of the seamen. Porter, stole on shore by the 
 hawser, and brought on board two oars, wdth a smali bag of 
 money which they had buried, containing about four hundred 
 dollars. They also contrived to get together a few pieces of 
 salt pork, a live pig, w'eighing about twenty pounds, about 
 four pounds of figs, a spar for the boat’s mast, a jib, and 
 a mainsail. Rvery thing being ready, the crew went to 
 prayers; and the wind ceasing to blow, the boat was launched 
 through the breakers. 
 
 “ It had been my intention,” says Capt. Riley, “after we had 
 got to sea, to run down the coast in the hope of finding some 
 vessel, or to discover the mouth of some river, in order to ob- 
 tain a supply of water. But now the dangers and difficulties 
 we should have to encounter in doing this were taken into 
 consideration. If we tried to navigate along the coast, it was 
 necessary to know our course, or we should be in imminent 
 danger of being dashed to pieces on it every dark day, and 
 every night. The thick foggy weather would prevent our 
 seeing the land in the day time ; whilst the wind, blowing al- 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE 
 
 93 
 
 most direct on the land, would force us towards it, and en- 
 danger the safety of both the boat and our lives at every turn- 
 ing point. On the other hand, we reflected that we had escap- 
 ed from savages who had already killed one of our shipmates, 
 had gained the open sea through divine mercy, and could 
 stand off’ to the westward without fear of being driven on 
 shore. In this direction we might meet with some friendly 
 vessel to save us, which was our only hope in that way, and 
 the worst that could happen to us was to sink all together in 
 the sea, or gradually perish through want of sustenance. 
 
 “ Having considered and represented to my companions the 
 dangers that beset us on every side, I asked their opinions 
 one by one, and found they were unanimously in favor of com- 
 mitting themselves to the open sea in preference to keeping 
 along the coast. The dangers appeared to be fewer, and all 
 agreed that it was better to perish on the ocean, if it was God’s 
 will, than by the hands of the natives. There being a strong 
 breeze, we stood off’ by the wind and rigged our jib. We now 
 agreed to put ourselves upon allowance of one bottle of water 
 and half a bottle of wine among eleven of us, and a slice of 
 pork and two soaked and salted figs for each man. During 
 this day, which was the 30th of August, 1815, we fitted waist 
 cloths to go round above the gunwale of the boat, to prevent 
 the sea from dashing over ; they were from eight to ten inches 
 broad, made from the brig’s fore-staysail, and were kept up by 
 small pieces of a board which we formed in the boat, so that 
 they helped in some measure to keep off the spray. It had 
 been cloudy all day, and the boat leaked faster than she had 
 done before. As night came on the wind blew hard and rais- 
 ed the sea very high, but the boat was kept near the wind by 
 her sails, and drifted broadside before it, smoothing the sea to 
 the windward, and did not ship a great deal of water. On the 
 3 1st it became more moderate, but the weather was very thick 
 and hazy. Our pig being nearly dead for the want of water, 
 we killed it, taking care however to save his blood ; which we 
 divided amongst us and drank, our thirst having become al- 
 most insupportable. We also divided the pig’s liver, intes- 
 tines, 8tc. between us, and ate some of them, (as they were 
 fresh) to satisfy, in some degree, our thirst. Thus this day 
 passed away ; no vessel was yet seen to relieve us ; we hud 
 determined to save our urine for drink, which we accordingly 
 did in empty bottles, and found great relief from the use of it ; 
 for being obliged to labor hard by turns to keep the boat 
 above water, our thirst was much more severely felt than if 
 
94 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMBIERCE. 
 
 ■\ve had remained still. The night came on very dark anj 
 lowering ; the sky seemed big with an impending tempest ; 
 the wind blew hard from rhe i\. H. and before midnight the 
 sea combed into the boat in such quantities as several times 
 to fill her more than half full. All hands were employed in 
 throwing out the water with 'hats and other things, each be- 
 lieving his final hour had at length arrived, and expecting that 
 every approaching surge would bury him forever in a watery 
 grave. 
 
 “ The boat racked like a basket, letting in water at every 
 seam and split ; her timbers working out or breaking off ; the 
 nails I had put in while last on shore were kept from entirely 
 drawing out, merely by the pressure of the water acting on 
 the outside of the boat. Sharp flashes of lightning caused by 
 heat and vapor shot across the gloom, rendering the scene 
 doubly horrid. In this situation some of the men thought it 
 was no longer of use to try to keep the boat afloat, as they 
 said she must soon fill in spite of all their exertions. Having 
 poured out our souls before our God and implored pardon for 
 our transgressions, each one felt perfectly resigned to his 
 fate : this was a trying moment, and my example and advice 
 could scarcely induce them to continue bailing ; wiiilst some 
 of them, by thrusting their heads into the water, endeavored 
 to ascertain what the pains of death were by feeling the effects 
 the water would produce on their organs. Thus passed tliis 
 night ; all my exertions were necessary to encourage the men 
 to assist me in bailing the boat, by reminding them of our 
 miraculous escape from the savages, and through tlie surf to 
 the open sea, and enforcing on their minds the consideration 
 that we were still in the hands of the same disposing power, 
 and that W'e ought not to suppose we were aided in escaping 
 from the shore by a miracle to be abandoned here and swal- 
 lowed up by the ocean ; and that for mv own part 1 still en- 
 tertained hopes of our preservation ; at any rate that it was a 
 duty we owed to God and ourselves to strive to tlie latest 
 breath to prevent our own destruction. Dav came on amidst 
 these accumulated horrors; it was the 1 st of September; thirst 
 pressed upon us, which we could only allay by wetting our 
 mouths twice a day with a few drops of wine and water, and 
 as many times with our urine. 
 
 “ The wind continued to blow hard all this day, and the suc- 
 ceeding night with great violence, and the boat to work and 
 leak in the same manner as before. Worn down with fatigues 
 and long-continued hunger and thirst, scorched by the burn- 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 95 
 
 ing rays of the sun, and no vessel appearing to save us, our 
 water fast diminishing, as well as our strength, every hope 
 of succour by meeting with a vessel entirely failed me, so 
 that in the afternoon of the 2d of September, I represented 
 to my companions, that as we were still alive, after enduring so 
 many trials, it was my advice to put about, and make towards 
 the coast again; that if we continued at sea, we must inevit- 
 ably perish, and that we could but perish in returning towards 
 the land ; that we might still exist four or five days longer, by 
 means of the water and provisions that remained, and that it 
 might be the will of Providence to send us on the coast where 
 our vessel had been wrecked, and \v1rere means were perhaps 
 prepared to bring about our deliverance and restoration to our 
 country and our families. All seemed convinced that it was 
 so, and we immediately put about with a khid of cheerfulness I 
 had not observed in any countenance since our first disaster.” 
 
 On the morning of the 7th they discovered land which again 
 revived their drooping spirits. The coast appeared to be 
 formed of perpendicular and overhanging cliffs, with no shel- 
 ving shore to land on, and the surf breaking high among the 
 rocks. Seeing a small spot which bore the appearance of a 
 beach, they made for it, and were carried on the top of a tre- 
 mendous wave high and dry on tlie shore. Behind them, in the 
 track they came, fragments of rocks showed their craggy heads, 
 over which the surf foamed as it retired with a dreadful roar- 
 ing which made them feel that they had once more escaped 
 destruction, as it were, by Divine interference. 
 
 On the next morning they set out from the place where they 
 had been cast, which as it afterwards appeared was Cape Bar- 
 bas, near Cape Blanco. They proceeded easterly, keeping 
 close to the water’s edge, as the land was nearly perpendicu- 
 lar, rising to a height of from five to six hundred feet. “ At one 
 place,” says Capt. Riley, “ we were obliged to climb along on 
 a narrow ledge of rocks, between forty and fifty feet high, and 
 not more than eight inches broad; those at our backs were per- 
 pendicular, and a little higher up, iiuge pieces that had been 
 broken off from near the surface, and stopped on their way 
 down by other fragments, seemed to totter, as if on a pivot, 
 directly over our heads ; while the least slip must have plung- 
 ed us into the frightful abyss below, where the foaming surges 
 would instantly have dashed us to pieces against the rocks. 
 Our shoes w'ere nearly all worn off ; our feet were lacerated 
 and bleeding ; the rays of the sun beating on our emaciated 
 bodies, heated them, we thought, nearly to dissolution ; and 
 
96 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 under these towering cliffs, there was not a breath of air to 
 fan our almost boiling blood. I bad, in crawling through one 
 of the holes between tbe rocks, broke my bottle, and spilled 
 the little water it contained, and my tongue cleaving to the 
 roof of my mouth, was as useless as a dry stick, until I was 
 enabled to loosen it by a few drops of my more than a dozen 
 times distilled urine.” 
 
 On the third day, after their landing, they encountered a 
 large company of Arabs, wbo were watering their camels. 
 The shipwrecked mariners bowed themselves to the ground 
 with every mark of submissson, and by signs, implored their 
 compassion, but in vain. The whole party were in an instant 
 stripped naked to the skin, and the Arabs began to fight most 
 furiously for the booty, and especially for getting possession 
 of the prisoners. “ Six or eight of them,” says Capt. Riley, 
 “ were about me, one hauling me one way, and one another. 
 The one who stripped Dick, the black man, and myself, stuck 
 to us as his lawful property, signifying, ‘ you may have the 
 others, these are mine.’ They cut at each other over my 
 head, and, on every side of me with their weapons, which 
 fairly whizzed through the air within an inch of my naked 
 body, and on every side of me, now backing each other’s arms 
 apparently to the bone, then laying their ribs bare with gashes, 
 while their heads, bands, and thighs, received a full share of 
 cuts and w'ounds. The blood streaming from every gash, ran 
 dow'n their bodies coloring and heightening the natural hide- 
 ousness of their appearance. I had expected to be cut to 
 pieces in this dreadful affray, but was not injured 
 
 “Those who w^ere not actually engaged in combat, seized the 
 occasion, and snatched away the clothing in Dick’s bundle, 
 so that when the fight w'as over, he had nothing left but his 
 master’s blanket. This battle and contest lasted for nearly an 
 hour — brother cutting brother, friend slashing friend. Hap- 
 pily for them, their scimitars were not very sharp, so that 
 when they rubbed off the dried blood from their bodies after- 
 wards with sand, their w’ounds were not so great or deep as I 
 expected they would be, and they did not pay the least appa- 
 rent attention to them. I had no time to see what they were 
 doing with my shipmates ; only myself and the cook were 
 near each other. 
 
 “ The battle over, I saw my distressed companions divided 
 among the Arabs, and all going towards the drove of camels, 
 though they were at some distance from me. We. two were 
 delivered into the hands of two old women, who urged us on 
 
LOSS OP THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 97 
 
 with sticks towards the camels. Naked and barefoot I could 
 not go very fast, and showed the women my mouth, which was 
 parched white as frost, and without a sign of moisture. When 
 we got near the well, one of the women called for another, 
 who came to us with a wooden bowl, that held, I should guess, 
 about a gallon of water, and setting it on the ground, made 
 myself and Dick kneel down and put our heads into it like 
 camels. I drank I suppose half a gallon, though I had been 
 very particular in cautioning the men against drinking too 
 much at a time, in case they ever came to water. I now ex- 
 perienced how much easier it was to preach than to practise 
 aright. They then led us to the well, the water of which was 
 nearly as black and disgusting as stale bilge water. A large 
 bowl was now filled with it, and a little sour camel’s milk 
 poured from a goat skin into it ; this tasted to me delicious, 
 and we all drank of it till our stomachs were literally filled. 
 But this intemperance very soon produced a violent diarrhoea ; 
 the consequences of which, however, were not very trouble- 
 some, and as our situation was similar to that of a beast, being 
 totally divested of clothing, all we cared about was to slake 
 our unabating thirst, and replenish our stomachs by repeated 
 draughts of this washy and unwholesome swill. 
 
 “ We now begged for something to eat, but these Arabs had 
 nothing for themselves, and seemed very sorry it was not in 
 their power to give us some food. There were at and about 
 the well I should reckon about one hundred persons, men, 
 women, and children, and from four to five hundred camels, 
 large and small. The sun beat very fiercely upon us, and our 
 skins seemed actually to fry like meat before the fire. These 
 people continued to draw water for their camels, of which the 
 animals drank enormous quantities. . It was about 10 o’clock 
 A. M. as I judged by the sun, when one company of the 
 Arabs having finished watering, separated their camels from 
 among the others, and took Messrs. Williams, Robbins, Porter, 
 Hogan, Barrett, and Burns, mounted them on the bare backs 
 of the camels behind the hump, by the hair of which they 
 were obliged to steady themselves and hold on, without know- 
 ing whither they were going, or if I should ever see them 
 again. I took an affectionate leave of them. This their Arab 
 masters permitted me to do without interruption, and could 
 not help showing, at this scene, that the feelings of humanity 
 were not totally extinguished in their bosoms. They then 
 hurried them off, and ascending through the hollow or crevice 
 towards the face of the desart, they were all soon out of sight. 
 
 VOL. I. 5 
 
98 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 “ There remained with the party to which I belonged, Mr. 
 Savage, Clark, Horace, and Dick the cook. ]\lr. Savage 
 was permitted to retain an old Guernsey frock, and part of a 
 pair of trowsers about his middle, which they had not pulled 
 ofl’ : but the rest of us were entirely stripped. 
 
 “ We were forced to walk and to drive the camels and keep 
 them together, whilst the sand was so soft and yielding, that 
 we sunk into it every step nearly to our knees. The blazing 
 heat of the sun’s rays darting on our naked bodies, and reflect- 
 ed from the sand we w'aded through ; the sharp pointed craggy 
 rocks and stones that cut our feet and legs to the bone, in ad- 
 dition to our excessive weakness which the dysentery had in- 
 creased, rendered our passage up tlirough this chasm or hol- 
 low much more severe than any thing of the kind we had be- 
 fore undergone, and nearly deprived us of life. For my own 
 part I thought I must have died before I could reacli the sum- 
 mit, and was obliged to stop in the sand, until by an applica- 
 tion of a stick to my sore back by our drivers, 1 was forced 
 up to its level ; and there they made the camels lie down and 
 rest. 
 
 “ Having now selected five camels for the purpose, one for 
 each of us, they put us on behind the humps, to which we 
 were obliged to cling by grasping its long hair with both 
 hands. The back bone of the one I was set on was only 
 covered with skin, and as sharp as the edge of an oar’s blade ; 
 his belly, distended with water, made him perfectly smooth, 
 leaving no projection of the hips to keep me from sliding off 
 behind, and his back or rump being as steep as tlie roof of a 
 house, and so broad across as to keep my legs e.xtended to 
 their utmost stretch. I was in this manner slipping down to 
 his tail every moment. I was forced however to keep on, 
 while the camel, rendered extremely restive at the sight of his 
 strange rider, was all the time running about among the 
 drove, and making a most woful bellowing, and as they have 
 neither bridle, halter, or any other thing whereby to guide or 
 govern them, all I had to do was to stick on as well as I 
 could. 
 
 “ I'he heavy motions of the camel, not unlike that of a small 
 vessel in a heavy head-beat sea, were so violent, aided by the 
 sharp back bone, as soon to excoriate certain parts of my 
 naked body ; the inside of my thighs and legs were also dread- 
 fully chafed, so that the blood dripped from mv heels, while 
 the intense heat of the sun had scorched and blistered our 
 bodies and the outside of our legs, so that we were covered 
 
LOSS OP THE BRrC COIMMERCE. 
 
 99 
 
 with sores, and without any thing to administer relief. Thus 
 nleeding and smarting under the most excruciating pain, we 
 continued to advance in a S. E. direction on a plain flat hard 
 surface of sand, gravel, and rock, covered with small sharp 
 stones. It seemed as if our bones would be dislocated at 
 every step. Hungry and thirsty, the night came on, and no 
 indication of stopping ; the cold night wind began to blow, 
 chilling our blood, which ceased to trickle down our lacerated 
 legs ; but although it saved our blood, yet acting on our 
 blistered skins, increased our pains beyond description. We 
 begged to be permitted to get off, but the women paid no atten- 
 tion to our distress and entreaties, intent only on getting for- 
 ward. W e designedly slipped off the camels when going at a 
 full trot, risking to break our necks by the fall, and tried to 
 excite their compassion and get a drink of water, (which they 
 call sherub) but they paid no attention to our prayers, and 
 kept the camels running faster than before. 
 
 “ This was the first time I had attempted to tvalk barefooted 
 since I was a schoolboy t we were obliged to keep up with 
 the camels, running over the stones, which were nearly as 
 sharp as gun flints, and cutting our feet to the bone at every 
 step. It was here that my fortitude and philosophy failed to 
 support me ; I cursed my fate aloud, and wished I had rushed 
 into the sea before I gave myself up to these merciless beings 
 in human forms — it was now too late. I would have put an 
 immediate end to my existence, but had neither knife nor any 
 other weapon with which to perform the deed. I searched 
 for a stone, intending if I could find a loose one sufficiently 
 large, to knock out my own brains with it ; but searched in 
 vain. This paroxysm passed off in a minute or two, when 
 reason returned, and I recollected that my life was in the hand 
 of the power that gave it, and that “ the Judge of all the earth 
 would do right.” Then running with all my remaining might 
 I soon came up with the camels, regardless of my feet and of 
 pain, and felt perfectly resigned and willing to submit to the 
 will of Providence and the fate that awaited me. 
 
 “ From that time forward, through all my succeeding trials 
 and sufferings, I never once murmured in my heart, but at all 
 times kept my spirits up, doing the utmost to obey and please 
 those whom fortune, fate, or an overruling Providence had 
 placed over me, and to persuade, both by precept and prac- 
 tice, my unhappy comrades to do the same. I had, with my 
 companions, cried aloud with pain, and begged our savage 
 drivers for mercy, and when we had ceased to make a noise, 
 
100 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 fearing, as it were, to lose us in the dark, they stopped the 
 camels, and again placing us on them as before, drove them 
 on at full speed until about midnight, when we entered a 
 small dell or valley, excavated by the hand of nature, a little 
 below the surface of the desart, about from fifteen to twenty 
 feet deep. Here they stopped the camels, and made them 
 lie down, bidding us to do the same. I judge we must have 
 travelled forty miles this day to the S. E. ; the place was 
 hard and rocky, not even sand to lie on, nor any covering to 
 shelter us or keep off the cold damp wind that blew strong 
 from the sea. 
 
 “ They soon set about milking, and then gave us each about 
 a pint of’ pure milk, warm from the camels, taking great care 
 to divide it for us ; it warmed our stomachs, quenched our 
 thirst in some measure, and allayed in a small degree the 
 cravings of hunger. JMr. Savage had been separated from 
 us, and I learned from him afterwards that he fared better 
 than we did, having had a larger allowance of milk. Clark, 
 Horace, and Dick the cook were still with me. We lay down 
 on the ground as close to each other as we could, on the 
 sharp stones, without any lee to fend off the wind from us ; 
 our bodies all over blistered and mangled, the stones piercing 
 through the sore naked flesh to the ribs and other bones. 
 These distresses, and our sad and desponding reflections, 
 rendered this one of the longest and most dismal nights ever 
 passed by any human beings. AVe kept shifting berths, striv- 
 ing to keep off some of the cold during the night, while sleep, 
 that had hitherto relieved our distresses and fatigues, fled 
 from us in spite of all our efforts and solicitude to embrace it ; 
 nor were we able to close our eyes. 
 
 “ On the morning of Sept. 13th I saw Mr. Williams; he 
 was mounted on a camel, and had been riding with the drove 
 about three hours. I hobbled along towards him ; his camel 
 stopped, and I was enabled to take him by the hand — he was 
 still entirely naked ; his skin had been burned off ; his whole 
 body was so excessively inflamed and swelled, as well as his 
 face, that I only knew him by his voice, which was very feeble. 
 He told me he had been obliged to sleep naked in the open 
 air every night; that his life was fast wasting away amidst the 
 most dreadful torments; that he could not live one day more 
 in such misery ; that his m.stress had taken pity on him, and 
 anointed his body that morning with butter or grease, but, 
 .said he, H cannot live; should you ever get clear from this 
 dreadful place, and be restored to your country, tell my dear 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE 
 
 101 
 
 wife that my last breath was spent in prayers for her happiness. 
 He could say no more; tears and sobs choked his utterance. 
 
 “ His master arrived at this time, and drove on his camel, and 
 I could only say to him, ‘God Almighty bless you,’ as I took 
 a last look at him, and forgot, for a moment, while contem- 
 plating his extreme distress, my own misery. His camel was 
 large, and moved forward with very heavy motions ; as he 
 went from me, I could see the inside of his legs and thighs — 
 they hung in strings of torn and chafed flesh — the blood was 
 trickling down the sides of the camel, and off his feet — ‘ my 
 God ! ’ I cried, ‘ suffer us to live no longer in such tor- 
 tures.’ 
 
 “ On the 21st Sept, two strangers arrived at the valley 
 where we had encamped for the day, riding two camels load- 
 ed with goods. They came in front of my master’s tent, and 
 having made the camels lie down, they dismounted, and seat- 
 ed themselves on the ground opposite the tent, with their faces 
 turned the other way. All the men had gone out in pursuit 
 of plunder, carrying their arms with them. The women went 
 out to see the strangers, carrying a large skin with a roll of 
 tent cloth to make them a shelter; — The strangers rose and 
 saluted them ; the women returned their salutations, and after 
 a few minutes conversation, they proceeded to unload the 
 camels, and formed a tent of the sail cloth, for the accommo- 
 dation of their visitors. On their return to our tent they in- 
 formed me that Sidi Hamet had come with blankets and blue 
 cloth to sell, — that he came from the Sultan’s dominions, and 
 that he could buy me and carry me there if he chose, where I 
 might find my friends and kiss my wife and children. 
 
 “ The morning after Sidi Hamet came towards our tent and 
 beckoned me to go with him. We proceeded a little distance 
 and sat down on the ground. I had by this time, learned so 
 much of their language, that I could comprehend the general 
 current of their conversation, by paying strict attention. He 
 began to question me about my country, and the manner in 
 which I had come there. I made him understand that I was 
 an Englishman, and my vessel and crew were of the same na- 
 tion. I found he had heard of that country, and I stated as 
 well as I could the manner of my shipwreck — told him we were 
 reduced to the lowest depth of misery; that I had a wife and 
 five children in my own country, besides Horace, whom I 
 called my eldest son, mingling with my story sighs and tears, 
 and all the signs of affection and despair which these recollec 
 tions and my present situation naturally called forth. 
 
102 
 
 LOSS OF THE I3RIG COMMERCE 
 
 “ I found him to be a very intelligent and feeling man — for 
 although }>e knew no language but the Arabic, he compre- 
 hended so well what I wished to communicate, that he act- 
 ually shed tears at the recital of my distresses, notwithstand- 
 ing that, among the Arabs, weeping is regarded as a woman- 
 ish weakness. He seemed to be ashamed of his own want of 
 fortitude, and said that men who had beards lilie him, ought 
 not to shed tears ; and he retired, wiping his eyes. 
 
 “ Finding I had awakened his sympathy, 1 thought if I could 
 rouse his interest by large offers of money, he might buy me 
 and my companions, and carry us up from the desart — so ac- 
 cordingly the first time I saw him alone, I went to him and 
 begged him to buy me, and carry me to the sultan of 31o- 
 rocco or Marocksh, where I could find a friend to redeem me. 
 He said no, but he would carry me to Swearah, describing it 
 as a walled town and seaport. I told him I had seen the sul- 
 tan, and that he was a friend to my nation. He then asked me 
 many other questions about Mohammed Rassool. I bowed 
 and pointed to the east, then towards heaven, as if I thought 
 he had ascended there : this seemed to please him, and he 
 asked me how much money I would give him to carry me up; 
 upon which I counted over fifty pieces of stones, signifying I 
 would give as many dollars for myself and each of my men. 
 ‘ I will not buy the others,’ said he, ‘ but how much more 
 than fifty dolla.>-s will you give me for yourself, if I buy you 
 and carry you to your friends ?’ I told him one hundred dol- 
 lars. ‘ Have you any money in Swearah,’ asked he by signs 
 and words, ‘ or do you mean to make me wait till you get it 
 from your country?’ I replied that my friend in Swearah 
 would give him the money so soon as he brought me there 
 ‘ You are deceiving me,’ said he. I made the most solemn 
 protestations of my sincerity ; — ‘ I will buy you then,’ said 
 he, ‘ but remember, if you deceive me I will cut your throat,’ 
 (making a motion to that effect.) This I assented to, and 
 begged of him to buy my son Horace also, but he would not 
 hear a word about any of my companions, as it would be im- 
 possible, he said, to get them up off the desart, which was a 
 great distance. ‘ Say nothing about it to your old master,’ 
 signified he to me, ‘ nor to my brother, or any of the others.’ 
 He then left me, and I went out to seek for snails to relieve 
 my hunger. I saw IMessrs. Savage and Hogan, and brought 
 them with Clark near Sidi Hamet’s tent, where we sat down 
 on the ground. He came out to see us, miserable objects as 
 we were, and seemed very much shocked at the sight. I told 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG COJIIMERCE. 
 
 103 
 
 my companions I had great hopes we should be bought by 
 this man and carried up to the cultivated country — but they 
 expressed great fears that they would be left behind. Sidi 
 Hamet asked me many questions about my men — wished to 
 know if any of tiiem had died, and if they had wives and chil- 
 dren. I tried all I could to interest him in their behalf, as 
 well as my own, and mentioned to him my son, whom he had 
 not yet seen.” After considerable altercation, Sidi Hamet 
 and liis brother Seid finally succeeded in purchasing five of 
 the unfortunate captives, viz : Capt. Riley, Savage, Clark, 
 Burns, and Horace. 
 
 “ The 26th was spent in preparing for our departure. We 
 slaughtered a camel as provisions for the journey, and our 
 master fitted us with sandals made of the camel’s skin. They 
 had, in the morning, given me a small knife which 1 hung to 
 my neck in a case, — this they meant as a mark of confidence, 
 and they also gave me charge of their stuff, the camels and 
 slaves. I soon perceived, however, that although I had this 
 kind of command, yet I was obliged to do all the work. My 
 men were so far e.xhausted, that even the hope of soon obtain- 
 ing their liberty could scarcely animate them to the least 
 exertion. 
 
 “ Sidi Hamet told me that in the morning we should start for 
 Swearah, and that he hoped through the blessing of God, 1 
 should once more embrace my family ; he then told me how 
 much he had paid for each one of us — that he had expended 
 all his property, and that if I had not told him the truth, he 
 was a ruined man — that his brother was a bad man, and had 
 done all he could to prevent his buying us, but that he had at 
 last consented to it, and taken a share. 
 
 “ He next made me repeat, before his brother, my promises 
 to him when we should arrive at Swearah, and my agreement 
 to have my throat cut if my words did not prove true. At 
 daylight on the morning of (he 28th we were called up to load 
 the camels. Sidi Hamet and Seid had two old ones on which 
 they rode, and they had brought also a young one that had 
 not been broke for riding. We were joined here by a young 
 Arab named Abdallah : he had been Mr. Savage’s master 
 and owned a camel, and a couple of goat skins to carry water 
 in ; but these, as well as those of our masters were entirely 
 empty. Sidi Hamet had a kind of pack saddle for each of 
 his old camels ; but nothing to cover the bones of his young 
 ones. Having fitted them as well as he could, (for he seem- 
 ed to be humane) he placed Mr. Savage, Burns, and Horace, 
 
104 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 on the big one, and myself and Clark on the old one. Seid 
 and Abdallah took their seats on the one which belonged to 
 Abdallah, and Sidi Hamet mounted the young one himself to 
 break him, sitting behind the hump on his bare back ; and 
 thus arranged and equipped, we set off on a full and long 
 striding trot. It was about nine A. JNI. when we had mount- 
 ed ; and this trot had continued for about three hours, when 
 we stopped a few minutes in a little valley to adjust our sad- 
 dles. Here Sidi Hamet pulled out a check shirt from one of 
 his bags and gave it me, declaring he had stolen it, and had 
 tried to get another for Horace, but had not been able : ‘ put it 
 on,’ said he, ‘ your poor back needs a covering;’ (it being then 
 one entire sore.) I kissed his hand ingratitude, and thanked 
 him and my Heavenly Father for this mercy. Clark, a day 
 or two before, had got a piece of an old sail, that partly cover- 
 ed him — Burns had an old jacket, and Horace and IMr. Sav- 
 age, a small goat skin added to their dress — so that we were 
 all, comparatively, comfortably clad. We did not stop here 
 long, but mounted again, and proceeded on our course to the 
 E. S. E. on a full trot, which was continued till night ; when, 
 coming to a little valley, we found some thorn bushes and 
 halted for the night. 
 
 “ Here we kindled a fire, and our masters gave us a few 
 mouthfuls of the camel’s meat, which we roasted and ate. As 
 we had drank no water for the last three days, except a very 
 little of what we had taken from the camel’s jraunch, and 
 which was now reduced to about four quarts, we, as well as 
 our masters, suffered exceedingly for tlie want of it, and it was 
 thereupon determined to make an equal distribution of it 
 among the whole party ; which was accordingly done with an 
 impartial hand. This we, poor sufferers, made out to swal- 
 low, foul and ropy as it was, and it considerably relieved our 
 parched throats ; and then, finding a good shelter under a 
 thornbush, notwithstanding our unabated pains we got a tol- 
 erable night’s sleep.” 
 
 They continued traveling in the desart, enduring all the 
 miseries of hunger, thirst, and fatigue, until tliey reached 
 Wadinoon. Here Sidi Hamet told Capt. Riley that he must 
 write a letter to his friend at Swearah, giving him a scrap of 
 paper, a reed, and some black liquor, — and that he would 
 set out the next morning with it. Capt. Riley begged hard 
 to be taken along with him ; but he would not consent. He 
 briefly wrote the circumstances of the loss of the vessel, 
 his captivity, &,c. adding, “ worn down to the bones by the 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 105 
 
 most dreadful of all sufferings — naked and a slave, I implore 
 your pity, and trust that such distress will not be suffered to 
 plead in vain.” The letter was addressed to “the English, 
 French, Spanish, or American Consuls, or any Christian 
 merchants in IMagadore.” 
 
 They remained here seven days shut up in an enclosure 
 with sheep, cows and asses, in the day time, and in the night 
 they were locked up in a cellar. On the eighth day after the 
 departure of Sidi Hamet, a Moor, (Rais bel Cossim) entered 
 the enclosure bearing a letter from Mr. Willshire, communica 
 ting the thrice happy intelligence, that he would advance the 
 sum of one thousand dollars to redeem them from slavery; 
 and that Sidi Hamet had remained with him as a hostage for 
 their safe arrival. He also forwarded them a present of 
 clothes, provisions and spirits that they might enjoy a foretaste 
 of returning liberty. 
 
 “ My feelings,” says Capt. Riley, “ on reading this letter 
 may perhaps be conceived, but I cannot attempt to describe 
 them ; to form an idea of my emotions at that time, it is neces- 
 sary for the reader to transport himself in imagination to the 
 country where I then was, also a wretched slave, and to fancy 
 himself as having passed through all the dangers and distresses 
 that I had experienced; reduced to the lowest pitch of human 
 wretchedness, degradation and despair, a skinless skeleton, 
 expecting death at every instant, then let him fancy himself 
 receiving such a letter from a perfect stranger, whose name he 
 had never before heard, and from a place where there was 
 not an individual creature that had ever before heard of his 
 existence, and in one of the most barbarous regions of the 
 habitable globe : let him receive at the same time clothes to 
 cover and defend his naked, emaciated, and trembling frame, 
 shoes for his mangled feet, and such provisions as he had 
 been accustomed to in his happier days — let him find a sooth- 
 ing and sympathizing friend in a barbarian, and one who spoke 
 perfectly well the language of a Christian nation ; and with 
 all this, let him behold a prospect of a speedy liberation, 
 and restoration to his beloved family : — here let him pause, 
 and his heart must, like mine, expand near to bursting with 
 gratitude to his all-wise and beneficent Creator, who had up- 
 held his tottering frame, and preserved in his bosom the vital 
 spark, while he conducted bim, with unerring wisdom and 
 goodness, through the greatest perils and sufferings, by a con- 
 tinued miracle, and now prepared the heart of a stranger tc 
 accomplish what had been before determined.” 
 
 VOL. I, 6* 
 
106 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE 
 
 The Moor, Rais bel Cossim, Sidi Mohammed, and Seid, 
 their master, tlien took charge of them to conduct them to 
 Swearah. Mules were provided for the purpose, and as soon 
 as they were on the road, Rais bel Cossim begged of Capt. 
 Riley to give him an account of tlieir misfortunes and sulfer- 
 ings, and by what miracle their lives had been preserved. 
 
 “ I satisfied his curiosity,” says Capt. Riley, “ as well as I 
 could, by a short narration of the most prominent occurrences. 
 When I had finished, he raised his eyes towards heaven with 
 an air and e.vpression of true devotion, and exclaimed in 
 S|)anish, ‘ Praised be God, the most high and holy ! for his 
 goodness then addressing himself to me, he remarked, 
 ‘ You have indeed been preserved most wonderfully by the 
 peculiar protection and assistance of an overruling Provi- 
 dence, and must be a particular favourite of heaven: there 
 never was an instance (added he) of a Christian’s passing the 
 great desart for such a distance before, and you are no doubt 
 destined to do some great good in the world; and may the 
 Almighty continue to preserve you, and restore you to your 
 distressed family. Sidi Hamet (added he) admired your con- 
 duct, courage, and intelligence, and says they are more than 
 human — that God is with you in all your transactions, and 
 has blessed him for your sake.’ I mention this conversation 
 to show the light in which my master had viewed me, and this 
 will account for the interest he took in my restoration to 
 liberty, over and above his motives of gain. 
 
 “ We traveled on in a south-east direction through a very 
 sandy country, with however here and there a small rising, 
 and a few cultivated spots, for about five hours, at the rate of 
 five miles an hour, when we came opposite the shattered walls 
 of a desolate town or city that stood not far from our path on 
 the right. These walls appeared to enclose a square spot of 
 about three hundred yards in extent on each side, and they 
 seemed to be at least fifteen feet in height. They were built 
 of rough stones, laid in clay or mud, and daubed over with the 
 same material. On the north side, there was a gateway 
 handsomely arched over with stone, and furnished with a 
 strong heavy-looking wooden gate that was now shut. Over 
 the gate there appeared to be a platform for the purpose of 
 defending the gate, for the wall was not quite so high in that 
 part as elsewhere. Two battering machines were standing 
 against the western angle of the wall, opposite to which a 
 large practicable breach had been made by means of one of 
 those machines. They were both very simple in their struc- 
 ture, but calculated to be very powerful in their effects. 
 
LOSS OF IIIE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 107 
 
 The ground about the breach and near the gate was strew- 
 ed over with dry human bones ; and my curiosity being much 
 excited to know the history of this melancholy scene of car- 
 nage and desolation, I requested Rais to communicate to me 
 the particulars ; but not being, it seems, acquainted with 
 them himself, he applied to Sidi Mohammed on the subject, 
 who thereupon gave the following relation, while Rais trans- 
 lated into Spanish I'or me such parts as I did not perfectly 
 understand in Arabic, by which means I was enabled thor- 
 oughly to comprehend the whole narrative. 
 
 SACKING OF A WALLED TOWN BY THE WANDERING ARABS. 
 
 “ That citj' (said Mohammed,) was built by Omar Raschid, 
 about forty years ago ; he named it JVidnah. He was a very 
 brave and pious man : and the number of bis family and friends, 
 consisting at first of no more than five hundred souls, when the 
 city was built, increased so rapidly, that in a few years they 
 amounted to several thousands : they ]>lanted those fig, date, 
 pomegranate, olive, and other trees which you now see near the 
 walls ; they cultivated the fields round about, and made gardens ; 
 had abundance of bread, beasts, and cattle of every kind, and be- 
 came exceedingly rich and great, for God was with them. In all 
 their transactions, they were respected, loved, and feared by all 
 their neighbours, because they ivere wise and ju-t. This man w’as 
 called Omar el Milliah, (or Omar the good;) he was my best 
 friend when living, (said Sidi) and helped me when I was very 
 low in the world, but the best men have enemies — so it was with 
 
108 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 Omar; he had an inveterate enemy from his youth, who lived 
 arnon^ the mountains to the southward of this cit}', whose name was 
 Sheick Sulmin. This Sheick, about twenty years ago, came down 
 with a great host and invested the city of Omar, but Omar taking 
 advantage of the darkness of the night, sallied out of his city at a 
 private passage, with all his forces, and falling upon his besiegers 
 unawares, killed a great number, and put the remainder to a 
 shameful flight — from that time until the time of his death, (which 
 happened two years ago) he enjoyed a profound peace on every side. 
 After Omar’s death, his eldest son, Muley Ismael, (for he caused 
 himself to be called a prince) took upon him the government of the 
 city. He was a very effeminate man, entirel}^ devoted to sensual 
 pleasure, and had a great number of wives and concubines. The 
 people had long enjoyed a jtrofound jteace, and confided in their 
 strength ; when about a year ago one of the brothers of Ismael, 
 named Kesh-hah, who was very ambitious, and being fired with re- 
 sentment at the conduct of Muley Ismael, in taking away from 
 him his betrothed wife, left the city, and repaired to the moun- 
 tains, where having found his father’s old enemy still living, he 
 stirred him up to war against the city. The '^Itl Sheick soon col- 
 lected a powerful arm}' of hungry and rapacious Arabs on the 
 borders of the desart, and came down the mou;. tains, bringing on 
 their camels the battering machines you now see standing there. 
 When this host approached the city, it was in the dead of the night, 
 and all within were asleep ; they dwelt carelessly and dreamed of 
 no harm ; and felt so secure, that they did not even keep a watch. 
 The Sheick and his host drew near the walls in perfect silence, 
 and raised their battering machines undiscovered: it was now 
 near daylight, when both machines were put in operation at the 
 same instant, and the gate was also attacked by means of large 
 stones hung from the upper extremities of long poles by’ ropes, 
 which poles stood up on end, and were managed by the hands of 
 the Arabs. The first strokes against the walls and gate, shook 
 them to their tery’ foundations, and aw akened the slothful inhab- 
 itants, who flew' to the walls in order to make a defence : but it 
 was too late ; the enemy were thundering against them ; all was 
 confusion within ; those 11110 attacked the gate were repulsed with 
 great slaughter by those who mounted the platform over it, but 
 the walls were already shattered to pieces, and the assailants 
 entered the breaches over heaps of their dead and dying enemies. 
 
 It was now' daylight, and an indiscriminate slaughter of the in- 
 habitants ensued ; all was blood and carnage ; every male was 
 put to death, except two, who escaped over the wall to carry tid- 
 ings of the fate of the town to their friends and neighbors. All the 
 women and children shared the same fate, except two hundred 
 virgins, who were spared for the use of tb** ‘onquerors. They 
 next plundered the slain of their clothing anu -.j-naments ; gather- 
 ed up their spoil, and drove off the oxen, sheep, camels, &.c. and 
 departed, leaving the city a heap of ruins, covered with the man- 
 
LOSS OP THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 109 
 
 gleJ carcasses of its once highly favored jnha’jitants ; they were 
 in such haste as to leave the battering machines standing, and 
 made off by way of the plain southward. The inhabitants of the 
 neighboring towns soon collected, and pursuing them with great 
 vigor, came up with them on the side of the mountain the next 
 morning, while the invaders sending forward their spoils, took a 
 station in a steep narrow pass, and prepared for battle. It was a 
 very long and bloody fight, but Sulmin’s men rolled down great 
 stones from the precipices upon their pursuers, who were at last 
 forced to retreat, leaving about half their number dead and wound- 
 ed on the ground. 
 
 Sidi Ishem, a very powerful prince, had in the mean time heard 
 the news, and assembled a very large army, and pursued the 
 enemy by another way ; but they had fled to the desart, and could * 
 not be overtaken. The dead bodies in and about the city had be- 
 come so putrid before the pursuit was over, that none could ap- 
 proach to bury them, and they were devoured by dogs, and wild 
 beasts, and birds of prey. They had offended the Almight}^ by 
 their pride, and none could be found to save them. Thus perish- 
 ed Widnah and its haughty inhabitants.” 
 
 They continued their journey without any material interrup- 
 tion, until they arrived in the vicinity of Mogadore or Swear- 
 ah. “ Here, our deliverer,” says Capt. Riley, “ who had re- 
 ceived news of our coming, dismounted from his horse, and was 
 prepared to behold some of the most miserable objects his im- 
 agination could paint — he led his horse along the south angle 
 and near the wall : Rais was by his side when opening past 
 the corner, I heard Rais e.xclaim, in Spanish, “Alla estan” 
 — “ there they are — at this sound we looked up and beheld 
 our deliverer, who had at that instant turned his eyes upon us. 
 He started back one step with surprise. His blood seemed 
 to fly from his visage for a moment, but recovering himself a 
 little, he rushed forward, and clasping me to his breast, he 
 ejaculated, ^Welcome to my arms, my dear Sir; this is truly 
 a happy moment.’ He ne.xt took each of my companions by 
 the hand, and welcomed them to their liberty, while tears 
 trickled down his manly cheeks and the sudden rush of all the 
 generous and sympathetic feelings of his heart nearly choked 
 his utterance : then raising his eyes towards heaven, he said, 
 
 ‘ I thank thee, great Author of my being for thy mercy to 
 these my brothers.’ — He could add no more ; his whole 
 frame was so agitated, that his strength failed him, and he 
 sunk to the ground. We, on our part, could only look up 
 towards heaven in silent adoration, while our hearts swelled 
 with indescribable sensations of gratitude and love to the all 
 
no 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG COMMERCE. 
 
 wise, all powerful, and ever merciful God of the universe, who 
 had conducted us through so many dreadful scenes of danger 
 and suffering ; had controled the passions and disposed the 
 hearts of the barbarous Arabs in our favour, and had finally 
 brought us to the arms of such a friend. Tears of joy stream- 
 ed from our eyes, and Rais bel Cossiin was so much affected 
 at this interview, that in order to conceal his weeping, he hid 
 himself behind the wall ; for the Moors, as well as the Arabs, 
 hold the shed<ling of tears to be a womanish and degrading 
 weakness. After a short pause, when Mr. Wiltshire had in 
 some measure recovered, he said, ‘ Come, my friends, let us 
 go to the city ; my house is already prepared for your recep- 
 tion.’ — The mules were led up, and we were again placed on 
 them and rode off slowly towards IMogadore.” 
 
 Mr. Willshire conducted them to his house, on their arrival 
 at IMogadore, had them all washed, clothed, and fed, and 
 spared no pains nor expense in procuring every comfort, and 
 in administering with his own hand, night and day, such re- 
 freshment as their late sufferings and debility required. Of 
 the miserable condition to which these unfortunate men had 
 been reduced, one act will witness. “ At the instance of Mr. 
 Willshire,” saj's Capt. Riley, “ I was weighed, and fell short 
 of ninety pounds though my usual weight for the last ten years 
 had been over two hundred pounds ; the weight of my com- 
 panions was less than I dare to mention, for I apprehend it 
 would not be believed that the bodies of men, retaining the 
 vital spark, should not have weighed forty pounds !” 
 
THE SPAMSH WRECK. 
 
 Ml 
 
 THE SPANISH WRECK, 
 
 About the year 1683, Sir William Phipps, afterwards cele- 
 brated for his attempts to take Quebec, in 1690, applied to the 
 English Government for aid and permission to fit out a suit- 
 able vessel for the purpose of searching for the v’reck of a 
 Spanish ship which had been lost near one of the West India 
 Islands, richly laden with silver. His request, after some 
 delay, was granted, and a frigate called Algier Rose, carrying 
 eighteen guns and manned with ninety-five men, was placed 
 under his command. He arrived in New England the same 
 year and proceeded forthwith to the place where the treasure 
 was reported to have been lost. He encountered many diffi- 
 culties in his voyage and came nigh, more than once, losing 
 his life by the mutiny of his crew. It is reported of him that 
 while his ship lay by an island, for the purpose of enabling his 
 men to take on board a fresh supply of wood and water, they 
 agreed among themselves to take the ship into their own hands, 
 and nmke a piratical expedition into the South Seas. They 
 were all on the island with the exception of Captain Phipps 
 and eight or ten of the crew. Among these was the car- 
 penter, whose services they could not well dispense with, and 
 they accordingly sent to the ship, requesting him to come to 
 them, as they had something for him to do. No sooner had 
 he come among them, than they disclosed to him the cruel 
 project, which was to set the Captain, and the above narned 
 eight or ten men upon the island, and then leave them to per- 
 ish, while they would take the ship into their own hands and 
 perform the proposed voyage. They gave the carpenter half 
 an hour to consider of the subject, whether he would join with 
 them or not, and sent him back accompanied bv a seaman to 
 prevent any interview between him and the Captain, by wbich 
 a disclosure could be made. AVhile at work on the ship, he 
 suddenly feigned an attack of the cholic, and rushed into the 
 cabin for the purpose of obtaining relief, and while fheie, gave 
 the Captain an account of the determination of his crew. He 
 directed the carpenter to return upon the island, and give his 
 consent to join the conspiracy. 
 
 When the carpenter had left the ship, the Captain ordered 
 the men on board, to prepare the pieces for action, removed 
 
THE SPANISH WRECK 
 
 tl2 
 
 the plank by which a landing had been effected, and ordered 
 them not to permit any one of those, save the carpenter, to 
 approach the ship. A quantity of provisions had been carried 
 on shore and covered with a tent, and tw'o or three guns 
 placed near to protect them from the Spaniards who miglit be 
 passing that way: these guns were all charged, ready to be 
 made use of in the event of an attack from the conspirators. 
 The disaffected part of the crew now returned to the ship for 
 the purpose of executing their plans. No sooner had they 
 come in sight, than the captain ordered them not to approach, 
 saying to them that their intentions had been discovered, and 
 that they were to be left upon the island, there to remain and 
 perish. Seeing how hopeless their condition w'as become, 
 they gathered courage from despair, and resolved to rescue 
 the provisions from the ship, and began to make a bold push. 
 As soon as they began to approach, the captain in a resolute 
 manner, cried out, “stand off, ye wretches, at your peril!” — 
 They quietly relinquished their determination to attack, and 
 fell upon their knees, imploring pardon, and offered to comply 
 with any disposal he might make of them, provided he would 
 receive them on board. After having kept them on their 
 knees long enough, he granted their petition and received 
 them into the ship, and sailed immediately for the island of 
 Jamaica, there [)ut them on shore, and employed other seamen 
 in their place. 
 
 He now commenced an examination for the wreck, and after 
 spending a long time in an almost fruitless search, sailed for 
 England. By the advice, however, of an old Spaniard, he 
 had satisfied himself of the prospect of succeeding in accom- 
 plishing his object, and determined to return again and pro- 
 secute his plan. His crew being composed of strangers, made 
 him think it advisable to change them for others in whom he 
 could have greater confidence in the event his labors should 
 be crow'ned with success. 
 
 On his return to England, his conduct gained the royal ap- 
 probation, and the applause of the nobles, and many distin- 
 guished men encouraged him to engage in a second e.xpedition 
 and under more favorable and promising circumstances. 
 
 His prospect was opposed, however, by many powerful 
 enemies; but, prompted by the proverb, “he who can wait, 
 hath w'hat he desireth,” he overcame every obstacle and dis- 
 appointment, and, under the patronage of the Duke of Albe- 
 marle, had a new ship fitted out with a more honest crew, fur- 
 nished with instruments and conveniences suited to the nature 
 
THE SPANISH WRECK. 
 
 113 
 
 of the expedition. Arriving at Port de la Plata, he made a 
 large canoe from the cotton tree sufficient to carry eight men, 
 and with the old Spaniard for a guide, again commenced ex- 
 amination for the wreck. There they floated about, fishing 
 for their treasure among dangerous reefs and shoals for many 
 weeks without success. So fruitless was the search that more 
 than once had he, as well as his men, determined to abandon 
 the work. At length, when returning to the ship, discour- 
 aged by repeated disappointment, and the hopelessness of a 
 successful issue of the project, one of the men looking into the 
 water discovered a feather, as he thought, growing out of a 
 rock. Thinking that they would not go back to the Captain 
 without something to present him, they ordered an Indian to 
 dive down and bring it up, which having done, he gave an ac- 
 count of many large guns which he saw in his descent. The 
 diver again went down, and, to the joy and astonishment of 
 the men, returned with a sow or lump of silver, which turned 
 out to be worth from ten to twelve hundred dollars. They 
 buoyed the place and returned to the Captain overjoyed with 
 with their good fortune, as it w'as well known that the wreck 
 was one of the ships belonging to the king in Spain, which had 
 been lost on a returning voyage from South America richly 
 laden with silver bullion. The loss of the ship is supposed to 
 have happened about the year 1637, and the immense trea- 
 sures which was reported to have been sunk with her were 
 often made the subject of ingenious speculation, and many had 
 sunk their own fortunes in efforts to find it. It was reserv- 
 ed, however, in the silent depths, that Capt. Phipps might be 
 the fortunate finder of it at so late a period after its loss. He 
 now found in the bullion brought to him full assurance that 
 destiny had allotted to him to “ suck of the abundance of the 
 seas and of treasures hid in the sand.” 
 
 Having prepared his instruments for fishing up the contents 
 of the wreck, all hands were now busily employed in the work, 
 and in a short time they succeeded in procuring the astonish- 
 ing amount of thirty-two tons of silver. In addition to 
 this Captain Adderly, an adventurer from Providence, and a 
 particular friend of Captain Phipps, obtained six tons more from 
 the same wreck at the same time. It was by an agreement 
 that Adderly met Phipps at the place of the wreck with a small 
 vessel. He was so overjoyed with the extent of his riches 
 and so elated at such unlocked for acquisitions, that he lived 
 but a little while to enjoy them. It is said that he went to the 
 island of Bermudas where he became insane, and died about 
 
II4 
 
 THE SPANISH WRECK. 
 
 two yeais after the six tons of silver came into his hands. 
 Phipps, however, made a more profitable account of the expedi- 
 tion, and lived to enjoy the proceeds of it without prejudice to 
 his health or destruction of his mind. In a few weeks after 
 leaving the wreck, he arrived safe in London, in 1G87, with 
 a cargo valued at near fifteen hundred thousand dollars. He 
 made an honest distribution of it among those who aided him 
 in fitting him out with a vessel and proper conveniences, and 
 received about seventy five thousand dollars for his share of 
 the profits. The Duke of Albemarle, out of respect to his 
 honesty and fidelity, presented his wife, who was then in iS'ew 
 England, a gold cup worth “near a thousand pounds.” And 
 King James as a reward for his important services in bring- 
 ing such amount of property into the country conferred on 
 him the honor of knighthood. 
 
 Sir William Phipps was born February 2, 1650, at a despic- 
 able plantation on the river Kennebeck. He removed to 
 Boston where he married a daughter of Roger Spencer, and 
 pursued the business of a smith, which was the occupation of 
 his father. It is said that he frequently promised his wife that 
 he would one day command a King’s ship and be tne owner 
 of a fair brick house in the Green lane of Morth Boston, all 
 which proved true, for after the discovery of the wreck, he re- 
 turned into IVew England, in the summer of the year 1688, 
 “able after five year’s absence, to entertain his lady with 
 some accomplishment of his predictions: and then built him- 
 self a fair house in the very place which he foretold.” 
 
 Sir William Phipps was industrious, courageous, and per- 
 severing; his principal fault was, occasionally indulging his 
 temper. This failing he did not overcome until late in life. 
 It is this day said by the very aged people living at the north 
 part of Boston, where be resided, that when be was governor 
 of Massachusetts, he had a quarrel with a truckman, at which 
 time he was in so great passion, that be threw oft’ his coat and 
 dared the man to fight. After this, however, he became very 
 serious and devout, when he joined the Church, made a 
 written acknowledgement of his past errors, and in terms of 
 deep humility, gave evidence of a pious mind. 
 
 Phipps was made “Captain General and commander-in- 
 Chief of Massachusetts Bay,” in 1690. 
 
 The Brick House which he built stands in Salem street 
 and is improved as an asylum for orphan boys. 
 
THE FATAL REPAST. 
 
 115 
 
 THE FATAL REPAST 
 
 We had been nearly five weeks at sea, when the captain 
 found, by a nautical observation, that we were within one 
 hundred and thirty miles of the north side of Jamaica. Fa- 
 vorable winds and smooth seas had hitherto been our constant 
 attendants, and every thing on board conspired to render the 
 confinement and monotony of a long voyage less annoying 
 than they usually are. The cabin passengers consisted of 
 
 Major and Mrs. L , a new-married couple; Miss P , 
 
 sister to the latter; Mr. D , a young Irishman, and myself. 
 
 Our captain was a man of pleasing manners and liberal ideas, 
 and formed an important acquisition to our party, by joining in 
 all its recreations, and affording every facility to the indul- 
 gence of them. Much of our time was spent in conversation, 
 and in walking on deck; and as the dews of evening obliged us 
 to descend to the cabin, the captain would often entertain us 
 with a relation of the various dangers which he and other per- 
 sons had encountered at sea, or detail, with great gravity, 
 some of the prevailing superstitions of sailors. 
 
 Athough he possessed more general information than usually 
 falls to the lot of seafaring persons, his mind was tinctured 
 with some of their weaknesses and prejudices. The ladies of 
 our party had a great taste for natural history, and wished to 
 obtain specimens of all the most interesting kinds of sea-birds. 
 They had several times requested the captain to shoot one of 
 Mother Carey’s chickens, that they might take a drawing from 
 it; however, he always declined doing so, but never gave any 
 satisfactory reason for his unwillingness to oblige them in this 
 
 respect. At last, Mr. D killed two of the birds, after 
 
 having several times missed whole flocks of them. The cap- 
 tain seemed very much started when he saw the animals drop 
 on the waves; — “ Will you have the goodness to let down the 
 boat to pick up the game ” said Mr. D — — . “ Yes, sir,” 
 
 replied he, “ if you ’ll go off in her, and never return on board 
 this vessel — Here is a serious business — Be assured we have 
 not seen the end of it.” He then walked away without offer- 
 ing to give any orders about lowering the boat; and the sea- 
 men, who witnessed the transaction, looked as if they would 
 not have obeyed him had he even done so. 
 
IIG 
 
 THE FATAL REPAST. 
 
 Though we saw no land, every thing proved that we were 
 in the West India seas. The sky had, within a few days, 
 began to assume a more dazzling aspect, and long ranges of 
 conical shaped clouds floated along the horizon. Land birds, 
 with beautiful plumage, often hovered round the vessel, and 
 we sometimes fancied we could discover a vegetable fragrance 
 in the breezes that swelled our sails. 
 
 One delightful clear morning, when we were in hourly ex- 
 pectation of making the land, some dolpliin appeared astern. 
 As the weather was very moderate, the captain proposed that 
 they should fish for them; and a great many hooks were im- 
 mediately baited for that purpose by the seamen. IVe caught 
 large quantities of dolphin, and of another kind of fish, and 
 put the whole into the hands of the steward, with orders that 
 part should be dressed for dinner, and part distributed among 
 the crew. 
 
 When the dinner-hour arrived, we all assembled in the cabin, 
 in high spirits, and sat down to table. It being St. George’s 
 day, the captain who was an Englishman, had ordered that 
 every thing should be provided and set forth in the most sum- 
 ptuous style, and the steward had done full justice to his di- 
 rections. We made the wines, which were exquisite and 
 abundant, circulate rapidly, and every glass increased our 
 gaiety and good humor, while the influence of our mirth 
 rendered the ladies additionally amusing and animated. The 
 captain remarked, that as there were two clarionet players 
 among the crew, we ought to have a dance upon the quarter- 
 deck at sunset. This proposal was received with much de- 
 light, particularly by the females of our party; and the captain 
 had just told the servant in waiting to bid the musicians pre- 
 pare themselves, when the mate entered the cabin, and said, 
 that the man at the helm had dropped down almost senseless, 
 and that another of the crew was so ill that he could scarcely 
 speak. 
 
 The captain, on receiving this information, grew very pale, 
 and seemed at a loss what to reply. At last, he started from 
 bis chair, and hurried up the gangway. Our mirth ceased in 
 a moment, though none of us appeared to know why; but the 
 minds of all were evidently occupied by what they had just 
 
 heard, and INIajor L remarked, with faultering voice, that 
 
 seamen were very liable to be taken suddenly ill in hot climates. 
 
 After a little time, we sent the servant to inquire what was 
 going forward on deck. lie returned immediately, and in- 
 formed us that the two sailors were worse, and that a third 
 
THE FATAL EEPAST. 
 
 117 
 
 had just been attacked in the same way. He had scarcely said 
 
 these words, when Mrs. L gave a shriek, and cried cut 
 
 that her sister had fainted away. This added to our confu- 
 sion and alarm; and the Major and !Mr. D trembled so, 
 
 that they were hardly able to convey the young lady to her 
 state-room. 
 
 All conversation was now at an end, and no one uttered a 
 
 word tilt Mrs. L returned from her sister’s apartment. 
 
 While we were inquiring how the latter was, the captain 
 entered the cabin in a state of great agitation. “ This is a 
 dreadful business,” said he. “ The fact is — it is my duty to 
 tell you — I fear we are all poisoned by the fish we have eaten 
 — One of the crew died a few minutes since, and five others 
 are dangerously ill.” 
 
 “Poisoned! my God! Do you say so.^ Must we all die?” 
 
 exclaimed Mrs. L , dropping on her kiiees. “ What is to 
 
 he done? ” cried the Major distractedly ; “ are there no means 
 >f counteracting it? ” — “ None that I know of,” returned the 
 captain. “ All remedies are vain. The poison is always fatal, 
 except — but I begin to feel its effects — support me — can this 
 be imagination? ” He staggered to one side, and would have 
 
 fallen upon the floor, had not I assisted him. Mrs. L , 
 
 notwithstanding his apparent insensibility, clung to his arm, 
 crying out, in a tone of despair, “ Is there no help — no pity 
 — no one to save us?” and then fainted away on her hus- 
 band’s bosom, who, turning to me, said, with quivering lips, 
 “ You are a happy man; you have nothing to imbittcr your 
 last moments — Oh, Providence! was I permitted to escape so 
 many dangers, merely that I might suffer this misery?” 
 
 Mrs. L soon regained her senses, and I endeavored to 
 
 calm her agitation by remarking, that we might possibly es- 
 cape the fatal influence of the poison, as some constitutions 
 were not so easily affected by it as others. “ Is there then a 
 little hope?” sh-e exclaimed. “Oh! God grant it maybe so! 
 How dreadful to die in the midst of the ocean, far from friends 
 and home, and then to be thrown in the deep!” — “ There is 
 one thing,” said the captain, faintly, “ I was going to tell you, 
 that — but this sensation — I mean a remedy.” — “ Speak on,” 
 cried the major, in breathless suspense. “ It may have a 
 chance of saving you,” continued the former; “you must im- 
 mediately” — He gave a deep sigh, and dropped his head upon 
 his shoulder, apparently unable to utter a word more. “ Oh, 
 
 this is the worst of all!” cried Mrs. L in agony; “he 
 
 was on the point of telling us how to counteract the effects of 
 
118 
 
 THE FATAL REFAST, 
 
 the poison — Was it heavenly mercy that deprived him of the 
 power of speech? Can it be called mercy? ” — “ Hush, hush! 
 you rave,” returned her husband. “ We have only to be re- 
 signed NOW — Let us at least die together.” 
 
 The crew had dined about an hour and a half before us, and 
 consequently felt the effects of the |)oison much earlier than 
 we did. Every one, however, now began to exhibit alarming 
 
 symptoms. Mr. D became delirious; the major lay upon 
 
 the cabin floor in a etate of torpidity; and the captain had 
 drowned all sense and recollection by drinking a large quan- 
 tity of brandy. IMrs. L — — watched her husband and her 
 sister alternately, in a state of quiet despair. 
 
 I was comparatively but little aflected, and therefore em- 
 ployed myself in assisting others until they seemed to be past 
 all relief, and then sat down, anticipating the horrid conse- 
 quences which would result from the death of the whole ship’s 
 company. 
 
 While thus occupied, I heard the steersman call out, — 
 “ Taken all aback here.” A voice, which I knew to be the 
 mate’s immediately answered, “ AVell, and what ’s that to us? 
 Put her before the wind, and let her go where she pleases.” 
 I soon perceived, by the rushing of the water, that there was 
 a great increase in the velocity of the ship’s progress, and 
 went upon deck to ascertain the cause. 
 
 I found the mate stretched upon the top of the companion, 
 and addressed him, but he made no reply. The man at the 
 helm was tying a rope round the tiller, and told me he had 
 become so blind and dizzy, that he could neither steer, nor see 
 the compass, and would therefore fix the rudder in such a 
 manner, as would keep the ship’s head as near the wind as 
 possible. On going forward to the bows, I found the crew 
 lying motionless in every direction. They were either in- 
 sensible of the dangerous situation in which our vessel was, 
 or totally indifferent to it; and all my representations on this 
 head failed to draw forth an intelligible remark from any of 
 them. Our ship carried a great press of canvass, the lower 
 studding sails being set, for we had enjoyed a gentle breeze 
 directly astern, before the wind headed us in the way already 
 mentioned. 
 
 About an hour after sunset, almost every person on board 
 seemed to have become worse. I alone retained my senses 
 unimpaired. The wind now blew very fresh, and we went 
 through the water at the rate of ten knots an hour. The night 
 looked dreary and turbulent. The sky was covered with 
 
THE FATAL REPAST 
 
 119 
 
 large fleeces of broken clouds, and the stars flashed angrily 
 through them, as they were wildly hurried along by the blast 
 The sea began to run high, and the masts showed, by their in- 
 cessant creaking, that they carried more sail than they could 
 well sustain. 
 
 I stood atone abaft the binnacle. Nothing could be heard 
 above or below deck, but the dashing of the surges, and the 
 moaning of the wind. All the people on board were to me 
 the same as dead; and I was tossed about, in the vast expanse 
 of waters, without a companion or fellow-sufferer. I knew 
 not what might be my fate, or where I should be carried. 
 The vessel, as it careered along the raging deep, uncontrol- 
 led by human hands, seemed under the guidance of a relent- 
 less demon, to whose caprices its ill-fated crew had been 
 mysteriously consigned by some superior power. 
 
 I was filled with dread lest we should strike upon rocks, or 
 run ashore, and often imagined that the clouds which border- 
 ed the horizon were the black cliffs of some desolate coast. 
 At last, I distinctly saw a light at some distance — I antici- 
 pated instant destruction — I grew irresolute whether to remain 
 upon deck, and face death, or to wait for it below. I soon 
 discovered a ship a little way ahead — I instinctively ran to the 
 helm, and loosed the rope that tied the tiller, which at once 
 bounded back, and knocked me over. A horrible crashing, 
 and loud cries, now broke upon rny ear, and I saw that we got 
 entangled with another vessel. But the velocity with which 
 we swept along, rendered our extrication instantaneous; and, 
 on looking back, I saw a ship, w'ithout a bowsprit, pitching ir- 
 regularly among the waves, and heard the rattling of cordage, 
 and a tumult of voices. But, after a little time, nothing was 
 distinguishable by the eye or by the ear. My situation ap- 
 peared doubly horrible, when I reflected that I had just been 
 within call of human creatures, who might have saved and as- 
 sisted all on board, had not an evil destiny hurried us along, 
 and made us the means of injuring those who alone were ca- 
 pable of affording us relief. 
 
 About midnight, our fore top-mast gave way, and fell upon 
 deck with a tremendous noise. The ship immediately swung 
 round, and began to labor in a terrible manner, while several 
 waves broke over her successively. 
 
 I had just resolved to descend the gangway for shelter, when 
 a white figure rushed past me with a wild shriek, and sprung 
 ovecboard. I saw it struggling among the billows, and toss- 
 ing about its arms distractedly, but had no means of affording 
 
120 
 
 THE FATAL REPAST. 
 
 it any assistance. I watched it for some time, and observed 
 its convulsive motions gradually grow more feeble; but its 
 form soon became undistinguishable amidst the foam of the 
 bursting waves. The darkness prevented me from discover- 
 ing who had thus committed himself to the deep, in a moment 
 of madness, and I felt a strong repugnance at attempting to 
 ascertain it, and rather wished it might have been some 
 spectre, or the offspring of my perturbed imagination, than a 
 human being. 
 
 As the sea continued to break over the vessel, I went down 
 to the cabin, after having closely shut the gangway doors and 
 companion. Total darkness prevailed below. 1 addressed 
 the captain and all my fellow passensers by name, but receiv- 
 ed no reply from any of them, though I sometimes fancied I 
 heard moans and quick breathing, when the tumult of waters 
 without happened to subside a little. But I thought that it 
 was perhaps imagination, and that they were probably all 
 dead. I began to catch for breath, and felt as if I had been 
 immured in a large cofhn along with a number of corpses, and 
 was doomed to linger out life beside them. The sea beat 
 against the vessel with a noise like that of artillery, and the 
 crashing of the bulwarks, driven in by its violence, gave start- 
 ling proof of the dangers that threatened us. Having several 
 times been dashed against the walls and transoms of the cabin 
 by the violent pitching of the ship, I groped for my bed, and 
 lay down in it, and, notwithstanding the horrors that surround- 
 ed me, gradually dropped asleep. 
 
 When I awaked, I perceived, by the sunbeams that shone 
 through the skylight, that the morning was far advanced. 
 The ship rolled violently at intervals, but the noise of wind 
 and waves had altogether ceased. I got up hastily, and al- 
 most dreaded to look round, lest I should find m\' worst antici- 
 pations concerning my companions too fatally realized. 
 
 I immediately discovered the captain lying on one side of 
 
 the cabin quite dead. Opposite him was IMajor L , 
 
 stretched along the floor, and grasping firmly the handle of the 
 door of his wife’s apartment. He looked like a dying man, 
 
 and Mrs. L , who sat beside him, seemed to be e.xhausted 
 
 with grief and terror. She tried to speak several times, and at 
 last succeeded in informing me that her sister was better. I 
 could not discover IMr. D any where, and therefore con- 
 
 cluded that he was the person who had leaped overboard the 
 preceding night. 
 
 On going upon deck, I found that every thing wore a new 
 aspect. The sky was dazzling and cloudless, and not the 
 
THE FATAL REPAST. 
 
 121 
 
 faintest breath of wind could be felt. The sea had a beautiful 
 bright green color, and was calm as a small lake, e.xcept when 
 an occasional swell rolled from that quarter in which the wind 
 had been the preceding night; and the water was so clear, 
 that I saw to the bottom, and even distinguished little fishes 
 sporting around the keel of our vessel. 
 
 Four of the seamen were dead, but the mate and the re- 
 maining three had so far recovered, as to be able to walk 
 across the deck. The ship was almost in a disabled state. 
 Part of the wreck of the fore top-mast lay upon her bows, and 
 the rigging and sails of the mainmast had suffered much injury. 
 The mate told me, that the soundings, and almost every thing 
 else, proved we were on the Bahama banks, though he had 
 not yet ascertained on what part of them we lay, and conse- 
 quently could not say whether we had much chance of soon 
 falling in with any vessel. 
 
 The day passed gloomily. They regarded every cloud that 
 rose upon the horizon as the forerunner of a breeze, which we 
 above all things feared to encounter. Much of our time 
 was employed in preparing for the painful but necessary duty 
 of interring the dead. The carpenter soon got ready a suf- 
 ficient number of boards; to each of which we bound one 
 of the corpses, and also weights enough to make it sink to the 
 bottom. 
 
 About ten at night, we began to commit the bodies to the 
 deep. A dead calm had prevailed the whole day, and not a 
 cloud obscured the sky. The sea reflected the stars so dis- 
 tinctly, tliat it seemed as if we were consigning our departed 
 companions to a heaven as resplendent as that above us. 
 There was an awful solemnity, alike in the scene and in 
 our situation. I read the funeral service, and then we drop- 
 ped the corpses overboard, one after another. The sea spark- 
 led around each, as its sullen plunge announced that the 
 waters were closing over it, and they all slowly and succes- 
 sively descended to the bottom, enveloped in a ghastly glim- 
 mering brightness, which enabled us to trace their progress 
 though the motionless deep. When these last offices of re- 
 spect were performed, we retired in silence to differer.t parts 
 of the ship. 
 
 About midnight, the mate ordered the men to cast anchor, 
 which, till then, they had not been able to accomplish. They 
 likewise managed to furl most of the sails, and we went to bed, 
 under the consoling idea, that though a breeze did spring up, 
 our moorings would enable us to weather it without any risk. 
 
 VOL. I. 6 
 
122 
 
 THE FATAL REPAST. 
 
 I was roused early next morning by a confused noise upon 
 deck. When I got there, I found the men gazing intently 
 over the side of the ship, and I inquired if our anchor held fast. 
 — “ Ay, ay,” returned one of them, “ rather faster than we 
 want it.” On approaching the bulwarks, and looking down, 
 I perceived, to my horror and astonishment, all the corpses 
 lying at the bottom of the sea, as if they had just been drop- 
 ped into it. 
 
 We were now exempted from the ravages and actual pre- 
 sence of death, but his form haunted us without intermission. 
 We hardly dared to look over the ship’s side, lest our eyes 
 should encounter the ghastly features of some one who had 
 formerly been a companion, and at whose funeral rites we 
 had recently assisted. The seamen began to murmur among 
 themselv’es, saying that we would never^be able to leave the 
 spot where we then were, and that our vessel would remain 
 there and rot. 
 
 In the evening a strong breeze sprung up, and filled us 
 M'ith hopes that some vessel would soon come in sight, and af- 
 ford us relief. At sunset, when the mate was giving direc- 
 tions about the watch, one of the seamen cried out, “ Thank 
 Heaven, there they are.” And the other ran up to him say- 
 ing, “Where, where?” He pointed to a flock of Mother 
 Carey’s chickens that had just appeared astern, and began to 
 count how many there were of them. I inquired what was 
 the matter, and the mate replied, “ W^hy, only that we ’ve 
 seen the worst, that ’s all, master. I ’ve a notion we ’ll fall 
 in with a sail before twenty hours are past.” — “ Have you 
 anv particular reason for thinking so? ” said I. “To be sure 
 I have,” returned he, “ Are n’t them there birds an omen of 
 returning good fortune.’’ — “ I have always understood,” said 
 I, “ that these birds indicate bad weather, or some unfortu- 
 nate event, and this appears to me to be true.’’ — “ Av, ay,” 
 replied he, “ they say experience teaches fools, and 1 have 
 found it so; there was a time v.'hen I did not believe that these 
 creatures were anv thing but common birds, but I know 
 another story — Oh 1 ’ve witnessed such strange things! ” 
 
 Next morning I was awakened by the joyful intelligence 
 that a schooner was in sight, and that she had hoisted her flag 
 in answer to our signals. She bore down upon us with a good 
 wind, and in about an hour hove to, and spoke us. When we 
 had inibrmed them of our unhappy situation, the captain order- 
 ed the boat to be lowered, and came on board of our vessel, 
 with three of his crew. He was a thick, short, dark-complex- 
 
THE PATaL repast. 
 
 123 
 
 ioned man, and his language and accent discovered liim to 
 be a native of the southern states of America. The mate im- 
 mediately proceeded to detail minutely all that happened to us, 
 but he soon interrupted it, by asking of what our cargo con- 
 sisted. Having been satisfied on this point, he said “ Seeing 
 as how things .stand, I conclude you ’ll be keen for getting 
 into port.” — ‘“Yes, that of cotirse is our earnest wish,” re- 
 plied the mate, “ and we hope to be able by your assistance to 
 accomplish it.”— Ay, we must all assist one another,” re- 
 turned the captain — “ Well, I was just calculating, that your 
 plan would be to run into New Providence — I ’m bound for 
 St. Thomas’s and you can’t expect that I should turn about, 
 and go right back with you — ‘neither that I should let you have 
 any of my seamen, for I ’ll not be able to make a good trade 
 unless I get slick into port. Now I have three nigger slaves 
 on board of me, — curse them, they don’t know much about sea- 
 mc),tters, and are as lazy as h — 1, but keep flogging them Mister, 
 — keep flogging them I say, — -by which means, you will make 
 them serve your ends. Well, as I was saying, I will let you 
 have them blacks to help you, if you ’ll buy them of me at a 
 fair price, and pay it down in hard cash.” — “ This proposal,’’ 
 •said the mate, “sounds strange enough to a British seaman; 
 and how much do you ask for your slaves? ” — “ I can’t let 
 them go under three hundred dollars each,” replied the cap- 
 tain, “ I guess they would fetch more in St. Thomas’s, for 
 they’re prime, blow me.’’ — “Why, there is ’nt that sum of 
 money in this vessel, that I know of,’’ answered the mate; 
 “ and though I could pay it myself, I ’m sure the owners 
 never would agree to indemnify me. I thought you would have 
 afforded us every assistance without asking any thing in re- 
 turn, — a true sailor would have done so at least.” — “ Well. I 
 vow you are a strange man,” said the captain. “ Is ’nt it fair 
 that I should get something for my niggers, and for the chance 
 I ’ll run of spoiling my trade at St. Thomas’s, by making my- 
 self short of men? But we shan’t split about a small matter, 
 and I ’ll lessen the price by twenty a head.” — “ It is out of the 
 question, sir,” cried the mate, “I have no money.” — “Oh 
 there ’s no harm done,” returned the captain, “ we can ’t trade, 
 that ’s all. Get ready the boat, boys — I guess your nien will 
 soon get smart again, and then, if the weather holds moderate, 
 you’ll reach port with the greatest ease.” — “You surely v^o 
 not mean to leave us this barbarous way?” cne.,2 1; “the 
 owners of this vessel would, I am confident, pay any 
 rathei than that we should perish through your inhumanity.” 
 
124 
 
 THE FATAL REPAST. 
 
 — “ Well, mister, I ’ve got owners too,” replied he, “and my 
 business is to make a good voyage for them. Markets are 
 pretty changeable just now, and it won’t do to spend time 
 talking about humanity — money ’s the word with me.” 
 
 Having said this, he leaped into the boat, and ordered his 
 men to row towards his own vessel. As soon as they got on 
 board, they squared topsail, and bore away, and were soon 
 out of the reach of our voices. We looked at one another 
 for a little time with an expression of quiet despair, and then 
 the seamen began to pour forth a torrent of invectives, and 
 abuse, against the heartless and avaricious shipmaster who 
 
 had inhumanly deserted us. IMajor I. and his wife, being 
 
 in the cabin below, heard all that passed. AVhen the captain 
 first came on board, they were filled with rapture, thinking 
 that we would certainly be delivered from the perils and dif- 
 ficulties that environed us; but as the conversation proceeded, 
 their hopes gradually diminished, and the conclusion of it 
 
 made Mrs. L give way to a flood of tears, in which I 
 
 found her indulging when I went below. 
 
 The mate now endeavored to encourage the seamen to ex- 
 ertion. They cleared away the wreck of the fore-top-rnast 
 which had hitherto encumbered the deck, and hoisted a sort 
 of jury-mast in its stead, on which they rigged two sails. 
 When these things were accomplished, we weighed anchor, 
 and laid our course for New Providence. The mate had for- 
 tunately been upon the Bahama seas before, and was aware 
 of the difficulties he would have to encounter in navigating 
 them. The weather continued moderate, and after two davs 
 of agitating suspense, we made Exuma Island, and cast anchor 
 near its shore. 
 
ADVENTURES OP MADAME DENOYER. 
 
 125 
 
 ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. 
 
 The distressing situation to which Madame Denoyer, a 
 courageous and unfortunate Creole of Cape Francis, in St, 
 Domingo, was reduced, must affect every tender and virtuous 
 mind. Her narrative shows in^o what excesses the base 
 desire of gain is sometimes capable of leading men. 
 
 M. Denoyer, an inhabitant of Cape Francis, where he had 
 gained universal esteem, with a view to improve his circum- 
 stances, formed the design of settling at Samana, a bay in the 
 portion of St. Domingo, then belonging to Spain. This 
 intention he communicated to his wife, by whom it was ap- 
 proved of. 
 
 After residing a year at Samana, Madame Denoyer request- 
 ed her husband to return to Cape Francis, where her native 
 air was more favorable to her health. M. Denoyer was too 
 fond of his wife not to comply with her desire. They, accord- 
 ingly, embarked in a small vessel belonging to them, with a 
 child seven years old, another at the breast, and a female 
 negro servant, called Catharine. While they were preparing 
 for the voyage, an English vessel was lost upon the coast; the 
 crew, however, had the good fortune to reach the land. As 
 ♦here was at Samana a small French ship just ready to sail, 
 
126 
 
 ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. 
 
 the shipwrecked men, eight in number, intreated the com- 
 mander, the Sieur Verrier, to receive them on board, and to 
 take them either to Cape Francis, or Monte Christo. Being 
 unable to accommodate them all, he proposed to M. Denoyer 
 to take two of them in his bark. One of these was the 
 captain, whose name was John, and the other was called 
 Young. 
 
 M. Denoyer, being a man of humane disposition, received 
 them with pleasure, gave them linen and clothes, treated them 
 with the utmost kindness, in return for which they promised 
 all the assistance in their power to tlieir benefactor. 
 
 M. Denoyer set sail at the beginning of March, 1766, hav- 
 ing likewise on board two French seamen, whom he had hired 
 to navigate the vessel. As they steered their course close in 
 shore, when they arrived opposite tlie habitation of jManuel 
 Borgne, several leagues distant from the place of their depar- 
 ture, the two French seamen requested ]M. Denoyer, to put 
 them on shore, as the assistance of the two Englishmen, whom 
 he had so hospitably received, would be sufficient. With this 
 request M. Denoyer complied. 
 
 About ten o’clock the following moj-ning M. Denoyer, with 
 the help of the two Englishmen, set sail. They came to an 
 anchor, in the evening, at a place called Grigri, a league from 
 Porto Plata, on the north coast of St. Domingo. They sup- 
 ped together near the shore, after which, covering the poop 
 with palmetto-leaves, and erecting a kind of awning, they 
 placed underneath it a mattiass for Madame Dencver, her two 
 children, and negro servant, to sleep upon. jNI. Denoyer 
 tnrew himself upon another mattrass at the feet of his wife, 
 while the two Englishmen lay down at the head of the bark. 
 
 They slept soundly till midnight, when they were awak- 
 ed by the cries of their infant daughter. After milking the 
 goat which they had taken with them, for the purpose of suck- 
 ling the child, INI. Denoyer lay down again. About three or 
 four o’clock in the morning his wife was disturbed by the dull 
 sound of violent blow, which seemed to be the stroke of a 
 hatchet, on the bed of her husband, whom she heard .sigh. 
 Trembling with affright she awoke her black servant, crying: 
 “ Good God! Catharine, they are killing hi. Denoyer;” At 
 the same time she lifted up the cloth which composed the 
 awning, when John darted towards her bed, with a hatchet in 
 his hand, and, with a ferocious look, threatened to kill her if 
 she made the least motion to rise, and unless she immediately 
 let down the cloth; after which the perfidious assassin return- 
 
ADVENTURES OP BIADAME DENOTEH. 
 
 127 
 
 ed, and with two more strokes despatched his victim; he then 
 bent the sails, and Young repaired to the helm, with the in- 
 tention of steering towards New York. 
 
 At break of day the bark was two leagues distant from the 
 shore. Madame Denoyer, overwhelmed with fear, scarcely 
 had strength to rise from her bed. But what were her feel- 
 ings at the horrid spectacle which presented itself to her eyes.^ 
 She beheld the mattrass, upon which was extended the man- 
 gled body of her husband, floating on the water! The barbar- 
 ous John, aggravating his crime by the bitterest raillery, said: 
 “ Make yourself easy, your husband is taking a sound nap.” 
 A moment afterwards he returned to her armed with a dagger, 
 demanding her husband’s arms, and the keys of his boxes. 
 
 Madame Denoyer delivered them to him. The villain hav- 
 ing rummaged in every place, without finding any money, re- 
 turned them. The disconsolate widow then melting into tears, 
 (the source of which seemed to have been before dried up by 
 grief and terror), asKed him why he had murdered her hus- 
 band, since he had no money The assassin replied, that it 
 was for the sake of the vessel, which he had to take to New 
 York. After these words the monster appeared to relent, and 
 offered the afflicted lady tea and chocolate. She answered, 
 that she wanted nothing; upon which he told her not to grieve, 
 that he intended her no injury, but on the contrary, would 
 land her on French ground, with all her baggage. During 
 the remainder of the day he left her at liberty to resign herself 
 entirely to her sorrow. 
 
 It may be supposed tliat the night afforded no repose to this 
 unfortunate woman. The image of her husband murdered by 
 villains whom he had treated with the utmost kindness, inces- 
 santly haunted her; their cruelty, their baseness, their brutal- 
 ity, augmented her apprehensions, and rendered them still 
 more terrible when she cast her eyes on her beloved infants. 
 While her mind was occupied with the most gloomy and most 
 afilicting ideas, she heard the two executioners of her hus- 
 band planning an outrage which every virtuous woman dreads 
 more than death itself. John, the infamous John, proposed to 
 his companion to take the servant, reserving the mistress for 
 himself; but Young refusing to comply, the villians, after 
 fastening the helm, lay down. The black servant conceived 
 the design of putting out their eyes with a nail while they 
 were asleep; but fearing lest they only feigned sleep; she 
 relinquished the undertaking. 
 
128 
 
 ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. 
 
 At the dawning of the following day they set sail, and kept 
 out to sea. Madame Denoyer inquired whether they intend- 
 ed to take her to New York. They replied, that if she wish- 
 ed to go to Cape Francis, one of them would take her, the 
 children and black servant thither in the canoe which they 
 had on board. Anxiety concerning her future fate; the sight 
 of the villains, stained w’ith her husband’s blood; her forlorn 
 situation; her apprehensions and grief ; induced her to ac- 
 cept this offer, though the canoe was very small to withstand 
 the fury of the waves; this kind of boat, being made of a 
 single trunk of a tree, after the manner of the savages of 
 America. Having acquainted them with her resolution, John 
 told her to pick up her linen in a bundle, her boxes being ton 
 bulky to be removed into a canoe. He himself put into it a 
 wretched straw mattrass, four biscuits, a pitcher containing 
 about four quarts of fresh water, six eggs, and a small quan- 
 tity of salt pork. John having put into it the children and the 
 black servant, searched Madame Denoyer’s pockets, where he 
 found her husband’s silver stock-buckles and shoe-buckles, 
 which he took from her, together with the linen which she 
 had packed up. Having, at length, got into the boat, she 
 waited with impatience for the conductor that had been pro- 
 mised her, when she saw Young cut the rope by which the 
 boat was fastened; he then repaired to the helm, while John 
 set the sails, and the vessel was soon out of sight. The sky 
 and the ocean were the only objects she had then in view. 
 
 Abandoned in the midst of the waves, far from any coast, 
 the forlorn widow demanded relief of her husband’s assassins; 
 she conjured them, with all the eloquence of an affectionate 
 mother, to take compassion on her offspring. AVhen her 
 voice failed she continued to supplicate with the most expres- 
 sive and affecting gestures. The assassins, deaf to all her 
 intreaties, abandoned the wretched family to its fate, and dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 Consternation, the excess of her grief, the danger which 
 threatened the objects dearest to her heart, combined to re- 
 duce her to a state of total insensibility. Her faithful slave 
 employed every method in her power to recover her mistress. 
 She revived, but only to behold the abyss ready to receive her, 
 to deplore tlie wretched situation of her beloved children, who 
 were likely to be the prey of the monsters of the deep. She 
 pressed them to her bosom, bedewed them with her tears, and 
 every time she cast her eyes upon them she imagined that she 
 
ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. 
 
 129 
 
 beheld them for the last time. Resigning herself entirely to 
 the direction ofProvidei.ee, she suffered the canoe to float at 
 the will of the waves. 
 
 But the approach of a horribly dark night soon augmented 
 her danger and her apprehensions. To crown the misfortunes 
 of the distressed family, the wind began to blow with great 
 violence, the waves rose, and, amidst their impetuous shocks, 
 a sea broke over the canoe, washed away the biscuit and fresh 
 water, while the attention of the wretched women was divert- 
 ed from such a great misfortune only by the fear of being 
 swallowed up by a wave still more tremendous. It is impos- 
 sible to describe the protracted horrors of this terrible night. 
 
 The wished-for dawn at length arrived, and brought calmer 
 weather, but no other consolation. They beheld nothing but 
 skv and water, and were ignorant which way to direct their 
 course. In this desperate situation Madame Denoyer never 
 ceased to implore the assistance of Providence, the only sup- 
 port of the unfortunate. 
 
 In this manner they passed seven days and seven nights, 
 exposed to the inclemencies of the weather, without drink or 
 food of any kind, excepting a little salt pork. Exhausted with 
 fatigue, the enfeebled mother was every moment losing the 
 little strength she had left; but in this condition, the idea of a 
 speedy death was less terrible than the deplorable state of her 
 children. In quitting them she was desirous of giving the 
 most precious mark of maternal affection. She was on the 
 point of opening a vein, to prolong the life of the little inno- 
 cent, closely prest to her bosom, when Catharine discovered a 
 distant sail. This intelligence gave Madame Denoyer new 
 life; both the women shouted and made signs. They soon 
 perceived that their signals were seen, and that the vessel was 
 standing towards them. A new danger now intervened. The 
 waves broke with such force against the ship as to render them 
 apprehensive that the canoe would be sunk if they attempted 
 to get on board. However, by the management of the cap- 
 tain, the widow, the children, and the black servant were 
 taken on board the vessel. She arrived safely in the road of 
 New Orleans, the place of their destination. Madame De- 
 noyer had the good fortune to find there M. Rougeot, a notary, 
 and near relation, who received her and her family, rescued, 
 as it were, from the tomb, with the greatest joy and affection. 
 
 The inhabitants of Louisiana generously raised a subscrip- 
 tion for the relief of the unfortunate lady. She gave her lib- 
 erty to Catharine, the faithful companion of all her distresses; 
 
 VOL. I. 6* 
 
 K 
 
130 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN CAZNEAtT. 
 
 but that female, touched with the gratitude of her mistress, re- 
 fused to leave her, declaring that nothing but death should 
 
 7 0 O 
 
 part tliem. 
 
 The above facts were attested by Madame Denoyer before 
 the proper officer at New Orleans, to whom she likewise gave 
 a description of her husband’s assassins. Inquiry wms made 
 concerning them at New York, but whether they perished by 
 the just judgment of Providence, or found means to escape 
 detection, was never ascertained. 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN W. L. CAZNEAU. 
 
 The Brig Polly, of one hundred and thirty tons burthen, 
 sailed from Boston, with a cargo of lumber and provisions, on 
 a voyage to Santa Croi.v, on the 12th of December 1811, 
 under the command of Cant. \V. L. Cazneau — with a mate, 
 four seamen and a cook ; Mr. I. S. Hunt, and a negro girl of 
 nine years of age, passengers. Nothing material happened 
 until the I5th, when they had cleared cape Cod, the shoal of 
 Georges, and nearly, as they supposed, crossed the gulf 
 stream, w'hen there came on a violent gale from the south- 
 east, in which the brig labored very hard, which produced a 
 leak that so gained on the pumps as to sound nearly si.x feet, 
 — when about midnight she was upset, and jMr. Hunt washed 
 overboard ! Not having any reason to hope for her righting, 
 by much exertion the weather lanyards were cut awav, the 
 deck load having been before thrown over and the lashings all 
 gone ; in about half an hour the mainmast went bv the board, 
 and soon after the foremast, when she righted, though full of 
 water, a dreadful sea making a fair breach over her trom stem 
 to stern. In this situation the night wore away, and daylight 
 found all alive except the passenger, and upon close search 
 the little girl was found clinging to the skylight, and so saved 
 from drowning in the cabin. The glass and grating of the 
 skylight having gone away, while on her beams ends, the little 
 girl was drawn through the openings, but so much chilled that 
 
NARRATIVE OP CAPTAIN CA2NEAU. 
 
 131 
 
 she survived but a few hours. In this situation they remained, 
 without fire, as near as the captain can recollect, twelve days, 
 when the cook, an Indian from Canton, near Boston, suggest- 
 ed the operation of rubbing two sticks together, which suc- 
 ceeded. Very fortunately the camboose did not go overboard 
 with the deck load : this was got to windward, a fire kindled 
 and some provisions cooked, which was the first they had tast- 
 ed, except raw pork, for the whole time. They now got up 
 a barrel of pork, part of a barrel of beef, and one half barrel 
 of beef A small pig had been saved alive, which they now 
 dressed, not having any thing to feed it with. But at this 
 time no apprehension was entertained of suffering for meat, 
 tliere being several barrels stowed in the run, and upwards of 
 one hundred under deck. W/‘h this impression, the people 
 used the provisions very imprudently, till they discovered that 
 the stern post was gone, and the gale continuing for a long 
 time, the barrels had stove, and their contents were all lost 
 forever. 
 
 There happened to be a cask of water lashed on the quarter 
 deck, which was saved, containing about thirty gallons, all the 
 rest was lost. This lasted about eighteen days, when the 
 crew were reduced to the necessity of catching what rain they 
 could, and having no more. At the end of forty days the 
 meat was all gone, and absolute famine stared them in the 
 face. The first victim to this destroyer was Mr. Paddock, 
 the mate, whose exquisite distress seemed to redouble the suf- 
 ferings of his companions. He was a man of a robust consti- 
 tution, who had spent his life in the Bank fishing, had suffer- 
 ed many hardships and appeared the most capable of standing 
 the shocks of misfortune of any of the crew. In the meridan of 
 life, being about thirty-five years old, it was reasonable to 
 suppose that, instead of the first, he would have been the last 
 to have fallen a sacrifice to cold and hunger ; but Heaven 
 ordered it otherwise — he became delirious, and death relieved 
 him from his sufferings the fiftieth day of his shipwreck. Du- 
 ring all this time, the stoims continued, and would often over- 
 whelm them so as to keep them always drenched with sea- 
 water, having nothing to screen them, except a temporary 
 kind of cabin which they had built up of boards between the 
 windlass and nighthead on the larboard side of the forecastle. 
 The next who sunk under this horrid press of disasters was 
 Howes, a young man of about thirty, who likewise was a 
 fisherman, by profession, and tall, spare, and as smart and 
 active a seaman as any aboard. He likewise died delirious 
 
332 
 
 NARRATIVE OP CAPTAIN CAZNEAU. 
 
 and in dreadful distress, six days after Paddock, being the 
 fifty-sixth day of the wreck. It was soon perceived thsit this 
 must evidently be the fate of all the survivors in a short time, 
 if something was not done to procure water. About this time 
 good luck, or more probably, kind Providence, enabled them 
 to fish up the tea-kettle and one of the captain’s pistols ; and 
 necessity, the mother of invention, suggested the plan of dis- 
 tillation. Accordingly, a piece of board was very nicely fitted 
 to the mouth of the boiler, a small hole made in it, and the 
 tea-kettle, bottom upwards, fixed to the upper side of the 
 board, the pistol barrel was fixed to the nose of the kettle and 
 kept cool by the constant application of cold water. This 
 completely succeeded, and the survivors, without a doubt, 
 owe their preservation to this simple experiment. But all 
 that could be obtained by this very imperfect distillation, was 
 a scanty allowance of water for five men ; yet it would sustain 
 life and that was all. The impression that there was meat 
 enough under the deck, induced them to use every exertion 
 to obtain it ; but by getting up pieces of bone, entirely bare 
 of meat and in a putrid state, they found that nothing was left 
 for them but to rely on Heaven for food, and be contented 
 with whatever came to hand, till relief should come. Their 
 only sustenance now was barnacles gathered from the sides of 
 the vessel which were eaten raw that the distilling might not be 
 interrupted, which would give them no more than four wine 
 glasses of water each per day. The next food which they ob- 
 tained was a large shark, caught by means of a running bow- 
 line. This was a very great relief and lasted some time. 
 Two advantages arose from this signal interposition of kind 
 Providence ; ibr while they lived upon their shark, the bar- 
 nacles were growing larger and more nutritive. They likewise 
 found many small crabs among the sea-weed which often float- 
 ed around the wreck, which were very pleasant food. But 
 from the necessity of chewing them raw and sucking out the 
 nourishment, they brought on an obstinate costiveness, which 
 became extremely painful and probably much exasperated by 
 the want of water. 
 
 On the 15th of March, according to their computation, poor 
 INIoho, the cook, expired, evidently from want of water, though 
 with much less distress than the others and in the full exer- 
 cise of his reason ; he very devoutly prayed and appeared 
 perfectly resigned to the will of the God who afflicted him. 
 Their constant study was directed to the improvement of 
 their still, which was made much better by the addition of the 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN CAZNEAU. 
 
 133 
 
 other pistol barrel, which was found by fishing w’ith the grain 
 they made by fixing nails into a piece of a stave. With this 
 barrel they so far perfected the still as to obtain eight junk 
 bottles full of water in twenty four hours. But from the 
 death of Moho to the death of Johnson, which happened about 
 the middle of April, they seemed to be denied every kind of 
 food. The barnacles were all gone, and no friendly gale waft- 
 ed to their side the sea-weed from which they could obtain 
 crabs or insects. It seemed as if all hope was gone forever, 
 and they had nothing before tlicm but death, or the horrid al- 
 ternative of eating the flesh of their dead companion. One 
 expedient was left, that was to try to decoy a shark, if happily 
 tliere might be one about the wreck, by part of the corpse of 
 their shipmate ! This succeeded, and they caught a large 
 shark, and from that time had many fish till their happy de- 
 liverance. Very fortunately, a cask of nails which was on 
 deck, lodged in the lea scuppers while on their beam ends : 
 with these they were enabled to fasten the shingles on their 
 cabin, which by constant improvement, had become much 
 more commodious, and when reduced to two only, they had a 
 better supply of water. 
 
 They had now drifted above two thousand miles and were in 
 latitude 28 North and longitude 13 West, when to their un- 
 speakable joy they saw three ships bearing down upon them. 
 The ships came as near as was convenient, and then hailed, 
 which Capt. Cazneau answered with all the force of his lungs. 
 The ship which hailed proved to be the Fame of Hull, Capt. 
 Featherstone bound from Rio Janeiro home. It so happened 
 that the three Captains had dined together that day and were 
 all on board the Fame. Humanity immediately sent a boat, 
 which put an end to the dreadful thraldom of Capt. Cazneau 
 and Samuel Badger, the only surviving persons who were re- 
 ceived by these humane Englishmen with exalted sensibility. 
 Thus was ended the most shocking catastrophe which our 
 naval history hrs recorded for many years, after a series of 
 distresses from December 15th to the 20th of June, a period 
 of one hundred and ninety one days ! Every attention was 
 paid to the sufferers that generosity warmed with pity and fel- 
 low feeling could dictate, on board the Fame. They were 
 cherished, comforted, fed, clothed and nursed until the 9th of 
 July, when they fell in with Capt. Perkins, of the brig Dromo, 
 in the chops of the channel of England, who generously took 
 them on board and carefully perfected the work of goodness 
 
134 
 
 THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 
 
 begun by the generous Englishmen, and safely landed them in 
 Kennebunk. 
 
 It is natural to inquire how they coulJ float such avast dis- 
 tance upon the most frequented part of the Atlantic and n<it 
 be discovered all this time ^ They were passed by more than 
 a dozen sail, one of which came so nigh them that they could 
 distinctly see the people on deck and on the rigging looking 
 at them : but to the inexpressible disappointment of the starv- 
 ing and freezing men, they stifled the dictates of compassion, 
 hoisted sail, and cruelly abandoned them to their fate. 
 
 THE MAIN-TEUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 
 
 Among the many agreeable associates whom my different 
 cruisings and wanderings have brought me acquainted with, I 
 can scarcely call to mind a more pleasant and companionable 
 one than Tom Scupper. Poor fellow ! he is dead and gone 
 now — a victim to that code of false honor which has robbed 
 the navy of too many of its choicest officers. Tom and I were 
 messmates during a short and delightful cruise, and for a good 
 part of the time, we belonged to the same watch. He was a 
 great hand to spin yarns, which, to do him justice, he some- 
 times told tolerably well ; and many a long mid-watch has his 
 fund of anecdotes and sea stories caused to slip pleasantly 
 away. We were lying, in the little schooner to which '^^e 
 were attached, in the open roadstead of Laguyra, at single 
 anchor, when Tom told me the story which I am about to re- 
 late, as nearly as I can remember, in his own words. A 
 vessel from Baltimore had come into Laguyra that day, and 
 by her I had received letters from home, in one of which there 
 was a piece of intelligence that weighed very heavily on mv 
 spirits. For some minutes after our watch commenced, Tom 
 and I walked the deck in silence, which was soon, however, 
 interrupted by my talkative companion, who perceiving my 
 depression, and wishing to divert my thoughts, began as 
 follows : 
 
THE WAIN-TRUCK, OR A REAP FOR LIFE, 
 
 135 
 
 The last cruise I made in the MediterrRnean was in old 
 Ironsides, as we used to call our gallant frigate. We had 
 been backing and filling for several months on the western 
 coast of Africa, from the Canaries down to Messurado, in 
 search of slave traders; and during that time we had had some 
 pretty heavy weather. When we reached the straits, there 
 was a spanking wind blowing from about west south west ; 
 so we squared away, and, without coming to at the Rock, 
 made a straight wake for old Mahon, the general rendezvous 
 and place of refitting for our squadrons in the Mediterranean. 
 Immediately on arriving there, we warped in alongside the 
 Arsenal quay, where we stripped ship to a girtline, broke out 
 the holds, tiers, and store-rooms, and gave her a regular-built 
 overhauling from the stem to stern. For awhile, every body 
 was busy, and all seemed bustle and confusion. Orders and 
 replies, in loud and dissimilar voices, the shrill pipings of the 
 different boatswain’s mates, each attending to separate duties, 
 and the mingled clatter and noise of various kinds of work, all 
 going on at the same time, gave something of the stir and anim- 
 ation ofa dock yard to the usually quiet arsenal of Mahon. The 
 boatswain and his crew were engaged in fitting a new gang of 
 rigging ; the gunner in repairing his breechings and gun- 
 tacliles ; tlie forecastle men in calking ; the top-men in send- 
 ing down the yards and upper spars ; the holders and waisters 
 in whitewasliing and holy stoning ; and even the poor marines 
 were kept busy, like beasts of burden, in carrying breakers of 
 water on their backs. On the quay, near the ship, the smoke 
 of the armorer’s forge, which had been hoisted out and sent 
 ashore, ascended in a tiiin black column through the clear 
 blue sky ; from one of the neighboring white stone ware- 
 houses the sound of saw and hammer told that the carpenters 
 were at work ; near by, a livelier rattling drew attention to 
 the cooper, who in the open air was tightening the water- 
 casks ; and not far removed, under a temporary shed, formed 
 of spare studding-sails and tarpaulins, sat the sailmaker and 
 his assistants, repairing the sails which had been rent or in- 
 jured by the many storms we had encountered. 
 
 JMany hands, however, make light work, and in a very few 
 days all was accomplished ; the stays and shrouds were set up 
 and new rattled down ; the yards crossed, the running rigging 
 rove, and sails bent ; and the old craft, fresh painted and all 
 a-taunt-o, looked as fine as a midshipman on liberty In 
 place of the storm-stumps, which had been stowed away 
 among the booms and other spare spars, amidships, we had 
 
J36 
 
 THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 
 
 set up cap to’gallant-masts, and royal-poles, with a sheave tor 
 skysails, and hoist enough for skyscrapers above them : so 
 you may judge the old frigate looked pretty taunt. There 
 was a Dutch line-ship in the harbor ; but though we only 
 carried forty-four to her eighty, her main-truck would hardly 
 have reached to our royal-mast-head. The side-boys, whose 
 duty it was to lay aloft and furl the skysails, looked no big- 
 ger on the yard than a good sized duff for a midshipman’s 
 mess, and the main-truck seemed not half as large as the 
 Turk’s head-knot on the main-ropes of the accommodation 
 ladder. 
 
 When we had got every thing ship-shape and man-of-war 
 fashion, we hauled out again, and took our berth about half 
 way between the Arsenal and Hospital island ; and a pleasant 
 view it gave us of the town and harbor of old INIahon, one of 
 the safest and most tranquil places of anchorage in the world. 
 The water of this beautiful inlet — which though it makes 
 about four miles into the land, is not much over a quarter of 
 a mile in width — is scarcely ever rutiled by a storm ; and on 
 the delightful afternoon to which I now refer, it lay as still 
 and motionless as a polished mirror, except when broken into 
 momentary ripples by the paddles of some passing waterman. 
 What little wind we had had in the fore part of the day, died 
 away at noon, and, though the first dog-watch was almost out, 
 and the sun was near the horizon, not a breath of air had risen 
 to disturb the deep serenity of the scene. The Dutch liner, 
 which lay not far from us, was so clearly reflected in the glassy 
 surface of the water, that there was not a rope about her, from 
 her main-stay to her signal halliards, which the eye could not 
 distinctly trace in her shadowy and inverted image. The 
 buoy of our best bower floated abreast our larboard bow ; and 
 ihat, too, was so strongly imaged, that its entire bulk seemed 
 to lie above the water, just resting on it, as if upborne on a 
 sea of molten lead ; except when now and then, the wringing 
 of a swab, or the dashing of a bucket overboard from the head, 
 broke up the shadow for a moment, and showed the substance 
 but half its former apparent size. A small polacca craft had 
 got underway from Mahon in the course of the forenoon, in- 
 tending to stand over to Barcelona ; but it fell dead calm just 
 before she reached the chops of the harbor ; and there she 
 lay as motionless upon the blue surface, as if she were only 
 part of a mimic scene from the pencil of some accomplished 
 painter. Her broad cotton lateen-sails, as they hung droop- 
 ing from the sla*’ting and taper yards, shone with a glisten- 
 
THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 
 
 137 
 
 ing whiteness that contrasted beautifully with the dark flood 
 in which they were reflected ; and the distant sound of the 
 guitar, which one of the sailors was listlessly playing on her 
 deck, came sweetly over the water, and harmonized well w'ith 
 the quiet appearance of every thing around. The whitewash- 
 ed walls of the lazaretto, on a verdant headland at the mouth 
 of the bay, glittered like silver in the slant rays of the sun ; 
 and some of its windows were burnished so brightly by the 
 level beams, that it seemed as if the whole interior of the 
 edifice were in flames. On the opposite side, the romantic 
 and picturesque ruins of fort St. Philip, faintly seen, acquired 
 double beauty from being tipped with the declining light ; and 
 the clusters of ancient-looking windmills, which dot the green 
 eminences along the bank, added, by the motionless state of 
 their wings, to the effect of the unbroken tranquility of the 
 scene. 
 
 Even on board our vessel, a degree of stillness unusual for 
 a man-of-war prevailed among the c.ew. It was the hour of 
 their evening meal ; and the low hum that came from the gun- 
 deck had an indistinct and buzzing sound, which, like the tiny 
 song of bees of a warm summer noon, rather heightened than 
 diminished the charm of the surrounding quiet. The spar- 
 deck was almost deserted. The quarter-master of the watch, 
 with his spy-glass in his hand, and dressed in a frock and 
 trowsers of snowy whiteness, stood aft upon the taffrel, erect 
 and motionless as a statue, keeping the usual look-out. A 
 groupe of some half a dozen sailors had gathered together on 
 the forecastle, where they were supinely lying under the shade 
 of the bulwarks ; and here and there, upon the gun-slides 
 along the gangway, sat three or four others — one; with his 
 clothes-bag beside him, overhauling his simple wardrobe ; 
 another working a set of clues for some favorite officer’s ham- 
 mock ; and a third engaged, perhaps, in carving his name in 
 rude letters upon the handle of a jack-knife, or in knotting 
 a laniard with which to suspend it round his neck. 
 
 On the top of the boom cover and in the full glare of the 
 level sun, lay black Jake, the jig-maker of the ship, and a 
 striking specimen of African peculiarities, in whose single 
 person they were all strongly developed. His flat noso was 
 dilated to unusual width, and his ebony cheeks fairly glistened 
 with delight, as he looked up at the gambols of a large mon- 
 key, which, clinging to the main-stay, just above Jake’s wool- 
 ly head, was chattering and grinning back at the negro, as if 
 there existed some means of mutual intelligence between them 
 
138 
 
 THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 
 
 It wa.s my watch on deck, and I had been standing several 
 minutes leaning on the main fife-rail, amusing myself by ob- 
 serving the antics of the black and his congenial playmate ; 
 but at length, tiring of the rude mirth, had turned towards the 
 taftVei, to gaze on the more agreeable features of that scene 
 which I have feebly attempted to describe. Just at that mo- 
 ment a shout and a merry laugh burst upon my ear, and look- 
 ing quickly round, to ascertain the cause of the unusual sound 
 on a frigate’s deck, I saw little Bob Stay (as we called our 
 commodore’s son) standing half the way up the main-hatch 
 ladder, clapping his hands, and looking aloft at some object 
 that seemed to inspire him with a deal of glee. A single 
 glance to the main-yard explained the occasion of his merri- 
 ment. He had been coming up from the gun-deck, when 
 Jacko, perceiving him on the ladder, dropped suddenly down 
 from the main-stay, and running along the boom-cover, leap- 
 ed upon Bob’s shoulder, seized his cap from his head, and im- 
 mediately darted up the maintopsail sheet, and thence to the 
 bunt of the maiiiyard, where he now set, picking threads from 
 the tassel of his prize, and occasionally scratching his side, 
 and chattering as if with exultation for the success of his mis- 
 chief But, Bob was a sprightly, active little fellow ; and 
 though he could not climb quite as nimble as a monkey, yet 
 he had no mind to lose his cap without an effort to regain it. 
 Perhaps he was the more strongly incited to make chase after 
 .Jacko, from noticing me to smile at his plight, or by the loud 
 laugh of Jake, who seemed inexpressibly delighted at the oc- 
 currence, and endeavored to evince, by tumbling about the 
 boom- cloth, shaking his huge misshapen head, and sundry 
 other grotesque actions, the pleasures for which he had no 
 words. 
 
 “ Ha, you d — n rascal, Jocko, hab you no more respec’ for 
 for de young officer, den to steal his cab? We bring you to 
 de gangway, you black nigger, and gib you a dozen on de 
 bare back for a tief ” 
 
 The monkey looked dow:; from his perch as if he understood 
 the threat of the negro, and chattered a sort of defiance in 
 answer. 
 
 “ ha, ha! Massa Stay, he say you mus’ ketch him ’fore 
 you flog him; and it’s no so easy for a midshipman in boots to 
 ketch a monkey barefoot.” 
 
 A red spot mounted to the cheek of little Bob, as he cast 
 one glance of offended pride at Jake, and than sprang across 
 the deck to the Jacob’s ladder. In an instant he was half-way 
 
THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 
 
 139 
 
 up the rigging, running over the ratlines as lightly as if they 
 were an easy flight of stairs, whilst the shrouds scarcely 
 quivered beneath his elastic motion. In a second more his 
 hand was on the futtocks. 
 
 “ Massa Stay!” cried Jake, who sometimes, from being a 
 favorite, ventured to take liberties with the younger officers, 
 “ Massa Stay, you best crawl through de lubber’s hole — it 
 take a sailor to climb a futtock shroud.” 
 
 But he had scarcely time to utter bis pretended caution be- 
 fore Bob was in the top. The monkey in the meanwhile had 
 awaited his approach, until he had got nearly up the rigging, 
 when it suddenly put the cap on its own head,^nd running 
 along the yard to the opposite side of the top,^prang up a 
 rope, and thence to the topmast backstay, up which it ran to 
 the crosstrees, where it again quietly seated itself, and re- 
 sumed its work of picking the tassel to pieces. For several 
 minutes I stood watching my little messmate follow Jacko 
 from one piece of rigging to another, the monkey, all the 
 while, seeming to exert only so much agility as was necessary 
 to elude the pursuer, and pausing whenever the latter ap- 
 peared to be growing weary of the chase. At last, by this 
 kind of manoeuvring, tlie rniscliievous animal succeeded in en- 
 ticing Bob as high as the royal-mast-head, when springing 
 suddenly on the royal-stay, it ran nitnbly down to the fore-to’ 
 gallant-mast head, thence down the rigging to the fore-top, 
 when leaping on the foreyard, it ran out to the yard-arm, and 
 hung the cap on the end of tlie studding-sail boom, where, 
 taking its seat, it raised a loud and exulting chattering. Bob 
 by this time was completely tired out, and, perhaps, unwilling 
 to return to the deck to be laughed at for his fruitless chase, 
 he sat down on the royal cross-trees ; while those who had 
 been attracted by the s])ort. returned to their usual avocations 
 or amusements. The monkey, no longer the object of pur- 
 suit or attention, remained but a little while on the yard-arm; 
 but soon taking up the cap, returned in towards the slings, 
 and dropped it down upon deck. 
 
 Some little piece of duty occurred at this moment to engage 
 me, as soon as tvhich was performed I walked all, and leaning 
 my elbow on the taffrel, was quickly lost in the recollection 
 of scenes very different from the small pantomime I had just 
 been witnessing. Soothed by the low hum of the crew, and 
 by the quiet loveliness of every thing around, my thoughts 
 had traveled far away from the realities of my situation, when 
 I was suddenly startled by a cry from black Jake, which 
 m'' on the instant back to consciousness. 
 
140 
 
 THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 
 
 My God! Massa Scupper,” cried he, “ Massa Stay is on 
 de main-truck!’’ 
 
 A cold shudder ran through my veins as the word reached 
 my ear. I cast my eyes up — it was too true! The adven- 
 turous boy, after resting on the royal cross-trees, had been 
 seized with a wish to go still higher, and impelled by one of 
 those impulses by which men are sometimes instigated to place 
 themselves in situations of imminent peril without a possibility 
 of good resulting from the exposure, he had climbed the sky- 
 sail-pole, and, at the moment of my looking up, was actually 
 standing on the main-truck! a small circular piece of wood on 
 the very suipmit of the loftiest mast, and at a height so great 
 from the deck that my brain turned dizzy as I looked up at 
 him. The reverse of Virgil’s line was true in this instance. 
 It was comparatively easy to ascend — but to descend — my 
 head swam round, and my stomach felt sick at thought of the 
 perils comprised in that one word. There was nothing above 
 him or around him but the empty air — and beneath him, 
 nothing but a point, a mere point — a small, unstable wheel, 
 that seemed no bigger from the deck than the button on the 
 end of a foil, and the taper skysail-pole itself scarcely larger 
 than the blade. Dreadful temerity! If he should attempt to 
 stoop, what could he take hold of to steady his descent? His 
 feet quite covered up the small and fearful platform that he 
 stood upon, and beneath that, a long, smooth, naked spar, 
 which seemed to bend with his weight, was all that upheld 
 him from destruction. An attempt to get down from “ that 
 bad eminence,’’ would be almost certain death; he would in- 
 evitably lose his equilibrium, and be precipitated to the deck 
 a crushed and shapeless mass. Such was the nature of the 
 thoughts that crowded through my mind as I first raised my 
 eye, and saw the terrible truth of Jake’s exclamation. What 
 was to be done in the pressing and horrible exigency? To 
 hail him, and inform him of his danger, would be but to en- 
 sure his ruin. Indeed, I fancied that the rash boy already 
 perceived the imminence of his peril; and I half thought that 
 I could see his limbs begin to quiver, and his cheek turn 
 deadly pale. Every moment I expected to see the dreadful 
 catastrophe. I could not bear to look at him, and yet could 
 not withdraw my gaze. A film came over my eyes, and a 
 faintness over my heart. The atmosphere seemed to grow 
 thick, and to tremble and waver like the heated air around a 
 furnace; the mast appeared to totter, and the ship to pass 
 from under iny feet. I myself had the sensations of one 
 
THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 
 
 141 
 
 about to fall from a great height, and making a strong effort 
 to recover myself, like that of a dreamer who fancies he is 
 shoved from a precipice, I staggered up against the bul- 
 warks. 
 
 When my eyes were once turned from the dreadful object 
 to which they had been riveted, my sense and consciousness 
 came back. I looked around me — the deck was already 
 crowded with people. The intelligence of poor Bob’s temer- 
 ity had spread through the ship like wild-tire — as such news 
 always will — and the officers and crew were all crowding to 
 the deck to behold the appalling — the heart-rending spectacle. 
 Every one, as he looked up, turned pale, and his eye became 
 fastened in silence on the truck — like that of a spectator of an 
 execution on the gallows — with a steadfast, unblinking and 
 intense, yet abhorrent gaze, as if momently expecting a fatal 
 termination to the awful suspense. No one made a sugges- 
 tion — no one spoke. Every feeling, every faculty seemed to 
 be absorbed and swallowed up in one deep, intense emotion 
 of agony. Once the first lieutenant seized the trumpet, as if 
 to hail poor Bob, but he had scarce raised it to his lips when 
 his arm dropped again, and sunk listlessly down beside him, 
 as if from a sad consciousness of the utter inutility of what 
 he had been going to say. Every soul in the ship was now 
 on the spar-deck, and every eye was turned to the main- 
 truck. 
 
 At this moment there wms a stir among the crew about the 
 gangway, and directly after another face was added to those 
 on the quarter-deck — it was that of the commodore, Bob’s 
 father. He had come alongside in a shore boat, without hav- 
 ing been noticed by a single eye, so intense and universal 
 was the interest that had fastened every gaze upon the spot 
 where poor Bob stood trembling on the awful verge of fate. 
 The commodore asked not a question, uttered not a syllable. 
 He was a dark-faced, austere man, and it was thought by 
 some of the midshipmen that he entertained but little affection 
 for his son. However that might have been, it was certain 
 tliat he treated him with precisely the same strict discipline 
 that he did the other young officers, or if there was any dif- 
 ference at all, it was not in favor of Bob. Some, who pre- 
 tended to have studied his character closely, affirmed that he 
 loved his boy too well to spoil him, and that, intending him 
 for the arduous profession in which he had himself risen to 
 fame and eminence, he thought it would be of service to him 
 to experience some of its privations and hardships at the 
 outset. 
 
142 
 
 THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE 
 
 The arrival of the commodore changed the direction of 
 several eyes, which now turned on him to trace what emotions 
 the danger of his son would occasion. But their scrutiny 
 was foiled. By no outward sign did he show what was passing 
 within. His eye still retained its severe expression, his brow 
 the slight frown which it usually wore, and his lips its haughty 
 curl. Immediately on reaching the deck, he had ordered a 
 marine to hand him a musket, and with this stepping aft, and 
 getting on the lookout-block, he raised it on his shoulder, and 
 took a deliberate aim at his son, at the same time hailing 
 him, without a trumpet, in his voice of thunder. 
 
 “ Robert!” cried he, “jump! jump overboard! or I ’ll fire 
 at you.” 
 
 The boy seemed to hesitate, it was plain that he was totter- 
 ing, for his arms were thrown out like those of one scarcely 
 able to retain his balance. The commodore raised his voice 
 again, and in a quicker and more energetic tone cried, 
 
 “ Jump! ’t is your only chance for life.” 
 
 The words were scarcely out of b.is mouth, before the body 
 was seen to leave the truck and spring out into the air. A 
 sound, between a shriek and groan, burst from many lips. 
 The father spoke not — sighed not — indeed he did not seem to 
 breathe. For a moment of intense agony a pin might have 
 been heard to drop on deck. With a rush like that of a can- 
 non ball, the body descended to the water, and before the 
 waves closed over it, twenty stout fellows, among them several 
 officers, had dived from tlie bulwarks. Another short period 
 of bitter suspense ensued. It rose — -he was alive! his arms 
 were seen to move! he struck out towards the ship! — and de- 
 spite the discipline of a man-of-war, three loud huzzas, an out- 
 burst of unfeigned and unresti ainable joy from the hearts of 
 our crew of rive hundred men, pealed through the air, and 
 made the welkin ring. Till this moment, the old commodore 
 had stood unmoved. The eyes that, glistening with pleasure, 
 now sought his face, saw that it was ashy pale. He attempt- 
 ed to descend the horse-block, but his knees bent under him; 
 he seemed to gasp for breath, and put up his hand, as if to 
 tear open his vest; but before he accomplished his object, he 
 staggered forward, and would have fallen on the deck, had he 
 not been caught by old Black Jake. He was borne into his 
 cabin, where the surgeon attended him, whose utmost skill 
 was required to restore his mind to its usual equability and 
 self-command, in which he at last happily succeeded. As 
 soon as he recovered from the dreadful shock, he sent for 
 
THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 143 
 
 .Bob, and had a long confidential conference with him; and it 
 was noticed when the little fellow left the cabin that he was in 
 tears. The next day we sent down our taunt and dashy poles, 
 and replaced them with the sturnp-to’gallant-masts; and on 
 the third, we weighed anchor, and made sail for Gibraltar. 
 
 FRIGATE CONSTITUTION, 
 
 COMMONLY CALLED » OLD IRONSIDES.” 
 
 As every circumstance relative to this favorite ship is ex- 
 tremely interesting, we propose to offer a brief history of 
 her splendid and glorious career, partly from official docu- 
 ments, and partly gleaned from old newspapers of the day. 
 She was built in Boston, at Hart’s ship yard, at the northend, 
 
144 
 
 THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 situated between the Winnisimmit ferry-ways, and the marino 
 Railway, and was launched under the superintendence of 
 Col. Claghorn, the builder, on Saturday the 21st of October, 
 1797; consequently at the time of her entering the Dry Dock, 
 on Monday June 24th, 1833, she was nearly thirty six years 
 old. In Russell’s Commercial Gazette of the next JMonday 
 after the launch we find the following notice. 
 
 “ The Launch,—.^ magnificent Spectacle ! — On Saturday last, 
 at fifteen minutes past 12, the frigate CONSTITUTION* was 
 launched into the adjacent element, on which she now rides an 
 elegant and superb specimen of American Naval Architecture, 
 combining the unity of wisdom, strength and beauty. The tide 
 being amply full, she descended into the bosom of the ocean with 
 an ease and dignit}', which, while it afl’orded the most exalted and 
 heart felt pleasure and satisfaction to the many thousand spec- 
 tators, was the guarantee of her safety, and the pledge, that no oc- 
 currence should mar the joyous sensations that every one experi- 
 enced ; and which burst forth in reiterated shouts, which “ rent the 
 welkin.’’’ On a signal being given from on board, her ordinance, 
 on shore, announced to the neighboring country, that the CON- 
 STITUTION WAS SECURE. Too much praise cannot be 
 given to Col. Cl vghorx, for the coolness and regularity display- 
 ed in the whole business of the launch ; and the universal con- 
 gratulations he received, were evidence of the public testimony of 
 his skill, intelligence, and circumspection.” 
 
 The severe labor that attended her birth, w'hich was only 
 effected at the third trial, was seized upon by the enemies of 
 a navy, who at that time were numerous and powerful, as pro- 
 phetic of ill luck! With how little reason, her brilliant career 
 has fully demonstrated. We may safely challenge the annals 
 of naval history to name the ship that has done so much to 
 fill the measure of her country’s glory. She sailed on her 
 first cruise, on Sunday, the 22d of July, 1798, and in the 
 Boston Commercial Gazette of the next morning we find the 
 following : — 
 
 “ Yesterday sailed on a cruise for the protection of our commerce, 
 the frigate Constitution, commanded by Capt. Samuel Nicholson. 
 This noble frigate reflects honor on all concerned in her construc- 
 tion ; — on the agent for obtaining every material of the best kind 
 for her equipment, and for having the same manufactured in a 
 superior manner ; — on the builder for the execution of the hull, in 
 a style demonstrating our capability of building ships of war, at 
 least equal to any of Europe. The Captain is a brave and ex- 
 perienced commander, in whom may be reposed perfect confidence. 
 Her Lieutenants are young men, who have commanded merchant 
 ships with approbation, and of whom fair expectations may be en 
 
THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTUN. 
 
 145 
 
 tertained. Her crew arc, with very few exceptions, native sons 
 ot Massachusetts, many of them connected by the strongest of hu- 
 man ties, wives and children. Upwards of one hundred seamen 
 have given orders in favor of their families, to draw monthly half 
 of their pay, the public having made an arrangement for this pur 
 pose, evincive of its paternal care and encouragement of our marine. 
 It would seem that nothing is wanting, to render this ship and her 
 crew perfect, but that experience, which can only result from ac- 
 tual exercise at sea.” 
 
 She returned from this cruise about the middle of November. 
 This was during the brief war with the French republic. We 
 notice the appointment of Isaac Hull, as her 4th Lieutenant, 
 who, after the lapse of fourteen years, was fortunate enough 
 to occupy a higher station on her quarter deck, when the 
 charm of British invincibility was destined forever to be 
 broken. On the 28th of December of the same year, she 
 again sailed from Boston harbor, on her second cruise, from 
 which she returned a feiv months after, without having had 
 the good luck to fall in with any of the enemy’s national ships. 
 Less fortunate in this respect than the Constellation, under 
 the gallant Truxton, who, about this time, succeeded in cap- 
 turing the French frigate L’Insurgente, 40 guns and 417 men. 
 La Vengeance, a large French national ship of 54 guns and 
 520 men, likewise struck her colors, but was fortunate enough 
 to escape in a squall, and arrived at Curacoa five days after, 
 a complete wreck. 
 
 Shortly after this, our commerce in the Mediterranean hav- 
 ing suflered severely from the depredations and insults of the 
 Barbary cruisers, our government at once determined on 
 chastising them. In May, 1803, Com. Edward Preble was 
 appointed to the command of this favorite ship, and in June 
 he sailed with the squadron destined to act against Tripoli. 
 To all conversant with this scene of war, it is well known the 
 Constitution acted a conspicuous part, in fact bore the brunt 
 of the battle. After the destruction of the Philadelphia, of 
 44 guns, she was for a long time the only frigate on the 
 station, and being ably seconded by the gallant Decatur and 
 the smaller vessels, did more in a single year to humble the 
 pride of the Barbary States, than all Christendom ever did 
 before or since. 
 
 In short, such a variety of service, hair breadth escapes, 
 hard knocks, and perilous adventure has never been achieved 
 by any single vessel. Peace having been concluded with 
 Tripoli she soon after returned home, where she remain 
 VOL. I. 7 
 
146 
 
 THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTIOX 
 
 ed unemployed, or nearly so, till the commencement of the 
 late war with Great Britain. This was on the 18th of June, 
 1812. On the 12th of July she left the Chesapeake for New 
 York, preparatory to a long cruise, and on the 17th discover- 
 ed and was chased by a British squadron, consisting of the 
 Africa 64, Shannon and Guerriere 38, Bclvidera 36, and 
 Eolus 32, under the command of Corn. Broke of the Shannon. 
 During the most critical period of the chase, when the nearest 
 frigate, the Belvidera, had already commenced firing, and the 
 Guerriere was training her guns fur the same purpose, the 
 possibility of hedging the ship, although in nearly thirty fath- 
 oms of water, was suggested by Lieutenant, now Com. 
 Morris, and was eagerly adopted, with the most brilliant suc- 
 cess. The enemy, who had before been gaining, was now im- 
 perceptibly falling astern, without jheir being able to conceive 
 of the mysterious manner in which it was etiected. A lucky 
 mile or thereabouts had been gained in this way, bcfoie the 
 discovery was made, and then it was altogether too late to 
 avail themselves of it, with any probability of success; a pro- 
 pitious breeze springing up this moment, of which the Con- 
 stitution felt the first effects, soon increased the distance, and 
 rendered any further e.xertions in warping and towing un- 
 necessary. 
 
 The Shannon had for some hours all her sails completely 
 furled — with 13 boats towing ahead. The Constitution had 
 three boats towing — the remainder being engaged in carrving 
 on hedges, while the crew on board found sufficient employ- 
 ment in warping up to them; and to this most fortunate ex- 
 pedient is her miraculous escape to be attributed. She bid a 
 final adieu to her kind friends on the 1 9th, after a close chase of 
 nearly three days and three nights, and arrived safe in Boston 
 on the 26th of July. — This has always been considered, and 
 undoubtedly was, one of the most brilliant exploits that oc- 
 curred during the war. The deep feeling — the intense anx- 
 iety that reigned throughout the ship during this long and 
 arduous chase, and which were pictured in the countenances 
 of all on board in characters too strong to be mistaken — may 
 be imagined, but cannot be described. Let us suppose for a 
 moment, it had been the destiny of this fine ship to have fallen 
 thus early in the war, into the hands of the enemv — a misfor- 
 tune as has already been shown which was only escaped as it 
 were by a miracle — what a vast difference it would have made 
 at the close of the war, not to speak of the great moral in- 
 fluence of a first victory, in the profit and loss of our naval 
 
THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 147 
 
 glory; and although the balance would still have been greatly 
 upon our side, yet the sum total would have been very sensi- 
 bly or nearly one half diminished. In the first place the loss 
 of so fine a frigate at this early period would have been irre- 
 parable, and in following up the consequences — three of the 
 most splendid victories of the war, together with the same 
 numbe«“ of hair breadth escapes from a superior enemy, would 
 now have to be deducted from the aggregate of our glory, 
 snaking a difference, both ways, of more than 200 guns and 
 almost 1500 men. 
 
 After remaining a few days in port she sailed again, and on 
 the 19th of August precisely one month after her escape- — was 
 lucky enough to fall in with one of the same frigates cruising 
 alone and with her name emblazoned in large characters in 
 her foretop-sail. Nothing daunted at this, however, the Con- 
 stitution took the liberty of edging down for the purpose of 
 ascertaining the object of such a close pursuit a few weeks 
 before. 
 
 As soon as the two ships were within whispering distance, 
 an explanation commenced which after a close conference of 
 thirty minutes, ended to the complete satisfaction of Capt. 
 Hull. She proved to be H. B. M. frigate Guerriere, Capt. 
 .Dacres, of 49 guns and 302 men, and had been totally dis- 
 masted and in other respects was rendered such a complete 
 wreck, that getting her into port was altogether out of the 
 question. She was accordingly burned, and the Constitution 
 returned again to Boston, where she arrived on the 30th of 
 August. Never shall we forget the enthusiasm with which 
 she was received. 
 
 The news arrived in town during divine service on Sunday 
 morning, and the crowds that flocked to State Street to hear 
 the particulars of such a glorious victory, and the shouts that 
 rent the air, fully evinced the deep interest that was felt by 
 every class of the community. 
 
 The ship had anchored in President roads about five miles 
 from town, and in the afternoon the harbor was alive with 
 pleasure boats, anxious to take a closer view of Old Ironsides, 
 and to exchange congratulations with her gallant crew. We, 
 among hundreds of others, sailed round her several times, en- 
 deavoring in vain to trace the effects of an engagement with 
 a British frigate of neaily equal force, that had occurred only 
 eleven days before, and in which her antagonist was entirely 
 demolished in the short space of half an hour. We could 
 hardly believe our own eyes — no serious damage whatever 
 
148 
 
 THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 was visible; now and then a place or two were pointed out 
 where a splinter had been driven off, but on the whole she 
 appeared in almost as perfect order as when she left the har- 
 bor only about three weeks before; indeed it seemed to us 
 that like Shadrach, Meshech aud Abednego, she had passed 
 the fiery ordeal entirely unscathed. This was indeed a new 
 state of things, and served not a little to increase the hope 
 and confidence of the friends of our gallant navy throughout 
 the Union. 
 
 Capt. Hull, being now called upon, if we remember right, 
 to attend to the affairs of a deceased brother — gave up the 
 command of the ship to Capt. William Bainbridge, who, with 
 the same crew, shortly after sailed on another cruise to South 
 America — the sloop of war Hornet, Capt. Lawrence, also 
 under his command, from whom however he was soon after 
 separated. On the 29th of December of the same year, 
 while cruising about 10 leagues from the coast of Brazil she 
 fell in with, and after a close engagement of nearly two hours 
 captured, H. B. M. ship Java, of 49 guns and upwards of 
 400 men — Capt. Lambert being mortally wounded during the 
 engagement. In addition to her full crew, the Java had up- 
 wards of one hundred supernumeraries on board — officers and 
 seamen — to join the British ships of war on the East India 
 station. Besides these there were a number of land officers; 
 among the rest Lieut. Gen. Hislop, Major Walker and Capt. 
 Wood. 
 
 This was one of the best contested battles that was fought 
 during the war — the Java indeed onU struck her flag, when 
 every mast, bow-sprit and all had, one after another, gone by 
 the board. Com. Bainbridge, in his official account, savs — 
 “ The great distance from our own coast, and the perfect 
 wreck we made of the enemy’s frigate, forbade every idea of 
 attempting to take her to the United States. I had therefore 
 no alternative left but burning her, which I did on the 31st of 
 December, after receiving all the prisoners and their bag- 
 gage, which was very hard work, only having one boat left 
 out of eight, and not one left on board the Java.” After 
 blowing her up, the Constitution returned to Boston, where 
 she arrived on the 18th of February, 1813. 
 
 Well do we remember being at the Federal Street Theatre, 
 when the news of this victory was announced from the stage 
 by tiie manager, Mr. Fowell; and shortly after, when the gal- 
 lant Commodore, together with some of his officers appeared 
 in one of the boxes, the whole house resounded for many 
 
THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 149 
 
 minutes with the cheering of the audience. The veteran 
 Cooper, then in the prime of life, was in the second act of 
 Macbeth, and although he stood a little behind the scenes, 
 entirely lorgetting the gracious Duncan he had murdered, we 
 saw him swing his cap round with as much enthusiasm as 
 any one. 
 
 In June 1813, Capt. Charles Stewart was appointed to her 
 command, and on the 30th of December, she proceeded to sea, 
 notwithstanding Boston was then blockaded by seven ships of 
 war, and safely run the gauntlet through the whole of them. 
 She returned on the 4th of April 1814, and was chased into 
 Marblehead by two of the enemy’s heavy frigates, La Nymphe 
 and Junon. 
 
 About the middle of December 1814, she proceeded on her 
 second cruise under Capt. Stewart, and on the 28th of Feb. 
 off Madeira, fell in with and after a severe action of 40 min- 
 utes, succeeded in capturing H. B. M. ships Cyane of 34, 
 and Levant of 21 guns, and 325 men. A more perfect speci- 
 men of nautical skill was probably never witnessed, than was 
 exhibited throughout the whole of this memorable battle. 
 The advantages of a divided force, or as the boys call it, of 
 two upon one, are well known to all, particularly to men of 
 naval science. A raking fire is almost always very sure to be 
 decisive of the fate of a battle; and to have avoided this from 
 either of her opponents, and with a leading breeze too, is in- 
 deed miraculous, especially when we recollect that the Con- 
 stitution succeeded in raking both of her antagonists more 
 than once during the engagement. 
 
 After taking possession of her prizes, the three ships made 
 sail for the Cape de Verd Islands, and on the 10th of March 
 came to anchor in the harbor of Port Praya, irf the island of 
 St. Jago. Two days after this, a squadron of the enemy 
 hove in sight, consisting of the Newcastle and Leander, of 
 50 guns each, and the Acasta frigate of 40, the whole under 
 the command of Sir George Collier, and in 7 minutes after 
 the discovery was made, the Constitution with her two prizes 
 had cut their cables, and were under way, being at this time 
 only about gun shot to windward of the enemy. The Levant 
 was recaptured. The Cyane had the good fortune to escape 
 and now forms a part of our Navy. The Constitution con- 
 tinued her cruise, and shortly after returned to Boston, where 
 she was for the third time received with every possible de- 
 monstration of joy and exultation. The last news from her 
 had been brought by the Cyane, arrived at New York, when 
 
ISO 
 
 THE FRIGATE CONsTlTUTldj?, 
 
 the above squadron was left in chase, and she had heard a 
 heavy cannonading shortly after losing sight of her, so that 
 the most intense anxiety had for some time been entertained 
 for her safety. 
 
 Peace had now been proclaimed, and to have lost this noble 
 vessel and her gallant crew at this late hour, and after such a 
 catalogue of glorious services too, would have cast a gloom 
 over the whole country. 
 
 No wonder then that her safe arrival, after so many 
 “moving accidents by flood and field;” and after having es- 
 caped so many perils of “ the waters, winds and rocks” — 
 should be greeted with such universal enthusiasm. Capt. 
 Stewart not only received the thanks of Congress, but of al- 
 most every state legislature then in session, and from many 
 quarters some more substantial marks of approbation. 
 
 After this, the old Ironsides was taken to the Navy Yard 
 and immediately dismantled, — where she remained unemploy- 
 ed, we believe with a single exception till the spring of 1825, 
 when she was again fitted out and sailed under the command 
 of Capt. Daniel T. Patterson to join the squadron in the 
 Mediterranean. She remained there about three years, after 
 which she returned again to the United States, and as if to 
 add one more to the many instances of good luck that have 
 always attended her — she was so fortunate as to arrive and 
 fire a federal salute in her native city, during the celebration 
 of the 4th of July, 1828, and contributed not a httle, as well 
 by her beautiful appearance as by the delightful associations 
 that were ever uppermost in the presence of such a glorious 
 vessel, to heighten the splendor and add a zest to the festiv- 
 ities of the day. 
 
 We have now w'e believe briefly touched upon most of the 
 leading incidents in the eventful history of this favorite ship; 
 doubtless there are many others well worth recording, but 
 which can be only known to those who at the time of their 
 occurrence were on board of her. AVe have never been able 
 to find any but very unsatisfactory accounts of her operations 
 before Tripoli, and the other Barbary States, A complete 
 and impartial history of the movements of our several squad- 
 rons in those seas from 1803 to the present moment, would 
 not only prove extremely interesting, hut as a matter of re- 
 cord would be invaluable. — AVe sincerely hope some com- 
 petent person may be found who is willing to undertake it. 
 
 About twelve years since the Constitution was hove out and 
 completely examined at the Navy Yard at Charlestown, when 
 
THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 151 
 
 her timbers, 8tc. were found to be in remarkable good order, 
 a fact which, after twenty five years wear and tear and hard 
 service, redounds not a little to the credit of the old fashioned 
 mechanics of Boston. 
 
 In her actions with the Guerriere and Java she mounted 
 54 guns, and 52 when engaged with the Cyane and Levant, 
 her armament being 30 long 24 pounders on the main deck 
 and 24 32 pound carronades on the upper deck. — Her loss in 
 the action with the Guerriere was killed and wounded, 14; 
 with the Java, 34; and with the Cyane and Levant, 14 more 
 • — total 62. The Gurriere’s loss, killed, wounded and miss- 
 ing, was 103; the Java’s 161; Cyane’s 38; Levant’s 39— 
 total 341, or in the proportion of five and a half to one. The 
 prisoners were nearly one thousand. 
 
 The docking of “ Old Ironsides” was a scene of the most 
 lively interest, and excited the most general feeling. On 
 the morning of the 24th of June, 1833, a very large concourse 
 of spectators assembled at an early hour at the iVavy Yard, 
 Charlestown, awaiting with anxious expectation the scene so 
 well calculated to awaken retrospections productive of the 
 most agreeable association of occurrences connected with the 
 history of the Navy of the United States. 
 
 At dawn of day, Capt. Smith, the executive officer of the 
 Yard, proceeded w'ith the splendid barge, prepared expressly 
 for the occasion, and manned with sixteen seamen, all clad 
 in a new and beautiful uniform of blue cotton fabric, the 
 growth of the South, and the manufacture of the East, to the 
 Boston side of tlie river to receive the President of the United 
 States, the Secretaries of the Navy and War, and others of 
 the President’s suite, the Governor of Massachusetts, Lieut 
 enant Governor and their suite. On their embarkation the 
 National and State flags were hoisted and continued to wave 
 in harmony and pride until the barge passed through the arch 
 extending from the United States 74, Columbus, to the shear 
 head, and decorated with the flags of all nations, and entered 
 the basin at the Navy Yard. On the arrival of the barge, it 
 being made knowmthat the President was not in the company, 
 but was detained at his lodgings in Boston by reason of ill 
 health, a general expression of disappointment was depicted 
 on every countenance. 
 
 The corps of marines who appeared in their usual splendor 
 and were under the command of Lieut. Col. Freeman, receiv- 
 ed the distinguished visitors with the highest military honors, 
 and conducted them on board the Constitution, where they 
 
152 
 
 THE FRIGATE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 were received by Commodore Hull, to whom the command of 
 the vessel had been politely given by Commodore Elliot, as 
 we presume in consideration of his honorable connection with 
 her history. By Commodore Hull the visitors were then in- 
 troduced to the officers who had served on board the favorite 
 ship in her successful engagements, and when this ceremony 
 was finished, the broad pennant was lowered, and its place 
 taken by the American ensign, under a salute of heavy can- 
 non. Com. Hull, with trumpet in hand, then gave orders to 
 open the gates of the Dock, which was immediately and suc- 
 cessfully done, and the gallant ship floated proudly and safely 
 into her granite cradle amid the roar of cannon, and the pro- 
 longed shouts of the spectators, to the national tune of “ Yan- 
 kee Doodle,’’ and was shut out from the ocean on which she 
 had been borne for the last thirty years, gaining glory for the 
 country and the country’s sons, and winning for herself that 
 place in the heart of every American, which renders her al- 
 most a nation’s idol. The steam engine was then set to work, 
 and at 1 o’clock P. M. the water was all discharged by the 
 pumps, and the ship properly secured, without an accident of 
 any kind. 
 
 Before the company left the frigate a ceremony of a highly 
 interesting character took place in the presentation of three 
 canes, which Com. Elliot had caused to be made of the live 
 oak, a part of the original frame of the Constitution. These 
 canes were presented by Com. Hull, through tlie hands of a 
 charming boy, George Washington Elliot, to Mr. Van Buren, 
 for the President of the United States, as the firm supporter 
 of the Constitution; to the Governor of Massachusetts as the 
 Representative of the State in which the ship was built, and 
 to Mr. Poinsett of S. C., as the Representative of the State 
 where the live oak grew of which she was built. 
 
 “OLD IRONSIDES.” 
 
 Ay ! pull her tattered ensign down, 
 Long has it waved on high, 
 
 And many a heart has danced to see 
 That banner in the sky; 
 
 Beneath it rung the battle shout, 
 And burst the cannon’s roar — 
 The meteor of the ocean air 
 
 Shall sweep the clouds ho more. 
 
BRITISH SHIP HIBERNIA. 
 
 153 
 
 Her deck, once red with heroes’ blood, 
 Where knelt the vanquished foe. 
 
 When winds were hurrying o’er the flood 
 And waves were white below. 
 
 No more shall feel the conqueror’s tread, 
 Or know the conquered knee ; 
 
 The harpies of the shore shall pluck 
 The eagle of the sea! 
 
 Oh better that her shattered hulk 
 Should sink beneath the wave ; 
 
 Her thunders shook the mighty deep 
 And there should be her grave. 
 
 Nail to the mast her holy flag. 
 
 Set every threadbare sail. 
 
 And give her to the god of storms — 
 
 The lightning and the gale! 
 
 BRITISH SHIP HIBERNIA. 
 
 The Hibernia sailed from Liverpool in Dec. 1832, bound 
 to Van Dieman’s Land, with two hundred and thirty-two em- 
 igrants. On the 5th of Feb. in lat. 4. 40 south, Ion. 20. 30, 
 at 1 1 A. M. the second mate went to the store-room to draw 
 off some spirits, and was preparing to return on deck, when 
 by some means he stumbled, and the lighted candle fell into 
 the bucket of spirits which immediately ignited and dreadfully 
 burnt the mate, who, in his confusion, overturned the bucket, 
 and thus the burning liquid was spread all over the store- 
 room, and communicated the flames to several casks of spirits 
 in the said room. The flames spread so fast, in spite of every 
 effort to prevent them, that at one P. IM. all hope of saving 
 the ship and property was abandoned. The master ordered 
 the boats to be hoisted out ; but the fire had increased so 
 much that only a small quantity of provisions could be got at. 
 The boats, being crowded with people, shoved off from the 
 ship’s side. The master would not leave the ship, but con- 
 tinued his exertions until the flan es were coming through the 
 hatchways, when he and the first mate threw themselves over 
 VOL, I. 7* 
 
SjniTlSH SHIP HIEEUKIA. 
 
 io4 
 
 board, and shortly after the fire reached the rigging and 
 spread from mast to mast. The boats had dropped astern for 
 the purpose of saving as many lives as possible, and among 
 those picked up were the master and first mate, quite exhaust- 
 ed by their great exertions to get the fire under. Being load- 
 ed almost to sinking, the boats now left the ship; containing 
 — the long boat, fifty-three persons, pinnace, seventeen, and 
 jolly-boat, ten. It was resolved that the master should take 
 charge of the long-boat, the first mate of the pinnace, and the 
 boatswain of the jolly-boat, and proceed to Pernambuco. 
 Two compasses had been saved, as also the captain’s chro- 
 nometer, sextant, and a few charts, and the mate’s quadrant, 
 saved by the cabin boy. At five P. JNI. they left the wreck, 
 which was burned almost to the water’s edge. Numbers of 
 unfortunates had in despair climbed the bowsprit, and other 
 parts of the ship where the fire had not yet reached; the scene 
 was shocking and heart-rending, from the impossibility of giv- 
 ing them any assistance. 
 
 The boats left with scarcely sufficient provisions to keep 
 those in them alive, and damaged likewise by the salt water. 
 Some fresh water had also been saved, but this was carried 
 off by the pinnace, which deserted her companion in the most 
 shameful manner. The first mate and a cabin passenger, 
 called Atkinson, lay the blame of the proceeding to each 
 other; each saying the other proposed to him to leave the 
 long-boat to her fate. The jolly-boat had previously sepa- 
 rated from her consorts. 
 
 The long-boat had made but little progress on the 10th of 
 Feb. by which time all in her were so debilitated from fatigue 
 and thirst, that they lost all hope. The boat, too, was leaky, 
 and required eight men to be constantly bailing her. A 
 highly respectable gentleman (iMr. Ridley) died of exhaustion 
 and want of nourishment. 
 
 On the 1 1th they descried a sail, which they made repeated 
 signals to. These, however, would not have been perceived, 
 had it not fortunately happened that a man was at the mast 
 head putting up a vane. At half past 5 P. M. they were re- 
 ceived on board the Sotus, which immediately changed her 
 course for Rio Janeiro; and the unfortunates were treated, 
 during the passage, with every kindness and attention. Ten 
 minutes after being alongside, the boat sunk. 
 
 They arrived at Rio Janeiro on the 20th of Feb. and the 
 Isabella, from the Mediterranean, arrived on the 2 1st, with 
 the crew of the pinnace, who scarcely (at least some of 
 
MUTlNV Ot* THE SlltP BOUNTY. 
 
 1-5-5 
 
 them,) deserved such good luck. The jolly-boat was still 
 unheard of; so that of 232 persons only 69 escaped. 
 
 Several of the sufferers by this lamentable conflagration, 
 were respectable people who were taking out their all. 
 
 the bread-fruit tree. 
 
 MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 The merchants and planters of the West India Islands, hav- 
 ing represented to his majesty that an essentia! benefit might 
 be derived by introducing the bread-fruit as an article of food 
 for the inhabitants of those islands, his majesty was graciously 
 pleased to direct the board of Admiralty to equip a ship for 
 this purpose. Accordingly one proper for such a voyage was 
 purchased, and fitted up in a most commodious manner to re- 
 ceive the plants. She was named the Bounty, her burden 
 about two hundred and fifteen tons, and the command con- 
 ferred on Lieutenant W. Bligh, vvho had sailed as master with 
 Capt. James Cook, on his voyage of discoveries. The whole 
 crew consisted of forty-six. 
 
 On the 4th of November, 1787, the Bounty arrived at Spit- 
 head, and on the 24th of the same month, Mr. Bligh received 
 
156 
 
 MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 his final orders from the Admiralty, which were to proceed 
 round Cape Horn to the Society islands, there to take on 
 board as many of the bread-fruit trees and plants as may be 
 thought necessary, from thence to proceed through Endeavor 
 Straights, to Prince’s Island on the Straights of Sunda, or if 
 it should be more convenient, to pass on the eastern side of 
 Java, to some port on the north side of that island, where any 
 bread-fruit trees which may have been injured, or have died, 
 may be replaced by mangosteens, duriens, and other fruit 
 trees of that quarter, as well as the rice plant which grow's 
 upon dry land. From Prince’s Island, or the island of Java, 
 to return by the Cape of Good Hope to the West Indies, and 
 deposite one half of the trees and j)lants at his IMajesty’s 
 Botanical garden at St. Vincent, for the benefit of the Wind- 
 ward Islands; then to go on to Jamaica, and having deliver- 
 ed the remainder to Mr. East, or such other persons as may 
 be authorized by the governor and council to receive them, 
 to refresh the people and return to England. 
 
 As the season might be too far advanced for effecting a 
 passage round Cape Horn, the Admiralty gave Mr. Bligh 
 discretional orders in this case, to go round the Cape of 
 Good Hope. 
 
 On the 23d of December, the Bounty sailed from Spithead. 
 On the 6th of January, 1788, she anchored in Santa Cruz 
 road, on the island of Teneriff. On the 10th, having taken on 
 board wine and other refreshments, Mr. Bligh proceeded on 
 his voyage. On the 20th of March the coast of Terra del 
 Fuego was discovered ; from this time they began to experi- 
 ence very tempestuous weather, the winds in general blowing 
 with great violence from the w'estward, attended with fre- 
 quent snow and hail-storms. Mr. Bligh struggled with great 
 perseverance against these troubles for thirty days; and then 
 came to the resolution of bearing away for the Cape of Good 
 Hope, where he arrived on the 23d of ]\Iay. While at the 
 Cape I\Ir. Bligh procured such plants and seeds as he thought 
 would be valuable at Otaheite, or any other place at which 
 he might stop. On the 1st of July he sailed from the Cape, 
 and shaped his course for New Holland; the southern pro- 
 montory of which he made on the 19th of August. The ne.xt 
 day he anchored in Adventure Bay: here the ship was refit- 
 ted; the only fresh w'ater to be procured was what had lodg- 
 ed in deep pits and gullies after the rainy season: it was 
 found perfectly sweet and good. 
 
MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 157 
 
 This part of the coast of New Holland abounds in large 
 forest-trees, some running to the height of one hundred and 
 fifty feet; one in particular which was seen by the Bounty’s 
 people, measured thirty-two feet in girth. The wood of these 
 trees is in general firm, but of too heavy and solid a nature 
 for masts, though it might answer extremely well for ship- 
 building. On the trunk of a decayed tree was observed to 
 have been cut with a knife, the letters, “A. I). 1773,” which 
 is supposed to have been done by some of Capt. Furneaux’s 
 people who were at this place in the March of that year. 
 
 The natives who were seen, were perfectly naked, extreme- 
 ly wild, but inoffensive. Mr. Bligh held out every friendly 
 encouragement to have an intercourse with them, but without 
 effect. 
 
 Previous to their leaving Adventure Bay, Mr. Nelson, the 
 botanist, planted some apple and other fruit trees, and sowed 
 various kinds of seeds. On the 4th of September they sailed 
 from hence, and steering to the S. E. arrived on the 26th of 
 October in Matavai Bay, in the island of Otaheite. 
 
 Mr. Bligh immediately set about executing the object of 
 his voyage; for which purpose the botanists were sent on 
 shore, in search of, and to collect the bread-fruit plants, in 
 which they found no difficulty, receiving every assistance 
 from the natives, with whom the greatest friendship and in- 
 timacy subsisted during their continuance at this island. 
 
 On the 31st of March, 1789, having collected as many of the 
 trees and plants as could be conveniently stowed, they were 
 taken on board to the number of one thousand and fifteen, 
 contained in seven hundred and seventy-four pots, thirty-nine 
 tubs, and twenty-six boxes; besides several other plants of 
 various descriptions. The Bounty being now ready for sea, 
 Mr. Bligh made the farewell presents to his friends, many of 
 whom expressed a great desire to accompany him to England, 
 and shewed evident signs of regret at their departure. 
 
 On the 4th of April, they took a last and affectionate leave 
 of their hospitable Otaheiten friends, and put to sea; pursuing 
 nearly the same tract to the Friendly Islands with former 
 navigators; on the morning of the 10th, an island and several 
 small keys near it were discovered; the island had a most 
 beautiful appearance, it was covered with cocoa nut and other 
 trees, interspersed with beautiful lawns. The next day a 
 cance came off with some of the natives, who were extremely 
 familiar, and spoke a similar language to those of Otaheite 
 
158 
 
 MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 They said the island was Wytootackee. Its circumference 
 is about ten miles; lat. 18. 50, south, Ion. 200. 19, east. 
 
 On leaving this island, they proceeded for the Friendly 
 Islands, and on the 2.3d anchored at Annamooka; at this place 
 Mr. Bligh saw an old man, who he remembered when he was 
 here with Capt. Cook, in the year 1777, from whom he learnt 
 that several of the cattle which had been then left were still 
 alive and had bred. Bligh had also the satisfaction Vo 
 
 see that most of the seeds which had been sown at that time 
 had succeeded, especially the pines, of which fruit the natives 
 were very fond. 
 
 On the 27th, having completed taking on board wood and 
 water, and procured some bread-fruit plants to replace those 
 which were dead or sickly, they sailed from Annamooka. 
 
 A scene as unexpected as deplorable was now about to pre- 
 sent itself, which rendered the object of the voyage, after all 
 Mr. Bligh’s exertions, ineffectual. 
 
 This individual’s bearing towards his officers and crew 
 as it was afterwards pioved, had never been of the most gen- 
 tle or conciliating kind; indeed, he had frequently indulged in 
 the coarsest and most brutal language towards them, and his 
 acts were often oppressive in the extreme. In the afternoon 
 of the 27th, Lieut. Bligh came upon deck, and missing some 
 of the cocoa nuts*which had been piled up between the guns, 
 said they had been stolen, and could not have been taken 
 away without the knowledge of the officers, all of whom were 
 sent for and questioned on the subject. On their declaring 
 that they had' not seen any of the people touch them, he ex- 
 claimed, “Then you must have taken them yourselves;” 
 and proceeded to inquire of them separately how many' they' 
 had purchased. On coming to IMr. Christian, that gentle- 
 man answered, “ I do not know, sir ; but I hope you do not 
 think me so mean as to be guilty of’ stealing yours.” IMr. 
 
 Bligh answered, “yes, you d d hound, I do — you must 
 
 have stolen them from me, or you would be able to give a 
 better account of them;” then turning to the other officers, he 
 said, “ God d — n you, you scoundrels, you are all thieves 
 alike and combine with the men to rob me; I suppose you will 
 steal my yams next; but I’ll sweat you for it, you rascals — 
 I’ll make half of you jump overboard before you get through 
 Endeavor Straits.” This tlireat was followed hy an order to 
 the clerk “ to stop the villains’ grog, and give them but half a 
 pound of yams to-morrow; if they steal them. I’ll reduce them 
 to a quarter.” 
 
MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY 
 
 159 
 
 On the morning of the 28th of April, just before sun-rise, 
 Mr. Christian, one of the mates, (who had for some time been 
 intrusted with the charge of the third watch), accompanied by 
 the master at arms, gunner’s mate, and Thomas Burkett, a 
 seaman, entered Mr. Bligh’s cabin while he was asleep, and 
 seizing him, bound his hands behind his back, at the same 
 time threatening instant death if he resisted or made the least 
 noise. Not intimidated by their threats, IMr. Bligh resolutely 
 called for assistance, but the mutineers had taken care, pre- 
 viously, to secure all those who were not concerned in their 
 diabolical scheme. They then pulled him from his bed, and 
 forced him upon deck, with nothing on him but his shirt, 
 where a guard was placed over him. The boatswain was 
 ordered to hoist the launch out, which being done, Mr. Hay- 
 ward and Mr. Hallet, midshipmen, Mr. Samuel, the clerk, 
 with some others, were directed to go into her. Mr. Bligh 
 frequently remonstrated with his people on the impropriety 
 and violence of their proceedings, and endeavored to persuade 
 them to return to their duty ; but all his efforts proved ineffec- 
 tual ; the only reply he could obtain was, “ hold your tongue 
 sir or you are dead this instant.” 
 
 The officers who were confined below, were next called upon 
 deck and forced into the boat. The mutineers were some 
 time undecided whether they should detain the carpenter or 
 his mate ; at length, after much altercation, it was determined 
 that the carpenter should go into the boat ; and it was not 
 without much opposition that they permitted him to take his 
 tool-chest with him. Upon which some of them swore, that 
 “ he (meaning IMr. Bligh) would find his way home if he gets 
 any thing with him, and that he would have a vessel built in 
 less than a month.” ^Vhile others turned their miserable situ- 
 ation into ridicule, little expecting, from the boat being so 
 deep and crowded, that she could long keep the sea. All 
 those now being in the boat who were intended to accompany 
 their unfortunate commander, Christian addressed him, saying, 
 — “ Come, Capt. Bligh, your officers and men are now in the 
 boat, and you must go with them ; if you attempt to make the 
 least resistance you will instantly be put to death.” He was 
 then forceu over the side, and his hands unbound. When 
 they were putting him out of the ship, Mr. Bligh looked sted- 
 fastly at Christian, and asked him, if his treatment was a proper 
 return for the many instances he had received of his friendship ? 
 At this question he seemed confused, and answered with much 
 
 emotion, — “ That, Capt. Bligh, that is the thing ; T 
 
 am in hell — I am in hell.” 
 
160 
 
 MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 The boat was veered astern, and soon after cast adrift, 
 amidst the ridicule and scoffs of these deluded and unthinking 
 men, whose general shout was, “ huzza for Otaheite.” The 
 armorer and carpenter’s mate called on Mr. Bligh, and beg- 
 ged him to remember that they had no hand in the transac- 
 tion, and some others seemed to express by their manner a 
 contrition for having joined in the mutiny. 
 
 As no complaints had been made or dissatisfaction shown, 
 Mr. Bligh was at a loss how to account for this sudden and 
 unexpected change in the disposition of his people ; unless it 
 rose from the temptations held out to them by the chiefs of 
 Otaheite, who were much attached to the English, and allur- 
 ed them by promises of large possessions if they would remain 
 behind ; this, in addition to the conne.xion wliich they had form- 
 ed with the women, whom Mr. Bligh describes as handsome, 
 mild and cheerful in their manners and conversation ; possess- 
 ed of great sensibility, and having sufficient delicacy to make 
 them admired and beloved. 
 
 Although these were perhaps among the inducements which 
 led to the mutiny, there is no doubt but that Bligh’s intempe- 
 rate language and insulting demeanor were the chief causes 
 of the unhappy deed. It is pretty evident, that the mutiny 
 was not, as Bligh in his narrative stated it to have been, the 
 result of a conspiracy. It appears from the minutes of tlie 
 court-martial, which was afterwards instituted, that the whole 
 affair was planned and executed between the hours of four 
 and eight on the morning of the 28th of April, when Chris- 
 tian had the watch upon deck ; that Christian, unable longer 
 to bear the abusive language, had meditated his own escape 
 from the ship the day before, choosing to trust himself to fate 
 rather than submit to the constant upbraiding to which he had 
 been subject ; but the unfortunate business of the cocoa nuts 
 drove him to the commission of the rash and felonious act 
 which ended, as such criminal acts usually do, in his own de- 
 struction and that of a great number of others, many of whom 
 were wholly innocent. 
 
 The following persons wmre those turned adrift with IMr. 
 
 Bligh in the boat. 
 
 John Fryer, master. T. Hayward, 
 
 Thos. Ledwood, acting sur- J. Hallet, 
 
 geon ; he was never heard John iVorton, quarter-master ; 
 of after Mr. Bligh left Ba- killed by the natives at To- 
 tavia. soa. 
 
MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 161 
 
 D. Nelson, botanist ; died at 
 Batavia. 
 
 W m. Peckover, gunner. 
 Wm. Cole, boatswain. 
 
 Wm. Puicill, carpenter. 
 
 Wm. Elphilstone, master’s 
 mate ; died at Batavia. 
 
 P. Linkletter, quarter-master ; 
 
 died at Batavia. 
 
 L. Lebogue, sail maker. 
 
 John Smith, cook. 
 
 Thos. Hall, ditto ; died at Ba- 
 tavia. 
 
 Robert Tinkler, boy. 
 
 There remained in the Bounty. 
 
 Fletcher Christian, master’s 
 mate. 
 
 P. Heywood, ^ 
 
 E. Young, > midshipmen. 
 G. Stewart, ) 
 
 J. Mills, gunner’s mate. 
 
 Thos. M’Intosh, of carpenter’s 
 crew. 
 
 C. Churchill, master at arms. 
 Joseph Coleman, armorer. 
 Wm. Brown, gardener ; and 
 14 able seamen. 
 
 Before the boat was cast off, Mr. Bligh begged that some 
 arms might be handed into her ; but these unfeeling wretches 
 laughed at him, and said “ he was well acquainted with the 
 people among whom he was going, and therefore did not 
 want them.’’ They, however, threw four cutlasses into the 
 boat. 
 
 Their whole stock of provisions consisted of one hundred 
 and fifty pounds of bread, sixteen pieces of pork, six quarts of 
 rum, with twenty-eight gallons of water ; there were also four 
 empty barrocoes in the boat. The boatswain had been allow- 
 ed to collect a small quantity of twine, some canvass, lines, and 
 cordage. Mr. Samuel, the clerk, had been also permitted to 
 take a quadrant and compass ; but he was forbidden on pain 
 of death to touch either chart, ephemeris, book of astronom- 
 ical observations, sextant, time-keeper, or any of the surveys 
 or drawings which Mr. Bligh had been collecting for fifteen 
 years. Mr. Samuel had the good fortune to secure Mr. 
 Bligh’s journal and commission, with some other material 
 ship’s papers. 
 
 At the time the boat left the ship they were about ten 
 leagues from Tosoa. Mr. Bligh’s first determination was to 
 steer for this place, to seek a supply of bread-fruit and water, 
 from thence to Tongataboo, and there to solicit the king to 
 suffer him to equip the boat, and grant them such a supply of 
 water and provisions, as might enable them to reach the East 
 Indies. Arriving at Tosoa, they found the natives unfriendly 
 and hostile ; and availing themselves of the defenceless state 
 
162 
 
 MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY, 
 
 of the English, attacked them riolently with stones, so that 
 the supply thfey got here was very scanty. It was indeed with 
 some difficulty they escaped being entirely cut off by the na- 
 tives ; which most probably would have been the case, had 
 not one of the crew (John Norton) resolutely jumped on 
 shore and cast off the stern-fast of the boat ; this brave fel- 
 low fella sacrifice to preserve the lives of his companions; 
 he was sui rounded and inhumanly murdered by these savages. 
 
 The reception they met at Tosoa, gave them little encour- 
 agement to touch at Tongataboo ; as it was evident that the 
 former good behavior of these people proceeded more from 
 the dread of fire arms, than a natural disposition to be 
 friendly. 
 
 It now seemed the general wish of all in the boat, that iMr. 
 Bligh should conduct them towards home. He pointed out to 
 them that no hopes of relief’ remained, excepting what mi^ht 
 be found at New Holland, or the island of 'I’imor, wliich was 
 at the distance of full one thousand and two hundred leagues ; 
 and that it would require the greatest economy to be observ- 
 ed, with regard to the scanty allowance which they had to 
 live upon for so long a voyage. It was therefore agreed by 
 the whole crew, that only an ounce of bread, and a quarter of 
 a pint of water should be issued to each person per day. Af- 
 ter Mr. Bligh had recommended to them in the most solemn 
 manner not to depart from the promise they had made ; he on 
 the 2d of May bore away, and shaped his course for New 
 Holland, across a sea little explored, in a boat only twenty- 
 three feet in length, six feet nine inches in breadth, and two 
 feet nine inches deep, with eighteen persons on board, and 
 heavy laden. The next day they encountered a violent storm, 
 the boat shipped such a quantity of water, that it was by great 
 exertions and with the utmost difficulty she could be kept afloat. 
 The d'ay following it moderated. On the 5th, they saw and 
 passed a cluster of islands, continuing their course to the north- 
 west. Hitherto they had not been able to keep any other ac- 
 count than by guess ; but had now succeeded in getting a log- 
 line marked, and by a little practice, some could count the 
 seconds with a tolerable degree of exactness. The miserable 
 and confined state in which they were, induced IMr. Bligh to 
 put his crew to watch and watch, so that one half might be on 
 the look out, while the others lay down in the boat’s bottom, or 
 upon a chest ; even this gave but a trifling alleviation to their 
 sufferings ; being exposed to constant wet and cold, and not 
 having room to stretch their limbs, they became often so dread- 
 fully cramped, as to be incapable of moving them. 
 
MUTINY OP THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 163 
 
 On the 7th, another group of islands was seen, from whence 
 they observed two large canoes in pursuit of them, one of 
 which at four o’clock in the afternoon, had arrived within two 
 miles of the boat, when she gave over the chase and returned 
 in shore. Mr. Bligh imagined from their direction and vicin- 
 ity to the Friendly Islands these must have been the Fegee 
 Islands. 
 
 On the 8th, the weather was moderate and fair, which gave 
 them an opportunity to dry their clothes, and clean out the 
 boat. Mr. Bligh also amused the people, by relating to them 
 a description of New Guinea and New Holland, with every 
 information in his power, that in case any accident happened 
 to him, the survivor might be able to pursue their course to 
 Timor; which place they before knew nothing of except by 
 name. 
 
 On the 10th, the weather again began to be extremely 
 boisterous, with constant rain and frequent thunder and light- 
 ning ; the sea was so rough, as often to break over the boat ; 
 so that they were forever baling, and often in imminent danger 
 of perishing ; in addition to their misfortunes, the bread was 
 damaged by the salt water ; their clothes never being dry, 
 they derived no refreshment from the little rest they sometimes 
 got ; and many were so benumbed and cramped by the cold, 
 that they were afflicted with violent shiverings and pains in 
 the bowels. As the weather still continued tempestuous, Mr. 
 Bligh, as an expedient, recommended to every one to strip, and 
 wring their clothes in the salt-water, which had a good effect, 
 and produced a warmth, that while wet with the rain they 
 could not have. 
 
 On the 14th they saw a number ofislands, which appeared 
 to be a new discovery, but as they lie so near the New Heb- 
 rides, they may be considered as a part of that group. Their 
 latitude from 13 deg. 16 min. to 14 deg. south, longitude 110 
 deg. 67 min. 17 min. to 168 deg. 34 min. east from Greenwich ; 
 to these they gave the name of Bligh’s Islands. 
 
 On the 24th it was thought necessary to reduce their already 
 miserable pittance ; it was accordingly agreed that each per- 
 son should receive one 25th part of a pound of bread for 
 breakfast, and the same quantity for dinner ; so that by omit- 
 ting the allowance for supper, they would have forty-three 
 days provisions. 
 
 The next day they saw several noddies and other sea fowl, 
 some of which they were so fortunate as to catch, and servea 
 them out as a part of the allowance. The sight of the birds 
 
164 
 
 MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 indicated their being in the neighborhood of land. The 
 weather was now more serene ; but even this became distress- 
 ing to them ; the heat of the sun was so intense, that many 
 of the people were seized with a languor and faintness, which 
 made life indifferent. At one in the morning on the 29th, 
 breakers were discovered about a quarter of a mile distant 
 under their Ice ; they immediately hauled off and were soon 
 out of danger. At daylight, they again stood in and discover- 
 ed the reef, over which the sea broke furiously. Steering 
 along the edge of it, an opening was soon observed, through 
 which the boat passed ; a small island which lay within the reef 
 of a moderate height, Mr. Bligh named Island of Direction, as 
 it serves to show the entrance of the channel ; its latitude is 
 12 deg. 51 min. south. As they advanced within the reef, 
 the coast of New Holland began to show itself distinctly — 
 They landed in a fine sandy bay on an island near the main ; 
 here they found plenty of oysters, water, and berries, which to 
 men in their deplorable condition were looked upon aslu.xuries. 
 After a more comfortable repose than they had experienced for 
 many nights, they were preparing the next day to depart, when 
 about twenty natives made their appearance on the opposite 
 shore, running and hallooing, at the same time making signs 
 to land. Each was armed with a spear or lance ; several 
 others were seen peeping over the tops of the adjacent hills. 
 Mr. Bligh finding that he was discovered, judged it most pru- 
 dent to make the best of his way to sea. He named the is- 
 land on which they landed Restoration Island ; as it was not 
 only applicable to their own situation, but the anniversary of 
 King Charles’s Restoration when it was discovered ; its ob- 
 served latitude 12 deg. 39 min. south. 
 
 As the boat sailed along the shore, many other parties of the 
 natives came down, waving green boughs as a token of friend- 
 ship ; but Mr. Bligh, suspicious of their intentions would not 
 venture to land. These people were naked, with black and 
 woolly hair. 
 
 On the .31st they landed on a small island, in order to get a 
 distinct view of the coast ; from thence, after making a hearty 
 meal on oysters, they again put to sea, steering along the 
 shore, often touching at the ditferent islands and keys to re- 
 fresh themselves, and get such supplies as they afforded. On 
 the 3d of June, they had passed through Endeavor Straits, 
 and were once more launched into the open ocean, shaping 
 their course for the island of Timor, which they were encour- 
 aged to expect they might reach in eight or ten days. A con 
 
MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 165 
 
 tinuance of wet and tempestuous weather, affected even the 
 stoutest among them to such a degree, from incessant fatigue, 
 that many showed evident signs of approaching dissolution. 
 Mr. Bligh used every effort to revive their drooping spirits, 
 and comforted them with a hope that they would soon arrive 
 at a port where their distresses would be relieved. 
 
 At three o’clock in the morning, on the 12th of June, to 
 their inexpressible joy, the island of Timor was discovered ; 
 and on the 14th they arrived at the Dutch settlement of Cou- 
 pang. Nothing could exceed the friendly and hospitable re- 
 ception they met with from the governor, Mr. Van Dste, who 
 was lying almost at the point of death ; he regretted that his 
 infirmity should prevent him from officiating as a friend him- 
 self, but assured Mr. Bligh that he would give such orders, 
 as should procure him and his fellow sufferers every assistance 
 in his power ; he accordingly committed them to the care of 
 Mr. Wanjen, his son-in-law, who, with the other principal 
 persons of Coupang, rendered their situation comfortable du- 
 ring the time they staid among them. 
 
 Mr. Bligh presented the governor a formal account of the 
 loss of the ship Bounty j and a requisition in his Majesty’s 
 name, that instructions might be sent to all the Dutch settle- 
 ments, to stop the ship if she should touch at any of them ; 
 with a list and description of the mutineers. 
 
 A short time after their arrival at Coupang, by the humane 
 and kind attention of the Dutch inhabitants, they had so much 
 recovered their health, and strength, that Mr. Bligh purchas- 
 ed a schooner for one thousand rix dollars, to convey them to 
 Batavia before the October fleet should sail for Europe. This 
 vessel was named the Resource ; and by the assistance and 
 friendship of JVlr. Wanjen, (to whose liberal and hospitable 
 treatment they were all much indebted), Mr. Bligh was able 
 to procure four brass swivels, fourteen stand of arms, and 
 some ammunition, which was necessary to protect them against 
 the pirates who infest the coast of Java. 
 
 On the 20th of July, Mr. David Nelson, the botanist, died 
 of an inflammatory fever ; he was a man much respected, and 
 of great scientific knowledge. This was his second voyage to 
 the South Seas in the capacity of botanist. 
 
 The schooner being ready for sea, on the 30th August Mr. 
 Bligh and his crew took an affectionate leave of their bene- 
 factors, and sailed from Coupang, with the launch that had 
 preserved their lives, in tow. 
 
 On the 1st of October they arrived in Batavia road. The 
 
166 
 
 MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 next day Mr. Bligh was taken so extremely ill, that he was 
 obliged to be moved into the country. Shortly after the 
 Dutch surgeon-general represented to him that his complaint 
 was of such a nature, that unless he quitted the air of Bata- 
 via, it might prove fatal. In consequence of this, ]\lr. Bligh 
 applied to the governor-general for permission to return to 
 Europe by the fleet which was on the point of sailing; which 
 being granted, he took his passage on board a Dutch packet, 
 and sailed from Batavia on the 16th of October, 1789 ; the 
 governor promising him that the remainder of his crew should 
 be sent home by the earliest opportunity. On the 14th of 
 March, 1790, he arrived m England. Out of the nineteen 
 who were in the boat when she left the ship, only twelve lived 
 to return to their native country. 
 
 The tide of public applause set as strongly in favor of Bligh, 
 on account of his sufferings and the successful issue of his dar- 
 ing enterprise, as its indignation was launched against^Chris- 
 tian and his associates, for the audacious and criminal deed they 
 had committed. Bligh was promoted by tiie Admiralty to the 
 rank of commander, and speedily sent out a second time to 
 transport the bread-fruit to the West Indies, which he without 
 the least obstruction, successfully accomplished ; and his ma- 
 jesty’s government was no sooner made acquainted with the 
 atrocious act of piracy and mutiny, than it determined to adopt 
 every possible means to apprehend and bring to condign pun- 
 ishment the perpetrators of so foul a deed. For this purpose, 
 the Pandora frigate of twenty-four guns, and one hundred and 
 sixty men, was despatched, under the command of Captain 
 Edward Edwards, with orders to proceed in the first instance 
 to Otaheite, and, not finding the mutineers there, to visit the 
 different groups of the Society and Friendly Islands, and 
 others in the neighboring parts of the Pacific, using his best 
 endeavors to seize and bring home in confinement the whole or 
 such part of the delinquents as he might be able to discover. 
 
 This voyage was in the sequel almost as disastrous as that 
 of the ship Bounty, but from a different cause. The waste of 
 human life was much greater, occasioned by the wreck of the 
 ship, in returning ; and the distress e.xperienced by the crew 
 was not much less, owing to the famine and thirst tliey had to 
 suffer in a navigation of eleven hundred miles in open boats ; 
 but the captain succeeded in fulfilling a part of his instructions, 
 by taking fourteen of the mutineers, of whom ten were brought 
 safe to England, the other four being drowned when the ship 
 was wrecked. Soon after their arrival, a court-martial assem- 
 
MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 !67 
 
 bled to try the prisoners, on board his majesty’s ship Duke, on 
 tlie I2th of September, 1792. Against seven of the ten the 
 charges of mutiny were proved, and they were adjudged 
 \vorthy of death ; two of them, however, Peter Hey^wood and 
 James Morrison were earnestly recommended by the court to 
 his majesty’s mercy, and they were pardoned accordingly. 
 Heywood, who at the time of the mutiny was but sixteen 
 years of age, was very honorably and fully acquitted in public 
 opinion of any participation in the deeds, and he afterwards 
 rose to distinction, without any invidious suspicion being at- 
 tached to him. He died in tlie year 1831, leaving behind him 
 a high and unblemished ciiaracter in that service of which he 
 was a most honorable, intelligent, and distinguished member. 
 The remaining five of the convicts were hung pursuant to 
 sentence. 
 
 Twenty years had passed away, and the Bounty, and 
 Fletcher Christian, and the piratical crew that he had carried 
 off with him in that ship, had long ceased to occupy a thought in 
 the public mind. It happened, however, that an accidental dis- 
 covery, as interesting as it was wholly unexpected, was brought 
 to light in consequence of an American trading vessel having, 
 by mere chance, approached one of these numerous islands in 
 the Pacific, against whose steep and iron-bound shore the surf 
 almost everla-stingly rolls with such tremendous violence as to 
 bid defiance to any attempts of boats to land, except at parti- 
 cular times and in very few places. 
 
 Captain Folger, of the American brig Topaz of Boston, in 
 September, 1808, landed on Pitcairn’s Island in latitude 25 
 2 south, longitude 130 west, where he found an Englishman, 
 of the name of Alexander Smith, the only person remaining of 
 nine that had escaped in the Bounty. Smith related that, 
 aPer putting Capt. Bligh in the boat, Christian took command 
 of the ship and went to Otaheite, where many of the crew left 
 her, except Christian, Stnith, and seven others, who each took 
 wives, and six Otaheitan men-servants, and shortly after ar- 
 rived at Pitcairn’s Island, where they ran the ship ashore and 
 broke her up ; this event took place in the year 1790. 
 
 About four years after their arrival (a great jealousy exist- 
 ing), the Otaheitans secretly revolted, and killed every Eng- 
 lishman except Smith, whom they severely wounded in the 
 neck with a pistol ball. The same night, the widow's of the 
 deceased Englishmen arose and put to death the whole of the 
 
168 
 
 MUTINY OF THE SHIP BOUNTY. 
 
 Otaheitans, leaving Smith the only man alive upon the island, 
 with eight or nine women and several children. On his re- 
 covery, he applied himself to tilling the ground, so that it 
 now produced plenty of yams, cocoa-nuts, bananas, plant- 
 ain, hogs and poultry in abundance. There were some 
 grown-up men and women, children of the mutineers, on the 
 island, the whole population amounting to about thirty-five, 
 who acknowledged Smith as father and commander of them 
 all ; they all spoke English, and had been educated by him 
 in a moral and religious way. 
 
 It was asserted by the second mate of the Topaz, that Chris- 
 tian, the ringleader, became insane shortly after taking up his 
 abode on the island, and threw himself off the rocks into the 
 sea. It is clear enough that this misguided and ill-fated young 
 man was never happy after the rash and criminal step he had 
 taken. He was always sullen and morose, and committed so 
 many acts of wanton oppression as very soon incurred the 
 hatred of his companions. According to the account of Smith, 
 eras he was usually called, John Adams, the cause of Chris- 
 tian’s death was his having forcibly seized on the wife of one 
 of the Otaheite men, which so e.xasperated the rest that they not 
 only sought the life of the offender, but of others also who 
 might, as they thought, be disposed to pursue the same course. 
 The manner of Christian’s death still remains uncertain ; cer- 
 tain it is, that however far he might escape from the reach of 
 justice there was no escaping from 
 
 " Those rods of scorpions and those whips of steel 
 
 Which conscience shakes.” 
 
 Pitcairn’s Island was visited in 1814 by his majesty’s frig- 
 ates, the Briton and the Tagus, by which the account of Cap- 
 tain Folger was confirmed. From the time of tliis visit 
 nothing more was heard of Adams and his family for nearly 
 twelve years, when, in IS'So, Captain Beechey, in the Blos- 
 som, bound on a voyage of discovery, touched at Pitcairn’s Is- 
 land. He found the descendants of the mutineers increased 
 to sixty-six ; the females were modest, handsome, and plea- 
 sing, and the males added a wonderful degree of strength and 
 agility to a beautiful symmetry of form. Adams had intro- 
 duced into his little society, the most salutary laws end regu- 
 lations, which he had drawn from the bible, and seened desi- 
 rous to atone for his past misconduct by training up the rising 
 generation in piety and virtue. The death of this old patriarch 
 took place in March, 1829, and he was sincerely lamented by 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 169 
 
 the infant colony. It has recently been stated in the newspa- 
 pers, that owing to a deficiency of water at Pitcairn’s Island, 
 the descendants of the mutineers had all emigrated to Ota- 
 heite : but there being disgusted with the dissolute and immor- 
 al behavior of the islanders, they had returned to the place of 
 their birth to escape the contamination of vice and intemper- 
 ance 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN, 
 
 Who was taken by the Pirates, off Cape Cruz, Dec. 17, 1821, and 
 subsequently left, ivith his crew, to perish on a desolate island. 
 
 I have reluctantly yielded to the urgent solicitations of 
 friends, to give a short narrative of the capture, sufferings and 
 escape of myself and crew, after having been taken by a pi- 
 ratical schooner, called the Mexican, December, 1821. The 
 peculiar circumstances attending our situation, gave us ample 
 opportunity for learning the character of those cruisers which 
 have lately infested our southern coasts, destroying the lives 
 and plundering the property of so many peaceable traders. If 
 this narrative should eff;ct any good, or urge our government 
 to still more vigorous measures for the protection of our com- 
 merce, my object will be attained. 
 
 I sailed from Boston bound for Trinidad, in the Island of 
 Cuba, on the 13th November, 1321, in the schooner Exertion, 
 burden one hundred and seven tons, owned by Messrs. Joseph 
 Ballister and Henry Farnam, with a crew consisting of the 
 following persons : — 
 
 Joshua Bracket, 
 
 mate, 
 
 Bristol, 
 
 David Warren, 
 Thomas Gooda'I, 
 
 cook, 
 
 Saco, 
 
 seaman, 
 
 Baltimore, 
 
 Thomas Young, 
 
 (.C 
 
 Orangetown, 
 
 Francis de Suze, 
 
 u 
 
 St. John’s, 
 
 George Reed, 
 
 £( 
 
 Greenock, Scotland 
 
 VOL. 1. 
 
 8 
 
170 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 The cargo consisted of flour, beef, pork, lard, outter, fish 
 beans, onions, potatoes, apples, hams, furniture, sugar box 
 shooks, &.C. invoiced at about eight thousand dollars. Nothing 
 remarkable occurred during the passage, except much bad 
 weather, until my capture, which was as follows : — 
 
 Monday, December, 17th, 1821, — commenced with fine 
 breezes from the eastward. At daybreak saw some of the 
 islands northward of Cape Cruz, called keys — stood along 
 northwest ; every thing now seemed favourable for a happy 
 termination of our voyage. At three o’clock, P. ]\I. saw a 
 sail coming round the Keys, into a channel called Boca de 
 Cavolone by the chart, nearly in latitude 20, 55 , north, lon- 
 gitude 79, 55, west, she made directly for us with all sail set, 
 sweeps on both sides (the wind being light) and was soon near 
 enough for us to discover about forty men on her deck, armed 
 with muskets, blunderbusses, cutlasses, long knives, dirks, 
 two carronades, one a twelve, the other a six pounder; she 
 was a schooner, wearing the Patriot flag, (blue white and 
 blue) of the Republic of Mexico. I thought it not prudent 
 to resist them, should they be pirates, with a crew of seven 
 men, and only five muskets ; accordingly ordered the arms 
 and ammunition to be immediately stowed away in as secret 
 a place as possible, and suffer her to speak us, hoping and 
 believing that a republican flag indicated both honor and 
 friendship from those who wore it, and which we might expect 
 even from Spaniards. But how great was my astonishment, 
 when the schooner having approached very ne^r us, hailed in 
 English, and ordered me to heave my boat out immediately 
 and come on board of her with my papers. Accordingly mv 
 boat was hove out, but filled before I could get into her. I 
 was then ordered to tack ship and lay by for the pirate’s boat to 
 board me; which was done by Bolidar, their first lieutenant, 
 with six or eight Spaniards, armed with as manv of the before 
 mentioned weapons as they could well sling about their bodies. 
 They drove me into the boat and two of them rowed me to 
 their priva' eer, (as they called their vessel,) where I shook 
 hands with her commander. Captain Jonnia, a Spaniard, who 
 before looking at my papers, ordered Bolidar, his lieutenant, 
 to follow the Mexican in, back of the Key they had left, which 
 was done. At 6 o’clock, P. ]M. the Exertion was anchored 
 in eleven feet water, near their vessel, and an islaivd, which 
 they called Twelve League Key, (called by the chart Kev 
 Largo,) about thirty or thirty-five leagues from Trinidad. Af- 
 ter this strange conduct they began examining my papers bv 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 171 
 
 a Scotchman who went by the name of Nickola, their sailing 
 master. He spoke good English, had a countenance rather 
 pleasing, although his beard and mustachios had a frightful 
 appearance — his face, apparently full of anxiety, indicated 
 something in my favor ; he gave me my papers saying “take 
 good care of them, for I am afraid that you have fallen into 
 bad hands.” The pirate’s boat was then sent to the Exertion 
 with more men and arms ; a part of them left on board her ; 
 the rest returning with three of my crew to their vessel ; viz. 
 Thomas Young, Thomas Goodall, and George Reed — they 
 treated them with something to drink, and offered them equal 
 shares with themselves, and some money, if they would enlist, 
 but they could not prevail on tliem. I then requested per- 
 mission to go on board my vessel which was granted, and 
 further requested Nickola should go with me, but was refused 
 by the captain, who vociferated in a harsh manner, “ No, No, 
 No,” accompanied with a heavy stamp upon the deck. When 
 I got on board, I was invited below by Bolidar, where I found 
 they had emptied the case of liquors, and broken a cheese to 
 pieces and crumbled it on the table and cabin floor ; tlie pirates 
 elated with their prize, (as they called it.) had drank so much 
 as to make them desperately abusive. I was permitted to 
 lie down in my birth ; but reader, if you have ever been 
 awakened by a gang of armed desperadoes, who have taken 
 possession of your habitation in the midnight hour, you can 
 imagine my feelings. Sleep W'as a stranger to me, and anx- 
 iety was my guest. Bolidar, however, pretended friendship, 
 and flattered me with the prospect of being soon set at liberty. 
 But I found him, as I suspected, a consummate hypocrite; in- 
 deed, his very looks indicated it. He W'as a stout and w'ell 
 built man, of a dark, swarthy complexion, with keen, ferocious 
 eyes, huge whiskers, and beard under his chin and on his lips 
 four or five inches long ; he was a Portuguese by birth, but 
 had become a naturalized Frenchman — had a wife, if not chil- 
 dren, (as I was told) in France, and was well known there 
 as commander of a first rate private! His appearance was 
 truly terrific ; he could talk some in English, and had a most 
 lion-like voice. 
 
 Tuesday, 18th. — Early this morning the captain of the pi- 
 rates came on board the Exertion ; took a look at the cabin- 
 stores, and cargo in the state rooms, and then ordered me back 
 with him to his vessel, wliere he, with his crew, held a consul- 
 tation for some time, respecting the cargo. After which, the 
 .interpreter, Nickola, told me that “ the captain had or pretend- 
 
172 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 ed to have a commission under General Traspelascus, com- 
 mander in chief of the republic of Mexico, authorizing him to 
 take all cargoes whatever of provisions, bound to any Spanish 
 royalist port — that my cargo being bound to an enemy’s port, 
 must be condemned ; but that the vessel should be given up 
 and put into a fair channel for Trinidad where I was bound.” 
 I requested him to examine the papers thoroughly, and per- 
 naps he would be convinced to the contrary, and told him my 
 cargo was all American property taken in at Boston and con- 
 signed to an American gentleman agent at Trinidad. But the 
 captain would not take this trouble, but ordered both vessels 
 under way immediately, and commenced beating up amongst 
 the Keys through most of the day, the wind being very light. 
 They now sent their boats on board the Exertion for stores, 
 and commenced plundering her of bread, butter, lard, onions, 
 potatoes, fish, beans, S^c. took up some sugar box shocks that 
 were on deck, and found the barrels of apples ; selected the 
 best of them, and threw the rest of them overboard. They in- 
 quired for spirits, wine, cider. See. and were told “ they had 
 already taken all that was on board.” But not satisfied they 
 proceeded to search the state rooms and forecastle, ripped up 
 the floor of the latter and found some boxes of bottled cider, 
 which they carried to their vessel, gave three cheers, in an 
 exulting manner to me, and then began drinking it with such 
 freedom, that a violent quarrel arose between officers and 
 men, which came very near ending in bloodshed. I was ac- 
 cused of falsehood, for saying they had already got all the 
 liquors that were on board, and I thouglit tliey had ; the 
 truth was, I never had any bill of lading of the cider, and con- 
 sequently had no recollection of its being on board ; yet it 
 served them as an excuse for being insolent. In the evening 
 peace was restored and they sung songs. I was suffered to 
 go below for the night, and they placed a guard over me, sta- 
 tioned at the companion way. 
 
 Wednesday, 19th, commenced witli moderate easterly winds, 
 beating towards the noitheast, tlie pirate’s boats frequently 
 going on board the Exertion for potatoes, fish, beans, butter, 
 &c. which were used with great waste, and extravagance. 
 They gave me food and drink, but of bad quality, more partic- 
 ularly the victuals, which was wretchedly cooked. The place 
 assigned me to eat was covered with dirt and vermin. It ap- 
 peared that their great object was to hurt my feelings with 
 threats and observations, and to make my situation as unpleas- 
 ant as circumstances would admit. We came to anchor near 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 17 .^ 
 
 a Key, called by them Brigantine, where myself and mate 
 were permitted to go on shore, but were guarded by several 
 armed jpirates. I soon returned to the Mexican and my mate 
 to the Exertion, with George Reed one of my crew ; the other 
 two being kept on board the Mexican. In the course of this 
 day I had considerable conversation with Nickola, who ap- 
 peared well disposed towards me. He lamented most deeply 
 ins own situation, for he was one of those men, whose early 
 good impressions were not entirely effaced, although confed- 
 erated with guilt. He told me “ those who had taken me, were 
 no better than pirates, and their end would be the halter ; but,” 
 he added, with peculiar e.motion, “ I will never be hung as a 
 pirate,” showing me a bottle of laudanum which he had found 
 in my medicine chest, saying “ if we are taken, that shall cheat 
 the hangman, before we are condemned.” I endeavoured to 
 get it from him, but did not succeed. I then asked him how 
 he came to be in such company, as he appeared to be dissatis- 
 fied. He stated “that he was at New Orleans last summer 
 out of employment, and became acquainted with one Captain 
 August Orgainar, a Frenchman, who had bought a small 
 schooner of about fifteen tons, and was going down to the bay of 
 Mexico to get a commission, under General Traspelascus, in 
 order to go a privateering under the patriot flag. Captain 
 Orgamar made him liberal offers respecting shares, and prom- 
 ised him a sailing master’s birth, which he accepted and em- 
 barked on board the schooner, without sufficiently reflecting 
 on the danger of such an undertaking. Soon after she sailed 
 from Mexico ; where they got a commission, and the vessel 
 was called Mexican. They made up a complement of twenty 
 men, and after rendering the general some little service, in 
 
 transporting his troops to a place called proceeded on a 
 
 cruise ; took some small prizes off Campeachy ; afterwards 
 came on the south coast of Cuba, where they took other small 
 prizes and the one which we were now on board of. By this 
 time the crew were increased to about forty, nearly one half 
 Spaniards, the others Frenchmen and Portuguese. Several 
 of them had sailed out of ports in the United States, with 
 American protections ; but, I confidently believe, none are 
 natives, especially of tbe northern states.* I was careful in 
 examining the men, being desirous of knowing if any of my 
 
 * The Spaniards at Havana have been in the habit of saying to those 
 who arrive there, after suffering the horrid abuse of cutting, beating, 
 hanging, robbing, &c. “it is your countrymen that do this.” 
 
174 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 countrymen were among this wretched crew ; but air satis* 
 tied there were none, and my Scotch friend concurred in the 
 opinion. And now with a new vessel, which was the prize 
 of these plunderers, they sailed up Mafiganeil Bay; previous- 
 ly, however, they fell in with an American schooner, from 
 which they bought four barrels of beef, and paid in tobacco. 
 At the Bay was an English brig belonging to Jamaica, owned 
 by Mr. John Louden of that place. On board of this vessel 
 the Spanish part of the crew commenced their depredations 
 as pirates, although Captain Orgamar and Nickola protested 
 against it, and refused any participation ; but they persisted, 
 and like so many ferocious blood-hounds, boarded the brig, 
 plundered the cabin stores, furniture, captain’s trunk. See. took 
 a hogshead of rum, one twelve pound carronade, some rig- 
 ging and sails. One of them plundered the chest of a sailor, 
 W’ho made some resistance, so that the Spaniard took his cut- 
 lass and beat and wounded him without mercy. Aickola asked 
 ed him “ why he did it the fellow answered “ I will let you 
 know,” and took up the cook’s axe and gave him a cut on 
 the head, which nearly deprived him of life.* Then they or- 
 dered Captain Orgamar to leave his vessel, allowing him his 
 trunk and turned him ashore, to seek for himself. Aickola 
 begged them to dismiss him with his captain, but no, no, was 
 the answer ; for they had no complete navigator but him. 
 After Captain Orgamar was gone, they put iti his stead the 
 present brave (or as I should call him cowardly) Captain Jon- 
 nia, who headed them in plundering the before mentioned brig, 
 and made Bolidar their first lieutenant, and then proceeded 
 down among those Keys or islands, where I was captured. 
 This is the amount of w hat my friend Nickola told me of their 
 history. 
 
 Thursday, !20th, continued beating up, wind being light, the 
 pirate’s boats w'ere sent to the Exertion for more stores, such 
 as bread, lard, Stc. I tliis day discovered on board tbe 31ex- 
 ican three black girls, of whom it is well to say no more. It 
 is impossible to give an account of the filthiness of this crew, 
 and W'ere it possible it would not be expedient. In tbeir appear- 
 ance they were terrific wearing black whiskers and long beards, 
 the receptacles of dirt and vermin. They used continually the 
 most profane language ; had frequent quarrels ; and so great 
 was their love of gambling that the captain would play 
 cards with the meanest man on board. All these things ren- 
 
 * He showed me the wound, which was quite large and not then 
 healed. 
 
NARRATIVE OP CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 175 
 
 dcred them to me objects of total disgust (with a few excep- 
 tions, as will hereafter appear.) I was told they had a stab- 
 bing match, but a few days before I \vas taken, and one man 
 came near being killed ; they put him ashore at a fisherman’s 
 hut and there left him to perish. I saw the wound of another 
 who had his nose split open. 
 
 Friday, 21st. — -After laying at anchor through the night in 
 ten fathoms water, made sail and stood to the eastward — by this 
 time 1 was out of my reckoning, having no quadrant, chart or 
 books. The pirate’s boats were again sent for stores. The 
 captain for the second time demanded of me where my wine, 
 brandy, &c. were, I again told him they had already got the 
 whole. They took the deep sea line and some cordage from 
 the Exertion and at night came to anchor. 
 
 Saturday, 22d. — Both vessels under way standing to the 
 eastward, they ran the Exertion aground on a bar, but after 
 throwing overboard most of her deck load of shocks, she 
 floated off ; a pilot was sent to her and she was run into a nar- 
 row creek between two keys, where they moored her head and 
 stern along side the mangrove trees, sent down her yards and- 
 topmasts, and covered her mast heads and shrouds with bushes 
 to prevent her being seen by vessels which might pass that 
 way. I w'as then suffered to go on board my own vessel, and 
 found her in a very filthy condition ; sails torn, rigging cut 
 to pieces, and every thing in the cabin in wa.^te and confusion. 
 The swarms of moschetoes and sand-flies made it impossible 
 to get any sleep or rest . The pirate’s large boat was armed 
 and manned under Bolidar, and sent off with letters to a mer- 
 chant (as they called him) by the name of Dominico, residing 
 in a town called Principe, on the main island of Cuba. I was 
 told by one of them who could speak English, that Principe 
 was a very large and populous town, situated at the head of 
 St. Maria, which was about twenty miles north east from where 
 we lay, and the Keys lying around us were called Cotton 
 Keys. The captain pressed into his service F rancis de Suze, 
 one of my crew, saying he was one of his countrymen. Fran- 
 cis was very reluctant in going, and said to me, with tears in 
 his eyes, “ I shall do nothing only what I am obliged to do, and 
 will not aid in the least to hurt you or the vessel ; I am very 
 SOI ry to leave you.” He was immediately put on duty and 
 Thomas Goodall sent back to the Exertion. 
 
 Sunday, 23d. — Early this morning a large number of the 
 pirates came on board of the Exertion, threw out the long 
 boat, broke open the hatches and took out considerable of the 
 
176 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 cargo, in search of rum, gin, &,c. still telling me “ I had some 
 and that they would find it,” uttering the most awful profane- 
 ness. In the afternoon the boat returned with a perough,* hav- 
 ing on board the captain, his first lieutenant and seven men of 
 a patriot or piratical vessel that was chased ashore at Cape 
 Cruz by a Spanish armed brig. These seven men made their 
 escape in said boat, and after four days, found our pirates and 
 joined them ; the remainder of the crew being killed or taken 
 prisoners. 
 
 Monday, 24th. — Their boat was manned and sent to the be- 
 fore mentioned town. I was informed by a line from Xickola. 
 that the pirates had a man on board, a native of Principe, who 
 in the garb of a sailor was a partner with Dominico, but I could 
 not get sight of him. This lets us a little into the plans by 
 Avhich this attrocious system of piracy has been carried on. 
 IMerchants having partners on board of these pirates ! thus 
 pirates at sea and robbers on land are associated to destroy 
 the peaceable trader. 
 
 The willingness exhibited by the seven above-mentioned 
 men, to join our gang of pirates, seemed to look like a gene- 
 ral understanding among them ; and from there being mer- 
 chants on shore so base as to encourage the plunder and vend 
 the goods, I am persuaded there has been a s\'stematic con- 
 federacy on the part of these unprincipled desperadoes, under 
 cover of the patriot flag ; and those on land are no better than 
 those on the sea. If the governments to whom they belong 
 know of the attrocities committed (and I have but little doubt 
 they do) they deserve the execratiun of all mankind. 
 
 Tuesday, 25th. — Still on board the Exertion — weather very 
 calm and warm. The pirate’s boat returned from St. Maria, 
 and came lor candles, cheese, potatoes, ^c. they saving they 
 must have them, and forbid my keeping any light on board at 
 night — took a case of trunks for the captain’s use and depart- 
 ed. Their irritating conduct at this time can hardly be im- 
 agined. 
 
 Wednesday, 26th. — I was told by Bolidar that three Span- 
 ish cruisers were in search of them, that they could fight two 
 of them at once, (which by the way I believe was not true) 
 and were disappointed in not finding them. Same evening they 
 took both of my boats, and their own men, towed their vessel 
 out of the creek, and anchored at its mouth to get rid of sand- 
 
 * A boat built of two halves of a large tree, hollowed out and so put 
 together as to carry about thirty barrels. 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 177 
 
 flies; while they obliged us to stay on deck under an awning, 
 exposed to all the violence of these flies ; we relieved our- 
 selves in some measure by the burning of tobacco, w'hich last- 
 ed but for a short time. 
 
 Thursday, 27th. — A gang of the pirates came and stripped 
 our masts of the green bushes, saying, “she appeared more 
 like a sail than trees” — took one barrel of bread and one of 
 potatoes, using about one of each every day. I under- 
 stood tliey were waiting for boats to take the cargo ; for the 
 principal merchant had gone to Trinidad. 
 
 Friday, 28th. — Nothing remarkable occurred this day — 
 were frequently called upon for tar and butter, and junk to 
 make oakum. Capt. Jonnia brought on board with him his 
 new captain and officer before mentioned. Again they asked 
 for wine, and were told as before, they had gotten the whole. 
 
 Saturday, 29th. — Same insulting conduct continued. — Took 
 a barrel of crackers. 
 
 Sunday, 30th.— The begining of trouble ! this day which 
 peculiarly reminds Christians of the high duties of compas- 
 sion and benevolence, was never observed by these pirates. 
 This, of course, we might expect, as they did not often know 
 when the day came, and if they knew it, it was spent in gam- 
 bling. The old saying among seamen, “ no Sunday off sound- 
 ings,” was not thought of ; and even this poor plea was not 
 theirs, for they were on soundings and often at anchor. Ear- 
 ly this morning the merchant, as they called him, came with a 
 large boat for the cargo. I was immediately ordered into the 
 boat with my crew, not allowed any breakfast, and carried 
 about three miles to a small island out of sight of the Exer- 
 tion and left there by the side of a little pond of thick, mud- 
 dy water, which proved to be very brackish, with nothing to 
 eat but a few biscuit. One of the boat’s men told us the 
 merchant was afraid of being recognised, and when he had 
 gone the boat would return for us ; but we had great reason 
 to apprehend they would deceive us ; and therefore passed 
 the day in the utmost anxiety. At night, however, the boats 
 came and took us again on board the Exertion ; when to our 
 surprise and astonishment we found they had broken open the 
 trunks and chests and taken all our wearing apparel, not even 
 leaving a shirt or pair of pantaloons, not sparing a small min- 
 iature of my wife which was in my trunk. The little money I 
 and my mate had, with some belonging to the owners, my mate 
 had previously distributed about the cabin in three or four par- 
 cels, while I was on board the pirate, for we dare not keep it 
 
 VOL. I. 8* 
 
178 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 about US ; one parcel in a butter pot they did not discover. — 
 Amidst the hurry with which I was obliged to /eave my vessel 
 to go to the before mentioned island, I fortunately snatched 
 my vessel’s papers, and hid them in my bosom, which the rea- 
 der will find was a happy circumstance for me. IMy writing 
 desk, with papers, accounts, Stc. all Mr. Lord’s letters (the 
 gentleman to whom my cargo was consigned) and several 
 others were taken and maliciously destroyed. 3Iy medicine 
 chest, which I so much wanted, was kept lor their own use. 
 What their motive could be to take my papers I could not im- 
 agine, except they had liopes of finding bills of lading for some 
 Spaniards, to clear them from piracy. Mr. Bracket had some 
 notes and papers of consequence to him, which shared the same 
 fate. My quadrant, charts, books and some bedding were not 
 yet taken, but I found it impossible to hide them, and they were 
 soon gone from my sight. 
 
 Monday, 31st. — We complained to them, expressing the 
 necessity of having clothes to cover us — but, as well might we 
 have appealed to the winds, and rather better, for they would 
 not have upbraided us in return. The captain, however, sent 
 word he would see to it, and ordered their clothes bags to be 
 searched, where he found some of our things, but took good 
 care to put them into his own cabin. I urgently requested him 
 to give me the miniature, but, no was all I could get. 
 
 Tuesday, January, 1st, 1822. — A sad new year’s day to me. 
 Before breakfast orders came for me to cut down the Exer- 
 tion’s railing and bulwarks on one side, for their vessel to heave 
 out by, and clean her bottom. On my hesitating a little tliev 
 observed with anger, very well captain, suppose you no do it 
 quick, we do it for you.” Directly afterwards another boat 
 full of armed men came along side; they jumped on deck with 
 swords drawn and ordered all of us into her immediately ; I 
 stepped below, in hopes of getting something which would be 
 of service to us ; but the captain hallooed, “go in the boat 
 directly or I will fire upon you.” Thus compelled to obev, 
 we were carried, together with four Spanish prisoners, to a 
 small, low island or key of sand in the shape of a half moon 
 and partly covered with mangrove trees ; which was about 
 one mile from and in sight of my vessel. There they left nine 
 of us, with a little bread, flour, fish, lard, a little coflee and 
 molasses ; two or three kegs of water, which was brackish; an 
 old sail for a covering, and a pot and some otfier small arti- 
 cles no way fit to cook in. Leaving us these, which were 
 much less than they appear in the enumeration, they pushed 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTIAN LINCOLN. 
 
 179 
 
 off, saying “ we will come to see you in a day or two.” Se- 
 lecting the best place, we spread the old sail for an awning ; 
 but no place was free from flies, muschetoes, snakes, the ven- 
 omous santipee. Sometimes they were found crawling inside 
 of our pantaloons, but fortunately no injury was received. 
 This afternoon the pirates hove their vessel out by the Exer- 
 tion and cleaned one side, using her paints, oil, &c. for that pur- 
 pose. To see my vessel in tliat situation and to think of our 
 prospects was a, source of the deepest distress. At night we 
 retired to our tent ; but having nothing but the cold damp 
 ground for a bed, and the heavy dew of the night penetrating 
 the old canvass — the situation of the island being fifty miles 
 from the usual track of friendly vessels, and one hundred and 
 thirty-five from Trinidad — seeing my owner’s property so un- 
 justly and wantonly destroyed — considering my condition, the 
 hands at whose mercy I was, and deprived of all hopes, ren- 
 dered sleep or rest a stranger to me. 
 
 Wednesday, 2d. — The pirates hove out and cleaned the oth- 
 er side. She then commenced loading with the Exertion’s 
 cargo, which appeared to be flour and lard. In the afternoon 
 their boat came and took two of the Spaniards with them to 
 another island for water, and soon after returned with four 
 kegs of poor, unwholesome water, and left us, saying they 
 should not bring us provisions again for some time ; as they 
 were going away with goods from the prize, to be gone two or 
 three days. Accordingly they brought a present supply of 
 beef, pork, and a few potatoes, with some bedding for myself 
 and mate. The mangrove wood afforded us a good fire, as 
 one of the Spanish prisoners happened to have fire-works ; and 
 others had tobacco and paper with which we made cigars. 
 About this time one of my men began to be unwell ; his legs 
 and body swelled considerably, but having no medicine I could 
 not do much to relieve him. 
 
 Thursday, 3d. — The pirates had dropped off from the Ex- 
 ertion, but kept their boats employed in bringing the cargo 
 from her ; I supposed it to be kegs of lard to make stowage. 
 They then got under way with a perough in tow, both deep- 
 ly laden, run out of the harbor, hauled on the wind to the 
 eastward till out of sight behind the Keys ; leaving a guard 
 on board the Exertion. 
 
 Friday, 4th. — Commenced with light winds and hot sun, 
 saw a boat coming from the Exertion, apparently loaded ; she 
 passed between two small Keys to the northward, supposed to 
 be bound for Cuba. At sunset a boat came and inquired it 
 
180 
 
 NARRATIVE OP CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 we wanted any thing, but instead of adding to our provisions, 
 took away our molasses, and pushed off. VV'e found one of 
 the Exertion’s water casks, and several pieces of plank, which 
 we carefully laid up, in hopes of getting enough to make a raft. 
 
 Saturday, 5th. — Pirates again in sight coming from the 
 eastward ; they beat up along side their prize, and com- 
 menced loading. In the afternoon Nickola came to us, bring- 
 ing with him two more prisoners, which they had taken in a 
 small sail boat coming from Trinidad to Manganeil, one a 
 Frenchman, the other a Scotchman, with two Spaniards, who 
 remained on board the pirate, and who afterwards joined 
 them. The back of one of these poor fellows was extremely 
 sore, having just suffered a cruel beating from Bolidar, with 
 the broad side of a cutlass. It appeared, that when the officer 
 asked him “ where their money was, and how much,” he an- 
 swered, “he was not certain but believed they had only two 
 ounces of gold.” Bolidar furiously swore he said “ ten,” and 
 not finding any more, gave him the beating. iSickola now re- 
 lated to me a singular fact ; which was, that the Spanish part 
 of the crew were determined to shoot him ; that they tied him 
 to the mast, and the man was appointed for the purpose ; but 
 Lyon, a Frenchman, his particular friend, stepped up and 
 told them, if they shot him, they must shoot several more ; 
 some of the Spaniards sided with him, and he was released 
 Nickola told me, the reason for such treatment was, that he 
 continually objected to their conduct towards me, and their 
 opinion w'as if he should escape they should be discovered, as 
 he declared he would take no prize money. While with us, 
 he gave me a letter written in great haste, which contains 
 some particulars respecting the cargo ; — as follows : 
 
 January, 4th, 1822. 
 
 Sir — We arrived here this morning, and before we came 
 to anchor, had five canoes along side ready to take your car- 
 go, part of which we had in ; and as I heard you express a 
 wish, to know what they took out of her, to this moment, you 
 may depend on this account of Jamieson,* for quality and 
 quantity ; if I have the same opportunity you will have an 
 account of the whole. The villian who bought your cargo is 
 from the town of Principe, his name is Dominico, as to that 
 it is all that I can learn ; they have taken your charts on board 
 the schooner Mexican and I suppose mean to keep them, as 
 the other captain has agreed to act the same infamous part in 
 
 * This is the real name of Nickola. 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN, 
 
 181 
 
 the tragedy ofliislife. Your clothes are here on board, but do 
 not let me flatter you, that you will get them back ; it may be 
 so, and it may not. Perhaps in your old age, when you re- 
 cline with ease in a corner of your cottage, you will have the 
 goodness to drop a tear of pleasure to the memory of him, 
 whose highest ambition should have been to subscribe himself^ 
 though devoted to the gallows, your friend, 
 
 Excuse haste. Nickola Monacre. 
 
 P. S. Your answer in writing when I come again 
 
 Sunday, 6th. — The pirates were under way at sunrise, with 
 a full load of the Exertion’s cargo, going to Principe again, to 
 sell a second freight, which was done readily for cash. I 
 afterwards heard that the flour brought only five dollars per 
 barrel, when it was worth at Trinidad thirteen ; so that the vil- 
 lain who bought my cargo at Principe, made very large profits 
 by it. 
 
 Monday, 7th. — The pirates brought more water, but being 
 very brackish, it was unfit for use. We were now greatly 
 alarmed at Thomas’ ill health, being suddenly attacked with a 
 pain in the head, and swelling of the right eye, attended with 
 derangement. He however soon became better ; but his eye 
 remained swollen several days without much pain. In the 
 evening we had some heavy showers of rain, and having no 
 secure cabin, no sheltered retreat, our exposure made us pass 
 a very uncomfortable night. 
 
 Tuesday, 8th. — Early this morning the pirates in sight again, 
 with fore top sail and top gallant sail set ; beat up along side 
 of the Exertion and commenced loading ; having as I sup- 
 posed, sold and discharged her last freight among the inhabi- 
 tants of Cuba. They appeared to load in great haste ; and 
 the song “ O he oh,” which echoed from one vessel to the 
 other, was distinctly heard by us. How wounding was this to 
 me ! How different was this sound from what it would have 
 been, had I been permitted to pass unmolested by these law-' 
 less plunderers, had been favoured with a safe arrival at 
 the port of my destination, where my cargo would have found 
 an excellent sale. Then would the “O he ho,” on its d;.-- 
 charging, have been a delightful sound to me. In the after 
 noon she sailed with the perough in tow, both with a full load ; 
 having chairs, which was part of the cargo, slung a+ her quar- 
 ters. 
 
 Wednesday, 9th. — Very calm and warm. The swarms of 
 moschetoes and flies made us pass a very uncomfortable day 
 
182 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 We dug in the sand for water, but were disappointed in find- 
 ing none so good as they left us. In walking round among the 
 bushes, I accidentally discovered a hole in the sand, and saw 
 something run into it ; curiosity led me to dig about it. With 
 the help of 3Ir. Bracket I found at the distance of seven feet 
 from its mouth, and one from the surface, a large solitary rat, 
 apparently several years old ; he had collected a large nest of 
 grass and leaves ; but there was not the least appearance of 
 any other being on the island. 
 
 Thursday, 10th. — No pirates in sight. The day waspassed 
 in anxious suspense ; David Warren being quite sick. 
 
 Friday, 11th. — They came and hauled along side of the 
 Exertion, but I think took out none of her cargo : but had, as 
 I supposed, a vendue on board, wherein was sold among them- 
 selves, all our books, clothing, quadrants, charts, spy-glasses, 
 and every thing belonging to us and our fellow prisoners. I 
 was afterwards told they brought a good price ; but what they 
 could want of the Bible, Prayer-Book and many other books 
 in English, was matter of astonishment to me. 
 
 Saturday, 12th. — They remained along side the Exertion ; 
 took the paints, oil, brushes, Stc. and gave their vessel a new 
 coat of paint all around, and a white boot top — took the per- 
 o-ugh to another key and caulked her — there was no appear- 
 ance of their taking any cargo out ; the Exertion however ap- 
 peared considerably high out of water. About sunset the 
 pirates went out of the harbour on a cruize. Here we had 
 been staying day after day, and exposed night after night — 
 apprehensions for our safetv were much increased ; what was 
 to be become of us, seemed now to rush into every one’s 
 mind. 
 
 Sunday, 13th. — Deprived of our good books, deprived in fact 
 of every thing, save life, and our ideas respecting our fate so 
 gloomy, all tended to render time, especially the Lord’s day, 
 burdensome to all. In the afternoon a boat came for cargo, 
 from, as I supposed, that villain Doininico. 
 
 Monday, 14th. — They again hove in sight, as usual, along- 
 side their prize. While passing our solitary island, they 
 laughed at our misery which was almost insupportable, — 
 looking upon us as though we had committed .some heinous 
 crime, and they had not sufficiently punished us ; they hal- 
 looed to us, crying out, “ Captain, Captain,” accompanied 
 with obscene motions and words, w ith which I shall not blacken 
 these pages — yet I heard no check upon such conduct, nor 
 could I expect it among such a gang, who have no idea of 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 183 
 
 S'jboi-dination on board, except when in chase of vessels, 
 and even then but very little. My resentment was excited at 
 such a malicious outrage, and I felt a disposition to revenge 
 myself, should fortune ever favor me with an opportunity. It 
 was beyond human nature not to feel and express some indig- 
 nation at such treatment. — Soon after, Bolidar, with five men, 
 well armed, came to us ; he having a blunderbuss, cutlass, a 
 long knife and pair of pistols — but for what purpose did he 
 come ? He took me by the hand saying, “ Captain, me speak 
 with you, walk this way.” I obeyed, and when we were at 
 some distance from my fellow prisoners, (his men following) 
 he said, “ the captain send me for your wash.” I pretended not 
 to understand what he meant and replied “ 1 have no clothes, 
 nor any soap to wash with — you have taken them all” — for I 
 had kept my watch about me, hoping they would not discover 
 it He demanded it again as before ; and was answered, “ I 
 have nothing to wash ; this raised his anger, and lifting his 
 blunderbuss he roared out, “ what the d — 1 you call him that 
 make clock give it me.” I considered it imprudent to contend 
 any longer and submitted to his unlawful demand. As he was 
 going off, he gave me a small bundle in which was a pair of 
 linen drawers, sent to me by Nickola, and also the Rev. Mr. 
 Brooks’ “ Family Prayer Book.” This gave me great satis- 
 faction. Soon after, he returned with his captain who had one 
 arm slung up, yet with as many implements of war, as his 
 diminutive wicked self could conveniently carry; he told me 
 (through an interpreter who was a prisoner) “that on his 
 cruise, he had fallen in with two Spanish privateers, and 
 beat them off ; but had three of his men killed and himself 
 wounded in the arm.” Bolidar turned to me and said, “ it is a 
 d — n lie” — which words proved to be correct, for his arm was 
 not wounded, and when I saw him again, which was soon 
 afterwards, he forgot to sling it up. He further told me, 
 “ after to-morrow you shah go with your vessel and we will 
 accompany you towards Trinidad.” This gave me some new 
 hopes, and why I could not tell. They then left us without 
 rendering any assistance. — This night we got some rest. 
 
 Tuesday, 15th. — The words “ go after to-morrow,” were 
 used among our Spanish fellow prisoners, as though that 
 happy to-morrow would never come — in what manner it came 
 will soon be noticed. 
 
 Wednesday, 16th. — One of their boats came to inquire if 
 we had seen a boat pass by last night, for their small sloop 
 sail boat was gone and two men deserted : I told them “ no” — 
 
184 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 at heart I could not but rejoice at the escape, and approve the 
 deserters — I said nothing, however, of this kind to the pirates. 
 On their return, they manned three of their boats and sent 
 them in different directions to search, -but at night came back 
 without finding boat or men. They now took our old sail, 
 which hitherto had somewhat sheltered us, to make, as I sup- 
 posed, some small sail for their vessel. This rendered our 
 night more uncomfortable than before, for in those islands the 
 night dews are very heavy. 
 
 Thursday, 17th, was passed with great impatience. The 
 Exertion having been unmoored and swung to her anchor, 
 gave some hopes of being restored to her ; but was disap- 
 pointed. 
 
 Friday, 18th, commenced with brighter prospects of liberty 
 than ever — the pirates were employed in setting up our devo- 
 ted schooner’s shrouds, stays, &lc. My condition now remind- 
 ed me of the hungry man, chained in one corner of the room, 
 while at another part was a table loaded with delicious food 
 and fruits, the smell and sight of which he was continually to 
 experience, but, alas ! his chains were never to be loosed that 
 he might go and partake — at almost the same moment they 
 were thus employed, the axe was applied with the greatest 
 dexterity to both her masts, and I saw them fall over the side ! 
 Here fell my hopes — I looked at my condition, and then 
 thought of home. Our Spanish fellow prisoners were so dis- 
 appointed and alarmed, that they recommended hiding our- 
 selves, if possible, among the mangrove trees, believing, as 
 they said, we should now certainly be put to death ; or, what 
 was worse, compelled to serve on board the Mexican as pirates. 
 Little else it is true seemed left for us ; however, we kept a 
 bright look out for them during the day, and at night “ an 
 anchor watch” as we called it, determined if we discovered 
 their boats coming towards us, to adopt the plan of hiding, 
 although starvation stared us in the face ; yet preferred that 
 to instant death. This night was passed with sufficient anx- 
 iety — I took the first watch. 
 
 Saturday, 19th. — The pirate’s large boat came for us — it 
 being daylight, and supposing they could see us, determined to 
 stand our ground and wait uie result. They ordered us all 
 into the boat, but left every thing else ; they rowed towards 
 the Exertion — I noticed a dejection of spirits in one of the 
 pirates, and inquired of him where they were going to carry 
 us ? He shook his head and replied “ I do not know.” I now 
 had some hopes of visiting my vessel again — but the pirates 
 
NARRATIVE OP CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 1S5 
 
 made sail, run down, took us in tow and stood out of the nar- 
 bor Bolidar afterwards took me, my mate and two of my men 
 on board and gave us some coffee. On examination I found 
 they had several additional light sails, made of the Exertion’s. 
 Almost every man, a pair of canvass trousers ; and my colors 
 cut up and made into belts to carry their money. My jolly 
 boat was on deck, and I was informed, all my rigging was 
 disposed of Several of the pirates had on some of my clothes, 
 and the captain one of my best shirts, a cleaner one, than I 
 had ever seen him have on before. He kept at good distance 
 from me, and forbid my friend Nickola’s speaking to me. I 
 saw from the companion way in the captain’s cabin my quad- 
 rant, spy glass and other things which belonged to us, and 
 observed by the compass, that the course steered was about 
 west by south, — distance nearly twenty miles, which brought 
 them up with a cluster of islands called by some “Cayman 
 Keys.” Here they anchored and caught some fish, (one of 
 which was named guard fish) of which we had a taste. I ob- 
 served that my friend Mr. Bracket was somewhat dejected, 
 and asked him in a low tone of voice, what his opinion was with 
 respect to our fate ? He answered, “ I cannot tell, but it 
 appears to me the worst is to come.” I told him that 1 hoped 
 . not, but thought they would give us our small boat and liber- 
 ate the prisoners. But mercy even in this shape was not left 
 for us. Soon after, saw the captain and officers whispering for 
 some time in private conference. When over, their boat was 
 manned under the command of Bolidar, and went to one of 
 those Islands or Keys before mentioned.* On their return, 
 another conference took place — whether it v/as a jury upon our 
 lives we could not tell — I did not think conscience could be 
 entirely extinguished in the human breast, or that men could 
 become fiends. In the afternoon while we knew not the 
 doom which had been fixed for us, the captain was engaged 
 with several of his men in gambling, in hopes to get back some 
 of the five hundred dollars, they said he lost but a few nights 
 before ; which had made him unusually fractious. A little 
 before sunset he ordered us all into the large boat with a sup- 
 ply of provisions and water, and to be put on shore. While 
 we were getting into her, one of my fellow prisoners, a Span- 
 
 * This Key was full of mangrove trees, whose tops turn down 
 and take root, forming a kind of umbrella. The tide at high wa- 
 ter flows two feet deep under them ; it is therefore impossible for 
 human beings to live long among them, even with food and water. 
 
186 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 iard, attempted with tears in his eyes to speak to the captain, 
 but was refused, with the answer — “ I’ll have nothing to say 
 to any prisoner, go into the boat.” In the mean time INick- 
 ola said to me, “ My friend, I will give you your book,” 
 (being Mr. Colman’s Sermons,) “ it is the only thing of yours 
 that is in my possession, I dare not attempt any thing more.” 
 But the captain forbid his giving it to me, and I stepped into 
 the boat — at that moment Wickola said in a low voice, “ never 
 mind, I may see you again before I die.” The small boat 
 was well armed and manned, and both set off together for the 
 island, where they had agreed to leave us to perish ! The 
 scene to us was a funeral scene. There were no arms in the 
 prisoner’s boat, and, of course, all attempts to relieve our- 
 selves would have been throwing our lives away, as Bolidar 
 M’as near us, well armed. We were rowed about two miles 
 northeasterly from the pirates to a small low island, lonely 
 and desolate. We arrived about sunset ; and for the sup- 
 port of us eleven prisoners, they only left a ten gallon keg of 
 w'ater, and perhaps a few quarts, in another small vessel, which 
 was very poor ; part of a barrel of flour, a small keg of lard, 
 one ham and some salt fish ; a small kettle and an old broken 
 pot ; an old sail for a covering, and a small blanket, which 
 was thrown out as the boat hastened away. One of the pris- , 
 oners happened to have a little coffee in his pocket, and these 
 comprehended all our means of sustaining life, and for what 
 length of time we knew not. AVe now felt the need of water, 
 and our supply was comparatively nothing. A man may live 
 twice as long without food, as without water. Look at us 
 now, my friends, left benighted on a little spot of sand in the 
 midst of the ocean, far from the usual track of vessels, and 
 every appearance of a violent thunder tempest, and a boister- 
 ous night. .Judge of my feelings, and the circumstances 
 which our band of sufferers now witnessed. Perhaps you can 
 and have pitied us — I assure you, wc were very wretched ; and 
 to paint the scene, is not within my power. When the boats 
 were moving from the shore, on recovering mvself a little, I 
 asked Bolidar, “If he was going to leave us so he answered, 
 “no, only two days — we go for water and wood, then come 
 back, take you.” I requested him to give us bread and 
 other stores, for thev had plentv in the boat, and at least one 
 hundred barrels of flour in the Mexican, “ no, no, suppose 
 to-morrow morning me come, me give you bread,” and hur- 
 ried otf to their vessel. This was the last time I saw him 
 We then turned our attention upon finding a spot most conve 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 187 
 
 nient for our comfort, and soon discovered a little roof support- 
 ed by stakes driven into the sand it w’as thatched with the 
 leaves of the cocoa-nut tree, a considerable part of which was 
 torn or blown off. After spreading the old sail over this roof 
 we placed our little stock of provisions under it. Soon after 
 came on a heavy shower of rain which penetrated the can- 
 vass, and made it nearly as uncomfortable inside, as it would 
 have been out. We were not prepared to catch water, hav- 
 ing nothing to put it in. Our next object was to get fire, and 
 after gathering some of the driest fuel to be found, and having 
 a small piece of cotton wick-yarn, with flint and steel, we 
 kindled a fire, which was never afterwards suffered to be 
 extinguished. The night was very dark, but we found a piece 
 of old rope, which when well lighted served for a candle. On 
 examining the ground under the roof, we found perhaps thou- 
 sands of creeping insects, scorpions, lizards, crickets, Stc. Af- 
 ter scraping them out as well as we could, the most of us hav- 
 ing nothing but the damp earth for a bed, laid ourselves down 
 in hopes of some rest ; but it being so wet, gave many of us 
 severe colds, and one of the Spaniards was quite sick for sev- 
 eral days. 
 
 Sunday, 20th. — As soon as day light came on, we proceed- 
 ed to take a view of our little island, and found it to measure 
 only one acre, of coarse, white sand ; about two feet, and in 
 some spots perhaps three feet above the surface of the ocean. 
 On the highest part were growing some bushes and small man- 
 groves, (the dry part of which was our fuel) and the wild cas- 
 tor oil beans. We were greatly disappointed in not finding 
 the latter suitable food ; likewise some of the prickly pear 
 bushes, which gave us only a few pears about the size of our 
 small button pear ; the outside has thorns, which if applied to 
 the fingers or lips, will remain there, and cause a severe 
 smarting similar to the nettle ; the inside a spungy substance 
 full of juice and seeds, which are red and a little tartish — had 
 they been there in abundance, we should not have suffered so 
 much for water — but alas ! even this substitute was not for us. 
 On the northerly side of the island was a hollow, where the 
 tide penetrated the sand, leaving stagnant water. We pre- 
 sumed, in hurricanes the island was nearly overflowed. Ac- 
 cording to the best calculations I could make, we were about 
 thirty five miles from any part of Cuba, one hundred from 
 
 * This was probably erected by the turtle men or fishers, who 
 visit these islands in June, for the purposes of their trade. 
 
188 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 Trinidad, and forty from the usual track of American ves- 
 sels, or others which might pass that way. No vessel of any 
 considerable size, can safely pass among these Keys or 
 “ Queen’s Gardens,” (as the Spaniards call them) being a 
 large number extending from Cape Cruz to Trinidad, one 
 hundred and fifty miles distance ; and many more than the 
 charts have laid down, most of them very low and some cov- 
 ered at high water, which makes it very dangerous for navi- 
 gators without a skilful pilot. After taking this view of our 
 condition, which was very gloomy, we began to suspect we 
 were left on this desolate island by those merciless plunder- 
 ers to perish. Of this I am now fully convinced; still we looked 
 anxiously for the pirate’s boat to eome Recording to promise 
 with more water and provisions, but looked in vain. We saw 
 them soon after get under way with all sail set and run direct- 
 ly from us until out of sight, and we never saw them again ! 
 One may partially imagine our feelings, but they cannot be 
 put into words. Before they were entirely out of sight of us, 
 we raised the white blanket upon a pole, waving it in the air, 
 in hopes, that at two miles distance they would see it and be 
 moved to pity. But pity in such monsters was not to be found. 
 It was not their interest to save us from the lingering death, 
 which we now saw before us. We tried to compose our- 
 selves, trusting that God, who had witnessed our sufferings, 
 would yet make use of some one, as the instrument of his 
 mercy towards us. Our next care, now, was to try for water. 
 We dug several holes in the sand and found it, but quite too 
 salt for use. The tide penetrates probably through the island. 
 We now came on short allowance for water. Having no 
 means of seeuring what we had by lock and key, some one in 
 the night would slyly drink, and it was soon gone. The next 
 was to bake some bread, which we did by mixing flour with 
 salt water and frying it in lard, allowing ourselves eight quite 
 small pancakes to begin with. The ham was reserved for 
 some more important occasion, and the salt fish was lost for 
 want of fresh water. The remainder of this day was passed 
 in the most serious conversation and reflection. At night, I 
 read prayers from the “ Prayer Book,” before mentioned, 
 which I most carefully concealed while last on board the pi- 
 rates. This plan was pursued morning and evening, during 
 our stay there, then retired for rest and sleep, but realized 
 little of either. 
 
 IMonday, 21st. — In the morning we walked round the beach 
 in expectation of finding something useful. On our way 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 189 
 
 picked up a paddle about three feet long, very similar to the 
 Indian canoe paddle, except the handle, which was like that 
 of a shovel, the top part being split off ; we laid it by for the 
 present. We likewise found some konchs and roasted them ; 
 they were a pretty good shell fish, though rather tough. Wo 
 discovered at low water, a bar or spit of sand extending north- 
 easterly from us, about three miles distant, to a cluster of Keys, 
 which were covered with mangrove trees, perhaps as high as 
 our quince tree. My friend Mr. Hracket and George attempt- 
 ed to wade across, being at that time of tide only up to their 
 armpits ; but were pursued by a shark and returned without 
 success. The tide rises about four feet. 
 
 Tuesday, 22d. — We found several pieces of 'he palmetto or 
 cabbage tree, and some pieces of boards, put them together in 
 the form of a raft, and endeavoured to cross, but that proved 
 ineffectual. Being disappointed, we sat down to reflect upon 
 other means of relief, intending to do all in our power for our 
 safety while our strength continued. W^hile setting here, the 
 sun was so powerful and oppressive, reflecting its rays upon 
 the sea, which was then calm, and the white sand which daz- 
 zled the eye, was so painful, that we retired under the awn- 
 ing ; there the moschetoes and flies were so numerous, that 
 good rest could not be found. We were, however, a little 
 cheered, when, in scraping out the top of the ground to clear 
 out, I may say, thousands of crickets and bugs, we found a 
 hatchet, which was to us peculiarly serviceable. At night 
 the strong northeasterly wind, which prevails there at all 
 seasons, was so cold as to make it equally uncomfortable with 
 the day. Thus day after day, our sufferings and apprehen- 
 sions multiplying, we were very generally alarmed. 
 
 Wednesday, 23d. — Early this morning one of our Spanish 
 fellow prisoners crossed the bar, having taken with him a pole 
 sharpened at one end ; this he said “ was to kill sharks” — but 
 he saw none to trouble him. While he was gone, we tried 
 for water in several places, but still it was very salt ; but not 
 having any other, we drank it, and found it had a similar effect 
 to that of glauber salts. We now concluded to reduce the 
 allowance of bread or rather pancakes, being too sensible that 
 our little stock of provisions could last but a few days longer , 
 we had the faintest hope of any supplies, before it would be 
 too late to save life. Towards night the Spaniard returned, 
 but almost famished for want of water and food. He reported 
 that he found some plank on one of the islands, (but they proved 
 to be sugar-bo.x shocks) which revived us a little ; but no 
 
190 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 water. He said he had great difficulty to make his way 
 through the mangrove trees, it being very swampy ; so that 
 we should not better ourselves by going there, although the 
 key was rather larger than ours. This I understood through 
 Joseph, the English prisoner who could speak Spanish. After 
 prayers, laid ourselves down upon our bed of sand, and being 
 nearly exhausted we obtained some sleep. 
 
 Thursday, 24th. — This morning, after taking a little coffee, 
 made of the water which we thought least salt, and two or three 
 of the little cakes, we felt somewhat refreshed, and concluded 
 to make another visit to those Keys in hopes of finding some- 
 thing more, which might make a raft for us to escape the pi- 
 rates, and avoid perishing by thirst. Accordingly seven of 
 us set off, waded across the bar and searched all the Keys 
 thereabouts. On one we found a number of sugar-box shooks, 
 two lashing plank and some pieces of old spars, which were a 
 part of the Exertion’s deck load, that was thrown overboard 
 when she grounded on the bar, spoken of in the first part of 
 the narrative. — It seems they had drifted fifteen miles, and had 
 accidentally lodged on these very Keys within our roach. Had 
 the pirates known this, they would undoubtedly have placed 
 us in another direction. They no doubt thought that they 
 could not put us on a worse place. The wind at this time 
 was blowing so strong on sliore, as to prevent rafting our stuff 
 round to our island, and we were obliged to haul it upon the 
 beach for the present; then dug for water in the highest place, 
 but found it as salt as ever, and then returned to our habita- 
 tion. But hunger and thirst began to prey upon us, and our 
 comforts were as few as our hopes. 
 
 Friday, 25th. — Again passed over to those Keys to wind- 
 ward in order to raft our stuff to our island, it being most con 
 venient for building. But the surf on the beach was so very 
 rough, that we were again compelled to postpone it. Out 
 courage however did not fail where there was the slightest 
 hopes of life. Returning without it, we found on our way an 
 old top timber of some vessel ; it had several spikes in it, 
 which we afterwards found very serviceable. In the hollow 
 of an old tree, we found two guarnas of small size, one male, 
 the other female. One only was caught. After taking off the 
 skin, we judged it weighed a pound and a half. With some 
 flour and lard, (the only things we had except salt water,) it 
 made us a fine little mess. We thought it a rare dish though 
 a small one for eleven half starved persons. At the same 
 ime a small vessei nove in sight ; we made a signal to her 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 191 
 
 with the blanket tied to a pole and placed it on the highest tree 
 — some took off their white clothes and waved them in the air, 
 hoping they would come to us ; should they be pirates they 
 could do no more than kill us, and perhaps would give us 
 some water for which we began to sufl'er most excessively ; 
 but, notwithstanding all our efforts, she took no notice of us. 
 
 Saturday, 26th . — This day commenced with moderate weath- 
 er and smooth sea; at low tide found some cockles, boiled and 
 eat them, but they were very painful to the stomach David 
 Warren had a fit of strangling with swelling of the bowels; 
 but soon recovered, and said, “ something like salt, rose in his 
 throat and choaked him.” Most of us then set off for the 
 Keys, where the plank and shooks were put together in a raft, 
 which we with pieces of boards paddled over to our island ; 
 when we consulted the best plan, either to build a raft large 
 enough for us all to go on, or a boat; but the shooks having 
 three or four nails in each, and having a piece of large reed or 
 bamboo, previously found, of which we made pins, concluded 
 to make a boat. 
 
 Sunday, 27th. — Commenced our labor, for which I know we 
 need offer no apology. We took the two planks, which were 
 about fourteen feet lo-ng, and two and a half wide, and fixed 
 them together for the bottom of the boat; then with moulds 
 made of palmetto bark, cut timber and knees from mangrove 
 trees which spread so much as to make the boat four feet wide 
 at the top, placed them exactly the distance apart of an Ha- 
 vana sugar-box. Her stern was square and the bows tapered 
 to a peak, making her form resemble a flat-iron. We pro- 
 ceeded thus far and retired to rest for the night — But Mr. 
 Bracket was too unwell to get much sleep. 
 
 Monday, 28th. — Went on with the work as fast as possible. 
 Some of the Spaniards had long knives about them, which 
 proved very useful in fitting timbers, and a gimblet of mine, 
 accidentally found on board the pirates, enabled us to use the 
 wooden pins. And now our spirits began to revive, though 
 water, water, was continually on our mii.ds. We now feared 
 the pirates might possibly come, find out our plan and put us to 
 death, (although before we had wished to see them, being so 
 much in want of water.) Our labour was extremely burden- 
 some, and the Spaniards considerably peevish, but they 
 would often say to me “ never mind captain, by and by Amer- 
 icana or Spanyola catch them, me go to see ’um hung.” We 
 quitted work for the day, cooked some cakes but found it 
 necessary to reduce the quantity again, however small be- 
 
192 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 fore. We found some herbs on a windward Key, which the 
 Spaniards called Spanish tea. This when well boiled we 
 found somewhat palatable, although the water was very salt. 
 This herb resembles pennyroyal in look and taste, though not 
 90 pungent. In the evening when we were setting round the 
 fire to keep off the moschetoes, I observed David Warren’s 
 eyes shone like glass. The mate said to him, “ David I think 
 you will die before morning, I think you are struck with death 
 now.” I thought so too, and told him, “ I thought it most 
 likely we should all die here soon; but as some one of us may 
 survive to carry the tidings to our friends, if you have any 
 thing to say respecting your family, now is the time.” He 
 then said, “ I have a mother in Saco where I belong, she is a 
 second time a widow, to-morrow if you can spare a scrap of 
 paper and pencil I will write something.” But no to-morrow 
 came to him. In the course of the night he had another spell 
 of strangling, and soon after expired, without much pain and 
 without a groan. He was about twenty-six years old. How 
 solemn was this scene to us ! Here we beheld the ravages of 
 death commenced upon us. More than one of us considered 
 death a happy release. For myself I thought of my wife and 
 children ; and wished to live if God should so order it, though 
 extreme thirst, hunger and exhaustion had well nigh prostra- 
 ted my fondest hopes. 
 
 Tuesday, 29th. Part of us recommenced labor on the boat, 
 while myself and Mr. Bracket went and selected the highest 
 clear spot of sand on the northern side of the island, where 
 we dug Warren’s grave and boxed it up with shooks, thinking 
 it would be the most suitable spot for the rest of us — whose turn 
 would come next, we knew not. At about ten o’clock A. iM. 
 conveyed the corpse to the grave, followed by us survivors 
 — a scene, whose awful solemnity can never be painted. We 
 stood around the grave, and there I read the funeral prayer 
 from the Rev. Mr. Brook’s Family Prayer Book; and com- 
 mitted the body to the earth; covered it with some pieces of 
 board and sand, and returned to our labor. One of the Span- 
 iards, an old man, named Manuel, who was partial to me, and 
 I to him, made a cross and placed at the head of the grave 
 saying, “Jesus Christ hath him now.” Although I did not 
 believe in anv mysterious influence of this cross, yet I was 
 perfectly willing it should stand there. Tlie middle part of 
 the day being very warm, our mouths parched with thirst, and 
 our spirits so depressed, that we made but little progress du- 
 ring the remainder of this day, but in the evening were em- 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 193 
 
 ployed in picking oakum out of the bolt rope taken from the 
 old sail. 
 
 Wednesday, 30th. Returned to labor on the boat with as 
 much vigour as our weak and debilitated state would admit, 
 but it was a day of trial to us all ; for the Spaniards and we 
 Americans could not well understand each other’s plans, and 
 they being naturally petulent would not work, nor listen with 
 patience for Joseph our Englisli fellow prisoner to explain our 
 views, they would sometimes undo what they had done and in 
 a few minutes replace it again ; however before night we began 
 to calk her seams, by means of pieces of hard mangrove, 
 made in form of a calking-ircn, and had the satisfaction of 
 seeing her in a form something like a boat. 
 
 Thursday, 31st. Went on with the work, some at calking, 
 others with battening the seams with strips of canvass, and 
 'eces of pine nailed over, to keep the oakum in. Having 
 lound a suitable pole for a mast, the rest went about making a 
 sail from the one we had used for a covering, also fitting oars 
 of short pieces of boards, in form of a paddle, tied on a pole, 
 we having a piece of fishing line brought by one of the prison- 
 ers. Thus, at three P. M. the boat was completed and put 
 afloat. We had aJl this time confidently hoped, that she 
 would be sufficiently large and strong to carry us all — we 
 made a trial and were disappointed ! This was indeed a 
 severe trial, and the emotions it' called up were not easy to be 
 suppressed. She proved leaky, for we had no carpenter’s 
 yard, or smith’s shop to go to. And now the question was, 
 “ who should go, and how many r’’ I found it necessary for 
 six; four to row, and one to steer and one to bale. Three of 
 the Spaniai'ds and the Frenchmen claimed the right, as being 
 best acquainted with the nearest inhabitants; likewise, they 
 had when taken, two boats left at St. Maria (about forty miles 
 distant) which they were confident of finding. They prom- 
 ised to return within two or tliree days for the rest of us, I 
 thought it best to consent — IMr. Bracket it was agreed should 
 go in my stead, because my papers must accompany me as a 
 necessary protection, and my men apprehended danger if they 
 were lost. Joseph Ba.xter (I think was his name) they wished 
 should go, because he could speak both languages — leaving 
 Manuel, George, Thomas and myself to wait their return. 
 Having thus made all arrangements, and putting up a keg of 
 the least salt water, with a few pancakes and salt fish, they 
 set off a little before sunset with our best wishes and pray'ers 
 for their safety and return to our relief. To launch off into 
 VOL. I. 9 
 
194 
 
 NAERATIVE OF CAFTAIN LrSCOL.r, 
 
 the wide ocean, with strength almost exhausted, and in such 
 a frail boat as this, you will say was very hazardous, and in 
 truth it was; but what else was left to us ? — Their intention 
 was to touch at the Key where the Exertion was, and if no 
 boat was to be found there, to proceed on to St. Maria and if 
 none there, to go to Trinidad and send us relief. But alas ! 
 it was the last time I ever saw them ! — Our suffering this day 
 was most acute. 
 
 Tuesday, February 1st. This day wm rose early and trav- 
 ersed the beach in search of cockles. See. but found very few 
 - — ‘I struck my foot against something in the sand, which 
 proved to be a curious shell, and soon found two others of a 
 different kind; but they were to nse like Crusoe’s lump of 
 gold of no value. I could not drink them; so laid them bv. — 
 I returned to our tent and we made sotne skillygolee, or flour 
 and salt water boiled together, which we found better than 
 clear salt water. We passed the day very uncomfort/ ,, 
 and my people were dissatisfied at not liaving an equal chance 
 as they called it, with the others in the boat — but it is not 
 always, that we know what is for our good. 
 
 Saturday, 2d. Thomas and George made another visit to 
 the windward Keys, where they found some more shooks and 
 two pieces of spars; towed them round as before. We now 
 had some hopes of finding enough to make us a raft, which 
 would carry us to some place of relief, in case the boat should 
 not return. 
 
 Sunday, 3d. A calm warm day, but a very gloomy one to 
 us, it being more difficult to support life — our provisions nearlv 
 expended, no appearance of rain since the night we first landed, 
 our thirst increasing, our strength wasting, our few clothes 
 hanging in rags, our beards of great length and almost turned 
 white, nothing like relief before us, no boat in sight. Think, 
 reader, our situation. We had marked out for each one the 
 place for his grave. I looked at mine, and thought of mv wife 
 and family. Again we reduced the allowance of bread; but 
 even the little wliich now fell to my share, I could scarcely 
 swallow, I never seemed to feel the sensation of hunger, the 
 extreme of thirst was so overpowering. Perhaps never shall 
 I be more reconciled to death, but my home made me want to 
 live, although every breath seemed to increase thirst. 
 
 Monday, 4th. Having seriously reflected on our situation, 
 concluded to put ail the shooks, kc. together and form a raft, 
 and ascertain what weight it would carry; but here again we 
 were disappointed, for we bad not enough to carry two of us 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 195 
 
 Tuesday, 5th. About ten o’clock, A. M. discovered a boat 
 drifting by on the southeast side of the island about a mile 
 distant. I deemed it a providential thing to us, and urged 
 Thomas and George trying the vaft for her. They reluct- 
 antly consented and set off, but it was nearly three P. M. 
 when they came up with her. It was the same boat we had 
 built ! Where then was my friend Bracket and those who 
 went with him ? Every appearance was unfavourable. I 
 hoped that a good Providence had yet preserved him. The 
 men who went for the boat, found it full of water, without oars, 
 paddle, or sail ; being in this condition, and about three mites 
 to the leeward, the men found it impossible to tow her up, so 
 left her, and were till eleven o’clock at night getting back 
 with the raft. They were so exhausted, that had it not been 
 nearly calm, they could never have returned. 
 
 Wednesday, 6th. This morning was indeed the most 
 gloomy I had ever experienced. There appeared hardly a 
 ray of hope that my friend Bracket could return, seeing the 
 boat was lost. Our provisions nearly gone; our mouths 
 parched extremely with thirst ; our strength wasted; our spir- 
 its broken, and our hopes imprisoned within the circumfer- 
 ence of this desolate isEnd in the midst of an unfrequented 
 ocean; all these things gave to the scene around us the hue 
 of death. In the midst of this dreadful despondence, a sail 
 hove in sight, bearing the white flag. Our hopes were raised, 
 of course — but no sooner raised then darkened, by hearing a 
 gun fired. Here then was another gang of pirates. She soon, 
 however, came near enough to anchor, and her boat pushed 
 off towards us with three men in her. Thinking it no worse 
 now to die by sword than famine I walked down immediately 
 to meet them. I knew them not. A moment before the boat 
 touched the ground, a man leaped from her bows and caught 
 me in his arms ! It was INickola ! ! — saying, “Do you now 
 believe jVickola is your friend ? yes, said he, Jameison will 
 yet prove himself so.” — No words can express my emotions 
 at this moment. This was a friend indeed. The reason of 
 my not recognising them before, was that they had cut off 
 their beards and whiskers. Turning to my fellow-sufferers, 
 Nickola asked, “ Are these all that are left of you ? where 
 are the others At this moment seeing David’s grave — 
 “Are they dead then ? ah, 1 suspected it, I know what you 
 were put here for.” As soon as I could recover myself, gave 
 him an account of Mr. Bracket and the others. “ How unfor- 
 tunate, he said, they must be lost or some pirates have taken 
 
196 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 them” — but, (he continued,) we have no time to lose; you 
 had better embark immediately with us, and go where you 
 please, we are at your service.” The other two in the boat 
 with him were Frenchmen, one named Lyon, the other Par- 
 rikete. They affectionately embraced each of us; then hold- 
 ing to my mouth the nose of a teakettle, filled with wine, said 
 “ Drink plenty, no hurt you.” I drank as much as I judged 
 prudent. They then gave it to my fellow sufferers. I expe- 
 rienced almost immediate relief, not feeling it in my head; 
 they had also brought in the boat for us, a dish of salt beef 
 and potatoes, of which we took a little. Then sent the boat 
 on board for the other two men, being five in all who came 
 ashore, and rejoiced enough was I to see among them Thom- 
 as Young, one of my crew, who was detained on board the 
 Mexican, but had escaped through iSickola’s means; the other 
 a Frenchman, named John Cadedt. I now thought, again 
 and again, with troubled emotion, of my friend Bracket’s fate. 
 — I took the last piece of paper I had, and wrote with a pencil 
 a few lines, informing him (should he come there,) that “ I 
 and the rest were safe; that I was not mistaken in the friend 
 in whom I had placed so much confidence, that he had accom- 
 plished my highest expectations; and that I should go imme- 
 diately to Trinidad, and requested him to go there also, and 
 apply to Mr. Isaac W. Lord, my consignee, for assistance.’’ I 
 put the paper into a junk bottle, previously found on the 
 beach, put in a stopper, and left it, together with what little 
 flour remained, a keg of water brought from Nickola’s vessel, 
 and a few other things which I thought might be of service to 
 him. We then repaired with our friends on board, where we 
 were kindly treated. She was a sloop from Jamaica, of about 
 twelve tons, with a cargo of rum and wine, bound to Trin- 
 idad. I asked “ which way they intended to go .^” they said 
 “to Jamaica — if agreeable to me.” As I preferred Trini- 
 dad, I told them “ if they would give me the Exertion’s 
 boat, which was along-side (beside their own,) and some 
 water and provisions, we would take chance in her,” “ for 
 perhaps, said I, you will fare better at Jamaica, than at Trin- 
 idad.” After a few minutes consultation, they said “ you are 
 too much exhausted to row the distance of one hundred miles, 
 therefore we will go and carry you — we consider ourselves 
 at your service.” I expressed a wish to take a look at the 
 Exertion, possibly we might hear something of ]Mr. Bracket. 
 Nickola said “ very well,” so got under way, and run for her, 
 having a light westerly wind. He then related to me the 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 197 
 
 manner of their desertion from the pirates; as nearly as I can 
 recollect his own words, he said, “ A few days since, the pi- 
 rates took four small vessels, I believe Spaniards; they having 
 but two officers for the two first, the third fell to me as prize 
 master, and having an understanding with the three French- 
 men and Thomas, selected them for my crew, and went on 
 board with orders to follow the Mexican; which I obeyed. 
 The fourth, the pirates took out all but one man and bade 
 him also follow their vessel. Now our schooner leaked so 
 bad, that we left her and in her stead agreed to take this little 
 sloop, (which we are now in) together with the one man. The 
 night being very dark we ail agreed to desert the pirates — 
 altered our course and touched at St. Maria, where we landed 
 the one man — saw no boats there, could hear nothing from you, 
 and agreed one and all at the risk of our lives to come and lib- 
 erate you if you were alive; knowing, as we did, that you 
 were put on this Key to perish. On our way we boarded the 
 Exertion, thinking possibly you might have been there. On 
 board her we found a sail and paddle.* We took one of the 
 pirate’s boats which they had left along-side of her, which 
 proves how we come by two boats. My friend, the circum- 
 stance I am now about to relate, will somewhat astonish you. 
 When the pirate’s boat with Bolidar was sent to the before 
 mentioned Key, on the 19th January, it was their intention to 
 leave you prisoners there, where was nothing but salt water 
 and mangroves, and no possibility of escape. This was the 
 plan of Baltizar, their abandoned pilot; but Bolidar’s heart fail- 
 ed him, and he objected to it; then after a conference. Captain 
 Jonnia ordered you to be put on the little island from whence 
 v/e have taken you. But after this as done, that night the 
 French and Portuguese part of the IMexican’s crew protested 
 against it ; so that Captain Jonnia to satisfy them, sent his 
 large boat to take you and your fellow prisoners back again, 
 taking care to select his confidential Spaniards for this errand. 
 And will you believe rne, they set off from the Mexican and 
 after spending about as much time as would really have taken 
 them to come to you, they returned, and reported they had 
 been to your island, and landed, and that none of you were 
 there; somebody having taken you off! This, all my com- 
 panions here know to be true. I knew it was impossible 
 you could have been liberated, and therefore we determined 
 
 *This proved to me that Mr. Bracket had been there, these be 
 ing the ones which he took from the island. 
 
198 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN 
 
 among ourselves, that should an opportunity occur wc would 
 come and save your lives, as we now have.” He then ex- 
 pressed, as he liitherto had done, (and I believe with sincer 
 ity) his disgust with the bad company which he had been in, 
 and looked forward with anxiety to the day when he might 
 return to his native country. I advised him to get on board 
 an American vessel, whenever an opportunity offered, and 
 come to the United States; and on his arrival directa letter to 
 me: repeating my earnest desire to make som« return for the 
 disinterested friendship which he had showm toward me. With 
 the Frenchmen I had but little conversation, being unac- 
 quainted with the language. 
 
 Here ended JVickola’s account. “ And now,” said the 
 Frenchmen, “ our hearts be easy.” Nickola observed he had 
 left all and found us. I gave them my warmest tribute of 
 gratitude, saying, I looked upon them under God as the preser- 
 ver of our lives, and promised them all the assistance my 
 situation might ever enable me to afford. This brings me to 
 
 Thursday evening, 7th, when, at 11 o’clock, we anchor- 
 ed at the creek’s mouth, near the Exertion. I was anxious 
 to board her; accordingly took with me IVickola, Thomas, 
 George and two others, well armed, each with a musket and 
 cutlass. I jumped on her deck, saw a fire in the camboose, 
 but no person there: I called aloud Mr. Bracket's name sev- 
 eral times, saving “ it is Captain Lincoln, don’t be afraid, but 
 show yourself;” but no answer was given. She had no masts, 
 spars, rigging, furniture, provisions or any thing left, except 
 her bowsprit, and a few barrels of salt provisions of her cargo. 
 Her sealing had holes cut in it, no doubt in their foolish seaich 
 for money. I left her with peculiar emotions, such as I hope 
 never again to experience; and returned to the little sloop, 
 where we remained till 
 
 Friday, 8th — When I had a disposition to visit the island 
 on which we were first imprisoned. Found nothing there — 
 saw a boat among the mangroves, near the Exertion. Re- 
 turned, and got under way immediately for Trinidad. In the 
 night, while under full sail, run aground on a sunken Key, 
 having rocks above the water, resembling old stumps of trees; 
 we, however, soon got offand anchored. iMost of these Kevs 
 have similar rocks about them, which navigators must care- 
 fully guard against. 
 
 Saturday, 9th. — Got under way again, and stood along 
 close in for the main island of Cuba, in order, that if we 
 should see the pirates, to take our boats and go onshore. 
 
NARRATIVK OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 199 
 
 Sunday, lOth. Saw the highlands of Trinidad. At night 
 came to anchor in sight of the town, near a small Key; next 
 morning — 
 
 Monday, 1 Ith, — Got under way — saw a brig at anchor about 
 five miles below the mouth of the harbor; we hoped to avoid 
 her speaking us; but wlien we opened in sight of her, discov- 
 ered a boat making towards us, with a number of armed men 
 in her. This alarmed rny friends, and as we did not see the 
 brig’s ensign hoisted, they declared the boat was a pirate, 
 and looking through tlie spy-glass, thought they knew some 
 of them to be the Me.xican’s men ! This state of things was 
 quite alarming. They said, “ we will not be taken alive by 
 them.” Immediately the boat fired a musket; the ball passed 
 through our mainsail, ftly friends insisted on beating themolf: 
 I endeavored to dissuade them, believing, as I did, that the 
 brig was a Spanish man of war, who had sent her boat to as- 
 certain who we were. I thought we had better heave too. 
 Immediately another shot came. Tlien they insisted on 
 fighting and said, “ If I would not help them, I was no 
 friend.” I reluctantly acquiesced, and handed up the guns — 
 commenced firing upon them and they upon us. We received 
 several shot through the sails, but no one was hurt on either 
 side. Our two boats had been cast adrift to make us go the 
 faster, and we gained upon ihem — continued firing until they 
 turned from us, and went for our boats, which they took in tow 
 for tiie brig. Soon after this, it became calm: then I saw 
 that she had us in her power. She armed and manned two 
 more boats for us. We now concluded, since we had scarce- 
 ly ammunition, to surrender; and were towed down along- 
 side the brig, taken on board, and was asked by the captain, 
 who could speak Idnglish, “ what for you fire on the boat.”’ 
 I told him “we thought her a ])irate, and did not like to be taken 
 by them again, having already suffered too much;” showing 
 my papers. He said, “ Capt. Americana, never mind, go and 
 take some dinner — which are your men r” I pointed them out 
 to him, and he ordered them the liberty of the decks; but my 
 friend Nickola and his three associates were immediately put 
 in irons. They were, however, afterwards taken out of irons 
 and examined; and I understood the Frenchmen agreed to 
 enlist, as they judged it the surest wmy to better their condi- 
 tion. Whether Nickola enlisted, I do not know, butthinkthat 
 he did, as I understood that offer was made to him; I howev- 
 er endeavored to explain more distinctly to the captain, the be- 
 nevolent efforts of these four men by whom my life had been 
 
200 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 saved, and used every argument in my power to procure their 
 discharge. I also applied to the governor, and exerted myself 
 with peculiar interest, dictated as I trust with heartfelt grati- 
 tude — and I ardently hope ere this, that Nickola is on his way 
 to this country, where I may have an opportunity of con- 
 vincing him that such an act of benevolence will not go unre- 
 warded. Previous to my leaving Trinidad, I made all the 
 arrangements in my power with my influential friends, and 
 doubt not, that their laudable efforts will be accomplished. 
 The sloop’s cargo was taken on board the brig; after which 
 the captain requested a certificate that I was politely treated 
 by him, saying his name was Captain Candama, of the priva- 
 teer brig Prudentee of eighteen guns. This request I com- 
 plied with. His first lieutenant told me he had sailed out of 
 Boston, as commander for T. C. Amory, Esq. during the last 
 war. In the course of the evening my friends were taken 
 out of irons and examined separately, then put back again. 
 The captain invited me to supper in his cabin, and a berth for 
 the night, which ^vris truly acceptable. The next morning af- 
 terbreakfast, I with my people were set on shore with the few 
 things we had, with the promise of the Exertion’s small boat 
 in a day or two. But it was never sent me — the reason, let the 
 reader imagine. On landing at the wharf Casildar, we were 
 immediately taken by soldiers to the guard house, which was 
 a very filthy place; thinking I suppose, and even calling us 
 pirates. Soon some friends came to see me. 31 r. Cotton, 
 who resides there brought us some soup. INIr. Isaac W. Lord, 
 of Boston, my merchant, came with captain Tate, who sent 
 immediately to the governor; for I would not show my papers 
 to any one else. He came about sunset, and after examining 
 Manuel, my Spanish fellow prisoner, and my papers, said to 
 me, giving me the papers, “ Captain, you are at liberty.’’ I 
 was kindly invited by Captain Matthew Rice, of schooner 
 Galaxy, of Boston, to go on board his vessel, and live with 
 him during my stay there. This generous offer I accepted, 
 and was treated by him with the greatest hospitality; for 1 was 
 an hungered and he gave me meat, I was athirst and he gave 
 me drink, I was naked and he clothed me, a stranger and he 
 took me in. He likewise took IManuel and my three men for 
 that night. Next day Mr. Lord rendered me all necessary 
 assistance in making my protest. He had heard nothing from 
 me until my arrival. I was greatly disappointed in not finding 
 Mr. Bracket, and requested JMr. Lord to give him all needful 
 aid if he should come there. To Captain Carnes, of the 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 201 
 
 schooner Hannah, of Boston, I would tender iny sincere 
 thanks, for his kindness in giving me a passage to Boston, 
 which I gladly accepted. To those gentlemen of Trinidad, 
 and many captains of American vessels, who gave me sea 
 clothing, &.C. I offer my cordial gratitude. 
 
 Captain Carnes sailed from Trinidad on the 20th February. 
 Fearing the pirates, we kept a long distance from the land 
 and two degrees to westward of Cape Antonia. On our pas- 
 sage experienced several gales of wind, in one of which, 
 while lying to, shipped a sea, which did considerable injury, 
 and swept a young man overboard from the pump, named 
 INelson. We never saw him again. We arrived at Boston, 
 March 25th, and when I stepped upon the wharf, though 
 much emaciated, I felt truly happy. 
 
 I am fully of the opinion that these ferocious pirates are link- 
 ed in with many inhabitants of Cuba ; and the government in 
 many respects appears covertly to encourage them. 
 
 It is with heartfelt delight, that, since the above narrative 
 was written, I have learned that Mr. Bracket and his com- 
 panions are safe ; he arrived at Port d’Esprit, about forty 
 leagues east of Trinidad. A letter has been received from 
 him, stating that he should proceed to Trinidad the first oppor- 
 tunity. It appears that after reaching the wreck, they found 
 a boat from the shore, taking on board some of the Exertion’s 
 cargo, in which they proceeded to the above place. Why it 
 was not in his power to come to our relief will no doubt be 
 satisfactorily disclosed when he may be so fortunate as once 
 more to return to his native country and friends. 
 
 For many months, I remained without any certain infor- 
 mation respecting the fate of Mr. Bracket and his companions. 
 But in the course of the ensuing Autumn, if I recollect right, 
 Mr. Bracket very unexpectedly paid me a visit, at Hingham, 
 the place of my residence. We were mutually rejoiced to see 
 each other once more among the living, as for a time at least, 
 each had regarded the other as dead. He gave me an ac- 
 count of his adventures, and of the reasons why he did not 
 return to us. He told me that when they left us, and put to 
 sea, in the miserable boat which we had constructed, they 
 went to the Exertion, and fortunately found a better boat, of 
 which they took possession, and suffered the old one to float 
 away, and it accordingly passed our solitary island in its ran- 
 dom course, causing us a great deal of alarm. From the wreck, 
 they steered among the keys to the main-land of Cuba, and 
 reached Principe, the town where my cargo was sold. Here 
 VOL. I. 9* 
 
202 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAICf LINCOLN. 
 
 Mr. Bracket related his tale of suffering, and requested assis- 
 tance, to rescue the remaining prisoners on the key. The 
 authorities furnished him with several soldiers, with whom he 
 put again to sea, with the humane intention of coming to relieve 
 us. They had gone but a short distance, however, when the 
 soldiers positively refused to go any farther, and forced him to 
 return with them to Principe ; thus all his hopes of being 
 able to rescue us, were entirely extinguished. A stranger, 
 and helpless as he was, it was out of his power to do any thing 
 more, and he could only hope that we might have been saved 
 in some other way. Friendless, without money, and debili- 
 tated by recent suffering, he hardly knew which way to turn. 
 He was desirous of reaching home, and finally resolved to 
 travel to the north side of Cuba. After a long and tedious 
 journey, during which he suffered dreadfully, from the hard 
 traveling, and want of necessaries and comforts, he at length 
 arrived at Havana, from which port he took passage to Bos- 
 ton. Thus the reasons of his conduct were satisfactorily ex- 
 plained, and my uncertainty respecting his fate, happily ter- 
 minated. 
 
 I felt great anxiety to learn what became of Jamieson, who, 
 my readers will recollect, was detained on board the Spanish 
 Brig Prudentee, near Trinidad. I heard nothing from him, 
 until I believe about eighteen months after I reached home, 
 when I received a letter from him, from 3Iontego Bav, 
 Jamacia, informing me that he was then residing in that 
 island. I immediately wrote to him, and invited him to come 
 on to the United States. He accordingly came on passenger 
 with Capt. Wilson of Cohasset, and arrived in Boston, in 
 August 1824. Our meeting was very affecting. Trying 
 scenes were brought up before us ; scenes gone forever, 
 through which we had passed together, where our acquaint- 
 ance was formed, and since which time, we had never met. I 
 beheld once more the preserver of my life ; the instrument, 
 under Providence, of restoring me to my home, my family and 
 mv friends, and I regarded him with no ordinary emotion. 
 ]My family were delighted to see him, and cordially united in 
 giving him a warm reception. He told me that after we sepa- 
 rated in Trinidad, he remained on board the Spanish Brig. 
 The commander asked him and bis companions it’ they would 
 enlist ; the Frenchmen replied that they would, but he said 
 nothing, being determined to make his escape the very first 
 opportunity which should present. The Spanish Brig after- 
 wards fell in with a Columbian Patriot, an armed Brig of 
 
NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 203 
 
 eighteen guns. Being of equal force, they gave battle, and 
 fought between three and four hours. Both parties were very 
 much injured ; and, without any considerable advantage on 
 either side, both drew off to make repairs. The Spanish Brig 
 Prudentee, put into St. Jago de Cuba. Jamieson was 
 wounded in the action, by a musket ball, through his arm, and 
 was taken on shore, with the other wounded, and placed in 
 the hospital at St. Jago. Here he remained for a considerable 
 time, until he had nearly recovered, when he found an oppor- 
 tunity of escaping, and embarked for Jamaica. He arrived 
 in safety at Kingston, and from there, traveled barefoot over 
 the mountains, until very much exhausted, he reached Mon- 
 tego Bay, where he had friends, and where one of his brothers 
 possessed some property. From this place, he afterwards 
 wrote to me. He told me that before he came to Massa- 
 chusetts, he saw the villainous pilot of the IMexican, the infa- 
 mous Baltizar, with several other pirates, brought into Montego 
 Bav, from whence they were to be conveved to Kingston, to 
 be executed. Whether the others were part of the Mexican’s 
 crew, or not, I do not know. Baltizar was an old man, and 
 as Jamieson said, it was a mclancholv and heart-rending sight, 
 to see him borne to execution with those gray hairs, which 
 might have been venerable in virtuous old age, now a shame 
 and reproach to this hoary villain, f ir he was full of years, and 
 old in iniquity. AVhen Jamieson received the letter which I 
 wrote, lie immediately embarked with Capt. ’IVilson, and came 
 to Boston, as I have before observed. 
 
 According to his own account he was of a very respectable 
 familv in Greenock, Scotland. His father when living was a 
 rich cloth merchant, but both his father and mother had been 
 dead many years. He was the youngest of thirteen children, 
 and being as he said of a roving disposition, had always fol- 
 lowed the seas. He had received a polite education, and was 
 of a very gentlemanly deportment. He spoke several living 
 languages, and was skilled in drawing and painting. He had 
 traveled extensively in different countries, and acquired in 
 consequence, an excellent knowledge of their manners and 
 customs. His varied information (for hardly any subject es- 
 esaped him,) rendered him a very entertaining companion. 
 His observations on the character of different nations were 
 very liberal ; marking their various traits, their virtues and 
 vices, with playful humorousness, quite free from bigotry, or 
 narrow prejudice. 
 
 He was in France, during the disturbance between Franco 
 
204 
 
 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN 
 
 and England, when all British subjects whatever in France 
 were detained prisoners of war. He was one who was thus 
 compelled to remain a prisoner to Napoleon. He was there, 
 at the time of Napoleon’s memorable expedition to Russia ; 
 and saw the splendid troops of the Emperor when they left de- 
 lightful France to commence their toilsome, and fatal journey ; 
 and also the remnant when they returned, broken down, dis- 
 spirited, haggard, and wan, their garments hanging about them 
 in tatters, and hardly life enough in them to keep soul and 
 body together. The particulars respecting this period, he 
 could communicate with the minuteness of an eye-witness, 
 which consequently rendered them very interesting. During 
 the first part of his residence in France, he was supported by 
 remittances from his father and allowed the liberty of the city 
 of Valenciennes ; a gentleman there, being bound for his good 
 behavior. He thus had an opportunity of visiting, and be- 
 coming acquainted with the inhabitants. He lived in this 
 manner several years. At length aroused, as he said, by the 
 consciousness that he was spending the best days of his life in 
 idleness, he formed the determination to try and make his es- 
 cape from the country. He honorably released the gentleman 
 who was bound for him, from his obligation, frankly telling 
 him that he should run away the first opportunity. From this 
 time he was alternately arrested and imprisoned, and by vari- 
 ous stratagems effected his escape, until he had been placed 
 in ninety-three different prisons. During his wanderings he 
 climbed the Alps, and visited tlie famous passage, cut through 
 the solid rock, by Hannibal, which as he said, was of suffi- 
 cient magnitude to admit a large loaded waggon to pass 
 through. From his long residence in France, he had learned 
 to speak the French language with a facility, almost equal to 
 a native. The charm of his conversation and manners drew 
 people around him, they hardly knew how, or why. 
 
 I was in trade, between Boston and Philadelphia, at the 
 time he came to Massachusetts, and he sailed with me several 
 trips as my mate. He afterwards went to Cuba, and was 
 subsequently engaged in the mackerel fishery, out of the port 
 of Hingham, during the warm season, and in the winter fre- 
 quently employed himself in teaching navigation to young men, 
 for which he was eminently qualified. He remained with us, 
 until his death, which took place in 1829. At this time he 
 had been out at sea two or three days, when he was taken 
 sick, and was carried into Cape Cod, where he died, on the 
 first day of May 1829, and there lus remains lie buried 
 
NARRATIVE OP CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 205 
 
 Peace be to his ashes ! They rest in a strange land, far from 
 his kindred, and his native country. 
 
 Since his death I have met with Mr. Stewart in Philadelphia, 
 who was Commercial agent in Trinidad at the time of my cap- 
 ture. He informed me, that the piratical schooner Mexican, 
 was afterwards chased by an English government vessel, 
 from Jamaica, which was cruising in search of it. Being hotly 
 pursued the pirates deserted their vessel, and fled to the Man- 
 grove bushes, on an island similar to that on which they had 
 placed me and my crew to die. The English surrounded 
 them and thus they were cut off from ail hope of escape. They 
 remained there, I think fourteen days, when being almost en- 
 tirely subdued by famine, eleven surrendered themselves, and 
 were taken. The others probably perished among the man- 
 groves. The few who were taken were carried by the govern- 
 ment vessel into Trinidad. Mr. Stewart said that he saw them 
 himself, and such miserable objects that had life he never be- 
 fore beheld. They were in a state of starvation; their beards 
 had grown to a frightful length, their bodies were covered 
 with filth and vermin, and their countenances were hideous. 
 From Trinidad they were taken to Kingston, Jamaica, and 
 there hung. Thus there is every reason to believe that this 
 horde of monsters was at last broken up, and dispersed. 
 
Ship Boston taken by the Savages at Noolkn Sound. 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN K. JEWETT. 
 
 207 
 
 NARRATIVE OF THE SUFFERINGS 
 
 Jlnd adventures of John li. Jewett, only survivor of the crew of the 
 
 ship Boston, durmg a captivity of nearly three years among the 
 
 Savages of Nootka Sound. 
 
 I was born in Boston, a consirlerable boroii<:;!i town in Lin- 
 colnshire, in Great Britain, on (he ‘2 1 st of Mav, 1783. My fa- 
 ther, Edward Jewitt, was by trade a biai ksraith, and esteemed 
 among the first in Ids line of business in that place. At the 
 age of three yeais I had tlie misfortune to lose my mother, a 
 most excellent woman, m Ijo died in childbed, leayinff an infant 
 daugliter, who, with m)self, and an elder brother by a former 
 marriage of my father, constituted the whole of our I’amily. 
 My father, who considered a good education as the greatest 
 blessing he could bestow on l)is children, was very particular 
 in paying every attention to us in that respect, always exhort- 
 ing us to behave well, and endeavoring to impress on our 
 minds the princiiiles of virtue and morality, and no expense in 
 his power was spared to have us instructed in whatever might 
 render us useful and respectable in society. Sly brother, who 
 was four years older than myself, and of a tnore hardy constitu- 
 tion, he destined 1‘or his owji trade, hut to me he had resolved to 
 give an education superior tf> that which is to be obtained in a 
 common school, it being his intention that i should adopt one 
 of the learneu profe.ssions. ^Accordingly at (he age of twelve 
 he took me from the school in which 1 had been taught the 
 
208 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 first rudiments of learning, and placed me under the care of 
 Mr. Moses, a celebrated teacher of an academy at Donning- 
 ton, about twenty miles from Boston, in order to be instruct- 
 ed in the Latin language, and in some -of the higher branches 
 of the Mathematics. I there made considerable proficiency 
 in writing, reading, and arithmetic, and obtained a pretty good 
 knowledge of navigation and of surveying ; but my progress 
 in Latin was slow, not only owing to the little inclination I felt 
 for learning that language, but to a natural impediment in my 
 speech, which rendered it extremely difficult for me to pro- 
 nounce it, so that in a short time, with my father’s corsent, I 
 wholly relinquished the study. 
 
 Thus passed away the two happiest years of my life, when 
 my father, thinking that I had received a sufficient education 
 for the profession he intended me for, took me from school at 
 Donnington in order to apprentice me to Doctor Mason, a 
 surgeon of eminence at Reasby, in the neighborhood of the 
 celebrated Sir Joseph Banks. The disinclination I ever had 
 felt for the profession my lather wished me to pursue, was still 
 further increased on my return. When a child I was always 
 fond of being in the shop, among the workmen, endeavoring 
 to imitate what I saw them do ; this disposition so far increas- 
 ed after my leaving the academy, tliat 1 could not bear to hear 
 the least mention made of my being apprenticed to a surgeon, 
 and I used so many intreaties with my father to persuade him 
 to give up this plan and learn me his own trade, that he at 
 last consented. More fortunate would it probably have been 
 for me, had I gratified the wishes of this atfectionate parent, 
 in adopting the profession he had chosen for me, than thus in- 
 duced him to sacrifice them to mine. However it might have 
 been, I was at last introduced into the shop, and my natural 
 turn of mind corresponding with the employment, I became in 
 a short time uncommonly expert at the work to which I was 
 set. 
 
 About a year after I had commenced this apprenticeship, 
 mv father finding that he could carry on his business to more 
 advantage in Hull, removed thither with Ids I'amily. An event 
 of no little importance to me, as it in a great measure influ- 
 enced my future destiny. Hull being one of the best ports in 
 England, and a place of great trade, my father had there full 
 employment fur his numerous workmen, particularly in vessel 
 work. This naturally leading me to an acquaintance with the 
 sailors on board some of the sliips, the many remarkable stories 
 they told me of their voyages and adventures, and of the man- 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 209 
 
 ners and customs of the nations they had seen, excited a strong 
 wish in me to visit foreign countries, which was increased by 
 my reading the voyages of Capt. Cook, and some other cele- 
 brated navigators. 
 
 Thus passed the four years that I lived at Hull, ivhere my 
 father was esteemed by all who knew him, as a worthy, in- 
 dustrious, and thriving man. At this period a circumstance 
 occurred which afforded me the opportunity I had for some 
 time, wished, of gratifying my inclination of going broad. 
 
 Among our principal customers at Hull, were the Amer- 
 icans who frequented that port, and from whose conversation, 
 my father as well as myself formed the most favorable opinion 
 of that country, as affording an excellent field for the exer- 
 tions of industry, and a flattering prospect for the establish- 
 ment of a young man in life. In the summer of the year 1 802, 
 during ti e peace between England and France, the ship Bos- 
 ton, belonging to Boston, in Massachusetts, and commanded 
 by Capt. John Salter, arrived at Hull, whither she came to 
 take on board a cargo of such goods as were wanted for the 
 trade, with the Indians on the North-West coast of America, 
 from whence, after having taken in a lading of furs and skins, 
 she was to proceed to China, and from thence home to Ame- 
 rica. The ship, having occasion for many repairs and alter- 
 ations, necessary for so long a voyage, the captain applied to 
 my father to do the smith work, which was very considerable. 
 That gentleman, who was of a social turn, used often to call at 
 my father’s house, where he passed many of his evenings, with 
 his chief and second mates, JMr. B. Delouisa, and IMr. Wm. 
 Ingraham, the latter a fine young man of about twenty, of a 
 most amiable temper, and of such affable manners, as gained 
 him the love and attachment of our whole crew. These gen- 
 tlemen used occasionally to take me with them to the theatre, 
 an amusement which I was very fond of, and which my father 
 rather encouraged than objected to, as he thought it a good 
 means of preventing young men who are naturally inclined to 
 seek for something to amuse them, from frequenting taverns, 
 ale houses, and places of bad resort, equally destructive of the 
 health and morals, while the stage frequently furnishes excel- 
 lent lessons of morality and good conduct. 
 
 In the evenings that he passed at my father’s, Capt. Salter, 
 who had for a great number of years been at sea, and seen al- 
 most all parts of the world, used sometimes to speak of his 
 voyages, and observing me listen with much attention to his 
 relation, he one day, when I had brought him some ivork, said 
 
210 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEITITT 
 
 to me in rather a jocose manner, John, how should you like to 
 go with me ? I answered that it would give me great pleasure, 
 that I had for a long time wished to visit foreign countries, 
 particularly America, which I had been told so many tine 
 stories of, and that if my father would give his consent and he 
 was willing to take me with him, I would go. 1 shall be very 
 glad to do it, said he, if your father can be prevailed on to let 
 you go, and as I want an expert smith for an armorer, the one 
 I have shipped for that purpose not being sufficiently master 
 of his trade, I have no doubt that you will answer my turn 
 well, as I perceive you are both active and ingenious, and on 
 my return to America, I sliall probably be able to do some- 
 thing much better for you in Boston ; ! will take the first op- 
 portunity of speaking to your father about it, and try to per- 
 suade him to consent. He accordingly the next evering that 
 he called at our house introduced the subject : my lather at 
 first would not listen to the proposal. That best of parents, 
 though anxious for my advantageous establishment in life, 
 could not bear to think of parting with me, but on Capt. 
 Salter’s telling him of what benefit it would be to me to go 
 the voyage with him, and that it was a pitv to keep a promis- 
 ing and ingenious young fellow, like myself, confined to a 
 small shop in England, when if I had tolerable success, I 
 might do so much better in America, where wages were much 
 higher and living cheaper, he at length gave up bis objections 
 and consented that I should ship on board the Boston as an ar- 
 morer, at the rate ofthirty dollars per montli ; with an a<ireeinent 
 that the amount due me, together with a certain .sum of monev 
 which my father gave Capt. Salter for that |)urpose, should be 
 laid out by him on the North West Coa.st in the purchase of 
 furs on my account, to be disposed of in China for such nood.s 
 as would yield a profit on the return of the ship ; my father 
 being solicitous to give me every advantage in bi.s power, of 
 well establishing myself in my trade in Boston or some other 
 maritime town of America. Such wore the tlattering expecta- 
 tions which this good man indulged respecting me. Alas ! 
 the fatal disaster that befel us, not only blasted all these hopes, 
 but involved me in extreme distress and wretchedness for a 
 long period after. 
 
 The ship having undergone a thorough repair, and been 
 wef coppered, proceeded to take on board her cargo, which 
 consisted of English cloths, Dutch blankets, looking glasse.s, 
 beads, knives, razors. See. which were received from Holland, 
 some sugar and molasses, about twenty hogsheads of lum, 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 211 
 
 including stores for the ship, a great quantity of ammunition, 
 cutlasses, pistols, and three thousand muskets and fowling 
 pieces. 
 
 On the third day of September, 1802, we sailed from the 
 Downs with a fair wind, in company with tw’enty-four sail of 
 American vessels, most of which were bound home. 
 
 I was sea-sick for a few of the first days, but it was of 
 short continuance, and on my recovery I found myself in un- 
 commonly fine health and spirits, and went to work with alac- 
 rity at my forge, in putting in order some of the muskets, 
 and making daggers, knives, and small hatchets for the Indian 
 trade, while in wet and stormy weather I was occupied below 
 in filing and polishing them. 
 
 We had a pleasant and favorable passage of twenty-nine 
 days to the Island of St. Catharine on the coast of Brazils, 
 where the Captain had determined to stop for a few days to 
 wood and water. The ship remained at St. Catharine’s four 
 days, during which time, we were busily employed in taking 
 in wood, water, and .fi'esh provisions, Capt. Salter thinking it 
 best to furnish himself here with a full supply for his voyage 
 to the North-west coast, so as not to be obliged to stop at the 
 Sandwich Islands. 
 
 Having completed our stores we put to sea, and on the 
 twenty fifth of December at length passed Cape Horn, which 
 we had made no less than thirty-six days before, but were 
 repeatedly forced back by contrary winds, experiencing very 
 rough and tempestuous weather in doubling it. 
 
 Immediately after passing Cape Horn, all our dangers and 
 difficulties seemed to be at an end ; the weather became fine, 
 and so little labor was necessary on board the ship that the 
 men soon recovered from their fatigue and were in excellent 
 spirits. A few days after we fell in with an English South 
 Sea Whaling Ship, homeward bound, which was the only 
 vessel we spoke with on our voyage. We now took the trade 
 wind or monsoon, during which we enjoyed the finest weather 
 possible, so that for the space of a fortnight we were not oblig- 
 ed to reeve a topsail or to make a tack, and so light was the 
 duty and easy the life of the sailors during this time, that they 
 appeared the happiest of any people in the world. 
 
 In this manner, with a fair wind and easy weather from the 
 28th of December, the period of our passing Cape Horn, we 
 pursued our voyage to the Northward until the 12th of March, 
 1803, when we made Woody Point in Nootka Sound on the 
 North West Coast of America. We immediately stood up the 
 
212 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 Sound for Nootka, where Capt. Salter had determined to stop, 
 in order to supply the ship with water before proceeding up 
 the coast to trade. But in order to avoid the risque of any 
 molestation or interruption to his men from the Indians, while 
 thus employed, he proceeded with the ship about five miles to 
 the Northward of the village, which is situated on Friendly 
 
 Cove, and sent out his chief mate with several of the crew in 
 the boat to find a good place for anchoring her. After sound- 
 ing for some time they returned with information that they had 
 discovered a secure place for anchorage, on the Western side 
 of an inlet or small bay at about a mile from the coast, near a 
 small island which protected it from the sea, and where there 
 was a plenty of wood and excellent water. The ship accord- 
 ingly came to anchor in this place, at twelve o’clock at night, 
 in twelve fathom water, muddy bottom, and so near the shore 
 that to prevent the ship from winding we secured her by a 
 hauser to the trees. 
 
 On the morning of the next day, the thirteenth, several of 
 the natives came on board in a canoe from the village of 
 Nootka, with their king, called INIaquina, who appeared much 
 pleased on seeing us, and with great seeming cordiality, wel- 
 comed Capt. Salter and his officers to his country. As I had 
 never before beheld a savage of any nation, it may readily be 
 supposed that the novelty of their appearance, so different 
 from any people that I had hitherto seen, excited in me strong 
 feelings of surprise and curiosity. I was, however, particular- 
 ly struck with the looks of their king, who was a man of a dig- 
 
NARRATIVE OP JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 213 
 
 nified aspect, about six feet in height and extremely strait 
 and well pioportioned ; his features were in general good and 
 his face was rendered remarkable by a large Roman nose, a 
 very uncommon form of feature among these people ; his com- 
 plexion was of a dark copper hue, though his face, legs, and 
 arms were on this occasion, so covered with red paint, that 
 their natural color could scarcely be perceived, his eye-brows 
 were painted black in two broad stripes like a new moon, and 
 his long black hair, which shone with oil, was fastened in a 
 bunch on the top of his head and strewed or powdered all over 
 with white down, which gave him a most curious and extra- 
 ordinary appearance. He was dressed in a large mantle or 
 cloak of the black sea otter skin, which reached to his knees, 
 and was fastened around his middle by a broad belt of the 
 cloth of the country, wrought, or painted with figures of 
 several colors ; this dress was by no means unbecoming, but 
 on the contrary had an air of savage magnificence. His men 
 were habited in mantles of the same cloth, which is made from 
 the bark of a tree, and had some resemblance to straw matting, 
 these are nearly square and have two holes in the upper part 
 large enough to admit the arms — they reach as low as the 
 knees and are fastened around their bodies with a belt about 
 four inches broad of the same cloth. 
 
 From his having frequently visited the English and Amer- 
 ican ships that traded to the coast, Maquina had learned the 
 signification of a number of English words, and in general 
 could make himself pretty well understood by us in our own 
 language. He was always the first to go on board such ships 
 as came to Nootka, which he was much pleased in visiting, 
 even when he had no trade to offer, as he almost always re- 
 ceived some small present, and was in general extremely well 
 treated by the commanders. He remained on board of us for 
 some time, during which the captain took him into the cabin 
 and treated him with a glass of rum ; these people being very 
 fond of distilled spirits, and some biscuit and molasses which 
 they prefer to any kind of food that we can offer them. 
 
 As there are seldom many furs to be purchased at this place 
 and it was not fully the season, Capt. Salter had put in here 
 not so much with an expectation of trading as to procure an 
 ample stock of wood and water for the supply of the ship on 
 the coast, thinking it more prudent to take it on board at 
 Nootka, from the generally friendly disposition of the people, 
 than to endanger the safety of his men in sending them on 
 shore for that purpose among the more ferocious natives of the 
 
214 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 north. With this view, we immediately set about getting our 
 water casks in readiness, and the next and two succeeding 
 days part of the crew were sent on shore to cut pine timber 
 and assist the carpenter in making it into yards and spars 
 for the ship, while those on board were employed in refit- 
 ting the rigging, repairing the sails, &c. when we proceeded 
 to take in our wood and water as expeditiously as possible, du- 
 ring which time I kept myself busily employed in repairing 
 the muskets, making knives, tomaxes, &.c. and doing such 
 iron work as was wanted for the ship. Meantime more or less 
 of the natives came on board of us daily, bringing with them 
 fresh salmon, with which they supplied us in great plenty, re- 
 ceiving in return some trifling articles. Capt. Salter was al- 
 ways very particular before admitting the people on board to see 
 that they had no arms about them, by obliging them indiscri- 
 minately to throw off their garments, so that he felt perfectly 
 secure from any attack. On the fifteenth tlie king came on 
 board with several of his chiefs ; he was dressed as before in his 
 magnificent otter skin robe, having his face highly painted, and 
 his hair tossed off with the white down wdiich looked like 
 snow ; his chiefs were dressed in mantles of the country cloth 
 of its natural color, which is a pale yellow ; these were orna- 
 mented with a broad border painted or wrought in figures of 
 several colors representing men’s heads, various animals, &.c. 
 and secured around them by a belt like that of the king from 
 which it was distinguished only by being narrower ; the dress 
 of the common people is of the same fashion and differs from 
 that of the chiefs in being of a coarser te.xture and painted 
 red, of one uniform color. 
 
 Capt. Salter invited Maquina and his chiefs to dine with 
 him, and it was curious to see how these people, when they 
 eat, seat themselves in their country fashion, upon our 
 chairs, with their feet under them crossed like Turks. They 
 cannot endure the taste of salt, and the only thing they wmuld 
 eat with us was the ship bread which they were very fond of, 
 especially when dipped in molasses, they had also a great lik- 
 ing for tea and coffee when w'ell sweetened. As iron wea- 
 pons and tools of almost every kind are in much request among 
 them, whenever they came on board they were always very 
 attentive to me, crowding around me at the forge, as if to see 
 in what manner I did my w'ork, and in this way became quite 
 familiar, a circumstance, as will be seen in the end, of great 
 inijiortance to me. The salmon w'hich they brought us fur- 
 nished a most delicious treat to men who for a long time had 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 215 
 
 lived wholly on salt provisions, excepting such few sea fish as 
 we had the good fortune occasionally to take. We indeed 
 feasted most luxuriously, and flattered ourselves that we 
 should not want while on the coast for plenty of fresh provi- 
 sions, little imagining the fate that awaited us, and that tins 
 dainty food was to prove the unfortunate lure to our destruc- 
 tion ! On the ISth, the king came again on board and was 
 invited by the Captain to dine with him. He had much con- 
 versation with Capt. Salter, and informed him that there were 
 plenty of wild ducks and geese near Friendly Cove, on which 
 the Captain made him a present of a double-barrelled fowling 
 piece with which he appeared to be greatly pleased and soon 
 after went on shore. 
 
 On the 20th we were nearly ready for our departure, hav- 
 ing taken in what wood and water we were in want of. 
 
 The next day Maquina came on board with nine pair of wild 
 ducks, as a present, at the same time he brought with him the 
 gun, one of the locks of which he had broken, telling the Cap- 
 tain that it was peshak, that is, bad ; Capt. Salter was very 
 much offended at this observation, and considering it as a 
 mark of contempt for the present, he called the ki..g a liar, 
 adding other opprobrious terms, and taking the gun from him 
 tossed it indignantly into the cabin and calling me to him said, 
 ‘John, this fellow has broken this beautiful fowling piece, see 
 if you can mend it on examining it I told him that it could 
 be done. As I have already observed, Maquina knew a 
 number of English words, and unfortunately understood but 
 too well the meaning of the reproachful terms that the Captain 
 addressed to him. He said not a word in reply, but his 
 countenance sufficiently expressed the rage he felt, though he 
 exerted himself to suppress it, and T observed him while the 
 Captain was speaking repeatedly put his hand to his throat 
 and rub it upon his bosom, which he afterwards told me was 
 to keep down his heart which was rising into his throat and 
 choaking him. He soon after went on shore with his men, 
 evidently much discomposed. 
 
 On the morning of the 22d, the natives came off to us as 
 usual with salmon, and remained on board, when about noon 
 Maquina came along side with a considerable number of his 
 chiefs and men in their canoes, who, after going through the 
 customary examination were admitted into the ship. He had 
 a whistle in his hand, and over his face a very ugly mask of 
 wood representing the head of some wild beast, appeared to 
 be. remarkably good humored and gay, and whilst his people 
 
216 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R JEV/ITT. 
 
 sung and capered about the deck, entertaining us ivith a 
 variety of antic tricks and gestures, he blew his whistle to a 
 kind of tune which seemed to regulate their motions. As 
 Capt. Salter was walking on the quarter deck amusing himself 
 with their dancing, the king came up to him and inquired 
 when he intended to go to sea ? — he answered, to-morrow. — 
 Maquina then said, ‘ you love salmon — much in Friendly 
 Cove, why not go then and catch some ?’ — The Captain 
 thought that it would be very desirable to have a good supply 
 of these fish for the voyage, and on consulting with Mr. De- 
 louisa it was agreed to send part of the crew on shore after 
 dinner with the seine in order to procure a quantity. IMaqui- 
 na and his chiefs staid and dined on board, and after dinner 
 the chief mate went off with nine men in the jolly boat and 
 yawl to fish at Friendly Cove, having set the steward on 
 shore at our watering place to wash the captain’s clothes. 
 Shortly after the departure of the boa!;s I went down to my vice 
 bench in the steerage where I was employed in cleaning 
 muskets. I had not been there more than an hour when I 
 heard the men hoisting in the long boat, which in a few minutes 
 after, was succeeded by a great bustle and confusion on deck. 
 I immediately ran up the steerage stairs, but scarcely was my 
 head above deck, when I was caught by the hair by one of 
 the savages, and lifted from my feet ; fortunately for me, my 
 hair being short, and the ribbon with wliich it was tied sli|)- 
 ping, I fell from his hold into the steerage. As I was falling, 
 he struck at me with an axe, which cut a deep gash in my 
 forehead and penetrated the skull, but in consequence of losing 
 his hold, I luckily escaped the full force of the blow ; which, 
 otherwise, would have cleft my head in two. I fell, stunned 
 and senseless upon the floor — how long I continued in this 
 situation 1 know not, but on recovering my senses the first 
 thing that I did, was to try to get up ; but so weak was I, 
 from the loss of blood, that I fainted and fell. I was however 
 soon recalled to my recollection by three loud shouts or yells 
 from the savages, which convinced me that they had got pos- 
 session of the ship. It is impossible for me to describe my 
 feelings at this terrific sound. — Some faint idea may be formed 
 of them by those who have known what it is to half waken 
 from a hideous dream and still think it real. Never, no, 
 never, shall I lose from my mind the impression of that dread- 
 ful moment. I expected every instant to share the wretched 
 fate of my unfortunate companions, and when I heard the 
 song of triumph, by which these infernal yells was succeeded. 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 217 
 
 my blood ran cold in my veins. Having at length sufficiently 
 recovered my senses to look around me after wiping the blood 
 from my eyes, I saw that the hatch of the steerage was shut. 
 This was done, as I afterwards discovered, by order of Ma- 
 quina, who, on seeing the savage strike at me with the axe, 
 told him not to hurt me, for that f was the armorer, and would 
 be useful to them in repaiiing their arms ; while at the same 
 time to prevent any of his men from injuring me, he had the 
 hatch closed. But to me this circumstance wore a very dif- 
 ferent appearance, for I thought that these barbarians had 
 only prolonged my life in order to deprive me of it by the 
 most cruel tortures. I remained in this horrid state of sus- 
 pense for a very long time, when at length the hatch was 
 opened, and Maquina, calling me by name, ordered me to 
 come up. I groped my way up as well as I was able, being 
 almost blinded with the blood that flowed from my wound, and 
 so weak as with difficulty to walk. The king, on perceiving 
 my situation, ordered one of his men to bring a pot of water 
 to wash the blood from my face, which having done, I was 
 able to see distinctly with one of my eyes, but the other was 
 so swollen from my wound, that it was closed. But what a 
 terrific spectacle met my eyes ; six naked savages, standing in 
 a circle around me, covered with the blood of my murdered 
 comrades, with their daggers uplifted in their hands, prepared 
 to strike. I now thought my last moment had come, and re- 
 commended my soul to my Maker. The king, who, as I have 
 already observed, knew enough of English to make himself 
 understood, entered the circle, and placing himself before me, 
 addressed me nearly in the following words — “ John — I speak 
 — you no say no — You say no — daggers come !’’ He then 
 asked me if I would *be his slave during my life — If I would 
 fight for him in his battles — If I would repair bis muskets and 
 make daggers and knives for him — with several other ques- 
 tions, to all of which I was careful to answer, yes. He then 
 told me that he would spare my life, and ordered me to kiss 
 his hands and feet to show my submission to him, which I did 
 — In the mean time his peo]de were very clamorous to have 
 me put to death, so that there should be none of us left to tell 
 our story to our countrymen and prevent them from coming to 
 trade with tliem ; but the king, in the most determined man- 
 ner opposed their wishes, and to his favor am I wholly indebt- 
 ed for my being yet among the living. As I was busy at 
 work at the time of the attack, I was without my coat, and 
 what with the coldness of the weather, my feebleness from 
 VOL. I 10 
 
218 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 loss of blood, the pain of my wound and the extreme agitation 
 and terror that I still felt, I shook like a leaf, which the king 
 observing, went into the cabin and bringing up a great coat 
 that belonged to the captain, threw it over my shoulders tell- 
 ing me to drink some rum from a bottle which he handed me, 
 at the same time giving me to understand that it would be 
 good for me and keep me from trembling as I did. I took u 
 draught of it, after which, taking me by the hand, he led me 
 to the quarter deck, where the most horrid sight presented it- 
 self that ever my eyes witnessed — the heads of our unfortu- 
 nate Captain and his crew, to the number of twenty-five, were 
 all arranged in a line, and Maquina ordering one of his people 
 to bring a head, asked me whose it was : I answered, the 
 
 Captain’s ; in like manner the others were shown me, and I 
 told him the names excepting a few that were so horribly 
 mangled that I was not able to recognize them. I now dis- 
 covered that all our unfortunate crew had been massacred, 
 and learned that after getting possession of the sb'p, the sava- 
 ges had broke open the arm chest and magazine, and supply- 
 ing themselves with ammunition and arms, sent a party on 
 shore to attack our men who had gone thither to fish, and be- 
 ing joined by numbers from the village, without difficulty, 
 overpowered and murdered them, and cutting off their heads, 
 brought them on board, after throwing their bodies into the 
 sea. On looking upon the deck, I saw' it entirely covered 
 with the blood of my poor comrades, whose throats had been 
 cut with their own jack-knives, the savages having seized 
 the opportunity while tney were busy in hoisting in the boat 
 to grapple with them and overpower them by their numbers ; 
 in the scuffle the Captain was thrown overboard and dispatch- 
 ed by those in the canoes who immediately cut off’ his head : 
 What I felt on this occasion, may be more readily conceived 
 than expressed. 
 
 After I had answered his questions, Maquina took my 
 silk handkerchief from my neck and bound it round my head, 
 placing over the wound a leaf of tobacco, of which we had a 
 great quantity on board. This was done at my desire, as I 
 had often found from personal experience the benefit of this 
 application to cuts. 
 
 JMaquina then ordered me to get the ship under way for 
 friendly Cove. This I did by cutting the cables and sending 
 some of the natives aloft to loose the sails, which they per- 
 formed in a very bungling manner. But they succeeded so 
 far in loosing the jib and topsails, that, with the advantage 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 219 
 
 of a fair wind, I succeeded in getting the ship into the Cove, 
 where, by order of the king, I ran her ashore on a sandy 
 beach, at 8 o’clock at night. 
 
 VV'e were received by the inhabitants of the village, men, 
 women, and children, with loud shouts of joy, and a most 
 horrible drumming with sticks upon the roofs and sides of 
 their houses, in which they had also stuck a great number of 
 lighted pine torches, to welcome their kings return and con- 
 gratulate him on the success of his enterprise. 
 
 Maquina then took me on shore to his house which v as 
 very large and filled with people — where I was received with 
 much kindness by the women, particularly those belong ng 
 to the king, who had no less than nine wives, all of whjin 
 came around me e.xpressing much sympathy for my mist Dr- 
 tuncs, gently stroking and patting my head in an encoura- 
 ging and soothing manner, with words expressive of condo- 
 lence. How sweet is compassion even from savages ^ — 
 Those who have been in a similar situation, can alone truly 
 appreciate its value. In the mean time, all the warriors of 
 the tribe, to the number of five hundred, had assembled at 
 the king’s house to rejoice for their success. They exulted 
 greatly in having taken our ship, and each one boasted of 
 his own particular exploits in killing our men, but they were 
 in general much dissatisfied with my having been suffered 
 to live, and were very urgent with hlaquina to deliver me to 
 them to be put to death, w'hich he obstinately refused to do, 
 telling them that he had promised me my file and would not 
 break his word; and that besides, I knew how to repair and 
 to make arms, and should be of great use to them. 
 
 The king then seated me by him and ordered his women to 
 bring him something to eat, when they set before him some 
 dried clams and train oil, of which he ate very heartily, and 
 encouraged me to follow his example, telling me to eat much 
 and take a great deal of oil which would make me strong and 
 fat; notwithstanding his praise of this new kind of food, I felt 
 no disposition to indulge in it, both the smell and taste being 
 loathsome to me; and had it been otherwise, such was the 
 pain I endured, the agitation of my mind, and the gloominess 
 of my reflections, that I should have felt very little inclination 
 for eating. Not satisfied with his first refusal to deliver me 
 up to them the people again became clamorous that Maquina 
 should consent to my being killed, saying that not one of us 
 ought to be left alive to give information to others of our 
 countrymen and prevent them from coming to trade, or induce 
 
220 
 
 NARRATIVE OP JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 them to revenge the destruction of our ship, and they at 
 length became so boisterous that he caught up a large club 
 in a passion and drove them all out of the house. During 
 this scene a son of the king, of about eleven years old, 
 attracted no doubt by the singularity of my appearance, came 
 up to me: I carressed him; he returned my attentions with 
 much apparent pleasure, and considering this as a fortunate 
 opportunity to gain the good will of the father, I took the 
 child on my knee, and cutting the metal buttons from off the 
 coat I had on, I tied them around his neck. At this he was 
 highly delighted, and became so much attached to me that he 
 would not quit me. 
 
 The king appeared much pleased with my attention to his 
 son, and telling me that it was time to go to sleep, directed me 
 to lie with his son next to him, as he was afraid lest some of 
 his people would come while he was asleep and kill me with their 
 daggers. I laid down as he ordered me, but neither the state 
 of my mind nor the pain I felt would allow me to steep. 
 About midnight I was greatly alarmed by the approach of 
 one of the natives, who came to give information to the king 
 that there was one of the white men alive, who had knocked 
 him down as he went on board the ship at night. This Ma- 
 quina communicated to me, giving me to understand that soon 
 as the sun rose he should kill him. I endeavored to persuade 
 him to spare his life, but he bade me be silent and go to sleep. 
 I said nothing more but lay revolving in my mind what method 
 I could devise to save the life of this man. Vfhat a conso- 
 lation thought I, what a happiness would it prove to me in my 
 forlorn state among these heathen, to have a Christian and 
 one of my own countrymen, for a companion, and how great- 
 ly would it alleviate and lighten the burden of my slavery. 
 As I was thinking of some plan for his preservation, it all at 
 once came into my mind that this man was probably the sail- 
 maker of the ship, named Thompson, as I had not seen his 
 head among those on deck, and knew that he was below 
 at work upon the sails not long before the attack. The more 
 I thought of it the more probable it appeared to me, and as 
 Thompson was a man nearly forty years of age, and had an 
 old look, 1 conceived it would be easy to make him pass for 
 my father, and by this means prevail on JMaquinato spare his 
 life. Towards morning 1 fell into a doze, but was awakened 
 with the first beams of the sun by the king, who told me that 
 he was going to kilt the man who was on board the ship, and 
 ordered me to accompany him. I arose and followed him, 
 leadip'T ^vith me the voung prince his son. 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 221 
 
 On coming to the beach I found all the men of the tribe 
 assembled. The king addressed them, saying that one of the 
 white men had been found alive on board the ship, and re- 
 quested their opinion as to saving his life or putting him to 
 death. They were unanimously for the last: this determi- 
 nation he made known to me. Having arranged my plan, I 
 asked him, pointing to the boy whom I still held by the hand, 
 if he loved his son, he answered that he did; I then asked the 
 child if he loved his father, and on his replying in the affirma- 
 tive, I said “ and I also love mine.” I then threw myself on 
 my knees at Maquina’s feet and implored him with tears in 
 my eyes to spare my father’s life, if the man on board should 
 proveto be him, telling him that if he killed my father it was 
 my wish that he should kill me too, and that if he did not I 
 would kill myself, — and that he would tlius lose my services; 
 whereas, by sparing my father’s life he would preserve mine, 
 which would be of great advantage to him by my repairing 
 and making arms for him. Maquina appeared moved by my 
 entreaties and promised not to put the man to death if he 
 should be my father. He then e.xplained to his people what 
 I had said, and ordered me to go on board and tell the man 
 to come on shore. To my unspeakable joy on going into the 
 hold, I found that my conjecture was true, Thompson was 
 there, he had escaped without any injury, excepting a slight 
 wound in the nose, given him by one of the savages with a 
 knife as he attempted to come on deck, during the scuffle. 
 Finding the savages in possession of tlie ship, as he afterwards 
 informed me, he secreted himself in the hold, hoping for some 
 chance to make his escape — but that the Indian who came 
 on board in the night approaching the place where he was, he 
 supposed himself discovered, and being determined to sell 
 his life as dearly as possible, as soon as he came within his 
 reach, he knocked him down, but the Indian immediately 
 springing up ran off at full speed. — I informed him in a few 
 words that all our men had been killed; that the king had 
 preserved my life, and had consented to spare his on the 
 supposition that he was my father, an opinion which he xhust 
 be careful not to undeceive them in, as it was his only safety. 
 After giving him his cue, I went on shore with him and pre- 
 sented him to Maquina, who immediately knew him to be 
 the sail-maker and was much pleased, observing that he could 
 make sails for his canoe. — He then took us to his house and 
 ordered something for us to eat. 
 
 On the 24th and 25th the natives were busily employed in 
 
222 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 taking the cargo out of the ship, stripping her of her sails and 
 rigging, cutting away the spars and masts, and in short ren- 
 dering her as complete a wreck as possible, the muskets, am- 
 unition, cloth, and all the principal articles taken from her, 
 being deposited in the king’s house. 
 
 While they were thus occupied, each one taking what he 
 liked, my companion and myself being obliged to aid them, I 
 thought it best to secure the accounts and papers of the ship 
 in hopes that on some future day^ I might have it in my power 
 to restore them to the owners. With this view I took posses- 
 sion of the Captain’s writing desk which contained the most 
 of them, together with some paper and implements for writing. 
 I had also the good fortune to find a blank account book, in 
 which I resolved, should it be permitted me, to write an 
 account of our capture and the most remarkable occurren- 
 ces that I should meet with during my stay among these peo- 
 ple, fondly indulging the hope that it would not be long before 
 some vessel would arrive to release us. I likewise found in 
 the cabin, a small volume of sermons, a bible, and a common 
 prayer book of the Church of England, which furnished me 
 and my comrade great consolation in the midst of our mourn- 
 ful servitude, and enabled me, under the favor of divine provi- 
 dence, to support with firmness, the miseries of a life which 
 I might otherwise have found beyond tny strength to endure. 
 As these people set no value upon things of this kind, I 
 found no difficulty in appropriating them to myself, by putting 
 them in my chest, which though it had been broken open and 
 rifled by the savages, as I still had the key, 1 without much 
 difficulty secured. In this I also put some small tools belong- 
 ing to the ship, with several other articles, particularly a journal 
 kept by the second mate, Mr. Ingraham, and a collection of 
 drawings and views of places taken by him, which I had the 
 good fortune to preserve, and on my arrival at Boston, I gave 
 them to a connexion of his, the honourable Judge Dawes, 
 who sent them to his family in iVew York. 
 
 On the 26th, two ships were seen standing in for Friendly 
 Cove. At the first appearance the inhabitants were thrown 
 into great confusion, but soon collecting a number of muskets 
 and blunderbusses, ran to the shore, from whence they kept up 
 so brisk a fire at them, that they were evidently afraid to ap- 
 proach nearer, and after firing a few rounds of grape shot 
 which did no harm to any one, they wore ship and stood out 
 to sea. These ships, as I afterwards learned, were the Mary 
 and Juno of Boston. 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT, 
 
 223 
 
 They were scarcely out of sight when Maquina expressed 
 much regret that he had permitted his people to fire at them, 
 being apprehensive that they would give information to others 
 in what manner they had been received, and prevent them 
 from coming to trade with him. 
 
 A few days after hearing the capture of the ship, there 
 arrived at Nootha a great number of canoes filled with sava- 
 ges from no less than twenty tribes to the North and South. 
 Among those from the North were the Ai-tizarts, Schoo-mad- 
 its, Neu-wit-ties, Savin-ars, Ah-owz-arts, Mo-watch-its, Such- 
 setts, Neu-chad-lits, Mich-la-its and Cay-u-quets; the most 
 of whom were considered as tributary to Nootka. From 
 the South, the Aytch-arts and Esquiates, also tributary, with 
 the Kla-oo-quates, and the Wickanninish, a large and power- 
 ful tribe about two hundred miles distant. These last were 
 better clad than most of the others, and their canoes w’rought 
 with much greater skill; they are furnished with sails as well 
 as paddles, and with the advantage of a fair breeze, are usually 
 but twenty four hours on their passage. 
 
 IVIaquina, who was very proud of his new acquistion, was 
 desirous of welcoming these visitors in the European manner. 
 He accordingly ordered his men, as the canoes approached, 
 to assemble on the beach with loaded muskets and blunder- 
 busses, placing Thompson at the cannon which had been 
 brought from the ship and laid upon two long sticks of timber 
 in front of the village, then taking a speaking trumpet in his 
 hand he ascended with me, the roof of his house and began 
 drumming or beating upon the boards with a stick most vio- 
 lently. Nothing could be more ludicrous than the appear- 
 
224 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 ance of this motley group of savages collected on the shore, 
 dressed as they were, with their ill-gotten finery, in the most 
 fantastic manner, some in women’s smocks, taken from our 
 cargo, others in Kotsacks, (or cloaks) of blue, red or yellow 
 broadcloth, with stockings drawn over their heads, and their 
 necks hung round with numbers of powder-horns, shot-bags, 
 and cartouch-boxes, some of them having no less than ten 
 muskets apiece on their shoulders, and five or six daggers in 
 their girdles. Diverting indeed was it to see them all squat- 
 ted upon the beach, holding their muskets perpendicularly, 
 with the butt pressed upon the sand instead of against their 
 shoulders, and in this position awaited the order to fire. Ma- 
 quina, at last, called to them with his trumpet to fire, which 
 they did in the most awkward and timid manner, with their 
 muskets hard pressed upon the ground as above mentioned. 
 At the same moment the cannon were fiied by Thompson, im- 
 mediately on which they threw themselves back and began to 
 roll and tumble over the sand as if they had been shot, when 
 suddenly springing up they began a song of triumph and run- 
 ning backward and forward upon the shore, with the wildest 
 gesticulations, boasted of their exploits and exhibited as tro- 
 phies what they had taken from us. Notwithstanding the un- 
 pleasantness of my situation, and the feelings that this display 
 of our spoil excited, I could not avoid laughing at the strange 
 appearance of these savages, their awkward movements, and 
 the singular contrast of their dress and arms. 
 
 When the ceremony was concluded, IMaquina invited the 
 strangers to a feast at his house, consisting of whale blubber, 
 smoked herring spawn, and dried fish and train oil, of which 
 they ate most plentifully. The feast being over, the trays 
 out of which they ate, and other things, were immediately 
 removed to make room for the dance which was to close the 
 entertainment. This was performed by Maquina’s son, the 
 young prince Sat-sat-sock-sis, whom I have already spoken 
 of in the tbllowing manner — Three of the principal chiefs, 
 dressed in their otter-skin mantles, which they wear only on 
 extraordinary occasions and at festivals, having their heads 
 covered over with white down '^nd their faces highly painted, 
 came forward in the middle of the room, each furnished with 
 a bag filled with the white down, which they scattered around 
 in such a manner as to represent a fall of snow. These were 
 followed by the young prince, who was dressed in a long piece 
 of yellow cloth, wrapped loosely around him, and decorated 
 with small bells, with a cap on his head, to which was fastened 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 225 
 
 a curious mask in imitation of a wolf’s head, while the rear 
 was brought up by the king himself in his robe of sea-otter 
 skin, with a small whistle in his mouth, and a rattle in his 
 hand, with which he kept time to a sort of tune on his whistle. 
 After passing very rapidly in this order around the house, 
 each of them seated himself, except the prince, who immedi- 
 ately began his dance, which principally consisted in spring- 
 ing up into the air in a squat posture, and constantly turning 
 around on his heels with great swiftness in a very narrow cir- 
 cle. This dance, with a few intervals of rest, was continued 
 for about two hours, during which the chiefs kept up a con- 
 stant drumming with sticks of about a foot in length on a long 
 hollow plank, which was, though a very noisy, a most doleful 
 kind of music. This they accompanied with songs, the king 
 himself acting as chorister, while the women applauded each 
 feat of activity in the dancer by repeating the wo-rds, Wo- 
 cash ! Wocash ! Tyee ! that is good! very good prince. As 
 soon as the dance was finished IMaquina began to give pres- 
 ents to the strangers in the name of his son Sat-sat-sok-sis. 
 These were pieces of European cloth generally of a fathom 
 in length, muskets, powder, shot, See. Whenever he gave 
 them any thing, they had a peculiar manner of snatching it 
 from him with a very stern and surly look, repeating each 
 time the words, Wocash, Tyee. This I understood to be their 
 custom, and was considered as a compliment which if omit- 
 ted would be supposed as a mark of disregard for the present. 
 On this occasion Maquina gave away no less than one hund- 
 red muskets, the same number of looking glasses, four hundred 
 yards of cloth, and twenty casks of powder, with other things. 
 
 After receiving those presents, the strangers retired on 
 board their canoes, for so numerous were they, that IMaquina 
 would not suffer any but the chiefs to sleep in the houses; 
 and in order to prevent the property from being pillaged by 
 them, he ordered Thompson and myself to keep guard, du- 
 ring the night, armed with cutlasses and pistols. 
 
 In this manner tribes of savages from various parts of the 
 coast, continued coming for several days, bringing with them, 
 blubber oil, herring spawn, dried fish and clams, for which 
 they received in return, presents of cloth, &.c. after which 
 they in general immediately returned home. I observed 
 that very few, if any of them, except the chiefs, had arms, 
 which I afterwards learned is the custom with these people 
 whenever they come upon a friendly visit to trade, in order to 
 show, on their approach, that their intentions are pacific 
 VOL. I. 10 * 
 
226 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEUTTT, 
 
 Early on the morning of the 18 th the ship was discovered 
 to be on fire. This was owing to one of the savages having 
 gone on board with a fire brand at night for the purpose of 
 plunder, some sparks from which fell into the hold, and com- 
 municating with some combustibles soon enveloped the whole 
 in flames. The natives regretted the loss of the ship the 
 more as a great part of her cargo still remained on board. 
 To my companion and myself it was a most melancholy sight, 
 for with her disappeared from our eyes every trace of <a civi- 
 lized country; but the disa[)pointment we experienced was 
 still more severely felt, for we had calculated on having the 
 provisions to ourselves, which would have furnished us with 
 a stock for years, as whatever is cured with salt, together with 
 most of our other articles of food, are never eaten by these 
 people. I had luckily saved all my tools excepting the anvil, 
 and the bellows which was attached to the forge, and from 
 their weight had not been brought on shore. e had also the 
 good fortune in looking over wliat had been taken from the 
 ship to discover a box of chocolate and a case of port wine, 
 which as the Indians were not fond of it proved a great com- 
 fort to us for some time, and from one of the natives I ob- 
 tained a nautical almanack, which had belonged to the Cap- 
 tain, and which was of great use to me in determining the 
 time. 
 
 About two days after, on examining their booty, the savages 
 found a tierce of rum with which thev were highly delighted, 
 as they have become very fond of spirituous liquors since 
 their intercourse with the whites. — I'his was towards evening, 
 and Maquina having assembled all the men at his house, 
 gave a feast, at which they drank so freely of the rum, that in 
 a short time, they became so extremely wild and frantic that 
 Thompson and myself, apprehensive for our safety, thought it 
 prudent to retire privately into the woods, where we continued 
 till past midniglit. On our return we found the women gone, 
 who are always very temperate, drinking nothing but water, 
 having quitted the house and gone to tlie other huts to sleep, 
 so terrified were tney at tiie conduct of the men, who all lay 
 stretched out on the floor in.a state of complete into.xication. 
 How easy in this situation would it have been for us to have 
 dispatched or made ourselves masters of our enemies, had 
 there been any ship near to which we could have escaped, 
 but as we were situated, the attempt would have been mad- 
 ness. The wish of revenge was however less strongly im- 
 pressed on my mind, than what appeared to be so evident an 
 
NARRATIVE OP JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 22 ? 
 
 interposition of divine Providence in our favor. How little 
 can man penetrate its designs, and how frequently is that in- 
 tended as a blessing which he views as a curse. The burning 
 of our ship which we had lamented so much, as depriving us of 
 so many comforts, now appeared to us in a very different 
 light, for had the savages got possession of the rum of which 
 there were nearly twenty puncheons on board, we must inevi- 
 tably have fallen a sacrifice to their fury in some of their mo- 
 ments of intoxication. This cask fortunately and a case of 
 gin was all the spirits they obtained from the ship. To pre- 
 vent the recurrence of similar danger I examined the cask, 
 and finding still a considerable quantity remaining, I bored 
 a small hole in the bottom with a gimblet, which before morn- 
 ing to my great joy completely emptied it. 
 
 By this time the wound in my head began to be much better, 
 so that I could enjoy some sleep which I had been almost 
 deprived of by the pain, and though 1 was still feeble from 
 the loss of blood and my sufferings, I found myself sufficiently 
 well to go to work at my trade, in making for the king and his 
 wives bracelets and other small ornaments of copper or steel, 
 and in repairing the arms, making use of a large square stone 
 for the anvil, and heating my metal in a common wood fire. 
 This was very gratifying to Maquina and his women particu- 
 larly, and secured me their good will. 
 
 In the mean time great numbers from the other tribes kept 
 continually flocking to Nootka, bringing with them in ex- 
 change for the ship’s plunder such quantities of provision, 
 that notwithstanding the little success that Maquina met with 
 in whaling this season, and their gluttonous waste, always 
 eating to excess when they have it, regardless of the morrow, 
 seldom did the natives experience any want of food during 
 the summer. As to myself and companion we fared as they 
 did, never wanting for such provisions as they had, though we 
 were obliged to eat it cooked in their manner and with train 
 oil as a sauce, a circumstance not a little unpleasant, both 
 from their uncleanly mode of cooking, and many of the arti- 
 cles of their food which to an European are very disgusting, 
 but, as the saying is, hunger will break through stone walls, 
 and we found at times in the blubber of sea animals and the 
 flesh of the dog fish, loathsome as it in general was, a very 
 acceptable repast. But much oftener would poor Thompson 
 who was no favorite with them, have suffered from hunger, 
 had it not been for my furnishing him with provisions — This 
 I was enabled to do from my work, Maquina allowing me the 
 
228 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEVVITT. 
 
 privilege, when not employed for him, to work for myself in 
 making bracelets and other ornaments of copper, fish-hooks, 
 daggers, 8ic. either to sell to tlie tribes who visited us, or for 
 our own chiefs, who on these occasions besides supplying me 
 with as much as I wished to eat, and a sufficiency for Thomp- 
 son, almost always made me a present of an European gar- 
 ment taken from the ship, or some fathoms of cloth, which 
 were made up by my comrade, and enabled us to go comfort- 
 ably clad for some time, or small bundles of penknives, ra- 
 zors, scissors, &.C. for one of which we could always procure 
 from the natives two or three fresh salmon, cod, or halibut; 
 or dried fisb, clams and herring spawn from tlie stranger 
 tribes; and had we only been permitted to cook them after 
 our own way, as we had pots, and other utensils belonging to 
 the ship, we should not have had much cause of complaint in 
 this respect, but so tenacious are these people of their cus- 
 toms, particularly in the article of food and cooking, that the 
 king always obliged me to give whatever provisions I bought 
 to the women to cook — and one day finding Thompson and 
 myself on the shore employed in boiling down sea-water into 
 salt, on being told what it was, he was very much displeased, 
 and taking the little we had procured, threw it into the sea. 
 In one instance alone, as a particular favour, he allowed me 
 to boil some salmon in my own way, when I invited him and 
 his queen to eat with me; they tasted it, but did not like it, 
 and made their meal of some of it cooked in their country 
 fashion. 
 
 In May, the weather became uncommonly mild and pleas- 
 ant, and so forward was vegetation that I picked a plenty of 
 strawberries by the middle of the month. Of this fruit there 
 are great quantities on this coast, and I found them a most 
 delicious treat. ]\Iy health had now become almost re-estab- 
 lished, my wound being so far healed that it gave me no far- 
 ther trouble. I had never failed to wash it regularly once a 
 day in sea water, and to dress it with a fresh leaf of tobacco, 
 which I obtained from the natives, who had taken it from the 
 ship, but made no use of it. This was all the dressing I gave 
 it, e.Kcept applying to it two or three times, a little loaf sugar, 
 which Maquina gave me, in order to remove some proud 
 flesh which prevented it from closing. 3Iy cure would doubt- 
 less have been much sooner effected bad I have been in a civi- 
 lized country, where I could have had it dressed by a surgeon 
 and properly attended to. But alas ! I had no good Samari- 
 tan with oil and wine to bind up my wounds, and fortunate 
 
NAKRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWETT 
 
 229 
 
 might I even esteem myself that I was permitted to dress it, 
 for the utmost that I could expect from the natives was com- 
 passion for my misfortunes, which I indeed experienced from 
 the women, particularly the queen, or favorite wife of Maqui- 
 na, the mother of Sat-sat-sok-sis, who used frequently to point 
 to my head and manifest much kindness and solicitude for me. 
 I must do Maquina the justice to acknowledge that he always 
 appeared desirous of sparing me any labor which he believed 
 might be hurtf»l to me, frequently inquiring in an affectionate 
 manner, if my head pained me. As for the others, some of 
 the chiefs excepted, they cared little what became of me, and 
 probably would have been gratified with my death. 
 
 My health being at length re-established and my wound 
 healed, Thompson became very importunate for me to begin 
 my journal, and as I bad no ink, proposed to cut his finger to 
 supply me with blood for the purpose whenever I should want 
 it. On the first of June I accordingly commenced a regular 
 diary, but had no occasion to make use of the expedient sug- 
 gested by my comrade, having found a much better substitute 
 in the expressed juice of a certain plant, which furnished me 
 with a bright green color and after making a number of trials 
 I at length succeeded in obtaining a very tolerable ink, by 
 boiling the juice of the blackberry with a mixture of finely 
 powdered charcoal, and filtering it through a cloth. This I 
 afterwards preserved in bottles and found it answer very well, 
 so true is it that “ necessity is the mother of invention.” As 
 for quills I found no difficulty in procuring them, whenever I 
 wanted, from the crows and ravens with which the beach was 
 almost always covered, attracted by the offal of whales, seals, 
 &c. and which were so tame that I could easily kill them with 
 stones, while a large clam shell furnished me with an ink 
 stand. 
 
 The extreme solicitude of Thompson that I should begin 
 my journal, might be considered as singular in a man, who 
 neither knew how to read or write, a circumstance by the 
 way, very uncommon in an American, were we less acquaint- 
 ed with the force of habit, he having been for many years at 
 sea, and accustomed to consider the keeping of a journal, as 
 a thing indispensable. This man was born in Philadelphia, 
 and at eight years old ran away from his friends and entered 
 as a cabin boy on board a ship bound to London; on his arri- 
 val there' finding himself in distress, he engaged as an ap- 
 prentice to the captain of a Collier, from whence he was im- 
 pressed on board an English man of war, and continued in 
 
230 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 the British naval service about twenty -seven years, during 
 which he was present at the engagement under Lord Howe 
 with the French fleet in June, 1794, and when peace was 
 made between England and France was discharged. He 
 was a very strong and powerful man, an expert boxer, and 
 perfectly fearless, indeed so little was his dread of danger, 
 that when irritated he was w'holly regardless of his life. Of 
 this the following will furnish a sufficient proof. 
 
 One evening about the middle of April, as I ivas at the house 
 of one of the chiefs, where I had been employeif on some work 
 for him, word was brought me that Alaquina rvas going to kill 
 Thompson. I immediately hurried iiome, where I found the 
 king in the act of presenting a loaded musket at Thompson, 
 who was standing before him with his breast bared and calling 
 on him to fire. I instantly stepped up to 3Iaquir.a, who was 
 foaming with rage, and addressing him in soothing words, 
 begged him for my sake not to kill my father, and at length 
 succeeded in taking the musket from him and persuading him 
 to sit down. On inquiring into the cause of his anger, I 
 learned that while Thompson was lighting the lamps in the 
 king’s room, Maquina having substituted ours for their pine 
 to.ches, some of the boys began to teaze him running round 
 him, and pulling him by the trowsers, among the most for- 
 ward of whom was the young prince. This caosed Thomp- 
 son to spill the oil, which threw' him .nto such a passion, that 
 without caring what he did, he struck the prince so violent a 
 blow in his face with his fist as to knock him down. The 
 sensation excited among the savages by an act, which was 
 considered as the highest indignity, and a profanation of the 
 sacred person of majesty may be easily conceived. The king 
 was immediately acquainted with it, who, on coming in and 
 seeing his son’s face covered with blood, seized a musket 
 and began to load it, determined to take instant revenge on 
 the audacious offender, and had I arrived a few minutes later 
 than I did, my companion w'oukl certainly have paid with his 
 life for his rash and violent conduct. I found the utmost diffi- 
 culty in pacifying Alaquina, who for a long time after could 
 not forgive Thompson, but would re])eatedly sav, “John you 
 die — Thompson kill ?” But to appease the king was not 
 all that was necessary. In consequence of the insult offered 
 to their prince, the whole tribe held a council, in which it 
 was unanimously resolved that Thompson should be put to 
 death in the most cruel manner. I how'ever interceded so 
 strenuously with 3Iaquina, for his life, telling him that if my 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 231 
 
 father was killed, I was determined not to survive him, that 
 he refused to deliver him up to the vengeance of his people, 
 saying, that for John’s sake they must consent to let him live. 
 Tlie prince, who, after I had succeeded in calming his father, 
 gave me an account of what had happened, told me that it was 
 wholly out of regard for me, as Thompson was my father, 
 that his life had been spared, for that if any one of the tribe 
 should dare to iift a hand against him in anger, he would most 
 certainly be put to death. 
 
 Yet even this narrow escape produced not much effect on 
 Thompson, or induced him to restrain the violence of his tem- 
 per. For not many weeks after, he was guilty of a similar 
 indiscretion, in striking the eldest son of a chief, who was 
 about eighteen years old, and according to their custom was 
 considered as a Tyee, or chief himself, inconsequence of his 
 having provoked him by calling him a whiteslave. This affair 
 caused great commotion in the village, and the tribe was very 
 clamorous for his death, but Maquina would not consent. I 
 used frequently to remonstrate with him on the imprudence 
 of his conduct and beg him to govern his temper better, tell- 
 ing him that it was our duty since our lives were in the pow- 
 er of these savages, to do nothing to exasperate them. ]?ut 
 all I could say on this point availed little, for so bitter was 
 the hate he felt for them, which he was no way backward in 
 manifesting both by his looks and actions, that he declared he 
 never would submit to their insults, and that he had much 
 rather be killed tlian be obliged to live among them, adding 
 that he only w'ished he had a good vessel and some guns, and 
 he would destroy the whole of the cursed race ; for to a 
 brave sailor like him, who had fought the French and Span- 
 iards with glory, it was a punishment worse than death to be 
 a slave to such a poor, ignorant, despicable set of beings. 
 
 As for myself 1 thought very differently. After returning 
 thanks to that merciful Being who had in so wonderful a man- 
 ner softened the hearts of these savages in my favour, I had 
 determined from the first of my capture to adopt a concilia- 
 ting conduct towards them, and conform myself, as far as was 
 in my power, to their customs and mode of thinking, trusting 
 that the same divine goodness that had rescued me from 
 death, would not always suffer me to languish in captivity 
 among these heathen. With this view 1 sought to gain their 
 good will by always endeavouring to assume a cheerful coun- 
 tenance, appearing pleased with their sports and buffoon 
 tricks, making little ornaments for the wives and children of 
 
232 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 the chiefs, by which means I became quite a favourite with 
 them, and fish hooks, daggers, &.c. for themselves. As a far- 
 ther recommendation to their favour, and what might eventu- 
 ally prove of the utmost importance to us, I resolved to learn 
 their language, which in the course of a few months residence 
 I so far succeeded; in acquiring as to be able in general to 
 make myself understood. I likewise tried to persuade 
 Thompson to learn it, as what might prove necessary to him. 
 But he refused, saying, that he hated both them and their 
 cursed lingo and would have nothing to do with it. 
 
 By pursuing this conciliatory plan, so far did I gain the 
 good will of the savages, particularly the chiefs, that 1 scarce- 
 ly ever failed experiencing kind treatment from them, and 
 was received with a smile of welcome at their houses, where 
 I was always sure of having something given me to eat, 
 whenever they had it, and many a good meal have I had from 
 them, when they themselves were short of provisions and suf- 
 fering for the want of them. And it was a common practice 
 with me when we had nothing to eat at home which happened 
 not unfrequently during my stay among them, to go around 
 the village, and on noticing a smoke from any of the houses, 
 which denoted that they were cooking, enter in without cere- 
 mony and ask them for something, which I was never refused. 
 Few nations indeed, are there, so very rude and unfeeling, 
 whom constant mild treatment and an attention to please, will 
 not mollify and obtain from them some return of kind attention. 
 This, the treatment I received from these people may exem- 
 plify, for not numerous, even among those calling themselves 
 civilized, are there instances to be found of persons depriving 
 themselves of food to give it to a stranger, whatever may be 
 his merits. 
 
 Though my comrade and myself fared as well, and even 
 better than we could have expected among these people, con- 
 sidering their customs and mode of living, yet our fears lest 
 no ship would come to our release, and that we should never 
 more behold a Christian country, were to us a source of con- 
 stant pain. Our principal consolation in this gloomy state, 
 was to go on Sundays, whenever the weather would permit, 
 to the borders of a fresh water pond, about a mile from the 
 village, where, after bathing, and putting on clean clothes, 
 we would seat ourselves under the shade of a beautiful pine, 
 while I read some chapters in the Bible, and the prayers ap- 
 pointed by our Church for the day, ending our devotions wilh 
 a fervent prayer to the Almighty that he would deign still to 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 233 
 
 watch over and preserve our lives, rescue us from the hands 
 01 the savages, and permit us once more to behold a Christian 
 land. In this manner were the greater part of our Sundays 
 passed at Nootka ; and I felt grateful to heaven, that amidst 
 our other sufferings, we were at least allowed the pleasure of 
 offering up our devotions unmolested, for Maquina, on my ex- 
 plaining to him as well as was in my power the reason of our 
 thus retiring at this time, far from objecting, readily consent- 
 ed to it. The pond above mentioned was small, not more 
 than a quarter of a mile in breadth and of no great length, 
 the water being very clear, though not of great depth, and 
 bordered by a beautiful forest of pine, fir, elm, and beach 
 free from bushes and underwood — a most delightful retreat, 
 which was rendered still more attractive by a great number 
 of birds that frequented it, particularly the humming bird. 
 Thither we used to go to wash our clothes, and felt secure 
 from any intrusion from the natives, as they rarely visited 
 it e.xcept for the purpose of cleansing themselves of their 
 paint. 
 
 In July we at length thought that the hope of delivery we 
 had so long anxiously indulged, was on the point of being 
 gratified. A ship appeared in the offing, but alas, our fond 
 hopes vanished almost as soon as formed j for instead of 
 standing in for the shore she passed to the northward and 
 soon disappeared. I shall not attempt to describe our disap- 
 pointment, — my heart sunk within me, and I felt as though it 
 was my destiny never more to behold a Christian face. Four 
 days after there occurred a tremendous storm of thunder and 
 lightning, during wliich the natives manifested great alarm 
 and terror, the whole tribe, hurrying to Maquina’s house, 
 where instead of keeping within, they seated themselves on 
 the roof amid the severest of tlie tempest, drumming upon 
 the boards, and looking up to heaven, while the king beat 
 the long hollow plank, singing and, as he afterwards told me, 
 begging Quahootze, the name they give to God, not to kill 
 them, in which he was accompanied by the whole tribe ; 
 this singing and drumming was continued until the storm 
 abated. 
 
 As the summer drew near its close, we began to suffer 
 from the frequent want of food, which was principally owing 
 to Maquina and the chiefs being out whaling, in which he 
 would not permit Thompson and myself to join, lest we should 
 make our escape to some of the neighboring tribes. At these 
 times the women seldom or ever cook any provision, and we 
 
234 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 were often hungry, but were sometimes fortunate enough to 
 procure secretly, a piece of salmon, some other fish, spawn, 
 or even blubber, which, by boiling in salt water, with a few 
 onions and turnips, the remains of the Spanish garden, or 
 young nettles and other herbs, furnished us a delicious repast 
 in private. In the mean time, we frequently received ac- 
 counts from the tribes who came to Nootka, both from the 
 north and south, of there being vessels on the coast, and were 
 advised by their chiefs to make our escape, who also promised 
 us their aid, and to put us on board. These stories, how- 
 ever, as I afterwards learned, were almost all of them without 
 any foundation, and merely invented by these people with a 
 view to get us into their power in order to make slaves of us 
 themselves, or to sell us to others. I3ut I was still more 
 strongly solicited to leave iVootka by a woman. This was a 
 Wickinninish princess, a younger sister of Maquina’s wife, 
 who was there on a visit. I had the good fortune, if it may 
 be so called, to become quite a favorite with her. She ap- 
 peared much interested for me — asked me many questions re- 
 specting my country, if I had a mother and sister at home, 
 and if they would not grieve for my absence. Her comple.v- 
 ion was fairer than that of the women in general, and her fea- 
 tures more regular, and she would have been quite handsome 
 liad it not been for a defect in one of her eyes, the sight of 
 which had been injured by some accident, the reason, as 3Ia- 
 quina told me why she had not been married, a defect of this 
 kind being by these savages considered as almost an insuper- 
 able objection. She urged me repeatedly to return with her, 
 telling me that the Wickinninish were much better than the 
 HVootkians ; that her father would treat me more kindly than 
 Maquina, give me better food and clothes, and finally put 
 me on board one of my own country vessels. I felt, how- 
 ever, little disposed to accompany her, considering my situa- 
 tion with JMaquina full as eligible as it would be with the 
 Wickinninish, if not better, notwithstanding all she said to 
 the contrary. 
 
 On the third of September, the whole tribe quitted Xootka, 
 according to their constant practice, in order to pass the au- 
 tumn and winter at Tashees and Cooptee, the latter lying 
 about thirty miles up the Sound in a deep bay, the navigation 
 of which is very dangerous froili the great number of reefs 
 and rocks with which it abounds. On these occasions every 
 thing is taken with them, even the planks of their houses, in 
 order to cover their new dwellings. To an European, such a 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 235 
 
 removal exhibits a scene qui<e novel and strange : canoes 
 piled up with boards and boxes, and filled with men, women 
 and cliildren of all ranks and sizes, making the air resound 
 with their crias and songs. At these times, as well as when 
 they have occasion to go some distance fro.m their houses, the 
 infants are usually suspended across the mother’s shoulders, 
 in a kind of cradle or hammock, formed of bark, of about six 
 inches in depth, and of the length of the child, by means of a 
 leather band inserted through loops on its edges ; this they 
 also keep them in when at home, in order to preserve them in a 
 strait position and prevent any distortion of the limbs, most pro- 
 bably a principal cause of these people being so seldom de- 
 formed or crooked. The long boat of our ship having been 
 repaired and furnished with a sail by Thompson, Maquina 
 gave us the direction of it, we being better acquainted with 
 managing it than his people, and after loading her as deep as 
 she could swim, we proceeded in company with them to the 
 north, quitting Nootka with heavy hearts, as we could enter- 
 tain no hopes of release until our return, no ships ever com- 
 ing to that part of the coast. Passing Cooptee, which is situ- 
 ated on the southern bank, just w'ithin the mouth of a small 
 river flowing from the east in a narrow valley at the foot of a 
 mountain, we proceeded about flfteen miles up this stream to 
 Tashees, between a range of lofty hills on each side, which 
 extend a great distance inland, and are covered with the finest 
 forest trees of the country. Immediately on our arrival, we 
 all went to work very diligently in covering the houses with 
 the planks we had brought, the frames being ready erected, 
 these people never pretending to remove the timber. In a 
 very short time the work was completed, and we were estab- 
 ’ished in our new residence. 
 
 Tashees is pleasantly situated and in a most secure posi- 
 tion from the winter storms, in a small vale or hollow on the 
 south shore, at the foot of a mountain. The spot on which it 
 stands is level, and the soil very fine, the country in its vicin- 
 ity abounding with the most romantic views, charmingly di- 
 versified, and fine streams of w'ater falling in beautiful cas- 
 cades from the mountains. The river at this place is about 
 twenty rods in width, and, in its deepest part, from nine to 
 twelve feet. This village is the extreme point of navigation, 
 as immediately beyond, the river becomes much more shallow^ 
 and is broken into rapids and falls. The houses here are 
 placed in a line like those at Nootka, but closer together, tho 
 situation being more confined, they are also smaller, in conse- 
 
236 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 quence of which we were much crowded, and incommoded 
 for room. 
 
 The principal object in coming to this place, is the facility 
 It affords these people of providing their winter stock of pro- 
 visions, which consists principally of salmon, and the spawn 
 of that fish ; to which may be added herring and sprats, and 
 herring spav/n. The latter, however, is always procured by 
 them at Nootka, previous to their quitting it. At the seasons 
 of spawning, which are early in the spring and the last of Au- 
 gust, they collect a great quantify of pine branches, which they 
 place in different parts of the Cove at the depth of about ten 
 feet and secure them by means of heavy stones. On these 
 the herring deposit their spawn in immense quantities ; the 
 bushes are then taken up, the spawn stripped from the 
 branches, and after being washed and freed from the pine 
 leaves by the women, is dried and put up in baskets for use. 
 It is considered as their greatest delicacy, and eaten both 
 cooked and raw : in the former case, being boiled and eaten 
 with train oil, and in the latter, mixed up with cold water 
 alone. 
 
 The salmon are taken at Tashees, principally in pots or 
 wears. Their method of taking them in wears is thus : — A 
 pot of twenty feet in length, and from four to five feet diameter 
 at the mouth, is formed of a great number of pine splinters 
 which are strongly secured, an inch and a half f-oni each 
 other, by means of hoops made of flexible twigs, and placed 
 about eight inches apart. At the end it tapers almost to a 
 point, near which is a small wicker door, for the purpose of 
 taking out the fish. This pot or w'ear is placed at the foot of 
 a fall or rapid, where the water is not very deep, and the fish 
 driven from above with long poles, are interrupted and caught 
 in the wear, from whence they are taken into the canoes. In 
 this manner I have seen more than seven hundred salmon 
 caught in the space of fifteen minutes. I have also sometimes 
 known a few of the striped bass taken in this manner, but 
 rarely. 
 
 At such times there is great feasting and merriment among 
 them. The women and female slaves being busily employed 
 in cooking, or in curing the fish for their winter stock, which 
 is done by cutting off the heads and tails, splitting them, tak- 
 ing out the back bone, and hanging them up in their houses 
 to dry. They also dry the halibut and cod, but these instead 
 of curing whole, they cut up into small pieces for that pur- 
 pose, and e.xpose to the sun. The spawn of the salmon, 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 237 
 
 which is a principal article of their provision, they take out, 
 and without any other preparation, throw it into their tubs, 
 where they 1 jave it to stand and ferment, for though they fre- 
 quently eat it fresh, they esteem it much more when it has ac- 
 quired a strong taste, and one of the greatest favors they can 
 confer on any person, is to invite him to eat Quakamiss, the 
 name they give this food, though scarcely any thing can be 
 more repugnant to an European palate, than it is in this state ; 
 and whenever they took it out of these large receptacles, 
 which they are always careful to fill, such was the stench 
 which it exhaled, on being moved, that it was impossible for 
 me to abide it, even after habit had in a great degree dulled 
 the delicacy of my senses. — When boiled it became less of- 
 fensive, though it still retained much of the putrid smell and 
 something of the taste. 
 
 Such is the immense quantity of these fish, and they are 
 taken with such facility, that I have known upwards of twenty- 
 five hundred brought into Maquina’s house at once, and at 
 one of their great feasts, have seen one hundred or more 
 cooked in one of their largest tubs. 
 
 I used frequently to go out with Maquina upon these fish- 
 ing parties, and was always sure to receive a handsome pre- 
 sent of salmon, which I had the privilege of calling mine ; I 
 also went with him several times in a canoe, to strike the sal- 
 mon, which I have attempted to do myself, but could never 
 succeed, it requiring a degree of adroitness that I did not pos- 
 sess. I was also permitted to go out with a gun, and was 
 several times very successful in shooting wild ducks, and teal, 
 which are very numerous here, though rather shy. These 
 they cooked in their usual manner, by boiling, without any 
 farther dressing than skinning them. In many respects, how- 
 ever, our situation was less pleasant here than at Nootka. 
 We were more incommoded for room, the houses not being 
 so spacious, nor so well arranged, and as it was colder, we 
 were compelled to be much more within doors. We however, 
 did not neglect on Sundays, when the weather would admit, 
 to retire into the woods, and by the side of some stream, 
 after bathing, return our thanks to God for preserving us, 
 and offer up to him our customary devotions. I was how- 
 ever, very apprehensive, soon after our arrival at this place, 
 that I should be deprived of the satisfation of keeping my 
 journal, as Maquina one day observing me writing in it, en- 
 quired of me what I was doing, and when I endeavored to ex- 
 plain it, by telling him that I was keeping an account of the 
 
238 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JE^VITT. 
 
 weather, he said it was not so, and that I was speaking bad 
 about him, and telling how he had taken our ship and killed 
 the crew, so as to inform my countrymen, and tiiat if he ever 
 saw me writing in it again, he would throw it into the fire. I 
 was much rejoiced that he did no more than threaten, and be- 
 came very cautious afterwards not to let him see me write. 
 
 Not long after I finished some daggers for him, which I 
 polished highly ; these pleased him much, and he gave me di- 
 rections to make a cheetoolth, in which I succeeded so far to 
 his satisfaction, that he gave me a present of cloth sufficient 
 to make me a complete suit of raiment, besides other things. 
 Thom])son, also, who had become rather more of a favorite 
 than formerly, since he nad made a fine sail for his canoe, 
 and some garments for him out of European cloth, about this 
 time completed another, which was thought by the savages a 
 most o\iperb dres.s. This was a Kootsuk or mantle a fathom 
 square, made entirely of European , est patterns of the gayest 
 colors These were sewed together, in a inanne. to make 
 the best show, and bound with a deep trimming of the finest 
 otter skin, with which the arm-holes were also bordered ; 
 while the bottom was farther embellished with five or si.x rows 
 of gilt buttons, placed as near as possible to each other. No- 
 thing could exceed the pride of Maquina when he first put on 
 this royal robe, decorated like the coat of Joseph, with all the 
 colors of the rainbow, and glittering with the buttons, which 
 as he strutted about made a tinkling, while he repeatedly e.x- 
 claimed in a transport of exultation, Klewshish Katsnk — wick 
 kum atack Nootka. A fine garment — Nootka can't make 
 him. 
 
 Maquina, who knew that the chiefs of the tribes who came 
 to visit us, had endeavored to persuade me to escape, fre- 
 quently cautioned me not to listen to them, and tliht should I 
 make the attempt, and he were to take me, he should certainly 
 put mo to death. ^Vhile here he gave me a book in which I 
 found the names of seven persons belonging to the ship Man- 
 chester of Philadelphia, Captain Brian, viz. — Daniel .Smith, 
 I^ewis Gillon, James Tom, Clarl:, Johnson, Ben and Jack. 
 I'hese men, as JMaquina informed me, ran away from the 
 ship, and came to liim, but that six of them soon after went off 
 in the nigh.t, with an intention to go to the ^Vickinninish, but 
 ewre stopped by the Eshquiates, and sent back to him, and 
 that he ordered them to be put to death ; and a most cruel 
 dea*h it was, as I was told by one of the natives, four men 
 holding one of them on the ground, and forcing open his 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 239 
 
 mouth, while they choaked him by ramming stones down his 
 throat. As to Jack the boy, who made no attempt to go off, 
 Maqtiina afterwards sold him to the Wickinninish. I was in- 
 formed by the princess Yuqua, that he was quite a small boy, 
 who cried a great deal, being put to hard labor beyond his 
 strength by the natives, in cutting wood and bringing water, 
 and that when he heard of the murder of our crew, it had 
 such an effect on him that he fell sick and died shortly after. 
 On learning the mclaijcholy fate of this unfortunate lad, it 
 again awakened in my bosom those feelings that I had ex- 
 perienced at the shocking teath of my poor comrades. 
 
 The kins finding that 1 was desirous of learning their Ian- 
 guage, was much delighted, and took great pleasure in con- 
 versing with me. On one of these occasions, he e.xplained to 
 me his reasons for cutting off our ship, saying that he bore no 
 ill will to my countrymen, but that he had been several times 
 treated very ill by them. The first injury of which he had 
 cause to complain, was done him by a Captain Tawnington, 
 who commanded a schooner which passed a winter at Friend- 
 ly Cove, where he was wc41 treated by the inhabitants. This 
 man taking advantage of Maquina’s absence, who had gone 
 
 The Sea Otter firing upon the Natives. 
 
 to the Wickinninish to procure a wife, armed himself and 
 crew, and entered the house where there were none but wo- 
 men, whom he threw into the greatest consternation, and 
 searching the chests, took away all the skin.s, of which iRIa- 
 quina had no less than forty of the best; and that about the 
 same time, four of their chiefs were barbarously killed by a 
 
240 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 Captain Martinez, a Spaniard. That soon after Captain 
 Hanna, of the Sea-Otter, in consequence of one of tlie natives 
 having stolen a chizzel from the carpenter, fired upon their 
 canoes which were along side, and killed upwards of twenty 
 of the natives, of whom several were Tyees or chiefs, and that 
 he himself being on board the vessel, in order to escape was 
 obliged to leap from the quarterdeck, and swim for along 
 way under water. 
 
 These injuries had excited in the breast of Maquina, an 
 ardent desire of revenge, the strongest passion of the savage 
 heart, and though many years had elapsed since their com- 
 mission, still they were not forgotten, and the want of a fa- 
 vourable opportunity alone prevented him from sooner aveng- 
 ing them. Unfortunately for us, the long wished for oppor- 
 tunity at length presented itself in our ship; which JMaquina 
 finding not guarded with the usual vigilance of the iS'orth 
 West Traders, and feeling his desire of revenge rekindled 
 by the insult offered him by Capt. Salter, formed a plan for 
 attacking, and on his return, called a council of his chiefs, 
 and communicated it to them, acquainting them with the man- 
 ner in which he had been treated. No less desirous of 
 avenging this aflront offered their king, than former injuries, 
 they readily agreed to his proposal, which was to go on board 
 without arms as usual, but under different pretexts, in greater 
 numbers, and wait his signal for the moment of attacking 
 their unsuspecting victims. The execution of this scheme, 
 as the reader knows, was unhappily too successful. And 
 here I cannot but indulge a reflection that has frequently 
 occurred to me on the manner in which our people behave 
 towards the natives. For though they are a thievish race, yet 
 1 have no doubt that many of the melancholy disasters have 
 princ’.pally arisen iVom the imprudent conduct of’ some of the 
 captains and crews of the ships employed in this trade, in 
 exas])erating them by insulting, plundering, and even killing 
 them on slight grounds. This, as nothing is more sacred 
 with a savage than the principle of revenge, and no people 
 are so impatient under insult, induces them to wreak their 
 vengeance upon the first vessel or boat’s crew that offers, 
 making the innocent too frequently suffer for the wrongs of 
 the guilty, as few of them know to discriminate between per- 
 sons of the same general appearance, more especially when 
 speaking the same language. And to this cause do 1 believe, 
 must principally be ascribed the sanguinary disposition with 
 which these people are reproached, as Maquina repeatedly 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 241 
 
 told me that it was not his wish to hurt a white man, and that 
 he never should have done it, though ever so much in his 
 power, had they not injured him. And were the commanders 
 of our ships to treat the savages with rather more civility than 
 they sometimes do, I am inclined to think they would find 
 their account in it; not that I should recommend to them a 
 confidence in the good faith and friendly professions of these 
 people, so as in any degree to remit their vigilance, but on 
 the contrary, to be strictly on their guard, and suffer but a 
 few of them to come on board the ship, and to admit not many 
 of their canoes along side at a time; a precaution that would 
 have been the means of preventing some of the unfortunate 
 events that have occurred, and if attended to, may in future, 
 preserve many a valuable life. Such a regulation too, from 
 what I know of their disposition, and wants, would produce 
 no serious difficulty in trading with the savages, and they 
 would soon become perfectly reconciled to it. 
 
 Among the provisions which the Indians procure at Tash- 
 ees, I must not omit mentioning a fruit that is very important, 
 as forming a great article of their food. This is what is 
 called by them the Yama, a species of berry that grows in 
 bunches like currants, upon a bush from two to three feet 
 high, with a large, round and smooth leaf. This berry is 
 black, and about the size of a pistol shot, but of rather an 
 oblong shape, and open at the top like the blue wortleberry. 
 The taste is sweet but a little acrid, and when first gathered, 
 if eaten in any great quantity, especially without oil, is apt to 
 produce cholics. To procure it, large companies of women 
 go out in the mountains, accompanied by armed men, to pro- 
 tect them against wild beasts, where they frequently remain 
 for several days, kindling a fire at night, and sheltering them- 
 selves under sheds constructed of boughs. At these parties, 
 they collect great quantities. I have known JMaquina’s 
 queen and her women return loaded, bringing with them 
 upwards of twelve bushels. In order to preserve it, it is 
 pressed in the bunches between two planks, and dried and 
 put away in baskets for use. It is always eaten with oil. 
 
 Of berries of various kinds, such as straw-berries, rasp- 
 berries, black-berries, Stc. there are great quantities in the 
 country, of which the natives are very fond, gathering them 
 in their seasons, and eating them with oil, but the yama is the 
 only one that they preserve. 
 
 Fish is, however, their great article of food, as almost all the 
 others, excepting the yama, may be considered as accidental. 
 
 VOL. I. 11 
 
242 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 They nevertheless are far from disrelishing meat, for instance, 
 venison and bear’s flesh. With regard to the latter, they 
 have a most singular custom, which is, that any one who eats 
 of it is obliged to abstain from eating any kind of fresh fish 
 whatever, for the term of two months, as they have a supersti- 
 tious belief, that should any of their people after tasting bear’s 
 flesh, eat of fresh salmon, cod. See. the fish, though at ever 
 so great a distance off, would come to the knowledge of it, 
 and offended thereat, as not to allow themselves to De taken 
 by any of the inhabitants. This I had an opportunity of ob- 
 serving while at Tashees, a bear having been killed early in 
 December, of which not more than ten of the natives would 
 eat, being prevented by the prohibition anne.xed to it, which 
 also was the reason of my comrade and myself not tasting it, 
 on being told by Maquina the consequence. 
 
 As there is something quite curious in their management 
 of this animal, when they have killed one, I shall give a de- 
 scription of it. After well cleansing the bear from the dirt 
 and blood, with which it is generally covered when killed, it 
 
 is brought in and seated opposite the king in an upright 
 posture, with a chief’s bonnet, wrought in figures on its head, 
 and its fur powdered over with the white down. A trav of 
 provisions is then set before it, and it is invited by words and 
 gestures to eat. This mock ceremony over, the reason of 
 which I could never learn, the animal <s taken and skinned, 
 and the flesh and entrails boiled up into a soup, no part, but 
 the paunch being rejected. 
 
 Thompson shooting a Bear. 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 243 
 
 This dressing the bear as they call it, is an occasion of great 
 rejoicing throughout the village, all the inhabitants being in- 
 vited to a great feast at the king’s house, though but a few 
 of them, in consequence of the penalty, will venture to eat 
 of the flesh, but generally content themselves with their favor- 
 ite dish of herring spawn and water. The feast on this 
 occasion was closed by a dance from Sat-sat-sak-sis, in the 
 manner I have already described, in the course of which he 
 repeatedly shifted his mask for another of a different form. 
 
 A few days after a second bear was taken, like the former 
 by means of a trap. This I had the curiosity to go and see 
 at the place where it was caught, which was in the following 
 manner. On the edge of a small stream of water in the 
 mountains, which the salmon ascend, and near the spot where 
 the bear is accustomed to watch for them, which is known by 
 its track, a trap or box about the height of a man’s head is 
 built of posts and planks with a flat top, on which are laid a 
 number of large stones or rocks. The top and sides are then 
 carefully covered with turf, so as to resemble a little mound, 
 and wholly to exclude the light, a narrow entrance of the 
 height of the building only being left, just sufficient to admit 
 the head and shoulders of the beast. On the inside, to a 
 large plank that covers the top, is suspended by a strong 
 cord a salmon, the plank being left loose so that a forcible 
 pull will bring it down. On coming to its usual haunt, the 
 bear enters the trap, and endeavouring to pull away the fish, 
 brings down the whole covering with its load of stones 
 upon its head, and is almost always crushed to death on the 
 spot, or so wounded as to be unable to escape. They are 
 always careful to examine these traps every day, in order if 
 a bear be caught, to bring it away, and cook it immediately, 
 for it is not a little singular, that these people will eat no 
 kind of meat that is in the least tainted, or not perfectly fresh, 
 while on the contrary, it is hardly possible for a fish to be in 
 too putrid a state for them, and I have frequently known them 
 when a whale lias been driven ashore, bring pieces of it home 
 with them in a state of ofiensiveness insupportable to any 
 thing but a crow, and devour it with high relish, considering 
 it as preferable to that which is fresh. 
 
 On the morning of the 13th of December, commenced what 
 to us appeared a most singular farce. Apparently without any 
 previous notice, IMaquina discharged a pistol close to his 
 son’s ear, who immediately fell down as if killed, upon wliich 
 all tilt- women of the house set up a most lamentable cry, 
 
244 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 tearing handfuls of hair from their heads, and exclaiming that 
 the prince was dead, at the same time a great number of 
 the inhabitants, rushed into the house armed with their dag- 
 gers, muskets, &c. enquiring the cause of their outcry, these 
 were immediately followed by two others dressed in wolf skins, 
 with masks over their faces representing the head of that 
 animal; the latter came in on their hands and feet in the man- 
 ner of a beast, and taking up the prince carried him off upon 
 their backs, retiring in the same manner they entered. W’e 
 saw nothing more of the ceremony, as Maquina came to us, 
 and giving us a quantity of dried provisions, ordered us to 
 quit the house and not return to the village before the expira- 
 tion of seven days, for that if we appeared within that period, 
 he should kill us. 
 
 At any other season of the year such an order would by 
 us have been considered as an indulgence, in enabling us to 
 pass our time in whatever way we wished, and even now, fur- 
 nished as we were, with sufficient provision for that term, it was 
 not very unpleasant to us more particularly Thompson, who was 
 always desirous to keep as much as possible out of the society 
 and sight of the natives, whom he detested. Taking with us 
 our provisions, a bundle of clothes, and our axes, we obeyed 
 the directions of Maquina and withdrew into the woods, where 
 we built ourselves a cabin to shelter us, with the branches of 
 trees, and keeping up a good fire, secured ourselves pretty 
 well from the cold. Here we passed the prescribed period of 
 our exile, with more content than much of the time while with 
 them, employing the day in reading and praying for our re- 
 lease, or in rambling round and exploring the country, the 
 soil of which we found to be very good, and the face of it, 
 beautifully diversified with hills and vallies, refreshed with the 
 finest streams of water, and at night enjoyed comfortable 
 repose upon a bed of soft leaves, with our garments spread 
 over us to protect us from the cold. 
 
 At the end of seven days we returned, and found several of 
 the people of A-i-tiz-zart with their king or chief at Tashees, 
 who had been invited by IMaquina to attend the close of this 
 performance, which I now learnt was a celebration, held by 
 them annually, in honor of their god, whom they cad Qiia- 
 hootze, to return him their thanks for his past, and implore 
 his future favors. It terminated on the 21st, the day after our 
 return, with a most extraordinary exhibition. Three men, 
 each of whom had two bayonets run through his sides, between 
 the ribs, apparently regardless of the pain, traversed the room, 
 
NARRATIVE OP JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 245 
 
 backwards and forwards, singing war songs, and exulting in 
 this display of firmness. 
 
 On the arrival of the 25th, we could not but call to mind, 
 that this being Christmas, was in our country a day of the 
 greatest festivity, when our fellow countrymen assembled in 
 their churches, were celebrating the goodness of God, and 
 the praises of the Saviour. What a reverse did our situation 
 offer — captives in a savage land, and slaves to u set of igno- 
 rant beings, unacquainted with religion or humanity, hardly 
 were we permitted to offer up our devotions by ourselves in the 
 woods, while we felt even grateful for this privilege. Thither 
 with the king’s permission, we withdrew, and after reading 
 the service appointed for the day, sung the hymn of the Nativ- 
 ity, fervently praying that heaven in its goodness would per- 
 mit us to celebrate the next festival of this kind in some 
 Christian land. On our return, in order to conform as much 
 as was in our power to the custom of our country, we were 
 desirous of having a better supper than usual. With this 
 view we bought from one of the natives, some dried clams and 
 oil, and a root called Kletsiip, which we cooked by steaming, 
 and found it very palatable. This root consists of many 
 fibres, of six inches long, and of the size of a crow quill. It 
 is sweet of an agreeable taste, not unlike the Quanoose, and it 
 is eaten with oil. The plant that produces it I have never 
 seen. 
 
 On the 31st, all the tribe quitted Tashees for Cooptee, 
 whither they go to pass the remainder of the winter, and com- 
 plete their fishing, taking off every thing with them in the same 
 manner as at Nootka. We arrived in a few hours at Coop- 
 tee, which is about fifteen miles, and immediately set about 
 covering the houses, which w'as soon completed. 
 
 This place, which is their great herring and sprat fishery, 
 stands just within the mouth of the river, on the same side 
 w'ith Tashees, in a very narrow valley at the foot of a high 
 mountain. Though nearly as secure as Tashees from the win- 
 ter storms, it is by no means so pleasantly situated, though to 
 us it was a much more agreeable residence, as it brought us 
 nearer Nootka, where we were impatient to return, in hopes 
 of finding some vessel there, or hearing of the arrival of one 
 near. 
 
 The first snow that fell this seasen, was the day after our 
 arrival, on New-Years; a day that like Christmas, brought 
 with it, painful recollections, but at the same time led us to 
 indulge the hope of a more fortunate year than the last 
 
246 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 7th of January, Maquina took 
 me with him in his canoe on a visit to Upquesta, chief of the 
 A-i-tiz-zarts, who had invited him to attend an exhibition at 
 his village, similar to the one with which he had been enter- 
 tained at Tashees. This place is between twenty and thirty 
 miles distant up the sound, and stands on the banks of a small 
 river about the size of that of Cooptee, just within its entrance 
 in a valley of much greater extent than that of Tashees; it con- 
 sists of fourteen or fifteen houses, built and disposed in the 
 manner of those at Nootka. The tribe, which is considered as 
 tributary to Maquina, amounts to about three hundred warriors, 
 and the inhabitants, both men and women, are among the best 
 looking of any people on the coast. 
 
 On our arrival we were received at the shore by the inhab- 
 itants, a few of whom were armed with muskets, which they 
 fired with loud shouts and exclamations of Wocash, wocash. 
 
 We were welcomed by the chiefs messenger, or master of 
 ceremonies, dressed in his best garments, with his hair pow- 
 dered with white down, and holding in his hand the chee- 
 toolth, the badge of his office. This man preceded us to 
 the chief’s house, where he introduced and pointed out to 
 us our respective seats. On entering, the visitors took oft’ 
 their hats, which they always wear on similar occasions, and 
 Maquina his outer robes, of w’hich he has several on whenev- 
 T he pays a visit, and seated himself near the chief. As I 
 ■ (Vas dressed in European clothes I became quite an object of 
 curiosity to these people, very few of whom had ever seen a 
 white man. They crowded around me in numbers, taking hold 
 of my clothes, examining my face, hands and feet, and even 
 opening my mouth to see if I had a tongue, for notwithstanding 
 I had by this time become well acquainted with their language, 
 I preserved the strictest silence, iNIaquina on our first landing 
 having enjoined me not to speak, until he should direct. Hav- 
 ing undergone this examination for some time, l^Iaquina at 
 length made a sign to me to speak to them. On hearing me 
 address them in their own language, they were greatly aston- 
 ished and delighted, and told Maquina that they now perceived 
 that I was a man like themselves, except that I was white and 
 looked like a seal, alluding to my blue jacket and trousers, 
 which they wanted to persuade me to take off, as they did not 
 like their appearance. IMaquina in the mean time gave an ac- 
 count to the chief, of the scheme he had formed for surpri- 
 zing our ship, and the manner in which he an 1 his people had 
 carried it into execution, with such particular and horrid de- 
 
Narrative of john r. jewitt 
 
 247 
 
 tails of that transaction as chilled the blood in my viens. 
 Trays of boiled herring spawn and train oil were soon after 
 brought in and placed before us, neither the chief or any of 
 his people eating at the same time, it being contrary to the ideas 
 of hospitality entertained by these nations, to eat any part of 
 the food that is provided for strangers, always waiting until their 
 visitors have finished, before they have their own brought in. 
 
 The following day closed their festival with an exhibition 
 of a similar kind, to that which had been given at Tashees, but 
 still more cruel, the different tribes appeared on these occa- 
 sions to endeavor to surpass each other, in their proofs of for- 
 titude and endurance of pain. In the morning twenty men en- 
 tered the chief’s house, with each an arrow run through the 
 flesh of his sides, and either arm, with a cord fastened to the 
 end, which as the performers, advanced, singing and boast- 
 ling, was forcibly drawn back by a person having hold of it. 
 After this performance was closed we returned to Cooptee, 
 which we reached at midnight, our men keeping time with 
 their songs to the stroke of their paddles. 
 
 The natives now began to take the herring and sprat in im- 
 mense quantities, with some salmon, and there was nothing but 
 feasting from morning till night. The following is the meth- 
 od they employ to take the herring. A stick about seven 
 feet long, two inches broad, and half an inch thick, is formed 
 from some hard wood, one side of which is set with sharp 
 teeth, made from whale bone, at about half an inch apart. 
 Provided with this instrument, the fisherman seats himself in 
 the prow of a canoe, which is paddled by another, and when- 
 ever he comes to a shoal of herring, which cover the water in 
 , great quantities, he strikes it with both hands upon them, and 
 at the same moment turning it up, brings it over the side of 
 the canoe, into which he lets those that are taken drop. It is 
 astonishing to see how many are caught by those who are 
 dexterous at this kind of fishing, as they seldom fail when the 
 shoals are numerous, of taking as many as ten or twelve at a 
 stroke, and in a very short time will fill a canoe with them. 
 Sprats are likewise caught in a similar manner. 
 
 About the beginning of February, Maquina gave a great 
 feast, at which were present not only all the inhabitants, but 
 one hundred persons from A-i-tiz-zart, and a number from 
 Winckinninish, who had been invited to attend it. It is cus- 
 tomary with them to give an annual entertainment of this kind, 
 and it is astonishing to see what a quantity of provisions is 
 expended, or rather wasted on such an occasion, when they 
 
248 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 always eat to the greatest excess. It was at this feast that I 
 saw upwards of a hundred salmon cooked in one tub. The 
 whole residence at Cooptee presents an almost uninterruped 
 succession of feasting and gormondizing, and it would seem us 
 if the principal object of these people was to consume their 
 whole stock of provisions before leaving it, trusting entirely 
 to their success in fishing and whaling, for a supply at Noot- 
 ka. 
 
 On the 25th of February, we quitted Cooptee, and re- 
 turned to Nootka. With much joy did Thompson and myself 
 again find ourselves in a place, where notwithstanding the me- 
 lancholy recollections which it excited, we hoped before long 
 to see some vessel arrive to our relief, and for this we became 
 more solicitous, as of late we had become much more appre- 
 hensive of our safety in consequence of information brought 
 Maquina a few days before we left Cooptee, by some of the 
 Cayuquets, that there were twenty ships at the northward 
 preparing to come against him, with an intention of destroying 
 him and his tribe, for cutttng off the Boston. This story 
 which was wholly without foundation, and discovered after- 
 wards to have been invented by these people, for the purpose 
 of disquieting him, threw him into great alarm, and notwith- 
 standing all I could say to convince him that it was an un- 
 founded report, so great was his jealousy of us, especially af- 
 ter it had been confirmed to him by some others of the same 
 nation, that he treateu us with much harshness, and kept a 
 very suspicious eye upon us. Nothing indeed could oe more 
 unpleasant than our present situation, when I reflected that 
 our lives were altogether dependent on the will of a savage, 
 on whose caprice and suspicions no rational calculation could 
 be made. 
 
 Not long after our return, a son of Maquina’s sister, a boy 
 of eleven years old, who had been for some time declining, 
 died. Immediately on his death, which was about midnight, 
 all the men and women in the house, set up loud cries and 
 shrieks, which awakening Thompson and myself, so disturbed 
 us that we left the house. This lamentation was kept up du- 
 ring the remainder of the night. In the morning, a great fire 
 was kindled, in which JMaq'uina burned in honour of the de- 
 ceased, ten fathoms of cloth, and buried with him ten fathoms 
 more, eight of I-whaw, four prime sea otter skins, and two 
 small trunks, containing our unfortunate captain’s clothes and 
 watch. This boy was considered as a Tyee or chief, being 
 the only son of Tootoosch, one of their principal chiefs, who 
 
NARRATIVE OP JOHN R. JEWITT 
 
 249 
 
 had married Maquina’s sister, whence arose this ceremony on 
 his interment ; it being an established custom with these peo- 
 ple, that whenever a chief dies, his most valuable property is 
 burned or buried with him; it is, however, wholly confined to 
 the chiefs, and appears to be a mark of honour appropriate to 
 them. In this instance Maquina furnished the articles, in or- 
 der that his nephew might have the proper honours rendered 
 him. Tootoosch his father, was esteemed the first warrior of 
 the tribe, and was one who had been particularly active in the 
 destruction of our ship, having killed two of our poor com- 
 rades, who were ashore, whose names were Hall and Wood. 
 About the time of our removal to Tashees, while in the en- 
 joyment of the highest health, he was suddenly seized with a 
 fit of delirium, in which he fancied that he saw the ghosts of 
 those two men constantly standing by him, and threatening 
 him, so that he would take no food, except what was forced 
 into his mouth. A short time before this, he had lost a daugh- 
 ter of about fifteen years of age, which afflicted him greatly, 
 and whether his insanitv . a disorder very uncommon amongst 
 these savages, no instacj e of the kind having occurred within 
 the memory of the oldest man amongst them, proceeded from 
 this cause, or that it was the special interposition of an all 
 merciful God in our favour, who by this means thought proper 
 to induce these barbarians still farther to respect our lives, or 
 that for hidden purposes, the Supreme Disposer of events, 
 sometimes permits the spirits of the dead to revisit the world, 
 and haunt the murderer, I know not, but his mind from this 
 period until his death, which took place but a few weeks after 
 that of his son, was incessantly occupied with the images of 
 the men whom he had killed. This circumstance made much 
 impression upon the tribe, particularly the chiefs, whose uni- 
 form opposition to putting us to death, at the various councils 
 that were held on our account, I could not but in part attri- 
 bute to this cause, and Maquina used frequently in speaking 
 of Tootooscli’s sickness, to express much satisfaction that his 
 hands had not been stained with the blood of any of our men. 
 When Maquina was first informed by his sister, of the strange 
 conduct of her husband, he immediately went to his house, 
 taking us with him; suspecting tliat his disease had been 
 caused by us, and that the ghosts of our countrymen had been 
 called thither by us, to torment him. We found him raving 
 about Hall and Wood, saying that they were peshak, that is 
 bad. Maquina then placed some provisions before him to see 
 if he would eat. On perceiving it, he put forth his hand to 
 vor i. 11* 
 
25D 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 take some, but instantly withdrew it with signs of horror, say- 
 ing that Hall and Wood were there, and would not let him 
 eat. Maquina then pointing to us, asked if it was not John 
 and Thompson who troubled him. Wik, he replied, that is, 
 no, John klushish — Thompson klushish — John and Thompson 
 are both good; then turning to me, and patting me on the 
 shoulders, he made signs to me to eat. 1 tried to persuade 
 him that Hall and Wood were not there, and that none were 
 near him but ourselves; he said, I know very well you do not 
 see them, but I do. At first Maquina endeavored to convince 
 him that he saw nothing, and to laugh him out of his belief, 
 but finding that all was to no purpose, he at length became 
 serious, and asked me if I had ever seen any one affected in 
 this manner, and what was the matter with him. I gave him 
 to understand, pointing to his head, that his brain was injured, 
 and that he did not see things as formerly. Being convinced 
 by Tootoosch’s conduct, that we had no agency in his indis- 
 position, on our return home, IMaquina asked me what was 
 done in my country in similar cases I told him that such 
 persons were closely confined, and sometimes tied up and 
 whipped, in order to make them better. After pondering for 
 some time, he said that he should be glad to do any thing to 
 relieve him, and that he should be whipped, and immediately 
 gave orders to some of his men, to go to Tootoosch’s house, 
 bind him, and bring him to his, in order to undergo the ope- 
 ration. Thompson was the person selected to administer this 
 remedy, which he undertook very readily, and for that purpose 
 provided himself with a good number of spruce branches, with 
 which he whipped him most severely, laying it on with the best 
 will imaginable, while Tootoosch displayed the greate.st rage, 
 kicking, spitting, and attempting to bite all who came near 
 him. This was too much for IMaquina, who at length, un- 
 able to endure it longer, ordered 'I’hompson to desist, and 
 Tootoosch to be carried back, saying that if there was no other 
 way of curing him but by whipping, he must remain mad. 
 
 The application of tlic whip, produced no beneficial etfect 
 on Tootoosch, for he afterwards became still more deranged; 
 in his fits of fury sometimes seizing a club, and beating his 
 slaves in a most dreadful manner, and striking and spitting at 
 all who came near him, till at length his wife no longer daring 
 to remain in the house with him, catne wit!i her son to Ma- 
 quina’s. 
 
 The whaling season now commenced, and 3Iaquina was 
 out aimost every day in his canoe in pursuit of them, but for 
 
NARRATIVE OR JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 251 
 
 a considerable time, with no success, one day breaking the 
 staff of his harpoon, another, after having been a long time 
 fast to a whale, the weapon drawing, owing to the breaking of 
 the shell which formed its point, with several such like acci- 
 dents, arising from the imperfection of the instrument. At 
 these times he always returned very morose and out of temper, 
 upbraiding his men with having violated their obligation to 
 continence preparatory to whaling. In this state of ill humor 
 he would give us very little to eat, which added to the women 
 not cooking when the men are away, reduced us to very low 
 fare. 
 
 In consequence of the repeated occurrence of similar acci- 
 dents, I proposed to Maquina to make him a harpoon or fore- 
 ganger of steel, which would be less liable to fail him. The 
 idea pleased him, and in a short time I completed one for him, 
 with which he was much delighted, and the very next day, 
 went out to make trial of it. He succeeded with it in taking 
 the whale. Great was thejoy throughout the village as soon 
 as it was known that the king had secured the whale, by no- 
 tice from a person stationed at the head-land in the offing. 
 Ail the canoes were immediately launched, and, furnished 
 with harpoons and seal skin floats, hastened to assist in buoy- 
 ing 't up and in towing it in. The bringing in of this fish 
 exhibited a scene of universal festivity. As soon as the ca- 
 noes appeared at the mouth of the cove, those on board of 
 them singing a song of triumph to a slow air, to which they 
 kept time with their paddles, all who were on shore, men, 
 women and children, mounted the roofs of their houses, to 
 congratulate the king on his success, drumming most furious- 
 ly on the planks, and exclaiming Wocash — wocash Tyee. 
 
 The whale on being drawn on shore, was immediately cut 
 up, and a great feast of the blubber given at Maquina’s house, 
 to which all the village were invited, who indemnified them- 
 selves for their lent, by eating as usual to excess. I was 
 highly praised for the goodness of my harpoon, and a quanti- 
 ty of blubber given me, which I was permitted to cook as I 
 pleased, this I boiled in salt water with some young nettles 
 and other greens for Thompson and myself, and in this way 
 we found it tolerable food. 
 
 Their method of procuring the oil, is to skim it from the 
 water in which the blubber is boiled, and when cool, put it up 
 into whale bladders for use, and of these T have seen them so 
 large as when filled would require no less than five or si.x 
 men to carry. Several of the chiefs, among whom were Ma- 
 
252 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 quina’s brother, who after the king has caught the first whale, 
 are privileged to take them also, were very desirous, on dis- 
 covering the superiority of my harpoon, that I should make 
 some for them, but this Maquina would not permit, reserving 
 for himself this improved weapon. He however gave me di- 
 rections to make a number more for himself which I executed, 
 and also made him several lances, with which he was greatly 
 pleased. 
 
 As these people have some very singular observances pre- 
 paratory to whaling, an account of them will, I presume, not 
 prove uninteresting, especially as it may serve to give a bet- 
 ter idea of their manners. A short time before leaving Tash- 
 ees, the king makes a point of passing a day alone on the 
 mountain, whither he goes very privately early in the morn- 
 ing, and does not return till late in the evening. This is 
 done, as I afterwards learned, for the purpose of singing and 
 praying to his God for success in whaling the ensuing season. 
 At Cooptee the same ceremoney is performed, and at Nootka 
 after the return thither, with still greater solemnity, as for the 
 next two days he appears very thoughtful and gloomy, scarce- 
 ly speaking to any one, and observes a most rigid fast. On 
 these occasions, he always has abroad red fillet made of bark, 
 bound round his head, in token of humiliation, with a large 
 branch of green spruce on the top, and his great rattle in his 
 hand. In addition to this, for a week before commencing 
 their whaling, both himself and the crew of his canoe ob- 
 serve a fast, eating but very little, and going into the water 
 several times in the course of each day to bathe, singing and 
 rubbing their bodies, limbs and faces with shells and bushes, 
 so that on their return I have seen them look as though they 
 had been severely torn with briers. They are likewise obliged 
 to abstain of from any commerce with their women for the 
 like period, the latter restriction being considered as indis- 
 pensible to their success. 
 
 Early in June, Tootoosch the crazy chief, died. On being 
 acquainted with his death the whole village, men, women and 
 children set up a loud cry, with every testimony of the 
 greatest grief, which they continued for more than three hours. 
 As soon as he was dead, the body, according to their custom, 
 was laid out on a plank, having the head bound round with 
 a red bark fillet, which is with them an emblem of mourning 
 and sorrow. After laying some time in this manner, he was 
 wrapped in an otter-skin robe, and three fathoms of I-whaw 
 being put about his neck, he was placed in a large coffin or 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 253 
 
 box of about three feet deep, which was ornamented on the 
 outside with two rowa^of the small white shells. In this, the 
 most valuable articles of his property were placed with him, 
 among which were no less than twenty-four prime sea-otter 
 skins. At night, which is their time for interring the dead, 
 the coffin was borne by eight men, with two poles, thrust 
 through ropes passed around it, to the place of burial, accom- 
 panied by his wife and family, with their hair cut short, in token 
 of grief, all the inhabitants joining the procession. The place 
 of burial was a large cavern on the side of a hill at a little 
 distance from the village, in which, after depositing the coffin 
 carefully, all the attendants repaired to IMaquina’s house, 
 where a number of articles belonging to the deceased, consist- 
 ing of blankets, pieces of cloth, &.c. were burned by a per- 
 son appointed by Maquina for that purpose, dressed and paint- 
 ed in the highest style, with his head covered with white down, 
 who, as he put in the several pieces, one by one, poured upon 
 them a quantity of oil to increase the flame, in the intervals 
 between, making a speech and playing off a variety of buffoon 
 tricks, and the whole closed with a feast, and a dance from 
 Sat-sat-sak-sis, the king s son. 
 
 The man who perforiiied the ceremony of burning op this 
 occasion, was a very singular character, named Kinnecmr 
 mets. He was held in high estimation by the king, though 
 only of the common class, probably from jiis talent for mimic- 
 ry and buffoonry, and might be considered as a kind of king’s 
 jester, or rather as combining in his person the character of 
 a buffoon with that of master of ceremonies, and public orator 
 to his majesty, as he was the one who at feasts always regula- 
 ted the places of the guests, delivered speeches on receiving 
 or returning visits, besides amusing the company at all their 
 entertainments, with a variety of monkey pranks and antic 
 gestures, which appeared to these savages the height of wit 
 and humour, but would be considered as extremely low by the 
 least polished people. Almost all the kings or head cniefs of 
 the principal tribes, were accompanied by a similar character, 
 who appeared to be attached to their dignity, and are called 
 in their language, Climmer-habbee. 
 
 This man, Kinneclimmets, was particularly odious to Thomp- 
 son, who would never join in the laugh at his tricks, but when 
 he began, would almost always quit the house with a very 
 surly look, and an exclamation of, cursed fool ! which Ma- 
 quina, w'ho thought nothing could equal the cleverness of his 
 Climmer-habbee »sed to remark with much dissatisfaction. 
 
254 
 
 NARRATIVE OP JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 asking me why Thompson never laughed, observing that I 
 must have had a very good tempered woman indeed for my 
 mother, as my father was so very ill-natured a man. Among 
 those performances that gained him the greatest applause, was 
 his talent of eating to excess, for I have known him devour at 
 one meal, no less than seventy-five large herring, and at 
 another time when a great feast was given by Maquina, he 
 undertook, after drinking three pints of oil by way of whet, to 
 eat four dried salmon, and five quarts of spawn, mixed up 
 with a gallon of train oil, and actually succeeded in swallow- 
 ing the greater part of this mess, until his stomach became so 
 overloaded, as to discharge its contents in the dish. One of 
 his exhibitions, however, had nearly cost him his life, this was 
 on occasion of Kla-quak-ee-na, one of the chiefs, having 
 bought him a new wife, in celebration of which iie ran three 
 times through a large fire, and burned himself in such a man- 
 ner, that he was not able to stir for more than four weeks. 
 These feats of savage skill were much praised by ]\[aquina, 
 who never failed to make him a present of cloth, muskets, 
 &c. on such occasions. 
 
 The death of Tootoosch increased still more the disquie- 
 tude which his delirium had excited among the savages, and ail 
 those chiefs who had killed our men became much alarmed, 
 lest they should be seized with the same disorder and die like 
 him; more particularly as I had told JMaquina, that 1 believed 
 his insanity was a punishment inflicted on him hy Quahootze, 
 for his cruelty in murdering two innocent men, who had never 
 injured him. 
 
 Our situation had now become unpleasant in the extreme. 
 The summer was so far advanced, that we nearly despaired 
 of a ship arriving to our relief, and with that expectation, al- 
 most relinquished the hope of ever having it in our power to 
 quit this savage land. \\ e were treated too with less indul- 
 gence than before, both Thom]ison and myself being obliged, 
 in addit'on to our other employments, to perform the laborious 
 task of cutting and collecting fuel, which we had to bring on 
 our shoulders Irom nearly three miles distant, as it consisted 
 wholly of dry t'^ees, all of which near the village, had been 
 consumed. To add to this, we suffered much abuse from the 
 common people, who, when Maquina or some of the chiefs 
 were not present would insult us, calling us wretched slaves, 
 asking us where was our Tvee or captain, making gestures 
 signifying that his head had been cut off, and that they would 
 do the like to us; though they generally took good care at 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 255 
 
 such times to keep well out of Thompson’s reach, as they had 
 more than once experienced to their cost the strength of hia 
 fist. This conduct was not only provoking and grating to our 
 feelings in the highest degree, but it convinced us of the ill 
 disposition of these savages towards us, and rendered us 
 fearful lest they might at some time or other persuade or force 
 Maquina and the chiefs, to put us to death. 
 
 We were also often brought to great distress for the want 
 of provision, so far as to be reduced to collect a scanty supply 
 of muscles and limpets from the rocks, and sometimes even 
 compelled to part with some of our most necessary articles of 
 clothing, in order to purchase food for our subsistence. This 
 was, however, principally owing to the inhabitants themselves 
 experiencing a great scarcity of provisions this season ; there 
 having been, in the first place, but very few salmon caught 
 at Friendly Cove, a most unusual circumstance, as they 
 generally abound there in the spring, which was by the na- 
 tives attributed to their having been driven away by the blood 
 of our men who had been thrown into the sea, which with true 
 savage inconsistency, excited their murmurs against Maquina, 
 who had proposed cutting off our ship. Relying on this sup- 
 ply, they had in the most inconsiderate manner squandered 
 away their winter stock of provisions, so that in a few days 
 after their return, it was entirely expended. Nor were the 
 king and chiefs much more fortunate in their whaling, even 
 after I had furnished Maquina with the improved weapon for 
 that purpose ; but four whales having been taken during the 
 season, which closes the last of May, including one that had 
 been struck by IMaquina and escaped, and was afterwards 
 driven on shore about six miles from Nootka, in almost a 
 state of putridity. These afforded but a short supply, to a 
 population, including all ages and sexes, of no less than fifteen 
 hundred persons, and of a character so very improvident, that 
 after feasting most gluttonously whenever a whale was caught, 
 they were several times a week together, reduced to the ne- 
 cessity of eating but once a day, and of collecting cockles 
 and muscles from the rocks for their food. And even after 
 the cod and halibut fishing commenced in June, in which 
 they met with tolerable success, such was the savage caprice 
 of Maquina that he would often give us but little to eat, 
 finally ordering us to buy a canoe and fishing implements, 
 and go out ourselves and fish, or we should have nothing. 
 To do this, we were compelled to part with our great coats, 
 which were not only important to us as garments, but of 
 which we made our bed« rereading them under us when wo 
 
256 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 Slept. F rom our want of skill, however, in this new employ, 
 we met with no success, on discovering which, Maquina order- 
 ed us to remain at home. 
 
 Another thing, which to me in particular, proved an almost 
 constant source of vexation and disgust, and which living 
 among them had not in the least reconciled me to, was their 
 extreme filthiness, not only in eating fish, especially the 
 whale, when in a state of offensive putridity, but while at their 
 meals of making a practice of taking the vermin from their 
 heads or clothes, and eating them, by turns thrusting their 
 fingers into their hair, and into the dish, and spreading their 
 garnients over the tubs in which the provision was cooking, 
 in order to set in motion their inhabitants. Fortunately for 
 Thompson, he regarded this much less than myself, and when 
 I used to point out to him any instance of their filthiness in 
 this respect, he would laugh and reply, Never mind John, the 
 more good things the better. I must however do iNIaquina 
 the justice to state, that he was much neater both in his per- 
 son and eating than were the others, as was likewise his queen, 
 owing no doubt to his intercourse witii foreigners, which had 
 given him ideas of cleanliness, for I never saw either of them 
 eat any of these animals, but on the contrary they appeared 
 not much to relish this taste in others. Their garments, also, 
 were much cleaner, JMaquina having been accustomed to gi\e 
 his away when they became soiled, till after he discovered 
 that Thompson and myself kept ours clean by washing them, 
 when he used to make Thompson do the same for him. 
 
 Yet amidst this state of endurance and disappointment, in 
 hearing repeatedly of the arrival of ships at the north and 
 south, most of vhich proved to be idle reports, while expecta- 
 tion was almost wearied out in looking for them, we did not 
 wholly despond, relying on the mercy of the Supreme Being, 
 to offer up to whom our devotions on the days appointed for 
 his worship, was our chief consolation and support, though we 
 were sometimes obliged by our task-masters to infringe upon 
 the Sabbath, which was to me a source of much regret. 
 
 We were nevertheless, treated at times with much kindness 
 by IMaquina, who would giv e us a plenty of the best that he 
 had to eat, and occasionally, some small present of cloth for a 
 garment, promising me, that if any ship should arrive within 
 a hundred mites -of Nootka, he would send a canoe with a 
 letter from me to the captain, so that he might come to our 
 release. These flattering promises and marks of attention 
 were however, at those times, when he thought himself in per- 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 257 
 
 sonal danger from a mutinous spirit, which the scarcity of 
 provision had excited among the natives, who, like true sav- 
 ages, imputed all their public calamities, of whatever kind, to 
 the misconduct of their chief, or when he was apprehensive 
 of an attack from some of the other tribes who were irritated 
 with him for cutting off the Boston, as it had prevented ships 
 from coming to trade with them, and who were constantly 
 alarming him with idle stories of vessels that were preparing 
 to come against him, and exterminate both him and his people 
 the Cayuquets. At such times, he made us keep guard over 
 him both night and day, armed with cutlasses and pistols, 
 being apparently afraid to trust any of his own men. At 
 one time, it was a general revolt of his people that he appre- 
 hended — then three of his principal chiefs, among whom was 
 his elder brother, had conspired to take away his life, and at 
 length he fancied that a small party of Klaooquates, between 
 whom and the Nootkians, little friendship subsisted, had come 
 to Nootka under a pretence of trade, for the sole purpose of 
 murdering him and his family, telling us, probably to sharpen 
 our vigilance, that their intention was to kill us likewise, and 
 so strongly were his fears excited on this occasion, that he 
 not only ordered us to keep near him armed by day, when- 
 ever he went out, and to patrole at night before his house 
 while they remained, but to continue the same guard for three 
 days after they were gone, and to fire at one and at four in 
 the morning, one of the great guns, to let them know, if, as 
 he suspected, they were lurking in the neighborhood, that he 
 was on his guard. While he was thus favorably disposed 
 towards us, I took an opportunity to inform him of the ill- 
 treatment that we frequently received from his people, and the 
 insults that were offered us by some of the stranger tribes in 
 calling us white slaves, and loading us with other opprobrious 
 terms. He was much displeased, and said that his subjects 
 should not be allowed to treat us ill, and that if any of the 
 strangers did it, he wished us to punish the offenders with 
 death, at the same time directing us for our security, to go 
 constantly armed. This permission was soon improved by 
 Thompson to the best advantage ; for a few days after, hav- 
 ing gone to the pond to wash some of our clothes, and a blanket 
 for Maquma, several Wickinninish who were then at Nootka 
 came thither, and seeing him washing the clothes, and the 
 blanket spread upon the grass to dry, they began according 
 to custom to insult him, and one of them bolder than the 
 others, walked over the blanket. Thompson was highly in- 
 
258 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 censed, and threatened the Indian with death if he repeated 
 the offence, but he, in contempt of the threat, trampled upon 
 the blanket, when, drawing his cutlass, without farther cere- 
 mony, Thompson cut off his head, on seeing which the others 
 ran off at full speed ; 'i’hompson then gathering up the 
 clothes and blanket on which were the marks of the Indian’s 
 dirty feet, and taking with him the head, returned and inform- 
 ed the king of what had passed, who was much pleased, and 
 highly commended his conduct. This had a favorable effect 
 for us, not only on the stranger tribes, but the inhabitants 
 themselves, who treated us afterwards with less disrespect. 
 
 Thompson k'Hing the Indian. 
 
 In the latter part of July, Maquina informed me that he 
 was going to war with the A-y-charts, a tribe living at about 
 fifty miles to the south, on account of some controversy that 
 had arisen the preceding summer, and that I must make a 
 number of daggers for his men, and cheetoolths for his chiefs, 
 which having completed, he wished me to make for his own 
 use a weapon of quite a different form, in order to dispatch his 
 enemy by one blow on tlie head, it being the calculation of 
 these nations on going to war, to surprize their adversaries 
 while asleep. This was a steel dagger, or more properly a 
 spike, of about si.K inches long, made very sharp, set at right 
 angles in an iron handle of fifteen inches long terminating at 
 the lower end in a crook or turn, so as to prevent its being 
 W'renched from the hand, and at the upper, in a round knob 
 or head, from whence the spike protruded. This instrument 
 I polished highly, and the more to please IMaquina, formed on 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 259 
 
 the back of the knob, the resemblance of a man’s head, with 
 the mouth open, substituting for eyes, black beads, which I 
 fastened in with red sealing wax. This pleased him much, 
 and was greatly admired by his chiefs, who wanted me to 
 make similar ones for them, but Maquina would not suffer it, 
 reserving for himself alone this weapon. 
 
 When these people have finally determined on war, they 
 make it an invariable practice for three or four weeks prior to 
 the expedition, to go into the water five or six times a day, 
 where they wash and scrub themselves from head to foot with 
 briars, so that their bodies and faces will often be entirely 
 covered with blood. During this severe exercise, they are 
 continually exclaiming, “ Wocash Quahootze, Teechamme ah 
 welth, wik-etish tauilth — Kar-sab-matemas — Wik-sish to hauk 
 matemas — I ya-ish kah shittle — As-smootish warish matemas. 
 — Which signifies, Good, or great God, let me live — Not be 
 sick — Find the enemy — Not fear him — Find him asleep, and 
 kill a great many of him. 
 
 During the whole of this period, they have no intercourse 
 with their women, and for a week, at least, before setting out, 
 abstain from feasting or any kind of merriment, appearing 
 thoughtful, gloomy, and morose, and for the last three days, 
 are almost constantly in the water, both day and night, scrub- 
 bing and lacerating themselves in a terrible manner. Maquina 
 having informed Thompson and myself that he should take us 
 with him, was very solicitous that we should bathe and scrub 
 ourselves in the same way with them, telling me that it would 
 harden our skins so that the weapons of the enemy would not 
 pierce them, but as we felt no great inclination to amuse our- 
 selves in this manner, we declined it. 
 
 The expedition consisted of forty canoes, carrying from ten 
 to twenty men each. Thompson and myself armed ourselves 
 with cutlasses and pistols, but the natives, although they had 
 a plenty of European arms, took with them only their daggers 
 and cheetoolths, with a few bows and arrows, the latter being 
 about a yard in length, and pointed with copper, muscle shell, 
 or bone ; the bows are four feet and a half long, with strings 
 made of whale sinew. 
 
 To go to A-y-chart, we ascended from twenty to thirty 
 miles, a river about the size of that of Tashees, the banks of 
 which are high and covered with wood. At midnight, we 
 came in sight of the village, which was situated on the west 
 bank near the shore, on a steep hill difficult of access, and 
 well calculated for defence. It consisted of fifteen or sixteen 
 
260 
 
 NARP.ATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 houses, smaller than those of Nootka, and built in the same 
 style, but compactly placed. By Maquina’s directions, the at- 
 tack was deferred until the first appearance of dawn, as he 
 said that was the time when men slept the soundest. 
 
 At length all being ready for the attack, we landed with 
 the greatest silence, and going around so as to come upon the 
 foe in the rear, clambered up the hill, and while the natives, 
 as is their custom, entered the several huts, creeping on all 
 fours, my comrade and myself stationed ourselves without, to 
 intercept those who should attempt to escape, or come to the 
 aid of their friends. I wished if possible, not to stain my 
 hands in the blood of any fellow creature, and though Thomp- 
 son would gladly have put to death all the savages in the 
 country, he was too brave to think of attackir.g a sleeping 
 enemy. Having entered the houses, on the war-whoop being 
 given by Maquina, as he seized the head of the chief, and 
 gave him the fatal blow, all proceeded to the work of death. 
 The A-y-charts being thus surprised, were unable to make 
 resistance, and v/ith the e.xception of a very few, were 
 all killed or taken prisoners on condition of becoming slaves 
 to their captors. I also had the good fortune to take four 
 captives, whom Maquina, as a favor, permitted me to consider 
 as mine, and occasionally employ them in fishing for me ; as 
 for Thompson, who thirsted for revenge, he had no wish to 
 
 Thompson slaying the Natives. 
 
 take any prisoners, but with his cutlass, the only weapon he 
 would employ against them, succeeded in killing seven stout 
 follows, who came to attack him, an act which obtained him 
 great credit with Maquina and the chiefs, who after this, held 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 261 
 
 him in much higher estimation, and gave him the appellation 
 of Chcliiel-suma-har, it being the name of a very celebrated 
 warrior of their nation in ancient times, whose exploits were 
 the constant theme of their praise. 
 
 After having put to death all the old and infirm of either 
 sex, as is the barbarous practice of these people, and destroy- 
 ed the buildings, we re-embarked with our booty in our canoes, 
 for Nootka, where we were received with great demonstrations 
 of joy by the women and children, accompanying our war 
 song with a most furious drumming on the houses. The next 
 day a great feast was given by Maquina, in celebration of his 
 victory, which was terminated as usual with a dance by Sat- 
 sat-sak-sis. 
 
 Repeated application had been made to Maquina, by a 
 number of kings or chiefs, to purchase me, especially after 
 he had shown them the harpoons I had made for him, which 
 he took much pride in, but he constantly refused to part with 
 me on any terms. — Among these, the king of the Wickin- 
 ninish was particularly solicitous to obtain me, having twice 
 applied to Maquina for that purpose, once in a very formal 
 manner, by sending his messenger with four canoes, who as 
 he approached the shore, decorated in th^ir highest style, with 
 the white down on his head, Stc. declared that he came to buy 
 Tooteyoohannis, the name by which I was known to them, 
 for his master, and that he had brought for that purpose four 
 young male slaves, two highly ornamented canoes, such a 
 number of skins of the metamelth, and of the quartlack, or 
 sea-otter, and so many fathoms of cloth, and of I-whaw, while 
 as he mentioned the different articles, they were pointed out 
 or held up by his attendants, but even this tempting offer had 
 no influence on Maquina ; who in the latter part of the sum- 
 mer, was again very strongly urged to sell me by Ulatilla, or 
 chief of the Klaizzarts, who had corre to Nootka on a visit. 
 
 This chief, who could speak tolerable English, had much 
 more the appearance of a civilized man than any of the sav- 
 ages that I saw. He appeared to be about thirty, was rather 
 small in his person, but extremely well formed, with a skin 
 almost as fair as that of an European, good features, and a 
 countenance expressive of candor and amiableness, and which 
 was almost always brightened with a smile. He was much 
 neater both in his dress and person than any of the other 
 chiefs, seldom wearing paint, except upo.n his eye-brows, 
 which after the custom of his country, were plucked out, and 
 a few strips of the pelpelth on the lower part of his face. He 
 
262 
 
 ^ARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 always treated me with much kindness, was fond of convers- 
 ing with me in English and in his own language, asking me 
 many questions relative to my country, its manners, customs, 
 &c. and appeared to take a strong interest in my fate, telling 
 me, that if he could persuade IMaquina to part with me, he 
 would put me on board the first ship that came to his country; 
 a promise, which from his subsequent conduct, I have good 
 reason to think he. would have performed, as my deliverance, 
 at length, from captivity and suffering was, under the favor of 
 divine providence, wholly owing to him, the only letter that 
 ever reached an European or American vessel, out of sixteen 
 that I wrote at different times, and sent to various parts of the 
 coast, having been delivered by him in person. So much 
 pleased was I with this man’s behavior tome while at Nootka, 
 that I made for him a Cheetoolth, which I burnished highly, 
 and engraved with figures ; with this he was greatly delighted, 
 I also would have made for him a harpoon would IMaquina 
 have consented. 
 
 With hearts full of dejection and almost lost to hope, no ship 
 having appeared off INootka this season, did my companion 
 and myself accompany the tribe on their removal in September 
 to Tashees, relinquishing in consequence, for si.x months, 
 even the remotest expectation of relief. 
 
 Soon after our establishment there, IMaquina informed me, 
 that he and his chiefs had held council both before and after 
 quitting Nootka, in which they had determined that I must 
 marry one of their women, urging as a reason to induce me to 
 consent, that as there was no probabilitv of a ship coming to 
 Nootka to release me, that I must consider .myselfas destined 
 to pass the remainder of my life with them, that the sooner I 
 conformed to their customs the better, and that a wife and 
 family would render me more contented and satisfied with their 
 mode of living. I remonstrated against this decision, but to no 
 purpose, for he told me that should I refuse, both Thompson and 
 myself would be put to death, telling me however, that if there 
 were none of the women of his tribe that pleased me, he 
 would go with me to some of the other tribe, where he would 
 pj-'chase for me such an one as I should select. Reduced to 
 this sad extremity, with death on the one side, and matrimony 
 on the other, 1 thought proper to choose what appeared to me 
 the least of the two evils, and consent to be married, on con- 
 dition, that as I did not fancy any of the Nootka women, I 
 should be permitted to make choice of one from some other 
 tribe. 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 263 
 
 This being settled, the next morning by daylight Maquina 
 with about fifty men in two canoes, set out with me for A-i- 
 tiz-zai't, taking with him a quantity of cloth, a number of mus- 
 kets, sea-otter skins, &c. for the purchase of my bride. With 
 the aid of our paddles and sails being favoured w'th a fair 
 breeze, we arrived some time before sunset at the village. 
 Our arrival excited a general alarm, and the men hastened to 
 the shore, armed with the weapons of their country, making 
 many rvarlike demonstrations, and displaying much zeal and 
 activity. We in the mean time remained quietly seated in 
 our canoes, where we remained for about half an hour, when 
 the messenger of the chief, dressed in their best manner, came 
 to welcorn- us, and invite us on shore to eat. We followed 
 him in procession to the chief’s house, IVIaquina at our head, 
 taking care to leave a sufficient number in the boats to protect 
 the property. Udien we came to the house, we were ushered 
 in with much ceremony, and our respective seats pointed out 
 to us, mine being next to Maquina by his request. 
 
 After having been regaled with a feast of herring spawn 
 and oil, Maquina asked me if I saw any among the women who 
 were present that 1 liked, I immediately pointed out to him a 
 young girl of about seventeen, the daughter of Upquesta, the 
 chief, w'ho was sitting near him by her mother. On this Ma- 
 quina making a sign to his men, arose and taking me by the 
 hand, walked into the middle of the room, and sent off two of 
 his men to bring the boxes containing the presents from the 
 canoes. In the mean time Kinneciimmefs, the master of 
 ceremonies, whom I have already spoken of, made himself 
 ready for the part he was to act, by powdering his hair with 
 the white down. When the chests were brought in, speci- 
 mens of the several articles were taken out, and shewed by 
 our men, one of whom held up a musket, another a skin, a 
 third a piece of cloth, See. On this Kinneclimmets stepped 
 forward, and addres.sing the chief, informed him that all these 
 belonged to me, mentioning the number of each kind, and 
 that they were offered liim ffii the purchase of his daughter 
 Eu-stoch-ee-exqua, as a wife for me. As he said this, the 
 men who held up the various articles, walked up to the chief, 
 and with a very stern and m.orose look, the complimentary one 
 on these occasions, threw them at his feet. Immediately on 
 which, all the tribe, both men and women, who were assem- 
 bled on this occasion, set up a cry of Klack-ko-Tyee, that is, 
 Thank ye chief His men, after this ceremony, having re- 
 lumed to their places, Maquina arose and in a speech of more 
 
264 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 than half an hour, said much in my praise to the A-i-tiz-zart 
 chief, telling him that I was as good a man as themselves, dif- 
 fering from them only in being white, that I was besides ac- 
 quainted with many things of which they were ignorant ; that 
 I knew how to make daggers, cheetoc.lth, and harpoons, and 
 was a very valuable person, whom he was determined to keep 
 always with him ; praising me at the same time for the good- 
 ness of my temper and the manner in which I had conducted 
 since I had been with them, observing that all the people of 
 Nootka, and even the children loved me. 
 
 While Maquina was speaking, his master of ceremonies 
 was continually skipping about, making the mo«t extravagant 
 gestures, and exclaiming Wocash. When he h.i ’ ceased, the 
 A-i-tiz-zart chief arose amidst the acclamations ot his people, 
 and began with setting forth the many good qualities and ac- 
 complishments of his daughter ; that he loved her greatly, 
 and as she was his only one, he could not think of parting 
 with her. He spoke in this manner for some time, but finally 
 concluded by consenting to the proposed union, requesting 
 that she might be well used and kindly treated by her hus- 
 band. At the close of this speech, when the chief began to 
 manifest a disposition to consent to our union, Kinneclimmets 
 again began to call out as loud as he could bawl, Wocash, cut- 
 ting a thousand capers and spinning himself around on his heel 
 like a top. 
 
 When Upquestra had finished his speech, he directed his 
 people to carry back the presents which JMaquina had given 
 him, to me, together with two young male slaves to assist me 
 in fishing. These, after having been placed before me, were 
 by Maquina’s men taken on board the canoes. This cere- 
 mony being over, we were invited by one of the principal 
 chiefs to a feast at his house, of Klussamit, or dried herring, 
 where after the eating was over, Kinneclimmets amused the 
 company very highly with his tricks, and the evening’s enter- 
 tainment was closed by a new war-song from our men, and 
 one in return from the A-i-tiz-zarts, accompanied with expres- 
 sive gestures, and wielding of their weapons. 
 
 After this, our company returned to lodge at Upquestra’s, 
 oxcept a few who were left on board the canoe to waich the 
 property. In the morning I received from the chief his 
 daughter, with an earnest request that I would use her well, 
 which I promised him, when taking leave of her parents, 
 she accompanied me with apparent satisfaction on board of 
 the canoe. 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 265 
 
 The wind being ahead, the natives were obliged to have re- 
 course to their paddles, accompanying them with their songs, 
 interspersed with the witticisms and bufFoonry of Kinneclim- 
 rnets, who, in his capacity of king’s steersman, one of his 
 functions which I forgot to enumerate, not only guided the 
 course of the canoe, but regulated the singing of the boat- 
 men. At about five in the morning, we reached Tashees, 
 where we found all the inhabitants collected on the shore to 
 receive us. We were welcomed with loud shouts of joy, and 
 exclamations of Wocash, and the women taking my bride 
 under their charge, conducted her to Maquina’s house, to be 
 kept with them for ten days ; it being an universal custom as 
 Maquina informed me, that no intercourse should take place 
 between the new married pair during that period. At night 
 Maquina gave a great feast, which was succeeded by a dance, 
 in which all the women joined, and thus ended the festivities 
 of my marriage. 
 
 The term of my restriction over, Maquina assigned me as 
 an apartment, the space in the upper part of his house, between 
 him and his elder brother, whose room was opposite. Here I 
 established myself with my family, consisting of myself and 
 wife, Thompson and the little Sat-sat-sak-sis, who had always 
 been strongly attached to me, and now solicited his father to 
 let him live with me, to which he consented. This boy was 
 handsome, extremely well formed, amiable, and of a pleasant, 
 sprightly disposition. I used to take a pleasure in decorating 
 him with rings, bracelets, ear jewels, &c. which I made for 
 him of copper, and ornamented and polished them in my best 
 manner. I was also very careful to keep him free from ver- 
 min of every kind, washing him and combing his hair every 
 day. These marks of attention were not only very pleasing 
 to the child, who delighted in being kept neat and clean, as 
 well as in being dressed off in his finery, but was highly 
 gratifying both to IVIaquina and his queen, who used to e.x- 
 press much satisfaction at my care of him. 
 
 In making my domestic establishment, I determined, as far 
 as possible, to live in a more comfortable and cleanly manner 
 than the others. For this purpose, I erected with planks, a 
 partition of about three feet high, between mine and the adjoin- 
 ing rooms, and made three bedsteads ofthe same, which I cover- 
 ed with boards, for my family to sleep on, which I found much 
 more comfortable than sleeping on the floor amidst the dirt. 
 
 Fortunately I found my Indian princess both amiable and in- 
 telligent, for one whose limited sphere of observation must ne- 
 VOL. I. 12 
 
266 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 cessarily give rise to but a few ideas . She was extremely ready 
 to agree to any thing that I proposed relative to our mode of 
 living, was very attentive in keeping her garments and person 
 neat and clean, and appeared in every respect, solicitous to 
 please me. She was, as I have said, about seventeen ; her 
 person was small, but well formed, as were her features, her 
 complexion was, without exception, fairer than any of the 
 women, with considerable color in her cheeks, her hair long, 
 black, and much softer than is usual with them, and her teeth 
 small, even, and of a dazzling whiteness, while the expres- 
 sion of her countenance, indicated sweetness of temper and 
 modesty. She would, indeed, have been considered as very 
 pretty, in any country, and excepting 3Iaquina’s queen, was 
 by far the handsomest of any of their women. 
 
 With a partner possessing so many attractions, many may 
 be apt to conclude, that 1 must have found myself happy, at 
 least comparatively so ; but far otherwise was it with me, a 
 compulsory marriage wdththe most beautiful and accomplished 
 person in the world, can never prove a source of real happiness, 
 and in my situation, I could not but view this connection as a 
 chain that was to bind me down to this savage land, and prevent 
 my ever again seeing a civilized country ; especially, when in 
 a few days after, Maquina informed me that there had been a 
 meeting of his chiefs in which it was determin(;d, that as I had 
 married one of their women, I must be considered as one of 
 them, and conform to their customs, and that in future, neither 
 myself nor Thompson should wear our European clothes, but 
 dress in Kutsaks like themselves. This order was to me most 
 painful, but I persuaded IMaquina, at length, so far to relax 
 in it as to permit me to wear those I had at present, which 
 w'erc almost worn out, and not to compel Thompson to change 
 his dress, observing, that as he was an old man, such a change 
 would cause bis death. 
 
 Their religious ceiebration, which the last year took place in 
 December, was in this, commenced on the loth of iSovember, 
 and continued for fourteen days. As I was now considered 
 as one of them, instead of being ordered to the woods, ]\Ia- 
 quina directed Thompson and myself to remain, and pray with 
 them to Quahootzc to be good to them, and thank him for 
 what he had done. It was opened in much the same manner 
 as the former. After which, all the men and women in the 
 village assembled at Maquina’s house, in their plainest 
 dresses, and without any kind of ornaments about them, hav- 
 ing their heads bound around with the red fillet, a token of 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEIVITT. 
 
 267 
 
 dejection and humiliation, and their countenances expressive 
 of seriousness and melancholy. The performance during the 
 continuance of this celebration, consisted almost wholly in 
 singing a number of songs to mournful airs, the king regulat- 
 ing the time by beating on his hollow plank or drum, accom- 
 panied by one of his chiefs, seated near him with the great 
 rattle. In the mean time, they eat but seldom, and then very 
 little, retiring to sleep late, and rising at the first appearance 
 of dawn, and even interrupting this short period of repose, by 
 getting up at midnight and singing. It was terminated by an 
 e.xhibition of a similar character to the one of the last year, 
 but still more cruel. A boy of twelve years old, with six 
 bayonets run into his flesh, one through each arm and thigh, 
 and through each side close to the ribs, was carried around the 
 room, suspended upon them, without manifesting any symp- 
 toms of pain. Maquina, on my enquiring the reasons of this 
 displa}'’, informed me that it was an ancient custom ofhis nation, 
 to sacrifice a man at the close of this solemnity in honor of 
 their God, but that his father had abolished it, and substituted 
 this in its place. The whole closed on the evening of the 
 29th, with a great feast of salmon spawn and oil, at which the 
 natives as usual, made up for their late abstinence. 
 
 A few days after a circumstance occurred, which, from its 
 singularity, I cannot forbear mentioning. I was sent for by 
 my neighbor Yealthlowmr, the king’s elder brother, to file his 
 teeth, which operation having performed, he informed me that 
 a new wife, whom he had a little time before purchased, hav- 
 ing refused to sleep with him, it was his intention, provided 
 she persisted in her refusal, to bite off her nose. I endeavor- 
 ed to dissuade him from it, but he was determined, and in fact, 
 performed his savage threat that very night, saying that since 
 she would not be his wife, she should not be that of any other, 
 and in the morning sent her back to her father. 
 
 This inhuman act did not, however, proceed from any innate 
 cruelty of disposition, or malice, as he was far from being of 
 a barbarous temper ; but such is the despotism exercised by 
 these savages over their women, that he no doubt considered.it 
 as a just punishment for her offence, in being so obstinate and 
 perverse ; as he afterwards told me, that in similar cases, the 
 husband had a right, with them, to disfigure his wife in this 
 way, or some other, to prevent her ever marrying again. 
 
 About the middle of December, we left Tashees for Coop- 
 tee. As usual at this season, we found the herring in great 
 plenty, and here the same scene of riotous feasting as I wit- 
 
268 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 nessed the last year, was renewed by our improvident natives, 
 who, in addition to their usual fare, had a plentiful supply of 
 wild geese, which were brought us in great quantities by the 
 Esquates. These, as.Maquina informed me, were caught 
 with nets made from bark, in the fresh waters of that country. 
 Those who take them, make choice for that purpose, of a dark 
 and rainy night, and with their canoes stuck with lighted 
 torches, proceed with as little noise as possible, to the place 
 where the geese are collected, who, dazzled by the light, 
 suffer themselves to be approached very near, when the net 
 is thrown over them, and in this manner, from fifty to sixty, or 
 even more, will sometimes be taken at one cast. 
 
 On the loth of January, 1805, about midnight, I was thrown 
 into considerable alarm, in consequence of an eclipse of the 
 moon, being awakened from my sleep by a great outcry of the 
 inhabitants. On going to discover the cause of this tumult, 
 I found them all out of their houses, bearing lighted torches, 
 singing and beating upon pieces of plank, and when I asked 
 them the reason of this proceeding, they pointed to the moon, 
 and said that a great cod-fish was endeavoring tot swallow her, 
 and that they were driving him away. The ori^n of this su- 
 perstition I could not discover. 
 
 On the 20th of Feb. we returned to our summer quarters 
 at Nootka, but on my part, with far different sensations than 
 the last spring, being now almost in despair of any «Bsel ar- 
 riving to release us, or our being permitted to depart if there 
 should. Soon after our return, as preparatory to the whaling 
 season, Maqnina ordered me to make a good number of har- 
 poons for himself and his chiefs, several of which I had com- 
 pleted with some lances, when on the 16th of Slarch, I was 
 taken very ill with a violent cholic, caused, I presume, from 
 my having suffered so much from the cold in going without 
 proper clothing. For a number of hours I was in great pain, 
 and expected to die, and on its leaving me, I was so weak as 
 scarcely to be able to stand, while I had nothing comforting to 
 take, nor any thing to drink but cold water. On the day fol- 
 lowing a slave belonging to IMaquina died, and was immediate- 
 ly, as is their custom in such cases, tossed unceremoniously out 
 of doors, from whence he was taken by some others, and 
 thrown into the water. The treatment of this poor creature 
 made a melancholy impression upon my mind, as I could not 
 but think, that such probably would be my fate, should I die 
 among these heathen, and so far from receiving a decent bu- 
 rial, that I should not even be allow’ed the common privilege 
 of having a little earth thrown over my remains. 
 
NARRATIVE OP JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 269 
 
 The feebleness in which the violent attack of my disorder had 
 left me, the dejection I felt at the almost hopelessness of my 
 situation, and the want of warm clothing and proper nursing, 
 though my Indian wife, as far as she knew how, was always 
 ready, and even solicitous, to do every thing for me she could, 
 still kept me very much indisposed, which Maquina perceiv- 
 ing, he finally told me, that if I did not like living with my 
 wife, and that was the cause of my being so sad, I might part 
 v/ith her. This proposal I readily accepted, and the next 
 day Maquina sent her back to her father. On parting with 
 me, she discovered niuch emotion, begging me that I would 
 suffer her to remain until I had recovered, as there was no one 
 to take so good care of me as herself. But when I told her she 
 must go, for that I did not think I should ever recover, which 
 in truth I but little expected, and that her father would take 
 good care of her, and treat her much more kindly than Ma- 
 quina, she took an affectionate leave, telling me that she 
 hoped I should soon get better, and leaving her two slaves to 
 take care of me. 
 
 Though I rejoiced at her departure, I was greatly affected 
 with the simple expressions of her regard for me, and could 
 not but feel strongly interested for this poor girl, who in all 
 her conduct towards me, had discovered so much mildness 
 and attention to my wishes; and had it not been that I consid- 
 ered her as an almost insuperable obstacle to my being per- 
 mitted to leave the country, I should no doubt have felt the 
 deprivation of her society a real loss. After her departure, 
 I requested Maquina, that, as I had parted with my wife, he 
 would permit me to resume my European dress, for, other- 
 wise, from not having been accustomed to dress like them, I 
 should certainly die. To this he consented, and I once more 
 became comfortably clad. 
 
 Change of clothing, but more than all, the hopes which I 
 now began to indulge, that in the course of the summer I 
 should be able to escape, in a short time restored me to health, 
 so far, that I could again go to work in making harpoons for 
 Maquina, who, probably fearing that he should have to part 
 with me, determined to provide himself with a good stock. 
 
 I shall not however, longer detain the reader with a detail 
 of occurrences that intervened between this period, and that 
 of my escape, which, from that dull uniformity that marks the 
 savage life, would be in a measure, but repetitions, nor dwelt 
 upon that mental torture I endured, from a constant conflict of 
 hope and fear, when the former, almost wearied out with re- 
 
270 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 peated disappointment, offered to our sinking hearts no pros- 
 pect of release, but death, to which we were constantly ex- 
 posed from the brutal ignorance and savage disposition of 
 the common people, who in the various councils that were 
 held this season to determine what to do with us, in case of the 
 arrival of a ship, were almost always for putting us to death, 
 expecting by that means to conceal the murder of our crew, 
 and to throw the blame of it on some other tribe. These bar- 
 barous sentiments, were, however, uniformly opposed by iNIa- 
 quina and his chiefs, who would not consent to our being in- 
 jured. 
 
 The Nootkians in their conduct towards each other, are in 
 general pacific and inoffensive, and appear by no means an ill- 
 tempered race, for I do not recollect any instance of a violent 
 quarrel between any of the men, or the men and their wives, 
 while I was with them, that of Yealthlower excepted. But 
 when they are in the least offended, they appear to be in the 
 most violent rage, acting like so many maniacs, foaming at the 
 mouth, kicking and spitting most furiously; but this is rather 
 a fashion with them, than a demonstration of malignity, as 
 in their public speeches, they use the same violence, and he is 
 esteemed the greatest orator, who bawls the loudest, stamps, 
 tosses himself about, foams and spits the most. 
 
 In speaking of their regulations, I have omitted mentioning, 
 that on attaining the age of seventeen, the eldest son of a 
 chief, is considered as a chief himself, and that whenever the 
 father makes a present, it is always done in the name of his 
 son, or if he has none, in that of his daughter. The chiefs 
 frequently purchase their wives at the age of eight or ten, to 
 prevent their being engaged by others, though they do not take 
 them from their parents until they are sixteen. 
 
 With regard to climate, the greater part of the spring, sum- 
 mer, and autumn, is very pleasant, the weather being at no 
 time oppressively hot, and the winters uncommonly mild, for so 
 high a latitude, at least as far as iny experience went. At 
 Tashees atid Cooptee, where we passed the coidest part of 
 the season, the winter did not set in till late in December, nor 
 have I ever known the ice, even on the fresh water ponds, 
 more than two or three inches in thickness, or a snow exceed- 
 ing four inches in depth, but what is wanting in snow, is am- 
 ply made up in rain, as I have frequently known it during the 
 winter months, rain almost incessantly for five or six days in 
 succession. 
 
 It was now past mid-summer, and the hopes we had in- 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JE1VITT. 
 
 271 
 
 dulged of our release, became daily more faint, for though we 
 had heard of no less than seven vessels on the coast, yet none 
 appeared inclined to venture to Nootka. The destruction of 
 the Boston, the largest, strongest, and best equipped ship, with 
 much the most valuable cargo of any that had ever been fit- 
 ted out for the North-West trade, had inspired the comman- 
 ders of others with a general dread of coming thither, lest they 
 should share the same fate; and though in the letter I wrote 
 (imploring those who sliould receive them, to come to the 
 relief of two unfortunate Christians who were suffering among 
 heathen) I stated the cause of the Boston’s capture, and that 
 there was not the least danger in coming to Nootka, provided 
 they would follow the directions I laid down, still I felt very 
 little encouragement, that any of these letters would come to 
 hand, when on the morning of the nineteenth of July, a day 
 that will be ever held by me in grateful remembrance, of the 
 mercies of God, while i was employed with Thompson in for- 
 ging daggers for the king, my ears were saluted with the joy- 
 ful sound of three camion, and the cries of the inhabitants, 
 exclaiming, Weena, Weena — IMamethlee — that is, strangers 
 — white men. 
 
 Soon after several of our people, came running into the 
 house, to inform me that a vessel under full sail was coming 
 into the harbour. Though my heart bounded with joy, I re- 
 pressed my feelings, and affecting to pay no attention to what 
 was said, told Thompson to be on his guard, and not betray 
 any joy, as our release, and perhaps our lives, depended on 
 our conducting ourselves so as to induce the natives to sup- 
 pose we were not very anxious to leave them. We continued 
 our work as if nothing had happened, when in a few minutes 
 after, Maquina came in, and seeing us at work, appeared 
 much surprised, and asked me if 1 did not know that a vessel 
 had come. I answered in a careless manner, that it was 
 nothing to me. How, John, you no glad go board. I replied 
 that I cared very little about it, as I had become reconciled 
 to their manner of living, and had no wish to go away. He 
 then told me, that he had called a council of his people res- 
 pecting us, and we must leave otf work and be present at it. 
 
 The men having assembled at fllaquina’s house, he asked 
 them what was their opinion should be done with Thompson 
 and myself now a ^'essel had arrived, and whether he had not 
 better go on board himself, to make a trade, and procure such 
 articles as were wanted. Each one of the tribe who w'ished, 
 gave his opinion. Some were for putting us to death, and 
 
272 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 pretending to the strangers, that a different nation had cut off 
 the Boston, while others, less barbarous, were for sending us 
 fifteen or twenty miles back into the country until the depar- 
 ture of the vessel. These, however, were the sentiments of the 
 common people, the chiefs opposing our being put to death, or 
 injured, and several of them, among the most forward of whom 
 were Yealthlower and the young chief, Toowinnakinnish, were 
 for immediately releasing us; but this, if he could avoid it, by 
 no means appeared to accord with Maquina’s wishes. 
 
 Having mentioned Toowinnakinnish, I shall briefly observe, 
 that he was a young man of about twenty-three years old, the 
 only son of Toopeeshottee, the oldest and most respected 
 chief of the tribe. His son had always been remarkably kind 
 and friendly to me, and I had in return frequently made for 
 him daggers, cheetoolths, and other things, in my best man- 
 ner. He was one of the handsomest men among them, very 
 amiable, and much milder in his manners than any of the oth- 
 ers, as well as neater both in his person and house, at least his 
 apartment, without even excepting IMaquina. 
 
 With regard, however, to JMaquina’s going on board the 
 vessel, which he discovered a strong inclination to do, there 
 was but one opinion, all remonstrating against it, telling him 
 that the captain would kill him or keep him a prisoner, in con- 
 sequence of his having destroyed our ship. \Vhen iMaquina 
 had heard their o[)inions, he told them that he was hot afraid 
 of being hurt from going on board the vessel, but that he 
 would, however, in that respect, be guided by John, whom he 
 had always found true. He then turned to me, and asked me 
 if I thought there w'ould be any danger in his going on board. 
 I answered, that I was not surprised at the advice his people 
 had given him, unacquainted as they were with the manner of 
 the white men, and judging them by their own, but if they had 
 been with them as much as I had, or even himself, they would 
 think very different. That he had almost always experienced 
 good and civil treatment from them, nor had he any reason to 
 fear the contrary now, as they never attempted to harm those 
 who did not injure them, and if he wished to go on board, he 
 might do it, in my opinion, with security. — After reflecting a 
 few moments, he said with much apparent satisfaction, that if 
 I would write a letter to the captain, telling him good of him, 
 that he had treated Thompson and myself kindly since we had 
 been with him, and to use him well, he would go. It may 
 readily be supposed that I felt much joy at this determination, 
 but knowing that the least incaution might annihilate all my 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 273 
 
 hopes of escape, I was careful not to manifest it, and to treat 
 his going or staying as a matter perfectly indifferent to me. 
 I told him that if he wished me to write such a letter, I had no 
 objection, as it was the truth, otherwise T could not have 
 done it. 
 
 I then proceeded to write the recommendatory letter, which 
 the reader will naturally imagine was of a somewhat different 
 tenor from the one he had required; for if deception is in any 
 case warrantable, it was certainly so in a situation like ours, 
 where the only chance of regaining that freedom of which we 
 had been so unjustly deprived, depended upon it; and I trust 
 that few, even of the most rigid, will condemn me with sever- 
 ity for making use of it, on an occasion which afforded me the 
 only hope of ever more beholding a Christian country, and 
 preserving myself if not from death, at least from a life of con- 
 tinued suffering. 
 
 The letter which I wrote, was nearly in the following 
 terms : — 
 
 Nootka, July 19, 1805. 
 
 To Captain , of the Brig . 
 
 Sir, — The bearer of this letter is the Indian king by the 
 name of Maquina. He was the instigator of the capture of 
 the ship Boston, of Boston in North America, John Salter 
 captain, and of the murder of twenty-five men of her crew, 
 the only two survivors being now on shore — IVherefore I hope 
 you will take care to confine him according to nis merits, put- 
 ting in your dead lights, and keeping so good a watch over 
 him, that he cannot escape from you. By so doing, we shall 
 be able to obtain our release in the course of a few hours. 
 
 JOHN R. JEWITT, 
 
 Armourer of the Boston, for himself and 
 
 JOHN THOMPSON, 
 
 Sail Maker of said Ship. 
 
 I have been asked how I dared to write in this manner: my 
 answer is, that from my long residence among these people, I 
 knew that I had little to apprehend from their anger on hear- 
 ing of their king being confined, while they knew his life de- 
 pended upon my release, and that they would sooner have 
 given up five hundred white men, than have had him injured. 
 This will serve to explain the little apprehension I felt at 
 their menaces afterwards, for otherwise, sweet as liberty was 
 to me, I should hardly have ventured on so hazardous an 
 e.xperiment. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 12« 
 
274 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 On my giving the letter to Maquina, he asked me to explain 
 it to him. This I did line by line, as he pointed them out with 
 liis finger, but in a sense very different from the real, giving 
 him to understand that 1 had written to the captain, that as 
 he had been kind to me since I had been tal(cn by him, that 
 it was my wish that the captain should treat iiirn accordingly, 
 and give him what molasses, biscuit and rum he wanted. 
 When I had finished, placing his finger in a significant man- 
 ner on my name at the bottom, and eyeing me with a look that 
 seemed to read my inmost thoughts, he said to me, — “ John, 
 you no lie Never did I undergo sucli a scrutiny, or ever 
 experience greater apprehensions than I felt at that moment, 
 when my destiny was suspended on the sliglitest thread, and 
 the least mark of embarrassment on mine, or suspicion of 
 treachery on his part, would probably have rendered my life 
 the sacrifice. Fortunately I was able to preserve my com- 
 posure, and my being painted in the Indian manner, which 
 Maquina had since my marriage required of me, prevented 
 any change in my countenance from being noticed, and I re- 
 plied with considerable promptitude, looking at him in mv 
 turn, with all the confidence I could muster, “ Why do you 
 ask me such a question, Tyee ? have you ever ki^own me to 
 lie “No.” “Then how can you suppose r'should tell 
 
 you a lie now, since 1 have never done it.” As I was speak- 
 ing, he still continued looking at me with the same piercing 
 eye, but observing nothing to excite his suspicion, he told 
 me that he believed what I said was true, and that he would 
 go on board, and gave orders to get ready his canoe. His 
 chiefs again attempted to dissuade him, using everv argument 
 for that purpose, while his wives crowded around him, beg- 
 ging him on their knees, not to trust himself with the white 
 men. Fortunately for my companion and myself, so strong 
 was his wish of going on board the vessel, that he was deaf to 
 their solicitations, and making no other reply to them, than, 
 “John no lie,” left the house, taking four prime skins with 
 him as a present to the captain. 
 
 Scarcely had the canoe put off, when he ordered his men 
 to stop, and calling to me, asked me if I did not want to go 
 on board with him. Suspecting this as a question merely in- 
 tended to ensnare me, I replied that I had no wish to do it, 
 not having any desire to leave them. 
 
 On going on board the brig, Maquina immediately gave his 
 present of skins and my letter to the captain, who on reading 
 itj asked him into the cabin, where he gave him some biscuit 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 275 
 
 and a glass of rum, at the same time, privately directing his 
 mate to go forward, and return with five or six of the men 
 armed. When they appeared, the captain told Maquina that 
 he was his prisoner, and should continue so, until the two 
 men, whom he knew to be on shore, were released, at the 
 same time ordering him to be put in irons, and the windows 
 secured, which was instantly done, and a couple of men pla- 
 ced as a guard over him. JNIaquinawas greatly surprised and 
 terrified at the reception ; he however made no attempt to 
 resist, but he requested the captain to permit one of his men 
 to come and see him. One of them was accordingly called, 
 and IMaquina said something to him which the captain did not 
 understand but supposed to be an order to release us, when the 
 man returning to the canoe, it was paddled off with the utmost 
 expedition to the shore. As the canoe approached, the inhabi- 
 tants, who had all collected upon the beach, manifested some 
 uneasiness at not seeing their king on board, but when on its 
 arrival, they were told that the captain had made him a 
 prisoner, and that John had spoke bad about him in the letter, 
 they all both men and women, set up a loud howl, and ran 
 backwards and forwards upon the shore like so many lunatics, 
 scratching their faces, and tearing the hair in handfuls from 
 their heads. 
 
 After they had beat about in this manner for sometime, the 
 men ran into their huts for their weapons, as if preparing to 
 attack an invading enemy ; while Maquina’s wives and the 
 rest of the women, came around me, and throwing themselves 
 on their knees, begged me with tears to spare his life, and 
 Sat-sat-sak-sis, who kept constantly with me, taking me by 
 the hand, wept bitterly, and joined his entreaties to theirs, that 
 I would not let the wliite men kill his father. I told them 
 not to afflict themselves, that JMaquina’s life was in no danger, 
 nor would the least harm be done to him. 
 
 Tlie men were however, extremely exasperated with me, 
 more particularly the common people, who came running in 
 the most furious manner towards me, brandishing their wea- 
 pons, and threatening to cut me in pieces no bigger than their 
 thumb nails, while others declared they would burn me alive 
 over a slow fire, suspended by my heels. All this fury, how- 
 ever, caused me but little alarm, as I felt convinced they 
 would not dare to execute their threats while the king was on 
 board the brig. The chiefs took no part in this violent con- 
 duct, but came to me, and enquired the reason why Maquina 
 had been thus treated, and if the captain intended to kill him 
 
276 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 I told them that if they would silence the people, so that I 
 could be heard, I would explain all to them. They immedi- 
 ately put a stop to the noise, when I informed them that the 
 captain in confining Maquina, had done it of his own accord, 
 and only in order to make them release Thompson and my- 
 self, as he well knew we were with them, and if they would 
 do that, their king would receive no injury, but be well treat- 
 ed, otherwise he would be kept a prisoner. As many of them 
 did not appear to be satisfied with this, and began to repeat 
 their murderous threats — Kill me, said 1 to tliem, if it is your 
 wish, throwing open the bear skin which I wore, here is my 
 breast, I am only one among so many, and can make no re- 
 sistance, but unless you wish to see your king lianging by his 
 neck to that pole, pointing to the yard arm of the brig, and 
 the sailors firing at him with bullets, you will not do it. O no, 
 was the general cry, that must never be ; but what must we 
 do ? I told them that their best plan would be, to send Thomp- 
 son on board, to desire the captain to use Maquina well till I 
 was released, which would be soon. This they were perfectly 
 willing to do, and I directed Thompson to go on board. But 
 he objected, saying that he would not leave me ajpne with the 
 savages. I told him not to be under any fear for'me, for that 
 if I could get him off, I could manage well enough for myself, 
 and that I wished him immediately on getting on board the brig 
 to see the captain and request him to keep Maquina close till 
 I was released, as I was in no danger while he had him safe. 
 
 When I saw Thompson off, I asked the natives what they 
 intended to do with me. They said I must talk to the captain 
 again in another letter, and tell him to let his boat come on 
 shore with Maquina, and that J should be ready to jump into 
 the boat at the same time Maquina should jump on shore. I 
 told them that the captain, who knew that they had killed my 
 shipmates, would never trust his men so near the shore for 
 fear they would kill them too, as they were so much more 
 numerous, but that if they would select any three of their 
 number to go with me in a canoe, when we came within hail, 
 I could desire the captain to send his boat with Maquina, to 
 receive me in exchange for him. 
 
 This appeared to please them, and after some whispering 
 among the chiefs, who from what words I overheard, conclud- 
 ed that if the captain should refuse to send his boat with Ma- 
 q^ina, the three men would have no difficulty in bringing me 
 back with them, they agreed to my proposal, and selected 
 three of their stoutest men to convey me. Fortunately having 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 277 
 
 been for some time accustomed to see me armed, and suspect- 
 ing no design on my part, they paid no attention to the pistols 
 that I had about me. 
 
 As I was going into the canoe, little Sat-sat-sak-sis, who 
 could not bear to part with me, asked me, with an affecting 
 simplicity, since I was going away to leave him, if the white 
 men would not let his father come on shore, and not kill him. 
 I told him not to be concerned, for that no one should injure his 
 father, when taking an affectionate leave of me, and again beg- 
 ging me not to let the white men hurt his father, he ran to 
 comfort his mother, who was at a little distance, with the as- 
 surances I had given him. 
 
 On entering the canoe, I seated myself in the prow facing 
 the three men, having determined if it was practicable, from 
 the moment I found Maquina was secured, to get on board 
 the vessel before he was released, hoping by that means, to 
 be enabled to obtain the restoration of what property belong- 
 ing to the Boston, still remained in the possession of the sav- 
 ages, which I thought, if it could be done, a duty that I owed 
 to the owners. B'ith feelings of joy impossible to be describ- 
 ed, did I quit this savage shore, confident now that nothing 
 could thwart my escape, or prevent the execution of the plan 
 I had formed, as the men appointed to convey and guard me, 
 were armed with nothing but their paddles. As we came 
 within hail of the brig, they at once ceased paddling, when 
 presenting my pistols at them, I ordered them instantly to go 
 on, or I would shoot the whole of them. A proceeding so 
 wholly unexpected, threw them into great consternation, and 
 resuming their paddles, in a few moments, to my inexpressible 
 delight, I once more found myself along side of a Christian 
 ship, a happiness which I had almost despaired of ever again 
 enjoying. All the crew crowded to the side to see me as the 
 canoe came up, and manifested much joy at my safety. I im- 
 mediately leaped on board, where I was welcomed by the 
 captain, Samuel Hill, of the brig Lydia of Boston, who con- 
 gratulated me on my escape, informing me that he had receiv- 
 ed my letter on Kla-iz-zaat, from the chief Mackee Ulatilla, 
 who came off himself in his canoe, to deliver it to him, on 
 which he immediately proceeded hither to aid me. I return- 
 ed him my thanks in the best manner I could for his humanity, 
 though I hardly knew what I said, such was the agitated state 
 of my feelings at that moment, with joy for my escape, thank- 
 fulness to the Supreme Being who had so mercifully preserved 
 me, and gratitude to those whom he had rendered instrumental 
 
278 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 in my delivery, that I have no doubt, that vrhat with my strange 
 dress, being painted v/ith red and black from head to foot, 
 having a bear skin wrapped around me, and my long hair, 
 which I was not allowed to cut, fastened on the top of my head 
 in a large bunch, with a sprig of green spruce, I must have 
 appeared more like one deranged than a rational creature, as 
 Capt. Hill afterwards told me, that he never saw any thing in 
 the form of man, look so wild as I did when I first came on 
 board. 
 
 The captain then asked me into the cabin, where I found 
 Maquina in irons, with a guard over him. He looked very 
 melancholy, but on seeing me his countenance brightened up, 
 and he expressed his pleasure with the welcome of“ Wocash 
 John when taking him by the hand, I asked the captain’s 
 permission to take off his irons, assuring him that as I was 
 with him, there was no danger of his being in the least trouble- 
 some. He accordingly consented, and I felt a sincere plea- 
 sure in freeing from fetters, a man, who, though he had caus- 
 ed the death of my poor comrades, had nevertheless, always 
 proved my friend and protector, and whom I had requested to 
 be thus treated, only with a view of securing my liberty. jMa- 
 quina smiled and appeared much pleased at this mark of atten- 
 tion from me. When I had freed the king from his irons, Capt. 
 Hill wished to learn the particulars of our capture, observing 
 that an account of the destruction of the ship and her crew 
 had been received at Boston before he sailed, but that nothing 
 more was known, except that two of the men were living, for 
 whose rescue the owners had offered a liberal reward, and that 
 he had been able to get nothing out of the old man, whom the 
 sailors had supplied so plentifully with grog, as to bring him 
 too much by the head to give any information. 
 
 I gave him a correct statement of the whole proceeding, to- 
 gether with the manner in which my life and that of my com- 
 rade had been preserved. On hearing my story, he was 
 greatly irritated against IMaquina, said he ought to be killed. 
 I observed that however ill he might have acted in taking our 
 ship, yet that it would, perhaps, be wrong to judge an unin- 
 formed savage with the same severity as a civilized person, 
 who had the light of religion and the laws of society to guide 
 him. That IMaquina’s conduct in taking our ship, arose from 
 an insult that he thought he had received from Capt. Salter, 
 and from the unjustifiable conduct of some masters of vessels, 
 who had robbed him, and without provocation, killed a number 
 of his people. Besides that, a regard for the safety of others 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 27D 
 
 ouglit to prevent his being put to death, as I had lived long 
 enough with these people to know that revenge for an injury, 
 is held sacred by them, and that they would not fail to retal- 
 iate, should he kill their king, on the first vessel or boat’s crew 
 that should give them an opportunity ; and that, though he might 
 consider executing him as but an act of justice, it would pro- 
 bably cost the lives of many Americans. 
 
 The captain appeared to be convinced from what I said, of 
 the impolicy of taking IMaquina’s life, and said that he would 
 leave it wholly with me whether to spare or kill him, as he was 
 resolved to incur no censure in either case. I replied that I 
 most certainly should never take the life of a man who had pre- 
 served mine, had I no other reason, but as there was some of 
 the Boston’s property still remaining on shore, I considered it 
 a duty that I owed to those who were interested in that ship, 
 to try to save it for them, and with that view I thought it would 
 be well to keep him on board till it was given up. He con- 
 curred in this proposal, saying if there was any of the property 
 left, it most certainly ought to be got. 
 
 During this conversation Maquina was in great anxiety, as 
 from what English he knew he perfectly comprehended the 
 subject of our deliberation ; constantly interrupting me to in- 
 quire what we had determined to do wdth him, what the cap- 
 tain said, if his life would be spared, and if I did not think that 
 Thompson would kill him. I pacified him as w'ell as I was 
 able, by telling him that he had nothing to fear from the cap- 
 tain, that he would not be hurt, and that if Thompson wished 
 to kill him, which w'as probable, he w'ould not be allowed to 
 do it. He would then remind me that I was indebted to him 
 for my life, and that I ought to do by him, as he had done by 
 me. I assured him that such was my intention, and I request- 
 ed him to remain quiet, and not alarm himself, as no harm 
 was intended him. But I found it extremely difficult to con- 
 vince him of this, as it accorded so little with the ideas of re- 
 venge entertained by them. I told him however, that he must 
 restore all the property still in his possession, belonging to the 
 ship. This he was perfectly ready to do, happy to escape on 
 such terms. But as it w'as now past five, and too late for the 
 articles to be collected, and brought off’, I told him that he 
 must content himself to remain on board with me that night, 
 and in the morning he should be set on shore as soon as the 
 things were delivered. To this he agreed, on condition that 
 I W'ould remain with him in the cabin. I then went upon 
 deck, and the canoe that brought me having been sent back, 
 
280 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 I hailed the inhabitants, and told tnera that their king had 
 agreed to stay on board till the next day, when he would re- 
 turn, but that no canoes must attempt to come near the vessel 
 during the night, as they would be fired upon. They answer- 
 ed, Woho, woho — very well, very well. I then returned to 
 Maquina, but so great were his terrors, that he would not al- 
 low me to sleep, constantly disturbing me with his questions, 
 and repeating, “John, you know when you was alone, and 
 more than five hundred men were your enemies, I was your 
 friend, and prevented them from putting you and Tliompson 
 to death, and now I am in th^ power of your friends, you 
 ought to do the same by me.” I assured him that he would 
 be detained on board no longer than the property was releas- 
 ed, and that as soon as it was done, he would be set at 
 liberty. 
 
 At day break I hailed the natives, and told them that it was 
 Maquina’s order that they should bring off the cannon, and 
 anchors, and whatever remained with them of the cargo of the 
 ship. This they set about doing with the utmost expedition, 
 transporting the cannon and anchors by lashing together two 
 of their largest canoes, and covering them with planks, and 
 in the course of two hours, they delivered every thing on 
 board that I could recollect, with Thompson's and my chest, 
 containing the papers of the ship, &.c. 
 
 When every thing belonging to the ship had been restored, 
 Maquina was permitted to return in his canoe, which had been 
 sent for him, with a present of what skins he had collected, 
 which were about si.xty, for the captain in acknowledgment 
 of his having spared his life and allowed him to depart unhurt; 
 such was also the transport he felt when captain Hill came 
 into the cabin, and told him that he was at liberty to go, that 
 he threw' off his mantle, which consisted of four of the very 
 best skins, and gave it to him as a mark of his gratitude, in re- 
 turn for which, the captain presented him with a new great coat 
 and hat, with which he appeared much delighted. The cap- 
 tain then desired me to inform him that he should return to that 
 part of the coast in November, and that he wished him to 
 keep what skins he should get, which he would buy of him. 
 This Maquina promised, saying to me at the same time, 
 “John, you know I shall be then at Tashees, but when you 
 come make pow, which means, fire a gun to let me know, 
 and I will come down.” When he came to the side of the 
 brig, he shook me cordially by the hand, and told me that he 
 hoped I would come to see him again in a big ship, and bring 
 
NARRATIVE OP JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 281 
 
 much plenty of blankets, biscuit, molasses and rum, for him 
 and his son who loved me a great deal, and that he would 
 keep all the furs he got for me, observing at the same time, 
 that he should never more take a letter of recommendation 
 from any one, or ever trust himself on board a vessel unless I 
 was there. Then grasping both my hands with much emotion, 
 while the tears trickled down his cheeks, he bade me farewell, 
 and stepped into the canoe, which immediately paddled him on 
 shore. 
 
 Notwithstanding my joy at my deliverance, and the pleasing 
 anticipation I felt of once more beholding a civilized country, 
 and again being permitted to offer up my devotions in a Chris- 
 tian church, I could not avoid experiencing a painful sensation 
 on parting with this savage chief, who had preserved my life, 
 and in general treated me with kindness, and considering their 
 ideas and manners, much better than could have been ex- 
 pected. 
 
 My pleasure was greatly damped by an unfortunate acci- 
 dent that occurred to Toowinnakinnish. That interesting 
 young chief had come on board in the first canoe in the morn- 
 ing, anxious to see and comfort his king. He was received 
 with much kindness by captain Hill, from the favourable ac- 
 count I gave of him, and invited to remain on board. As the 
 muskets were delivered, he was in the cabin with Maquina, 
 where was also the captain, who on receiving them, snapped a 
 number in order to try the locks; unluckily one of them hap- 
 pened to be loaded with swan shot, and going off, discharged 
 its contents into the body of poor Toowinnakinnish, who was 
 sitting opposite. On hearing the report, I instantly ran into 
 the cabin, where I found him weltering in his blood, with the 
 captain who was greatly shocked at the accident, endeavour- 
 ing to assist him. We raised him up, and did every thing in 
 our power to aid and comfort him, telling him that we felt 
 much grieved at his misfortune, and that it was wholly unin- 
 tentional, this he told me he was perfectly satisfied of, and 
 while we dressed and bound up his wounds in the best manner 
 we could, he bore the pain with great calmness, and bidding 
 me farewell, was put on board one of the canoes, and taken 
 on shore, where after languisliing a few days, he expired. 
 To me, his misfortune was a source of much affliction, as he 
 had no share in the massacre of our crew, was of a most amia- 
 ble character, and had always treated me with the greatest 
 kindness and hospitality. 
 
282 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 The Brig being under weigh, immediately on Maquina’s 
 quitting us, we proceeded to the northward, constantly keep- 
 ing the shore in sight, and touching at various places for the 
 purpose of trading. 
 
 Having already exceeded the bounds I had prescribed 
 myself, I shall not attempt any account of our voyage upon 
 the coast, or a description of the various nations we met with 
 in the course of it, among whom were a people of a very sin- 
 gular appearance, called by the sailors the Wooden-lips. 
 They have many skins, and the trade is principally managed 
 by their women, who are not only expert in making a bargain, 
 but are as dexterous in the manajiement of their canoes, as the 
 men are elsewhere. 
 
 After a period of nearly four months from our leaving Xoot- 
 ka, w'e returned from the northward to Columbia river, for the 
 purpose of procuring masts, &.c. for our brig, which had suf- 
 fered considerably in her spars during a gale of wind. We 
 proceeded about ten miles up the river, to a small Indian vil- 
 lage, where we heard from the inhabitants, that Cajitains 
 Clark and Lewis, from the United States of America, had 
 been there about a fortnight before, on their journey over-land, 
 and had left several medals with them, which they shewed us. 
 The river at this place is of considerable breadth, and both 
 sides of it from its entrance, covered with forests of the very- 
 finest pine timber, fir and spruce, interspersed with Indian 
 settlements. Here after providing ourselves with spars, we 
 sailed for Nootka, where we arrived in the latter part of No- 
 vember. The tribe being absent, the agreed signal was giv- 
 en, by firing a cannon, and in a few hours after, a canoe ap- 
 peared, which landed at the village, and putting the king on 
 shore, came ofi’to the brig. — Enquiry w-as immediateiy made 
 by Kinneclinimets, who w-as one of the three men in the ca- 
 noe, if John was there, as the king had some skins to sell 
 them if he was. I then went forward and invited them on 
 board, with which they readily complied, telling me that 3Ia- 
 quina had a number of skins with him, but that he would not 
 come on board unless I would go on shore. This I agreed to, 
 provided they would remain in the brig in the mean time. 
 To this they consented, and the captain taking them into the 
 cabin, treated them with bread and molasses. I then went on 
 shore in the canoe, notwithstanding the remonstrances of 
 Thompson and the captain, who, though he wanted the skins, 
 advised me by no means to put myself in Maquina’s power; 
 but I assured him that I had no fear as long as those men 
 
NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 283 
 
 were on board. As I landed, Maquina came up and wel- 
 comed me with much joy: on enquiring for the men, I told 
 him that they were to remain till my return. “ Ah, John,” 
 said he, “ I see you are afraid to trust me, but if they had 
 come with you, I should not have hurt you, though I should 
 have taken good care not to let you go on board of another 
 vessel.” He then took his chest of skins, and stepping into 
 the canoe, I paddled him aiong-side the brig, where he was 
 received and treated by captain Hill with the greatest cordi- 
 ality, who bought of him his skins. He left us much pleased 
 with his reception, enquiring of me how many moons it would 
 be before I should come back again to see him and his son, 
 who had begged him hard to let him come with him to see me, 
 saying, that he would keep all his furs for me, and that as soon 
 as. my son, who was then about five months old, was of a suit- 
 able age to take from his mother, he would send for him, and 
 take care of him as his own. 
 
 As -.oon as ftlaquina had quitted us, we got under weigh, 
 and stood a ^ain to the northward. We continued on the coast 
 until the eleventh of August, 1806, when having completed 
 ourtraie, we sailed for China, to the great joy of all our crew, 
 and p; ticularlyso to me. With a degree of satisfaction that 
 I can ill express, did I quit a coast to which I was resolved 
 nothing should again tempt me to return, and as the tops of 
 the mountains sunk in the blue waves of ocean, I seemed to 
 feel my heart lightened of an oppressive load. 
 
 ^Ve had a prosperous passage to China, arriving at Macao 
 in December, from whence the brig proceeded to Canton. 
 There I had the good fortune to meet a townsman and an ac- 
 quaintance, in the mate of an English East-Indiaman, named 
 John Hill, whose father, a wealthy merchant in Hull, in the 
 Baltic trade, was a next door neighbour to mine. Shortly af- 
 ter our arrival, the captain being on board of the English ship, 
 and mentioning his having had the good fortune to liberate two 
 men of the Boston’s crew from the savages, and that one of 
 them was named Jewitt, my former acquaintance immediately 
 came on board the brig to see me. 
 
 Words can ill express my feelings on seeing him. Circum- 
 stanced as I w’as, among persons who were entire strangers to 
 me, to meet thus in a foreign land, with one between whom 
 and myself, a considerable intimacy had subsisted, was a 
 pleasure that those alone who have been in a like situation can 
 properly estimate. He appeared on his part, no less happy 
 to see me, whom he supposed to be dead, as the account of 
 
284 
 
 NARRATIVE OF JOHN R. JEWITT. 
 
 our capture had been received in England, sometime before 
 his sailing, and all my friends supposed me to have been mur- 
 dered. From this young man, I received every attention and 
 aid, that a feeling heart, interested in the fate of another, could 
 confer. He supplied me with a new suit of clothes, and a 
 hat, a small sum of money for my necessary e.xpenses, and a 
 number of little articles for sea-stores on my voyage to Amer- 
 ica. I also gave him a letter for my father, in which I men- 
 tioned my wonderful preservation, and escape, through the 
 humanity of captain Hill, with whom 1 should return to Boston. 
 This letter he enclosed to his father, by a ship that was just 
 sailing, in consequence of which, it was received much earlier 
 than it otherwise would have been. 
 
 We left China in February, 1807, and after a pleasant voy- 
 age of one hundred and fourteen days, arrived at Boston. 
 
 Arrival of the brig Lydia at Boston. 
 
 My feelings on once more finding myself in a Christian coun- 
 try, among a people speaking the same language with myself, 
 may be more readily conceived than expressed. In the Post- 
 Office in that place, I found a letter for me, from my mother, 
 acknowledging the receipt of mine from China, expressing the 
 great joy of my family on hearing of my being alive and well, 
 whom they had a long time given up for dead, and requesting 
 me to write to them on receiving her letter, which I according- 
 ly did. While in Boston, I was treated with much kindness 
 and hospitality by the owners of the ship Boston, Messrs. 
 Francis and Thomas Amory of that place, to whom I feel my- 
 self under great obligations for their kindness to me, and the 
 assistance which they so readily afforded a stranger in dis- 
 tress. 
 
i MONKEY TRICK. 
 
 285 
 
 A MONKEY TRICK. 
 
 In 1818, a vessel that sailed between Whitehaven and Ja- 
 maica embarked on her homeward voyage, and among other 
 passengers, carriejl a female, who had at the breast a child 
 only a few weeks old. One beautiful afternoon, the captain 
 perceived a distant sail, and after he had gratified his curios- 
 ity, he politely offered his glass to his passenger, that she 
 might obtain a clear view of the object. Mrs. B. had the baby 
 in her arms ; she wrapped her shawl about the little innocent, 
 and placed it on a sofa upon which she had been sitting. 
 Scarcely had she applied her eye to the glass, when the helms- 
 man exclaimed, “ Good God ! see w'hat the mischievous mon- 
 key has done.” The reader may judge of the female’s feel- 
 ings, when, on turning round, she beheld the animal in the 
 act of transporting her child apparently to the very top of 
 the mast ! The monkey w'as a very large one, and so strong 
 and active, that w'hile it grasped the infant firmly with the one 
 arm, it climbed the shrouds nimbly by the other, totally unem- 
 barrassed by the w’eight of its burden. One look vvas suffi- 
 cient for the terrified mother, and that look had well nigh 
 been her last, and had it not been for the assistance of those 
 around her, she would have fallen prostrate on the deck, 
 where she was soon afterwards stretched apparently a lifeless 
 corpse. The sailors could climb as well as the monkey, but 
 the latter watched their motions narrowdy; and as it ascended 
 higher up the mast the moment they attempted to put a foot 
 on the shrouds, the captain became afraid that it would drop 
 the child, and endeavored to escape by leaping from one mast 
 to another. In the meantime the little innocent was heard to 
 cry ; and though many thought it was suffering pain, their 
 fears on this point was speedily dissipated when they observed 
 the monkey imitating exactly the motions of a nurse, by dand- 
 ling, soothing, and caressing its charge, and even endeavor- 
 ing to hush it asleep. From deck the lady w’as conveyed into 
 the cabin, and gradually restored to her senses. In the mean- 
 time, the captain ordered every man to conceal himself below, 
 and quietly took his own station on the cabin stair, where he 
 could see all that passed wuthout being seen. This plan hap- 
 pily succeeded ; the monkey, on perceiving that the coast 
 was clear, cautiously descended from his lofty perch, and re- 
 
286 
 
 THE EDDYSTCNE LIGHT HOUSE, 
 
 placed the infant on the sofa, cold, fretful, and perhaps fright- 
 ened, but in every other respect as free from harm as when 
 he took it up. The humane searr.an had now a most grateful 
 task to perform ; the babe was restored to its mother’s arms, 
 amidst tears, and thanks, and blessings. 
 
 THE EDDYSTONE LIGHT HOUSE. 
 
 This most celebrated light-house is built on the Eddystone 
 rocks. These are situated nearly south-south-west from the 
 middle of Plymoutli sound, England, according to the true 
 meridian. The distance from tlie port of Plymouth is nearly 
 fourteen miles ; and from the promontory called Ramhead, 
 about ten miles. They are almost in the line, but somewhat 
 within it, which joins the Start and the Lizard points ; and as 
 they lie nearly m the direction of vessels coasting up and down 
 the cltannel, they were necessarily, before the establishment 
 of light-houses, very dangerous, and often fatal to ships under 
 such circumstances. Their situation, likewise, with regard 
 to the Bay of Biscay, and the Atlantic Ocean, is such, that 
 
THE EDDYSTONE LIGHT HOUSE. 
 
 287 
 
 they lie open to the swells of the bay and ocean from all south- 
 western points of the compass, which sv/ells are generally al- 
 lowed by mariners to be very great and heavy in those seas, 
 and particularly in the Bay of Biscay. It is to be observed 
 that the soundings of the sea from the south-westward, towards 
 the Eddystone, are from eighty fathoms to forty, and every 
 where till you come near the Eddystone, the sea is full thirty 
 fathoms in depth ; so that all the heavy seas from the south- 
 west come uncontrolled upon the Eddystone rocks, and break 
 on them with the utmost fury. 
 
 The force and height of these seas is increased by the 
 circumstance of the rocks stretching across the channel, 
 in a north and south direction, to the length of above one 
 hundred fathoms, and by their lying in a sloping manner 
 towards the soutlj-west quarter. This striving of the rocks, 
 as it is technically called, does not cease at low water, but still 
 goes on progressively ; so that, at fifty fathoms westward, 
 there are twelve fathoms water, nor do they terminate alto- 
 gether at the distance of a mile. From this configuration it 
 happens, that the seas are swelled to such a degree in storms 
 and hard gales of wind, as to break on the rocks with the ut- 
 most violence. 
 
 The effect of this slope is likewise sensibly felt in moderate, 
 and even in calm weather, for the liberation of the water, 
 caused in the Bay of Biscay in hard gales, at south-west, con- 
 tinues in those deep waters for many days, though succeeded 
 by a calm ; insomuch, that when the sea is to all appearance 
 smooth and even, and its surface unruffled by the slightest 
 breeze, yet those liberations still continuing, which are called 
 the ground swell, and meeting the slope of the rocks, the sea 
 breaks upon them in a frightful manner so as not only to ob- 
 struct any work being done upon tlie rock, but even the landing 
 upon it, when, figuratively speaking, you miglit go to sea in a 
 walnut-shell. A circumstance which still further increases 
 the difficulty of working on the rocks is, there being a sudden 
 drop of the surface of the rock, forming a step of about four 
 and a half, or five feet high, so that the seas, which in mode- 
 rate weather come swelling to this part, meet so sudden a 
 check, that they frequently fly to the height of thirty or forty 
 feet. 
 
 Notwithstanding these difficulties, it is not surprising that 
 the dangers to which navigators were e.xposed by the Eddy- 
 stone rocks, should make a commercial nation desirous of 
 having a light-house on them. The wonder is, that any one 
 
288 
 
 THE EDDYSTONE LIGHT HOUSE. 
 
 should be found hardy enough to undertake the building. 
 Such a man was first found in the person of Henry Winstanly, of 
 Littlebury, in Essex, gent, who, in the year 1696, was furnish- 
 ed by the master, wardens and assistants, of the Trinity-house, 
 of Deptford Strond, with the necessary powers to carry the 
 design into execution. He entered upon this undertaking in 
 1696, and completed it in four years. This gentleman was so 
 eertain of the stability of his structure, that he declared it to 
 be his wish to be in it “ during the greatest storm that ever 
 blew under the face of the heavens.” 
 
 Mr. Winstanly was but too amply gratified in his wish, for 
 while he was there with his workmen and light-keepers, that 
 dreadful storm began, which raged most violently on the 2Gth 
 of November, 1703, in the night ; and of all the accounts of 
 the kind which history furnishes us with, w% have none that 
 has exceeded this in Great Britain, or was more injurious or 
 extensive in its devastation. The next morning, November 
 27th, when the violence of the storm was so much abated that 
 it could be seen whether the light-house had sufiered by it, 
 notning appeared standing ; but, upon a nearer inspection, 
 some of the large irons br which the work was fixed upon the 
 rock still remained ; nor were any of the people, or any of the 
 materials of the building, ever found afterwards. 
 
 In 1709, another light-house was built of wood, on a very 
 different construction, by Mr. John Rudyerd, then a silk mer- 
 cer on Ludgate-hill. This was a very ingenious structure ; 
 after it had braved the elements for forty-six years, it was 
 burnt to the ground in 1755. On the destruction of this light- 
 house, that excellent mechanic and engineer Mr. Smeaton, 
 was chosen as the fittest person to build another. It was with 
 some difficulty that he was able to persuade the proprietors, 
 that a stone building, properly constructed, would in all re- 
 spects be preferable to one of wood ; but having at last con- 
 vinced them, he turned his thoughts to the sha[)C which was 
 most suitable to a building so critically situated. Reflecting 
 on the structure of the former buildings, it seemed a material 
 improvement to procure, if possible, an enlargement of the 
 base, without increasing the size of the waist, or that part of 
 the building which is between the top of the rock, and the top 
 of the solid work. Hence he thought a greater degree of 
 strength and stifl'ness would be gained, accompanied with less 
 resistance to the actitig power. On this occasion, the natural 
 figure of the waist, cr bole, of a large spreading oak, occurred 
 to IMr. Smeaton. “ Let us (says he) consider its particular 
 
THE EDDYSTONE LIGHT HOUSE. 
 
 289 
 
 figure. Connected with its roots, which lie hid below ground, 
 it rises from the surface with a large swelling base, which at 
 the height of one diameter is generally reduced by an elegant 
 curve, concave to the eye, to a diameter less by at least one 
 third and sometimes to half its original base. From thence, its 
 taper diminishing more slowly, its sides by degrees come into 
 a perpendicular, and for some height form a cylinder. After 
 that, a preparation of more circumference becomes necessary, 
 for the strong insertion and establishment of the principal 
 boughs, which produces a swelling of its diameter. Now we 
 can hardly doubt, but that every section of the tree is nearly 
 of an equal strength in proportion to what it has to resist ; and 
 were we to lop olf its principal boughs, and expose it in that 
 state to a rapid current of water, ive should find it as capable 
 of resisting the action of the heavier fluid, when divested of 
 the greater part of its clothing, as it was that of the lightc", 
 when all its spreading ornaments were exposed to the fury of 
 the wind ; and hence we may derive an idea of what the j)ro- 
 per shape of a column of the greatest stability ought to be, to 
 resist the action of external violence, when the quantity of 
 matter is given of which it is to be composed. 
 
 With these views, as to the proper form of the superstruc- 
 ture, Mr. Smeaton began the work on the 2d of April, 1757, 
 and finished it in August 4th, 1759. The rock, which slopes 
 towards the south-west is cut into horizontal steps, into which 
 are dovetailed, and united by a strong cement, Portland stone, 
 and granite. The whole, to the height of thirty-five feet from 
 the foundation, is a solid ofstones, ingrafted in each other, and 
 united by every means of additional strength. The building 
 has four rooms, one over the other, and at the top a gallery and 
 lantern. The stone floors are flat above, but concave beneath, 
 and are kept from pressing against the sides of the building by a 
 a chain let into the walls. It is nearly eighty feet high, and 
 since its completion has been assaulted by the fury of the 
 elements, without suffering the smallest injury. 
 
 We regret that we cannot with propriety trace out the pro- 
 gress of this great work, and shew with what skill and judgment 
 this unparalleled engineer overcame the greatest difficulties ; 
 we, however, beg to recommend to our curious readers, Mr. 
 Smeaton’s own account of the Eddystone light-house, not 
 doubting that they will be highly gratified by the perusal. 
 According to the requisite tables, this light-house is situated 
 in lat. 50. 8. N., long. 4. 24. W. of Greenwich ; or 4. 18. 24. 
 W. of London. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 13 
 
29C 
 
 A fOLlTE SEA ROBEES, 
 
 A POLITE SEA-ROBBER. 
 
 We often read of extremely polite and gentlemanly high- 
 waymen, who rob with such marvellous courtesy that a man 
 can hardly feel it in his heart to withhold his watch, his purse, 
 or aught of goods and chattels that he may chance to have 
 about him, — But it is quite otherwise with your sea robbers, 
 alias pirates, who are represented as a most brutal and un- 
 feeling set, who have not the least dash of politeness about 
 them, to redeem their character from unmitigated odium. 
 Such being their general reputation, it is with no slight feeling 
 of relief that we read the account of so polished and courteous 
 a villian as the one described below. It is extracted frotn the 
 “ Adventures of a Wanderer.” He had shipped at ^Sew Or- 
 leans, on board the Governor Griswold, bound to Havana and 
 Liverpool, as steward : — 
 
 We got (says he) under way, and proceeded down the river 
 until we came to a place called the English Turn, when a 
 boat, manned by twelve or fourteen men, came off from shore, 
 and when they had arrived within hail they called to us and 
 asked if we wanted a pilot. The Captain answered, “Xo;” 
 whereupon the man in the stern of the boat ordered one of the 
 •men to throw him a rope. Tlie rope was handed him, and it 
 being made fast to the boat, he came alongside. He ascend- 
 ed the ladder, and came on board with all his men, excepting 
 four who remained in the boat. The captain of these despe- 
 radoes was a tall man, dark complexioned, and terrible in as- 
 pect. His eye was black and piercing, his nose slightly Ro- 
 man, and he wore a huge pair of sable mustachios. His men 
 were a ferocious looking band, hardy and sun burnt. He sa- 
 luted the captain in a courteous manner, and was profuse in 
 con)pliments. 
 
 His men, who wore long red Indian stockings, red caps, 
 and were armed with pistols and knives, sauntered carelessly 
 about the deck. 
 
 The pirate captain asked our captain where he was bound; 
 he answered correctly, “To Liverpool via Havana.” 
 
 Our captain then cut short the interrogation of the pirate, 
 bv saying, “ 1 know your business.” 
 
A POUTE SEA ROBBER. 
 
 291 
 
 The pirate then turned to our crew, and asked them what 
 sort of usage they had received since they had left Europe. 
 
 “Tolerable,” they replied, “ but very little grog.” 
 
 The pirate then called for the steward. I made my appear- 
 ance. “ Have you plenty of grog on board?” inquired he. 
 
 I replied in the affirmative. “ Fill up that bucket,” said he, 
 “ and carry it down the forecastle for the men to drink.” I 
 took up the bucket at which he pointed, carried it into theca- 
 bin, and filled it with liquor. I then took it forward to the fore- 
 castle, where the men received it and conveyed it below. 
 
 As soon as the crew had got below, and were assembled 
 around the bucket, the pirate placed two of his men upon the 
 scuttle to prevent any of the crew from coming on deck, while 
 he with two of his gang stuck close to the captain and mate. 
 — “Now, steward,” said the pirate, “go down and invite all 
 your passengers to come on deck.” 1 did as I was ordered. 
 Our passengers were a lady and two small children, and a gen- 
 tleman who had been engaged in teaching a school in New Or- 
 leans, but having received a letter purporting that the death of 
 a near relation had left him heir to a large fortune, had em- 
 barked for his home, which was London. 
 
 These persons came on deck. The lady was much frighten- 
 ed, but the pirate told her to be under no apprehension, and 
 soothed her with language which would not have disgraced 
 the court of Great Britain. The pirate now gave orders to 
 bring up the gentleman’s trunk. The trunk was laid at his 
 feet. — “ Now” said he, “ bring up all the captain and mate’s 
 property.” They also were produced. 
 
 He then proceeded to overhaul the captain’s trunk, which 
 contained “ no great shakes.” 
 
 ‘ Captain, you have a very poor kit !’ said he, with a scorn- 
 ful smile. 
 
 The pirate then examined the passenger’s trun'K. It con- 
 tained about four hundred and forty dollars in specie. In 
 rummaging the trunk, the pirate fell in with the letter con- 
 taining the information with respect to the fortune which had 
 been left the passenger. This letter the pirate read, and giv- 
 ing a significant glance at the fortunate man whose direction it 
 bore, folded it up carefully and laid it down. 
 
 He then turned to the captain, and asked him if the man 
 had paid his passage. ‘ No,’ answered the captain. ‘ How 
 much does his passage cost?’ inquired the pirate. ‘ Two hun- 
 dred and twenty dollars,’ replied the captain. ‘That you 
 must lose,’ said the pirate. 
 
292 
 
 A POLITE SEA-ROBBER. 
 
 Then turning to the passenger — ‘You,’ said he, ‘ 1 ^vill 
 treat fairly! You will want,’ continued the pirate, ‘when 
 you arrive at Liverpool, two dollars to pay the porter for car- 
 rying your trunk;’ he laid down the money; ‘your passage to 
 London will cost you 2 £ 10s,’ he counted it out and placed it 
 with the two dollars; your dinner will come to five shillings, 
 and you may want f2 more to treat some of your friends,’ 
 he laid down the money with the rest, ‘ and for fear that will 
 not be sulficient, here are twenty five dollars more.’ He then 
 presented the amount of these several items to the passenger, 
 gave the remainder to one of his' gang, and told him to pass 
 it into the boat. He then very courteously asked the time of 
 day. The captain pulled out a fine watch, and answered that 
 it was half past three. ‘ Your watch takes my fancy mightily,’ 
 said the pirate, and taking it from the captain, he put it into 
 his fob with great nonchalance, and walked away to the fore- 
 castle. ‘ Come up here two ofyou who are sober,’ said ho. 
 Two of them came stumbling up, and the rest came reeling 
 after. 
 
 “ Go down into the cabin, and bring me up all the small 
 arms you can find,” said the pirate. The two first sailors 
 went down, and soon returned with an old fowling piece and 
 a pair of pistols. 
 
 “ Now,” said he, turning to the sailors, “ if any of you, 
 boys, wish to change your situation for better pay and a shor- 
 ter passage, I will give you a chance; for rent I am after and 
 rent I’ll have! But stop!” cried he, “this lady I had almost 
 forgotten; come here, madam, and let me hear a little of your 
 worldly concerns.” 
 
 She immediately commenced aneloouent harangue, accom- 
 panied with tears. She had gone on for some time in this 
 manner, when the pirate immediately cried, “ Avast ! avast ! 
 there, that’s enough, I’d sooner face the battery of a ninety- 
 eight, than stem the storm of female eloquence !” 
 
 He then ordered some brandy for himselfand his men. 
 
 The liquor was brought; I poured out a glassful for him, 
 when he said, “ Stop ! captain just be so good as to drink 
 this off yourself! after you is manners. I don’t know what 
 some of you Yankee inventors may have put into this liquor. 
 Y"ou may have thrown an onyx into the cup. The captain 
 drank it off' readily. The pirate eyed the captain closely for 
 a few moments, and then said to his followers. Come, my boys, 
 we may venture,” and the decanter was soon drained of its 
 contents. The pirate then pointed to the maintop, and re- 
 
FORTY-FIVE DAYs’ SUFFERINGS. 
 
 293 
 
 quested the captain to take a walk up that way. “ And you, 
 Mr. Mate,” said he, “ begin to travel up the forerigging. 
 But mind !” said he, “ stop when 1 tell you !” The captain 
 and mate had proceeded half way up the lower rigging, when 
 he summoned them to halt. The captain was about stepping 
 upon the next rattling, when the pirate then hailed him — “ If 
 you stir an inch backward or forward,” said he, “you will 
 come down faster than you went up.” The captain looked 
 down and saw several pistols levelled at him, ready to be dis- 
 charged on the instant. He then remained stationary. 
 
 Then the pirate taking off his cap, addressed the passengers. 
 He told them he was once poor himself, and therefore knew 
 how to sympathize with persons in distress. He hoped they 
 would be grateful for the lenity which he had shown them, and 
 then wishing them a pleasant voyage, he stepped over the side 
 into his boat, and was soon lost to our view beneath the foliage 
 ofthe thick underwood which lined the shore and hung over 
 the green wave. 
 
 FORTY-FIVE DAYS’ SUFFERINGS. 
 
 Captain David Harrison, who commanded a sloop of New- 
 York, called the Peggy, has left a melancholy narrative of 
 the sufferings of himself and his crew, during a voyage from 
 Fayal, one of the Azores, in 1769. A storm which had con- 
 tinued for some days, successively blew away the sails and 
 shrouds; and on the 1st of December, one shroud on a side 
 and the main sail alone remained. In this situatron they 
 could make very little way, and all their provisions were ex- 
 hausted, except bread, of which but a small quantity was left- 
 they came at last to an allowance of a quarter of a pound a 
 day, with a quart of water and a pint of wine, for each man. 
 
 The ship was now become very leaky; the waves were 
 swelled into mountains by the storm, and the thunder rolled 
 incessantly over their heads in one dreadful almost uninter- 
 
294 
 
 FORTY-FIVE DAYs’ SUFFERINGS. 
 
 mitting peal. In this frightful dilemma, either of sinking with 
 the wreck, or floating in her and perishing with hunger, two 
 vessels came in sight; but such was the tempest that neither 
 could approach, and they saw with sensations mo.re bitter than 
 death itself, the vessels that would willingly have relieved 
 them disappear. The allowance of bread and water, though 
 still farther contracted, soon exhausted their stores, every mor- 
 sel of food was finished, and only about two gallons of water 
 remained in the bottom of the cask. The poor fellows who, 
 while they had any sustenance, continued obedient to the cap- 
 tain, were now driven by desperation to excess; they seized 
 upon the cargo, and because wine and brandy were all they 
 had left, they drank of both till the frenzy of hunger was in- 
 creased by drunkenness, and curses and blasphemy were 
 blended with exclamations of distress. The dregs of the wa- 
 ter cask were abandoned to the captain, who, abstaining as 
 much as possible from ivine, husbanded them with the great- 
 est economy. 
 
 In the midst of these horrors, this complication of want and 
 excess, of distraction and despair, they espied another sail. 
 Every eye was instantly turned towards it; the signal of dis- 
 tress was hung out, and they had tlie unspeakable satisfaction 
 of being near enough to the ship to communicate their situa- 
 tion. Eelief was promised by the captain; but this, alas ! was 
 but “the mockery of wo;” and instead of sending the relief 
 he had promised, the unfeeling wretch crowded all sail, and 
 left the distressed crew to all the agony of despair which mis- 
 ery and disappointment could occasion. 
 
 The crew once more deserted and cut off from their last 
 hope, were still prompted by an intuitive love of life to pre- 
 serve it as long as possible. The only living creatures on 
 board the vessel, besides themselves, were two pigeons and a 
 cat. The pigeons were killed immediately, and divided among 
 them for their Christmas dinner; the next day they killed the 
 cat; and as there were nine persons to partake of the repast, 
 they divided her into nine parts, which they disposed of by 
 lot The head fell to the share of Captain Harrison, and he 
 declared that he never eat any thing that he thought so deli- 
 cious in his life. 
 
 The next day the erew began to scrape the ship’s bottom 
 for barnacles; but the waves had beaten off those above water, 
 and the men were too iveak to hang long over the ship’s side. 
 During all this time, the poor wretches sought only to forget 
 their misery in intoxication; and while they were continually 
 
FORTY FIVE DAT S SUFFERINGS. 
 
 295 
 
 heating wine in the steerage, the captain subsisted upon the 
 dirty water at the bottom of the cask, half a pint of which, 
 with a few drops of Turlington’s Balsam, was his whole sus- 
 tenance for twenty-four hours. 
 
 To add to their calamity, they had neitlier candle nor oil; 
 and they were in consequence compelled to pass sixteen hours 
 out of the twenty-four in total darkness, except the glimmer- 
 ing light of the fire. Still however, by the help of their only 
 sail they made a little way; but on the 28th of December, 
 another storm overtook them, which blew their only sail to 
 rags. The vessel now lay like a wreck on the water, and was 
 wholly at the mercy of the winds and waves. 
 
 How they subsisted from this time to the 13th of January, 
 sixteen days, does not appear, as their biscuit had been long 
 exhausted, and the last bit of animal food which they tasted, 
 was tlie cat on the 26th of December ; yet on the 13th of 
 January, they were all alive, and the crew, with the mate at 
 their head, came to tlie captain in the cabin, half drunk in- 
 deed, but with sufficient sensibility to express the horror of 
 their purpose in their countenances. They said they could 
 hold out no longer, their tobacco was exhausted; they had 
 eaten up all the leather belonging to the pump, and even the 
 buttons from their jackets; and that they had no means of 
 preventing their perishing together, but by casting lots which 
 of them should be sacrificed for the sustenance of the rest. 
 The Captain endeavoured to divert them from their purpose 
 until the next day, but in vain; they became outrageous, and 
 with execrations of peculiar horror, swore that what was to 
 be done, must be done immediately; that it was indifferent to 
 tiiem whetlier he acquiesced or dissented; and that though 
 tliey had paid him the compliment of acquainting him with 
 their resolution, yet they would compel him to take his chance 
 with the rest, for general misfortune put an end to personal 
 distinction. 
 
 The Captain resisted, but in vain; the men retired to decide 
 on the fate of some victim, and in a few minutes returned, 
 and said the lot had fallen on a negro, who was part of the 
 cargo. The poor fellow knowing what had been determined 
 against him, and seeing one of the crew loading a pistol to 
 despatch him, implored the Captain to save his life; but he 
 was instantly dragged to the steerage, and shot through the 
 head. 
 
 Having made a large fire, they began'to cut the negro up 
 almost as soon as he was dead, intending to fry his entrails for 
 
296 
 
 FORTY FIVE DAy’s SUFFERINGS. 
 
 supper; but James Campbell one of the foremast men, being 
 ravenously impatient for food, tore the liver out of the body, 
 and devoured it raw; the remainder of the crew, however, 
 dressed the meat, and continued their dreadful banquet until 
 two o’clock in the morning. 
 
 The next day the crew pickled the remainder of the negro’s 
 body, except the head and fingers, which, by common con- 
 sent, they threw overboard. The captain refused to taste any 
 part of it, and continued to subsist on the dirty water. On 
 tlie third day after the death of the negro, Campbell, who had 
 devoured the liver raw, died raving mad, and his body was 
 thrown overboard, the crew dreading the consequences of 
 eating it. The negro’s body was husbanded with rigid econ- 
 omy, and lasted the crew, now consisting of six persons, from 
 the 13th to the 26th of January, when they were again re- 
 duced to total abstinence, except their wine. This they en- 
 dured until the 29th, when the mate came again to the captain 
 at the head of the men, and told him it was now become 
 necessary that they should cast lots a second time. The cap- 
 tain endeavoured to reason them from their purpose, but with- 
 out success; and therefore considering that if tliey managed 
 the lot without him, he might not have fair play, consented to 
 see it decided. 
 
 The lot now fell upon David Flat, a foremast man. The 
 shock of the decision was so great, that the whole company 
 remained motionless and silent for some time; when the poor 
 victim, who appeared perfectly resigned, broke silence, and 
 said, “ My dear friends, messmates, and fellow sufferers, all I 
 have to beg of you is, to despatch me as soon as you did the 
 negro, and to put me to as little torture as possible.” Then 
 turning to one Doud, the man who shot the negro, he said, 
 “ It is my desire that you should shoot me.” Doud reluct- 
 antly consented. The victim begged a short time to prepare 
 himself for death, to which his companions most readily 
 agreed. Flat was much respected by the whole ship's compa- 
 ny, and during this awful interval, they seemed inclined to 
 save his life; yet finding Jio alternative but to perish with 
 him, and having in some measure lulled their sense of horror 
 at the approaching scene by a few draughts of wine, thev pre- 
 pared for the execution, and a fire was kindled in the .•steer- 
 age to dress their first meal as soon as their companion should 
 become their food. 
 
 As the dreadful moment approached, their compunction in- 
 creased, and friendship and humanity at length triumphed over 
 
FORTY FIVE DAY’s SUFFERINGS 
 
 297 
 
 hunger and death. They determined that Flat should live at 
 least until eleven o’clock the next morning, hoping, as they 
 said that the Divine Goodness would in the mean time open 
 some other source of relief. At the same time they begged 
 the captain to read prayers; a task which, with the utmost ef- 
 fort of his collected strength, he was scarcely able to perform. 
 As soon as prayers were over, the company went to their un- 
 fortunate friend, P'lat, and with great earnestness and affection 
 expressed their hopes that God would interpose for his preser- 
 vation; and assuring him, that though they never yet could 
 catch or even see a fish, yet they would put out all their 
 hooks again to try if any relief could be procured. 
 
 Poor Fiat, however, could derive little comfort from the 
 concern they expressed; and it is not improbable, that their 
 friendship and affection increased the agitation of his mind; 
 such, however, it was, that he could not sustain it, for before 
 midnight he grew almost totally deaf, and by four o’clock in 
 the morning was raving mad. His messmates, who discov- 
 ered the alteration debated whether it would be an act of hu- 
 manity to despatch him immediately; but the first resolution, 
 of sparing him till eleven o’clock prevailed. 
 
 About eight in the morning, as the captain was ruminating 
 in his cabin on the fate of this unhappy wretch, who had but 
 three hours to live, two of his people came hastily down, with 
 uncommon ardour in their looks, and seizing both his hands, 
 fixed their eyes upon him without saying a word. A sail had 
 been discovered, and the sight had so far overcome them, that 
 they were for some time unable to speak. The account of a 
 vessel being in sight of signals, struck the captain with such 
 excessive and tumultuous joy, that he was very near expiring 
 under it. As soon as he could sneak, he directed every pos- 
 sible signal of distress. His orders were obeyed with the ut- 
 most alacrity; and as he lay in his cabin, he had the inexpres- 
 sible happiness of hearing them jumping upon deck, and crying 
 out, She nighs us, she nighs us! she L standing this way.” 
 
 The approach of the ship being more and more manifest 
 every moment, their hopes naturally Increased, and they pro- 
 posed a can to be taken immediately for joy. The captain 
 dissuaded them all from it, except the mate, who retired, and 
 drank it to himself 
 
 After continuing to observe the progress of the vessel for 
 some hours, with ail the tumult and agitation of mind that 
 such a suspense could not fail to produce, they had the morti- 
 fication to find the gale totally die away, so that the vessel 
 VOL, I, 13 * 
 
298 
 
 FOETY-FIVE DAY’s SUFFEEl.VGS. 
 
 was becalmed at only two miles distance. They did not, how- 
 ever, suffer long from this circumstance, for in a few minutes 
 they saw about put out from the ship’s stern, and row towards 
 them fully manned, and with vigorous despatch. As they had 
 been tv/ice before confident of deliverance, and disappointed, 
 and as they still considered themselves tottering on the brink 
 of eternity, the conflict between their hopes and fears, during 
 the approach of the boat, was dreadful. At length, however, 
 she came alongside; but the appearance of the crew was so 
 ghastly, that the men rested upon their oars, and with looks 
 of inconceivable astonishment asked what they were 
 
 Being at length satisfied, they came on board, and begged . 
 the people to use the utmost e.xpedition in quitting the wreck, 
 lest they should be overtaken by a gale of wind, that would 
 prevent their getting b;ick to the ship. The captain being un- 
 able to stir, was lifted out of his cabin, and lowered into the 
 boat with ropes; his people followed him, with poor Flat still 
 raving; and they were just [>utting off, when one of them ob- 
 served, that the mate was still wanting. Fie was immediately 
 called to, and the can of joy had just left him power to crawl 
 to the gunnel, with a look of idiotic astonishment, having to 
 alt appearance forgot every thing tiiat had happened. The 
 poor drunken creature was with difficulty got into the boat, 
 and in about an hour they all reached the ship in safety, 
 which was the Susannah of London, commanded by Captain 
 Thomas Evers. He received them with the greatest tender- 
 ness and humanity, and promised to lay by the wreck until the 
 next morning, that he might, if possible, save some of Capt. 
 Harrison’s property; but the wind blowing very hard before 
 night, he was obliged to quit her, and she probably, with her 
 cargo, went to the bottom before morning. 
 
 The crew had been without provisions forty five days. The 
 mate, James Doud, who shot the negro, and one Warner, 
 a seaman, died on the passage. The remainder, including 
 Flat, who continued mad during the voyage, arrived sale in the 
 Susannah, in the Downs, in the beginning of IMarch; whence 
 Captain Harrison proceeded on shore, and made the proper 
 attestation on oath of the facts related in this melancholy nar- 
 rative. 
 
THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 29S 
 
 THE PIRATE’S TREASURE. 
 
 After many months of anxious and painful expectancy, I 
 at length succeeded in obtaining my appointment to the situa 
 tion I had so ardently wished for. Despairing at my apparent 
 want of success, I had given up all hopes, and had engaged to 
 go servant in the Clydesdale to the East Indies, when the fa- 
 vorable result of my friend’s exertions changed the aspect of 
 my affairs. My instructions set forth the necessity of my being 
 at Surinam by a certain day, otherwise I should be too late to 
 join the corps to which I was appointed, which, on the ceding 
 up of the place to the Dutch, was to proceed to Canada. As 
 it wanted only two months of that period, it became necessary 
 to inquire for some vessel without loss of time. Giving up my 
 engagement with the Clydesdale, I proceeded to the harbor, 
 and after a toilsome search, succtmded in discovering a ship 
 chartered by a Glasgow company lying ready at the west quay, 
 and to sail with that evening’s tide. While I stood examining 
 the vessel from the pier, two sailors, who seemed to be roam- 
 ing idly about, stopped, and began to converse by my side. 
 
 “ Has the old Dart got all her hands, Tom ! ” said the one, 
 “ that she has her ensign up for sailing ? I'hey say she is sold 
 to the lubberly Dutchmen now — what cheer to lend her a hand 
 out, and get our sailing-penny for a glass of grog ^ ’’ “]\o, 
 
 no ; bad cheer ! ” replied the other ; “ .mayhap I didn’t tell 
 you that I made a trip in her four years ago ; and a cleaner 
 or livelier thins is not on the water ! But there is a limb of 
 the big devil in her that is enough to cause her to sink to the 
 bottom. It was in our voyage out that he did for Bill Burnet 
 with the pump sounding-rod, because the little fellow snivelled 
 a bit, and was not handy to jump when he was ordered aloft to 
 set the fore-royal. It was his first voyage, and the boy was 
 mortal afraid to venture ; but the Captain swore he would 
 make him, and in his passion took him a rap with the iron-rod, 
 and killed him. When he saw what he had done, he lifted, 
 and hove him over the side ; and njany a long day the men 
 wondered what had become of little Lid, for they were all 
 below at dinner, and none but myself saw the transaction. It 
 was needless for me to complain, and get him overhauled, as 
 
300 
 
 THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 there were no witnesses ; but I left the ship, and births would 
 be scarce, before I would sail with him again.” 
 
 Knowing what tyrants shipmasters are in general, and how 
 much their passengers’ comfort depends on them, I was some- 
 what startled by this piece of information respecting the temper 
 of the man I proposed to sail with. But necessity has no law ' 
 The circumstance probably was much misrepresented, and, 
 from a simple act of discipline exaggerated to an act of wanton 
 cruelty. But be that as it might — my affairs were urgent. 
 There was no other vessel for the same port — I must either 
 take my passage, or run the risk of being superseded. The 
 thing was not to be thought of; so 1 went and secured my 
 birth. As my preparations were few and trifling, I had every 
 thing arranged, and on board, just as the vessel was unmoor- 
 ing from the quay. During the night we got to the Clock 
 light-house, and stood off and on, waiting for the Captain, 
 who had remained behind to get the ship cleared out at the 
 Custom house. Soon afterwards he joined us, and the pilot 
 leaving us in the return-boat, we stood down the Forth under 
 all our canvass. 
 
 For four weeks we had a quick and pleasant passage. The 
 Dart did not belie her name ; for, being American-bu.lt, and 
 originally a privateer, slie sailed uncommonly fast, generally 
 running at the rate of twelve knots an hour. 
 
 As I had expected, Capt. IMahone proved to be, in point of 
 acquirements, not at all above the common run of shipmasters. 
 He was haughty and overbearing, domineering over the crew 
 with a high hand ; in return for which, he was evidently fear- 
 ed and detested by them all. He had been many years in the 
 West Indies ; part of which time he had ranged as commander 
 of a privateer, and had, between the fervid suns of such high 
 latitudes and the copious use of grog, become of a rich ma- 
 hogany color, or something between vermillion and the 
 tint of a sheet of new copp«r. He was a middle-sized man ; 
 square built, with a powerful muscular frame. His aspect na- 
 turally harsh and forbidding, was rendered more so by tlie sin- 
 ister expression of his left eye, which had been nearly forced 
 out by some accident — and the lineaments of his countenance 
 expressed plainly that he was passionate and furious in the ex- 
 treme. In consequence of this, I kept rather distant and 
 aloof ; and except at meals, we seldom exchanged more than 
 ordinary civilities. 
 
 By our reckoning, our ship had now got into the latitude 
 of the Bermudas, when one evening, at sun-set, the wind, 
 
THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 301 
 
 which had hitherto been favorable, fell at once into a dead 
 calm. The day had been clear and bright ; but now, huge 
 masses of dark and conical-shaped clouds began to tower 
 over each other in the western horizon, which, being tinged 
 with the rays of the sun, displayed that lurid and deep brassy 
 tint so well known to mariners as the token of an approaching 
 storm. All the sailors were of opinion that we should have a 
 coarse night ; and every precaution that good seamanship 
 could suggest was taken to make the vessel snug before the 
 gale came on. The oldest boys were sent up to hand and 
 send down the royal and top-gallant sails, and strike the mast, 
 while the top-sails and stays were close-reefed. These pre- 
 parations were hardly accomplished, when the wind shifted, 
 and took us a-back with such violence as nearly to capsize the 
 vessel. The ship was put round as soon as possible, and 
 brought to till the gale should fall ; while all hands remained 
 on deck in case of any emergency. About ten, in the interval 
 of a squall, we heard a gun tired as a signal of distress. The 
 night was as black as pitch ; but the flash showed us that the 
 stranger was not far to leeward : so, to avoid drifting on the 
 wreck during the darkness, the main -top-sail was braced round, 
 and filled, and the ship hauled to windward. In this manner 
 we kept alternately beating and heaving-to as the gale rose or 
 fell till the morning broke, when, through the haze, we per- 
 ceived a small vessel with her masts carried aw'ay. As the wind 
 had taken off, the Captain had gone to bed : so it was the 
 mate’s watch on deck. The steersman, an old gray-headed 
 seaman, named James Gemmel, proposed to bear dowm and 
 save the people, saying he had been twice wrecked himself, 
 and knew what it was to be in such a situation. As the Cap- 
 tain was below, the mate was irresolute what to do ; being 
 aware that the success of the speculation depended on their 
 getting to Surinam before it was given up ; however, he was 
 at length persuaded — the helm was put up, and the ship bore 
 away. 
 
 As we neared the wreck, and were standing by the mizen 
 shrouds with our glasses, the Captain came up from the cabin. 
 He looked up with astonishment to the sails, and the direction 
 of the vessel’s head, and, in a voice of suppressed passion, said 
 as he turned to the mate, “ What is the meaning of this, Mr. 
 Wyllie ? Who has dared to alter the ship’s course without 
 my leave — when you know very well that we shall hardly be 
 in time for the market, use what expedition we may ?” The 
 young man was confused by this unexpected challenge, and 
 
302 
 
 THE pirate’s TREASDRE, 
 
 stammered out something about Gemmel having persuaded 
 him. “ It was me, sir ! ” respectfully interfered the old sailor, 
 wishing to avert the storm from the mate ; “ I thought you 
 W’ouldn't have the heart to leave the wreck and these people 
 to perish, without lending a hand to save them. We should 
 
 be neither Christians nor true seamen to desert her, and ” 
 
 “ Damn you and the wreck, you old canting rascal ! do you 
 pretend to stand there and preach to me thundered the Cap- 
 tain, his fury breaking out, “ I ’ll teach you to disobey my 
 orders ! — I ’ll give you something to think of!” and seizing a 
 capstan-spar which lay near him, he hurled it at the steersman 
 with all his might. The blow was edectual — one end of it 
 struck him across the head with such force as to sweep him in 
 an instant from his station at the wheel, and to dash him with 
 violence against the lee-bulwarks, where he lay bleeding, and 
 motionless. “ Take that, and be damned !” exclaimed the 
 wretch, as he took the helm, and sang out to the men, — “ .Stand 
 by sheets and braces — hard a-lee — let go !” In a twinkling 
 the yards were braced round, and the Dart, laid within six 
 points of the wind, was flying through the water. 
 
 Meanwhile Gemmel was lying without any one daring to as- 
 sist him ; foi tlie crew were so confounded that they seemed 
 quite undetermined how to act. I stepped to him, therefore, 
 and the mate following ni\' example, we lifted him up. As 
 there was no appearance of respiration, I placed my hand on 
 his heart — but pulsation had entirely ceased — the old man was 
 dead. The bar hao struck him directly on the temporal bone, 
 and had completely fractured that part of the skull. 
 
 “ He is a murdered man, Capt. l^Iahone !” said I, laying 
 down the body, “murdered without cause or provocation.” 
 “ None of your remarks. Sir I” he retorted ; “ what the devil 
 have you to do with it ? Do you mean to stir up my men to 
 mutiny } Or do you call disobeying my orders no provoca- 
 tion ? I’ll answer it to those who have a right to ask ; but 
 till then, let me sec the man who dare open his mouth to me 
 in this ship.’’ “ I promise you,” returned I, “ that though 
 you rule and tyrannise here at present, your power shall have 
 a termination, and yrm shall he called to account for your con- 
 duct in this day’s work — rest assured that this blood shall be 
 required at your hands, though you ha\e hitherto escaped 
 punishment for- what has stained them already.” This allusion 
 to the murder of little Bill Burnet seemed to stagger him con- 
 siderably — he stopped short before me, and, wliile his face 
 grew black with suppressed wrath and fury, whispered, “ I 
 
THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 303 
 
 warn you again, young man ! to busy your«eif with your own 
 matters — meddle not with what does not concern you ; and 
 
 belay your slack jaw, or, by ! Rink Mahone will find a 
 
 way to make it last for you !” He then turned round, and 
 walked forward to the forecastle. 
 
 During this affray no attention had been paid to the wreck, 
 though the crew had set up a yell of despair on seeing us leave 
 them. Signals and shouts were still repeated, and a voice, 
 louder in agony than the rest, implored our help for the love 
 of the blessed Virgin ; and ofi'ered riches and absolution to the 
 whole ship’s company if they would but come back. The 
 Captain was pacing fore and ail without appearing to mind 
 ihem, when, as if struck with some sudden thought, l.e lifted 
 his glass to his eye — seemed to hesitate — walked on — and then, 
 all at once changing his mind, he ordered the vessel again be- 
 fore the wind. 
 
 On speaking the wreck, she proved to be a Spanish felucca 
 from the island of Cuba, bound for Curacoa, on the coast of 
 the Caraccas. As they had lost their boats in the storm, and 
 could not leave the vessel, our Captain lowered and manned 
 our jolly-boat, and went oil to them. 
 
 After an absence of some hours he returned with the passen- 
 gers, consisting of an elderly person in the garb of a catholic 
 priest, a sick gentleman, a young lady, apparently daughter 
 of the latter, and a female black slave. \V'ith the utmost dif- 
 ficulty, and writhing under some excruciating pain, the invalid 
 was got on board and carried dowm to the cabin, where he was 
 laid on the floor. To the tender of my professional services 
 the invalid returned his thanks, and would have declined them, 
 expressing his conviction of being past human aid, but the 
 young lady, eagerly catching at even a remote hope of suc- 
 cess, implored him with tears to accept my offer. On ex- 
 amination 1 found his fears were but too well grounded. In 
 his endeavors to assist the crew during the gale he had been 
 standing near the mast, part of which or the rigging, having 
 fallen on him, had dislocated several of his ribs, and injured 
 his spine beyond remedy. All that could now be done was to 
 afford a little temporary relief from pain, which I did ; and 
 leaving him to the care of the young lady and the priest, I left 
 the cabin. 
 
 On deck I found all bustle and confusion. The ship was 
 still lying-to, and tlie boats employed in bringing the goods out 
 of the felucca, both of which were the property of the wound- 
 ed gentleman. The body of the old man, Gemmel, had been 
 
304 
 
 THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 removed somewhere out of sight ; no trace of blood was visible, 
 and Capt. Mahone seemed desirous to banish all recollections 
 both of our quan el and its origin. 
 
 As tlie invalid was lying in the cabin, and my state-room 
 %vas occupied by the lady and her female attendant, I got a 
 temporary birth in the steerage made up for myself for the 
 night. I had not long thrown myself down on my cot, which 
 was only divided from the rnain-cabin by a bulk-head, when I 
 was awakened by the deep groans of the Spaniard. The vio- 
 lence of bis pain had again returned, and between the spasms 
 I heard the weeping and gentle voice of the lady soothing 
 his agony, and trying to impart hopes and prospects to him, 
 which her own hysterical sobs told plainly she did not herself 
 feel. The piiest also frequently joined, and urged him to con- 
 fess. To this advice he remained silent for awhile ; but at 
 length he addressed the lady ; “ The Padre says true, Isa- 
 
 bella ! Time wears apace, and I feel that I shall soon be be- 
 yond its limits, and above its concerns ! But ere I go, I 
 would say that which it would impart peace to my mind to dis- 
 close — I would seek to leave you at least one human being to 
 befriend and protect you in your utter helplessness. Alas ! 
 that Diego di Montaldo’s daughter should ever be thus des- 
 titute ! Go ! my love ! I would be alone a little while with 
 the father.” An agony of tears and sobs was the only return 
 made by the poor girl, while the priest with gentle violence 
 led her into the state-room. 
 
 “Now,” continued the dying man, “listen to me while I 
 have strength. You have only known me as a merchant in 
 Cuba ; but such I have not been always. ]\Iine is an ancient 
 and noble family in Catalonia ; though I unhappily disgraced 
 it, and liave been estranged from it long. I had the misfor- 
 tune to have weak and indulgent parents, who idolized me as 
 the heir of their house, and did not possess resolution enough 
 to thwart me in any of my wishes or desires, however unrea- 
 sonable. ]\ly boyhood being thus spoiled, it is no matter of 
 wonder that my youth sliould have proved wild and dissolute. 
 ]\ly companions were as dissipated as myself, and much of our 
 time was spent in gambling and other extravagances. One 
 evening at play I quarrelled with a young nobleman of high 
 rank and inlluence ; we were both of us hot and passionate, so 
 we drew on the spot and fought, and I had the misfortune to 
 run him through the heart and leave him dead. Not daring 
 to remain longer at home, I fled in disguise to Barcelona, 
 where I procured a passage in a vessel for the Spanish Main. 
 
THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 305 
 
 On our voyage we were taken by buccaneers ; and the roving 
 and venturous mode of life of these bold and daring men suit- 
 ing both my inclination and finances, I agreed to make one of 
 their number. For many months we were successful in our 
 enterprises : we ranged the whole of these seas, and made a 
 number of prizes, some of which were rich ships of our own 
 colonies. In course of time we amassed such a quantity of 
 specie as to make us unwilling to venture it in one bottom ; so 
 we agreed to hide it ashore and divide it on our return from 
 our next expedition. But our good fortune forsook us this 
 time. During a calm the boats of the Guarda-costa came on 
 us, overpowered the ship, and made all the crew, except my- 
 self and two otliers, prisoners. We escaped with our boat, 
 and succeeded in gaining the island of Cuba, where both of 
 my comrades died of their wounds. Subsequent events induc- 
 ed me to settle at St. Juan de Buenavista, where I married, 
 and, as a merchant, prospered and became a rich man. But 
 my happiness lasted not ! My wife caught the yellow fever 
 and died, leaving me only tliis one child. I now loathed the 
 scene of my departed happiness, and felt all the longings of an 
 exile to revisit my native country. For this purpose I con- 
 verted all my effects into money ; and am thus far on my way 
 to the hidden treasure, with which 1 intended to return to 
 I Spain. But the green hills of Catalonia will never more glad- 
 ' den mine eyes ! My hopes and wishes were only for my poor 
 girl. Holy father ! you know not a parent’s feelings — its anx- 
 ieties and its fears ! The thoughts of leaving ni}'^ child to the 
 mercy of strangers ; or, it may be, to their barbarities, in this 
 lawless country, is far more dreadful than the anguish of my 
 personal sufferings. With you rests my only hope. Promise 
 me your protection towards her, and the half of all my wealth 
 is yours.” 
 
 “ Earthly treasures,” replied the priest, “ avail not with one 
 whose desires are fixed beyond the little handful of dust which 
 perisheth — my life is devoted to the service of my Creator ; 
 and the conversion of ignorant men, men who have never 
 heard of his salvation. On an errand of mercy came I to this 
 land ; and if the heathen receive it, how much more a daugh- 
 ter of our most holy church ? I, therefore, in behalf of our 
 community, accept of your offer, and swear on this blessed 
 emblem to fulfil all your wishes to the best of my poor abil- 
 ities.” 
 
 “ Enough, enough ! (said Montaldo) I am satisfied ! Among 
 that archipelago of desert islands, known by the name of the 
 
306 
 
 THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 Roccas, situated on the coast of the province of Venezuela in 
 New Granada, there is one called the tVolf-rock ; it is the 
 longest and most northern of the group, and lies the most to 
 seaward. At the eastern point, which runs a little way into 
 the sea, there stands an old vanilla, blasted and withered, and 
 retaining but a single solitary branch. On the eve of the fes- 
 tival of St. Jago the moon will be at her full in the west. At 
 twenty minutes past midniglit she will attain to her highest 
 latitude in the heavens, and then the shadow of the tree will 
 be thrown due east. Watch till the branch and stem unite 
 and form only one line of shade — mark its extremity — for there, 
 ten feet below the surface, the cask containing the gold is 
 buried. That gold, father, was sinfully got ; but fasts and 
 penances have been done, masses without number have been 
 said, and I trust that the blessed Virgin has interceded for the 
 forgiveness of that great wickedness ! I have now confessed 
 all, and confide in your promise ! and as you perform your 
 oath, so will the blessing or curse of a dying man abide with 
 you. I feel faint, dying. Oh ! let me clasp my child once 
 more to my heart before I ” 
 
 Here the rest of the sentence became indistinct from the 
 death-rattle in his throat. I leaped off my cot, and sprang up 
 the hatchway, and had my foot on the top oftlie companion- 
 ladder, when a piercing shriek from below making me quicken 
 my steps, I missed my hold, and fell on some person stationed 
 on the outside of the cabin door. The person, without utter- 
 ing a single word, rose and ascended the steps ; but as he 
 emerged into the faint light which still lingered in the horizon, 
 I could distinguish him to be the Captain. On my entering, 
 I found tlie Spaniard dead, and his daughter lying in a state 
 of insensibility by liis side ; while the female slave was howl- 
 ing and tearing her hair like one in a frenzy. The priest was 
 entirely absorbed in his devotions ; so, without disturbing him, 
 I lifted the lady and bore her into the state-room. The greater 
 part of the night was passed in trying to restore her to sensa- 
 tion. Fit after fit Jollowed each other in such quick succes- 
 sion that I began to apprehend the result ; but at length the 
 hysterical paroxysm subsided, and tears coming to her relief, 
 she became somewhat composed, when I left her in charge of 
 her attendant. 
 
 The next day was spent in taking out the remainder of the 
 felucca’s cargo. There seemed now no anxiety on the cap- 
 tain’s part to proceed on his voyage — he appeared to have for- 
 got the necessity, expressed on a former occasion, of being in 
 
THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 307 
 
 port within a limited time. He was often in a state of inebri- 
 ety ; for the wine and spirits of the Spaniards were lavishly 
 served out to the whole ship’s company, with whom he also 
 mixed more ; and banished that haughtiness of bearing which 
 had marked his conduct hitherto. 
 
 In the evening the body of Don Diego was brought upon 
 deck, where his crew, under the superintendence of the priest, 
 prepared it for its commitment to the deep. The corpse was, 
 as is usual in such cases, wrapped up in the blankets and 
 sheets in which it had lain, and a white napkin was tied over 
 the face and head. In its right hand, which was crossed over 
 the breast, was placed a gold doubloon. Its left held a small 
 bag containing a book, a hammer, and a candle, while on the 
 bosom was laid the little crucifix worn by the deceased. It was 
 next enveloped in a hammock, with a couple of eight-pound 
 shots, and a bag of ballast at the feet to sink it. At midnight 
 the vessel was hove-to, and all the ship’s company assembled 
 at the lee-gangway. The Spaniards and negroes bore each a 
 burning torch in his hand ; the blaze of which, as they held 
 them elevated above their heads, cast a strange and fearful 
 light through the deep darkness, and illumined the ocean far 
 and wide with a supernatural refulgency. When all was 
 ready, the priest, accompanied by Isabella, came up from the 
 cabin, and the Spaniards lifting up the body, carried it forward 
 to the waist, where one of the ship’s gratings had been put pro- 
 jecting over the side, and on this the corpse was laid, and its 
 feet to the water. Around this the torch-bearers formed a 
 circle, and the priest, standing at the head, began the funeral 
 service for the dead at sea. The wind had now subsided into 
 a gentle breeze ; and nothing disturbed the profound silence 
 of the crew during mass, save the slight splashing of the waves 
 against the windward side of the ship, and the deep drawn, 
 convulsive sobs of the young lady as she stood, enveloped in 
 the mantillo, in the obscurity of the main-rigging. Mass being 
 concluded, the priest solemnly chanted the funeral anthem ; — 
 “ May the angels conduct thee into Paradise ; may the mar- 
 tyrs receive thee at thy coming ; and mayest thou have eternal 
 rest with Lazarus, who was formerly poor !” He then sprink- 
 led the body with holy water and continued : — “ As it hath 
 pleased God to take the soul of our dear brother here depart- 
 ed unto himself, we, therefore, commit his body to the deep, in 
 the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection on that day 
 when the sea shall give up its dead. Let him rest in peace !” 
 The Spaniards responded “ Amen !” and the priest repeating, 
 
308 
 
 THE pirate’s treasure 
 
 ‘‘ May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, 
 through the mercy of God, rest in peace — Amen !” made the 
 sign of the cross ; and the bow-chaser, which had been loaded 
 and made ready for the occasion, firing, the end of the grating 
 was gently elevated, and the corpse heavily plunged into the 
 water. The waves parted, heaving and foaming round the 
 body as it disappeared, — when to our horror and astonishment 
 we beheld it, the next minute, slowly return to the surface, 
 deprived of the canvass covering in which it had been sewed. 
 The dead man came up as he had gone down, in an upright 
 position, and floated a little time with his back to the vessel ; 
 but the motion of the water turned him round by degrees till 
 we distinctly saw his face. The head was thrown back, and 
 the eyes wide open ; and under the strong stream of light pour- 
 ed on them from the torches, they seemed to glare ghastly and 
 fearfully upwards. His gray hair, long and dishevelled, float- 
 ed about his face, at times partially obscuring it ; and one arm, 
 stretched forth, and agitated by the action of the w'aves, ap- 
 peared as if in the act of threatening us. ^Vhen the first burst 
 of horror had subsided, I caught hold of Isabella to prevent 
 her seeing the body, and was leading her off, when some of the 
 men, lowering their torches from the main-chains, whispered 
 that it was the murdered man, old James Gemmcl. The Cap- 
 tain had been hitherto looking on w-ith the rest without having 
 apparently recognised him ; but when the name struck his ear, 
 he shrunk back and involuntarily exclaimed, “ it ’s a lie — it 's 
 an infamous lie ! Who dares to say he was murdered i He 
 went overboard two days ago ? But don’t let him come on 
 board ; for God’s sake keep him down, or he ’ll take us all 
 with him to the bottom. Will nobody keep him down ? Will 
 nobody shove him off.^ Helm a-lee !” he bawled out, waving 
 to the steersman ; but the man had deserted his post, eager to 
 see what was going on ; he, therefore, ran to the wheel him- 
 self, and again issued his commands, “ Let go the main top- 
 sail weather braces, and bring round the yard ! Let them go, 
 I say!” His orders were speedily executed. The vessel 
 gathered way, and we quickly shot past the body of the old 
 man. 
 
 For several days after this, we pursued our course with a 
 favorable wind, which drove us swiftly forw'ard on our voyage. 
 I'he Captain now kept himself constantly intoxicated, seldom 
 made his appearance in the cabin, but left us altogether to the 
 care of the steward. All subordination was now' at an end — 
 his whole time \vas spent among the seamen, with whom he 
 
THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 309 
 
 mixed familiarly, and was addressed by them without the 
 slightest portion of that respect or deference commonly paid 
 to the Captain of the vessel. The appearance of the men, 
 also, was much altered. From the careless mirth and gaiety 
 and the characteristic good humor of sailors, there was now a 
 sullenness and gloom only visible. A constant whispering — a 
 constant caballing was going on — a perpetual discussion, as if 
 some design of moment was in agitation, or some step of deep 
 importance was about to be taken. All sociality and confi- 
 dence towards each other were banished. In place of convers- 
 ing together in a body, as formerly, they now walked about in 
 detached parties, among them the boatswain and carpenter 
 seemed to take an active lead. Yet, in the midst of all this 
 disorder, a few of our crew kept themselves separate, taking 
 no share in the general consultation ; but from the anxiety ex- 
 pressed in their countenances, as well as in that of the mate, 
 I foresaw some storm was brooding, and about to burst on our 
 heads. 
 
 Since Montaldo’s death, Isabella had been in the habit of 
 leaving her cabin after sun-set, to enjoy the coolness of the 
 evening breeze, and in this she was sometimes joined by the 
 priest, but more frequently was only attended by her slave. 
 One evening she came up as usual, and after walking backward 
 and forward on deck till the dews began to fall, she turned to 
 go below ; but just as we approached the companion-way, one 
 of the negroes, who now, in the absence of all discipline, 
 lounged about the quarter-deck without rebuke, shut down the 
 head, and throwing himself on it, declared that none should 
 make him rise without the reward of a kiss. This piece of in- 
 solence was received with an encouraging laugh by his fellows, 
 and several slang expressions of wit were loudly applauded by 
 those around. Without a word of remonstrance, Isabella 
 timidly stooped, and would have attempted getting down the 
 ladder without disturbing the slave ; when, burning with indig- 
 nation, I seized the rascal by the collar, and pitched him head 
 foremost along the deck. In an instant he got on his legs, 
 and pulling a clasp-knife out of iiis pocket, with an imprecation 
 he made towards me. All the other negroes likewise made a 
 motion to assist him, and I expected to be assailed on all hands, 
 when the mate interfered, and laying hold of the marlin-spike, 
 which I had caught up to defend myself, pushed me back, as 
 he whispered, “ Are you mad, that you interfere ? For heaven’s 
 sake, keep quiet, for I have no authority over the crew' now !” 
 And he spoke the truth ; for the negro, brandishing his kiife, 
 
310 
 
 THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 and supported by his comrades, was again advancing, when 
 the hoarse voice of the boatswain, as he ran to the scene of 
 action, arrested his progress. 
 
 “ Hallo ! you there, what ’s the squall for ^ Avast, avast, 
 Mingo ; off hands is fair play — ship that blade of yours, or I’ll 
 send my fist through your ribs, and make day-light shine 
 through them in a minute.” I related the behavior of the 
 negro, and was requesting him to order the slaves forward, 
 when I was cut short with — “ There are no slaves here, young 
 man ! we are all alike free in a British ship. But damn 
 
 his eyes for an insolent son of a ; he pretend to kiss 
 
 the pretty girl ! I ’ll let him know she belongs to his betters ! 
 The blaek wench is good enough for him any day. Come, my 
 dear !” he continued, turning to Isabella, “ give me the same 
 hire, and I ’ll undertake to clear the way for you myself.” He 
 made as if he meant to approach her, when, careless cf what 
 the consequence might be to myself, I hastily stepped forward, 
 and lifting up the head of the companion, Isabella in an instant 
 darted below. “ This lady is no fit subject either for wit or in- 
 solence,” said I, shutting the doors, “ and he is less than man 
 who would insult an unprotected female.” For a little while 
 he stood eyeing me as if hesitating w'hether he would resent 
 my interference, or remain passive ; at length he turned slowly 
 and doggedly away as he uttered — “ you ruffle big, and crow 
 with a brisk note, my lad ! But I ’ve seen me do as wonder- 
 ful a thing as twist your windpipe and send you over the side 
 to cool yourself a bit ; and so I would serve you in the turning 
 of a wave, if it wasn’t that we may have use for you yet ! I 
 see in what quarter the wind sets ; but mind your eye ! for 
 sink me if I don’t keep a sharp look out ahead over you.’’ 
 
 I now saw that things had come to a crisis — that the crew 
 meant to turn pirates ; and I was to be detained among them 
 fcr the sake of my professional services. I couid not, without 
 a shudder, reflect on what must be the fate of Isabella among 
 such a gang of reckless villains ; but I firmly resolved that, 
 come what might, my protection and care over her should cease 
 but with my life. 
 
 To be prepared for the worst, I immediately went below, 
 loaded my pistols, and concealed them in my breast, securing 
 at the same time all my money and papers about my person. 
 IVhile thus employed, one of the cabin-boys came down for a 
 spy-glass, saying that a sail had hove in sight to windward. 
 Upon this I followed him up, and found the crew collected to- 
 gether in clamorous consultation as to the course they should 
 
THE TIRATe’s treasure. 
 
 511 
 
 fellow. Some were for lying to till she came down, and tak- 
 ing her, if a merchantman ; and if not, they could easily sheer 
 off — but this motion was overruled by the majority, who judged 
 it best to keep clear for fear of accidents : accordingly all the 
 spare canvas was set, and we w'ere soon gaining large before 
 the w’ind. But the Dart, though reckoned the first sailor out 
 of Clyde when close hauled on a w'ind, was by no means so 
 fleet when squared away and going free ; she had now met 
 wnth her match, for the stranger was evidently gaining rapidly 
 on us, and in two hours we saw it was impossible for us to 
 escape. The priest and I were ordered down with a threat of 
 instant death if we offered to come on deck, or make any at- 
 tempt to attract observation. 
 
 I now communicated to Isabella my apprehensions with re- 
 spect to the crew', along with my resolution to leave the vessel 
 if the other proved a man-of-war, and earnestly advised both 
 her and the priest to take advantage of it also. She thanked 
 me with a look and smile that told me how sensible she was 
 of the interest 1 felt in her welfare, and expressed her willing- 
 ness to be guided by me whatever w’ay I thought best. 
 
 Shortly after this w'e heard a gun fired to bring us to, and 
 the Dart hailed and questioned as to her port and destination. 
 The answers, it appeared, were thought evasive and unsatis- 
 factory, for we were ordered to come close under the lee- 
 quarter of his Blajesty’s sloop of v/ar Tartar, while they sent 
 to examine our papers. This was now our only chance, and 
 I resolved, that if the officer should not come below, I w’ould 
 force the companion-door and claim his protection. But I 
 was not put to this alternative. As soon as he arrived, I heard 
 him desire the hatches to be taken off, and order his men to 
 examine the hold. The inspection did not satisfy him ; for 
 he hailed the sloop, and reported that there were Spanish goods 
 on board which did not appear in the manifest “ Then remain 
 on board, and keep your stern lights burning all night, and 
 take charge of the ship !” was the reply. In a state of irksome 
 suspense w'e remained nearly turn hours, expecting every 
 minute to hear the officer descending. At length, to our re- 
 lief, the companion-doors w'ere unlocked, and a young man, 
 attended by our cantain, entered the cabin. He looked sur- 
 prised on seeing us, and bowing to Isabella, apologized for in- 
 truding at such an unseasonable hour. “But I was not given 
 m understand,” he added, “ that there were passengers in the 
 ship — prisoners I should rather pronounce it, Mr. IMahone, 
 for you seem to have had them under lock and key, which 
 
312 
 
 THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 is rather an unusual mode of treating ladies at least. No wine, 
 sir !” he continued, motioning away the bottles which the cap- 
 tain was hastily placing on the table — “ no wine, but be pleas- 
 ed to show' me your register and bill of lading.” 
 
 He had not been long seated to inspect them w'hen a shuf- 
 fling and hurried sound of feet was heard overhead, and a voice 
 calling on Mr. Duff for assistance, show'ed that some scuffle 
 had taken place above. Instantaneously we all started to our 
 feet, and the lieutenant was in the act of drawing his sword, 
 when, accidentally looking round, I observed 3Iahone present- 
 ing a pistol behind. With a cry of warning, I threw myself 
 forward, and had just time to strike the w'eapou slightly aside, 
 when it went off. The ball narrowly missed the head of Duff, 
 for whom it had been aimed, but struck the priest immediately 
 over the right eye, who, making one desperate and convulsive 
 leap as high as the ceiling, sunk down dead, and before the 
 Captain could pull out another, I discharged the contents of 
 mine into his breast. We then rushed upon deck ; but it was 
 only to find the boat’s crew had been mastered, and to behold 
 the last of the men tumbled overboard. The pirates then dis- 
 persed, and e.xerted themselves to get the ship speedily under- 
 way ; while the boatsw'ain sang out to extinguish the lanterns, 
 that the Tartar might not be guided by the lights. 
 
 “ It’s all over with us ! ” exclaimed my companion ; “but 
 follow me — we have one chance for our lives yet. Our boat 
 is still towing astern ; do you throw yourself over, and swim 
 till I slide down the painter, and cut her adrift. Come, bear 
 a hand, and jump ! don’t you see them hastening aft And 
 in an instant he pitched himself off the tatfrel, slid down the 
 rope which held the boat, and cast her Ibose. But this advice 
 however judicious, it was impossible for me to follow — for, at 
 the moment, repeated shrieks from Isabella put to flight all 
 thoughts for my own individual safety ; I, therefore, hurried 
 back to the cabin, determined, that if I could not rescue her 
 along with myself, to remain, and protect her with niv life. 
 And in a happy time I arrived ! The candles were still bu.n- 
 ing on the table ; and through the smoke of the pistols, which 
 still tilled the cabin, I beheld her struggling in the arms of a 
 negro — the identical slave who had displayed such insolence in 
 the early part of the evening. AVith one stroke of the butend 
 of my pistol I fractured the cursed villain’s scull — caught up 
 Isabella in my arms — ran up the ladder, and had nearly gained 
 the side, when the boatswain, attracted by her white garments, 
 left the helm to intercept me — and I saw the gleam of his up 
 
THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 313 
 
 lifted cutlass on the point of descending, when he was sud- 
 denly struck down by some person from behind I did not 
 stop to discover who had done me this good office, but hailing 
 Duff, and clasping Isabella firmly to my heart, I plunged into 
 the water, followed by my unknown ally. With the aid of my 
 companion, whom I now found to be John Wyllie, the mate, 
 we easily managed to support our charge till the boat reached 
 us ; when we found that the greater part of the men had been 
 rescued in a similar manner. 
 
 When the morning dawned, we perceived the Dart, like a 
 speck in the horizon, and the sloop of war in close chase. 
 Our attention was next turned to our own situation, which was 
 by no means enviable : we had escaped, it is true, with our 
 lives, for the present ; but without a morsel of food, or a single 
 drop of fresh water, with us m the boat ; we could, at best, 
 only expect to protract existence for a few days longer, and 
 then yield it up ultimately in horror and misery. By an ob- 
 servation taken the day before, on board of the Tartar, Mr. 
 Duff informed us we were to the north-east of the Bahamas ; 
 and distant about one hundred and seventy miles from Wall- 
 ing’s Island, which was the nearest land. This was a long 
 distance ; but, as despair never enters the breast of a British 
 sailor, even in situations of the utmost extremity, we cheered 
 up each other ; and, as no other resource was left us, we 
 manned our oars, and pulled away with life, trusting in the 
 chance of meeting with some vessel, of which there was a 
 strong probability, as this was the common course of the lee- 
 ward traders. And our hopes were not disappointed ! for next 
 day we fortunately fell in with a brig from tlie Azores, bound 
 for Porto Rico, on board of which w'e were received with 
 much kindness ; and, in five days, we found ourselves safe 
 moored in Porto-real harbor. 
 
 My first step on landing w’as to inquire for a boarding house 
 for Isabella, and I had the good luck to be directed to one 
 kept by a respectable Scotch family, in Orange Terrace, and 
 to this I conducted her. ]\Iy ne.xt transaction was to charter 
 a small cutter, and to communicate to Duff the secret of the 
 hidden treasure; at the same time asking him to adventure 
 himself and his men on its recovery. I also gave him to un- 
 deistand the probability of a renconter with the pirates, in the 
 event of their having escaped the sloop, for I was aware that 
 3Iahone had overheard the whole confession, from my finding 
 him listening at the cabin door. Without hesitation, the lieu- 
 tenant at once agreed to accompany me, and engaging some 
 VOL. I. 14 
 
314 
 
 THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 hands out of a vessel newly arrived, we soon mustered a par- 
 ty of fourteen men. As it wanted only six days of the festival 
 of St Jago, and the distance across the Caribean sea was 
 great enougli to require all our exertions to be there in time, 
 we embarked and sailed that very night. 
 
 Our cutter proved a prime sailor — and though the winds 
 were light and variable, by the help of our sweeps we made 
 the Roccas on the evening of the sixth da) As the Spaniard 
 had foretold, the moon was climbing the western sky, and 
 pouring the fulness of her splendor with a mild and beautiful 
 effulgence on the u.ntroubled deep, as we slowly drifted with 
 the current between the Wolf-rock and the adjacent isle. All 
 was silent and calm over the whole desert of the Archipelago 
 and the vast surrounding waters, save now and then the sud- 
 den flight of a sea-fowl awakening from its slumbers as we 
 passed; or the occasional roar of the jaguar faintly wafted 
 from the main land. We ran the cutter into a deep and nar- 
 row creek; moored her safe, and proceeded, well armed, to the 
 eastern extremity. There we found the projecting point of 
 land, and the old vanilla tree exactly in the situation described 
 — its huge, twisted trunk was still entire ; and from the end of 
 its solitary branch, which was graced by a few scattered leaves, 
 the body of a man in the garb of a sailor hung suspended in 
 irons. The clothes had preserved the body from the birds of 
 prey, but the head was picked clean and bare, leaving tlu 
 eyeless and bleached skull to glitter white in the moonlight 
 In perfect silence, and with something of awe in our spiritr 
 impressed by the solitude, and dreariness of the scene, we 
 seated ourselves on the rocks, and, with my timepiece in m) 
 hand, I began to mark the progress of the shadow. For near- 
 ly three hours we watched in this manner, listening attentive- 
 ly for the slightest sound from sea-ward; but every thing con- 
 tinued hushed and still, except the creaking of the chain as 
 the dead man swung to anti fro in the breeze. 31idnight was 
 now drawing near — the moon, radiant and full, was careering 
 high through the deep blue of heaven, and the shadows of the 
 branch and stem were approaching each other, and towards 
 the desired point. At length the hand ofmy timepiece pointed to 
 within a minute of the time. It passed over. The branch and 
 stem now merged into one, and threw their shadow due east, 
 and the first spade-full of earth had been tiirown out, when the 
 man who had been stationed to keep a look out came running 
 to inform us that a boat w'as rapidly approaching from the east 
 We immediately concluded they must be a pttrt of the Dart’s 
 
THE pirate’s treasure. 
 
 315 
 
 crew; and their long and vigorous strokes, as they stretched 
 out to the full extent of their oars, showed that they knew the 
 importance of every minute that elapsed. Our implements for 
 digging were liastily laid aside, and we concealed ourselves 
 among the rocks till they should come vvithin reach. In a 
 short time the boat was seen ashore, and eight armed men 
 came fonvard, partly Spaniards and partly the ship’s crew; 
 among whom I recognized the boatswain, and, to my surprise, 
 Mahone, whom I had shot and left for dead in the cabin 
 Without giving them time to prepare for the assault, we quit- 
 ted our shelter, and sprung among them at once, laying about 
 with our cutlasses. 
 
 For a little space the skirmish was toughly and hotly con- 
 tested; for the pirates were resolute and reckless, and fought 
 with the desperation of men who knew that the only chance 
 for their lives lay in their own exertions. In the confusion of 
 the fray I had lost sight of Duff, and was closely engaged 
 with one of the Spaniards, when the voice of the boatswain 
 shouting forth a horrible imprecation sounded immediately be- 
 hind me. I turned round, and sprung aside from the sweep 
 of his cutlass, and, as my pistols were both empty, retreated, 
 acting on the defensive; when he pulled out his, fired, and 
 hurled the weapon at my head. The shot passed without in- 
 juring me — but the pistol, aimed with better effect, struck me 
 full in the forehead. A thousand sparks of light flashed from 
 my eyes — I felt myself reeling, and on the point of falling, 
 when a cut across the shoulder stretched me at once on the 
 ground. When I recovered from my stupor, and opened my 
 eyes, the morning was far advanced — the sun was shining 
 bright over head; and I found myself at sea, lying on the deck of 
 the cutter; and Duff busily engaged in examining my wounds. 
 From him I learned that the pirates had been mastered after 
 a severe conflict — in which four had been slain, and left on the 
 island; two had escaped unobserved during the fight, and 
 made off with the boat; and two had been wounded, and were 
 prisoners on board, one of whom was IMahone. On our ar- 
 rival at Porto Rico, we delivered them over to the civil pow- 
 er; and, soon afterwards, Mahone was tried for the murder of 
 the priest, when he was convicted on our evidence, con- 
 demned, and executed. Under good nursing and care, I 
 gradually recovered. 
 
 Isabella is not now that destitute and unprotected orphan 
 whom I first saw on the middle of the western ocean — but 
 the happy mistress of a happy home, diffusing life and glad- 
 
316 
 
 THE CUMBERLAND PACKET. 
 
 ness on all around her. My friend Duff has lately been 
 placed on the list of post captains, and is anxiously waiting 
 for more bustling times, when there will be more knock- 
 ing about, and more hard blows got, than what our present 
 peace admits of. John Wyllie, too, has had advancement 
 in his line, being now master of one of the finest ships from 
 Clyde; and I had the additional satisfaction of knowing that 
 none of the crew had reason to regret their having jeopardized 
 their lives in fighting for the “ Pirates Treasure.” 
 
 THE CUMBERLAND PACKET. 
 
 In the dreadful hurricane which took place at Antigua, on 
 the 4th of September, 1804, several vessels were lost; and 
 among others, the Duke of Cumberland Packet. Every pre- 
 caution had been taken, by striking the yards and masts, to 
 secure the vessel; and the cable had held so long, that some 
 faint hope began to be entertained of riding out the gale, when 
 several of the crew were so indiscreet, as to quit the deck for 
 some refreshment; no sooner had they sat down, than a loud 
 groan from the rest of the crew summoned them on deck. 
 The captain ran forward, and exclaimed, “ All’s now over; 
 Lord God have mercy upon us!” The cable had parted; the 
 ship hung about two minutes by the stream and kedge, and 
 then began to drive broadside on. At this moment the sea- 
 men, torn by despair, seemed for a moment to forget them- 
 selves; lamentations for their homes, their wives, and their 
 childien, resounded through the ship. Every man clung 
 to a rope, and determined to stick to it as long as the ship re- 
 mained entire. For an hour they drifted on, without knowing 
 whither, the men continued to hold fast by the rigging while 
 their bodies were beaten by the heaviest rain, and lashed by 
 every wave. The most dreadful silence prevailed. Every 
 one was too intent on his own approaching end, to be able to 
 
THE CUMBERLAND PACKET. 
 
 317 
 
 communicate his feelings to another; and nothing was heard 
 but the howling of the tempest. The vessel drove towards 
 the harbor of St. John’s, and two alarm guns rvere fired, in 
 order that the garrison might be spectators of their fate, for it 
 was in vain to think of assistance. They soon drove against a 
 large ship, and went close under her stern. A faint hope now 
 appeared of being stranded on a sandy beach; and the captain 
 therefore ordered the carpenter to get the hatchets all ready to 
 cut away the masts, in order to make a raft for those who 
 chose to venture upon it. The vessel however drove with 
 e.xtreme violence on some rocks, and the cracking of her tim- 
 bers below was distinctly heard. Every hope now vanished, 
 and the crew already began to consider themselves as beings of 
 another world. In order to ease the vessel, and if possible 
 prevent her from parting, the mizen-mast was suffered to re- 
 main, to steady the vessel. The vessel had struck about two 
 o’clock, and in half an hour afterwards the water was up to 
 the lower deck. Never was daylight more anxiously wished 
 for, than by the crew of this vessel. After having hung so 
 long by the shrouds, they were forced to cling three hours 
 longer before the dawn appeared. The sea was making a 
 complete breach over the ship, which was laying on her beam 
 . ends; and the crew, stiff' and benumbed, could with difficulty 
 hold against the force of the waves, every one of which struck 
 and nearly drowned them. 
 
 The break of day discovered to the wretched mariners aff 
 the horrors of their situation; the vessel was lying upon large 
 rocks, at the foot of a craggy overhanging precipice, twice as 
 high as the ship’s mainmast; the wind and rain beat upon the 
 crew with unabated violence, and the ship lay a miserable 
 wreck. The first thoughts of the crew in the morning were 
 naturally directed to the possibility of saving their lives; and 
 they all agreed, that their only chance of doing so, was by 
 means of the mizen-mast. The top-mast and top-gallant-mast 
 were launched out, and reached within a few feet of the rock. 
 An attempt was made by one of the crew, to throw a rope with 
 a noose to the top of the rock; but instead of holding by the 
 bushes, it brought them away. Another seaman, who seem- 
 ed from despair to have imbibed an e.xtraordinary degree of 
 courage, followed the fir?t man out on the mast, with the in- 
 tention of throwing himself from the end upon the mercy of 
 the rock; he had proceeded to the extremity of the top-gallant 
 mast, and was on the point of leaping among the bushes, 
 when the pole of the mast, unable to sustain his weight, gave 
 
318 
 
 THE CUMBERLAND PACKET. 
 
 way, and precipitated him into the bosom of the waves, from 
 a height of forty feet. Fortunately he had carried down with 
 him the piece of the broken mast, and instead of being dash- 
 ed to pieces, as was expected, he kept himself above water 
 until he was hoisted up. All hopes of being saved by the 
 mizen-mast were now at an end; and while the crew were 
 meditating in sullen silence on their situation, Mr. Doncaster, 
 the chief mate, unknown to any one, went out on the bow- 
 sprit, and having reached the end of the jib-boom, threw him- 
 self headlong into the water. He had scarcely fallen, when 
 a tremendous wave threw him upon the rock; and left him 
 dry; there he remained motionless, until a second wave washed 
 him still further up, when clinging to some roughness in the 
 cliff, he began to scramble up the rock; and in about half an 
 hour, he with infinite difficulty reached (lie summit of the cliff. 
 The crew anxiously watched every step he took, and prayed 
 for his safety, conscious that their own preservation depend- 
 ed solely upon it. Mr. Doncaster immediately went round to 
 that part of the precipice nearest the vessel, and received a 
 rope thrown from the main-top, which he fastened to some 
 trees. By means of this rope, the whole of the crew were, 
 in the space of three hours, hoisted to the top of the cliff. 
 
 The whole of the ship’s com|mny having assembled on the 
 rock, bent their steps towards town. The plain before them 
 had, in consequence of the heavy rain, become almost impass- 
 able; but after wading about three miles through fields of 
 canes, and often plunged up to the neck in water, they reach- 
 ed St. John’s in safety; where they would have died for want 
 of food and necessaries, had it not been for the kind offices of 
 a Mullatto tailor, who supplied them with clothes, beds, and 
 provisions, and did them other kind offices of humanity. 
 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG SALLT. 
 
 319 
 
 LOSS OF THPJ BKIG SALLY. 
 
 August 8, 1767, while in latitude 25, having a strong gale 
 of wind, the brig Sally was laid to under her main-stay-sail 
 till ten o’clock the next morning, when she was hove on her 
 beam ends, and in less than five minutes turned keel upwards, 
 so that they had only time to cut away the lanyards of her 
 main-mast. There were on board, Anthony Tabry, master; 
 Humphry Mars, mate; Joseph Sherver, Samuel Bess, John 
 Burna, mariners who were drowned; six other mariners, viz. 
 Peter Toy, Daniel Cnltan, John Davis, Alexander Lander- 
 ry, Peter Mayes and William Hammon, having got hold of 
 the top-mast which floated alongside, tied it to the stern, and 
 supported themselves by it, till about five o’clock in the eve- 
 ning, when the cabin boy swam to the hull and threw them a 
 rope, by whicli they got on the bottom of the vessel, where 
 they were still in a dismal plight; the first want that invaded 
 them was drink, this drove away all thought of meat. The 
 main-mast, with all the rigging, the lanyards having been cut 
 away, came up alongside, from which they got the wreath, 
 (a square hoop which binds the head of the mast,) with 
 which, and a bolt of a foot long, they went to work on her 
 bottom; in tlie mean time keeping their mouths moist, as well 
 as they could, by chewing the stuff of her bottom, she not 
 having any barnacles, being lately cleaned, and some lead 
 which was on her bow, and drinking their own water; in font 
 days time Peter Toy died, raving for drink, whose bodv they 
 threw oft’ the vessel the next day. In this manner did they 
 work for six days, without meat, drink or sleep, nor daring to 
 lie down for fear of falling oft’ the vessel; the sixth day they 
 got a hole in the brig, where they found a barrel of bottled 
 beer; this they drank very greedily; they soon got another 
 parcel, when one of them put the others on an allowance. — 
 The eleventh day of their being on the wreck, they got a bar- 
 rel of pork, which they were obliged to eat raw. As to sleep, 
 as soon as they got a hole through the vessel’s bottom, they 
 pulled out a great number of staves and shingles, and made a 
 platform in the same place, but so small was it, that when 
 they wanted to turn, they were obliged to wait till the sea 
 
320 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG SALLY. 
 
 hoisted the vessel, and when she fell again with the sea, they 
 were almost froze to death. Thus did these poor miserable 
 fellows live for thirteen or fourteen days; after they got the 
 pork, they made a kind of net with a hoop, sorre shingles and 
 ropes, which they got from the mast; this they let into the sea, 
 with some pork, and caught a few small fish, which, with two 
 or three mice they caught on board the brig, afforded them sev- 
 eral most delicious repasts, raw as they were; this lasted but 
 a few days, as they could not catch any more; when they 
 were obliged to return to their pork, which was become quite 
 putrid by the salt water getting to it. To their great joy, on 
 the 1st of September, in lat. 26, 15, long. 70, 10, at four 
 o’clock in the afternoon, they could just perceive a vessel to 
 windward of them, which seemed to stand some time for them, 
 but soon put about and stood from them; it was then they de- 
 spaired, as that morning they had drank the last bottle of their 
 beer, and that one was all they had; for that day they worked 
 hard to get at the casks of water in the hold, but they were 
 so far from them, that they could not have got at them in a 
 long time; about sun half an hour high, the vessel stood for 
 them, and came so near that they perceived a piece of can- 
 vass, that they on the wreck supported on a piece of board, 
 bore down for it, and about seven or eight o’clock took them 
 on board; she was the bris Norwich, Captain Robert Noyes. 
 Thus were they relieved w hen death stared them in the face, 
 by a captain who used them very kindly, gave them food and 
 clothes, as their own were rotted off their backs, washed their 
 sores, and gave thetn plasters, as they were almost raw from 
 head to foot with the heat of the sun and salt water, which, in 
 jnany places had eaten holes in their flesh. 
 
SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. 
 
 321 
 
 SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. 
 
 On the 25th of August, 1676, Mr. Ephraim How, of New 
 Haven, in New England, with his two eldest sons; one Mr. 
 Augur; Caleb Jones, son to Mr. William Jones, one of the 
 magistrates of New Haven; and a boy; six persons in all, set 
 sail from New Haven for Boston, in a small ketch, of about 
 seventeen tons. 
 
 Having despatched his business there, he sailed for New 
 Haven on the 10th of September, but was forced back to 
 Boston by contrary winds. Here Mr. How was seized with a 
 violent flux, which continued nearly a month; many being at 
 that time sick, and some dying of the same. 
 
 Being in some degree restored to health, he again sailed 
 from Boston, October 10. They went with a fair wind as 
 far as Cape Cod; but on a sudden the weather became very 
 tempestuous, so that they could not pass the Cape, but were 
 driven off to sea, where they were in great danger, ex- 
 periencing terrible storms, with outrageous winds and seas. 
 
 H is eldest son fell sick and died about the 21st; soon after 
 his other son was taken ill and died also. This was a bitter 
 cup to the poor father, for these youths were his only assist- 
 ants in working the vessel. Soon after Caleb Jones died, so 
 that half the company were now no more. 
 
 Mr. How continued in a very sickly and weak state, yet 
 was necessitated to stand at the helm twenty-four and thirty- 
 six hours together. During this time the sea was so boister- 
 ous as frequently to break over the vessel, that if he had not 
 been lashed fast he must have been washed overboard. In 
 this extremity, he was at a loss in his own thoughts, whether 
 he should persist in endeavoring to make for the New-Eng- 
 land shore, or bear away for the Southern Islands. Upon his 
 proposing the question to Mr. Augur, they determined, ac- 
 cording to the custom of some in those times, to decide this 
 difficult case by casting lots. They did so, and it fell upon 
 New-England. 
 
 Nearly about the 7th of November they lost their rudder, 
 60 that now their only dependence was upon Providence. In 
 
32 ^ 
 
 SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOT?'. 
 
 this deplorable state they drove up and down for a fortnight 
 longer. During tlie last six weeks, the poor infirm Mr. How 
 was hardly ever dry, nor had he the benefit of warm food 
 above thrice or thereabouts! 
 
 At length about the 21st of November, early in the morn- 
 ing the vessel was driven on the tailings of a ledge of rocks, 
 where the sea broke violently. Looking out they saw a dis- 
 mal rocky island to the leeward, upon which, if Providence 
 had not by the breakers given them timely warning, they had 
 been dashed to pieces. They immediately let go an anchor, 
 and got nut the boat, and the sea became calm. The boat 
 proving leaky, and they being in great terror, tliey took but 
 little out of the ketch, but got on shore as they could. 
 
 Here they could discover neither man nor beast. It was 
 a small, rocky, desolate island, near Cape Sable, the Southern 
 oxtren)ity of Nova Scotia. They now appeared to be in 
 great danger of being starved to death, but the storm return- 
 ing, beat so violently upon the vessel, as it still lay at anchor, 
 that it was stove to pieces, and several things Hoated to the 
 shore. 
 
 The following articles were all they had towards their fu- 
 ture support; — a cask of gunpowder, which received no dam- 
 age from the water; a barrel of wine; half a barrel of molass- 
 es; several useful articles towards building a tent: all the 
 above drifted from the wreck : besides which they had fire- 
 arms and shot; a pot for boiling; and most probably other things 
 not mentioned in the narrative. 
 
 Their tent was soon erected, for the cold was now get- 
 ting severe, but new and great distresses attended them, for 
 though they had arms and amunition, there were seldom any 
 fowls to be seen, except crows, ravens, and seagulls. These 
 were so few, that they could seldom shoot more than one at a 
 time. JMany times half a fowl, with the liquor it was boiled 
 in, served for a meal for all three. Once they lived five days 
 without any sustenance, but did not feel themselves pinched 
 with hunger as at other times; which they esteemed a special 
 favor of Heaven unto them. 
 
 ^V'^hcn they had lived in this miserable condition twelve weeks, 
 Mr. How’s dear friend and companion, I\Ir. Augur, died, 
 about the middle of February, 1677; so that he had none left 
 to converse with but the lad, who likewise departed on the 2d 
 of April. 
 
 IVlr. How was now the sole inhabitant of this desolate spot, 
 during April, May and June, and saw' fishing vessels every 
 
VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. 
 
 323 
 
 now and then, sailing by; some of which came even nearer to 
 the island than that which at last took him off. He used all 
 the means in his power to make them acquainted with his dis- 
 tress; but they either did not see him, or were afraid to ap- 
 proach close to the island, lest some of those Indians should 
 be quartered there, who were at that time in hostility against 
 the English, viz. the North-East Indians, who held out after 
 the death of the famous Philip, king of the Wompanoags. 
 
 At length a vessel belonging to Salem, in New-England, 
 providentially passed by, and seeing this poor fellow, they 
 sent their boat on shore, and took him away. He had been 
 on the Island more than seven months, and above a quarter 
 of a year by himself. On the 18th of July he arrived at Sa- 
 lem, and at last returned to his family at New Haven. They 
 for a twelvemonth had supposed him dead; by which it ap- 
 pears he did not get home till the end of August, or perhaps 
 later. 
 
 VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. 
 
 On the 6th of December, we sailed from Halifax, with a 
 fresh north-westerly wind, on a bitter cold day, so that the 
 harbor was covered with a vapor called “ the barber,” a sort 
 of low fog, which clings to the surface of the water, and 
 sweeps along with these biting winter blasts, in such a man- 
 ner as to cut one to the very bone. 
 
 As we shot past one of the lower whprfs of the town of 
 Halifax, just before coming to the narrow passage between 
 George’s Island and the main land, on the south side of this 
 magnificent harbor, a boat p J off with a gentleman, who, by 
 some accident, had missed his passage. They succeeded in 
 getting alongside the ship; but, in seizing hold of a rope 
 which was thrown to them from the main chains, the boatmen^ 
 in their hurry, caught a turn with it round the afterthwart, in 
 
324 
 
 VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO EER3IUDA. 
 
 stead of making it fast somewhere in the bow of the boat. — 
 The inevitable consequence of this proceeding was, to raise 
 the stern of the boat out of the water, aad, of course, to 
 plunge her nose under the surface. Even a landsman will 
 comprehend how this happened, when it is mentioned that 
 the ship was running past at the rate of ten knots. In the 
 twinkling of an eye, the whole party, officer, boatmen, and 
 all, were seen floating about, grasping at the oars or striking 
 out for the land, distant fortunately, only a few yards from 
 them; for the water thereabouts is so deep, that a ship in sail- 
 ing out or in, may safely graze the shore. 
 
 As the intensity of the cold was very great, we were quite 
 astonished to see the people swimming away so easily; but 
 we afterwards learned from one of the party, that, owing to 
 the water being between forty and fifty degrees warmer than 
 the air, he felt, when plunged into it, as if he had been sous- 
 ed into a hot bath. The instant, however, he reached the 
 pier, and was lugged out, like a half drowned rat, he was lit- 
 erally enclosed in a firm case of ice from head to foot! This 
 very awkward coat of mail was not removed without consid- 
 erable difficulty; nor was it till he had been laid for some 
 hours in a well warmed bed, between two other persons, that 
 he could move at all, and for several months afterwards, he 
 was not well enough to leave his room. 
 
 For us to stop, at such a time and place, was impossible; 
 so away we shot like a spear — past Chebucto Head, Cape 
 Sambo, and sundry other fierce looking black capes of naked 
 rock. The breeze rapidly rose to a hard gale, which split 
 our main-topsail to threads, and sent the fragments thunder- 
 ing to leeward in the storm, in such grand style, that, to this 
 hour, I can almost fancy I hear the noise in my ears. — 
 I know few things more impressive than the deep toned 
 sounds caused by the flapping of a wet sail, in such a fierce 
 squall as this, when the slieets are carried away, and the un- 
 confined sail is tugging and tearing to get clear of the yard, 
 which bends and cracks so fearfully, that even the lower 
 mast sometimes wags about like a reed. I certainly have 
 heard thunder far louder than the sounds alluded to; but have 
 seldom known it more effective or startling than those of a 
 sail going to pieces in such a ten pest of wind and rain. 
 
 I was standing, where I had no business to be, on the 
 weather side of the quarter-deck, holding on stoutly by one of 
 the belaying pins, and wondering where this novel scene was 
 to end, but having an obscure idea that the ship was going to 
 
VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. 
 
 325 
 
 the bottom. The admiral was looking up at the splitting sail 
 as composedly as possible, after desiring that the main-top- 
 men, whose exertions were quite useless, should be called 
 down, out of the way of the ropes, which were cracking 
 about their heads. Every now and then I could see the 
 weather-wise glance of the veteran’s eye directed to wind- 
 ward, in hopes that matters would mend. But they only be- 
 came worse; and at last, when the fore-mast seemed to be 
 really in danger, for it was bending like a cane, though the 
 foresail had been reefed, he waited not to run through the 
 usual rf”.Jnd of etiquettes by which an admiral’s commands 
 generally reach the executive on board ship, but exclaimed 
 with a voice so loud, that it made me start over to the lee side 
 of the deck. 
 
 “ Man the fore-clue garnets!” 
 
 In the next minute the sail rose gradually to the yard, and 
 the groaning old ship, by this time sorely strained to her in- 
 nermost timber, seemed to be at once relieved from the pres- 
 sure of the canvass which had borne her headlong, right in- 
 to the seas, and made her tremble from stem to stern, almost 
 as if she was going to pieces. 
 
 The next thing to be done was to get in the jib-boom, in 
 order to ease tlie bowsprit. In effecting this rather trouble- 
 some operation, one of the best seamen we had, fell overboard. 
 He was second captain of the forecastle, the steadiness of 
 whose admirable skill as steersman had, one day, elicited the 
 complimentary remark from the captain, that he must surely 
 have nailed the compass card to the binnacle. On this, and 
 other accounts, he was so much esteemed in the ship, that 
 more than the usual degree of regret was felt for his melan- 
 choly fate. 1 saw the poor fellow pitch into the water, and 
 •watched him as he floated past, buoyant as a cork, and breast- 
 ing the waves most gallantly, with an imploring look towards 
 us, which I shall never forget. In less than a minute he was 
 out of sight. A boat could hardly have lived in such weath- 
 er, and no further attempt was made, or could have been 
 made, to save him, than to throw over ropes, which all fell 
 short of their mark. Although we soon lost all traces of him, 
 it is probable he may have kept sight of us, as we drifted 
 quickly to leeward under our bare poles, long after we had 
 ceased to distinguish his figure in the yest of waves. 
 
 This gale, the first I ever saw, was also, I can recollect, 
 one of the fiercest. It lasted for three days, totally dispers- 
 ed our litl'p squadron, well nigh foundered one of them, the 
 
326 
 
 VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA, 
 
 Cambrian, and sent her hobbling into Bermuda some days 
 aiicr us with the loss of her main-mast and all three top- 
 masts. 
 
 The rock of the islands of Bermuda is of a very soft coarse 
 freestone, full of pores; so soft, indeed, that if it be requir- 
 ed to make an additional window to a house, there is noth 
 ing to be done, we were told, but to hire a black fellow, who 
 with a saw, could speedily cut an opening in any pan of the 
 wall. 
 
 There is nothing more remarkable in this singular cluster 
 of islands than the extensive coral reef which fends offtlie sea 
 on the northern side, and stretch out in a semi-circular belt, 
 at the distance of two or three leagues from the land. On 
 these treacherous reefs wo saw many a poor vessel bilged, at 
 moments when, from seeing the land at such a distance, they 
 fancied themselves in perfect security. 
 
 They tell a story of a boatman who, it was said, lived by 
 these disasters, once going off to an unlucky vessel, fairly 
 caught among the coral reefs, like a fly in a cobweb, not far 
 from the North Hock. The wrecker, as he was called, hav- 
 ing boarded the bewildered ship, said to the master, 
 
 “ What will you give me, now, to get you out of this 
 place ?’’ 
 
 “ Oh, any thing you like — name your sum.” 
 
 “ Five hundred dollars.'” 
 
 “ Agreed! agreed!” cried the other. Upon which this 
 treacherous pilot kept his protnise truly to liie ear, but 
 broke it to the hope, by taking the vessel out of an abomina- 
 bly bad place, only to fix her in one a great deal more intri- 
 cate and perilous. 
 
 “ Now,” said the wrecker to the perplexed and doubly- 
 cheated strangei, '‘there never was a vessel in this scrape, 
 that was known to get out again; and, indeed, there is but 
 one man alive who knows the passage, or could, by any pos- 
 sibility, extricate you — and that’s me!” 
 
 “ I suppose,” drily remarked the captain, “ that for a con. 
 sideralion^ you would be the man to do me that good service. 
 What say you to another five hundred dollars to put me into 
 clear water, beyond your infernal reefs?” 
 
 This hard bargain was soon made; and a winding passage, 
 unseen before, being found, just wide enough, and barely 
 deep enough, for the vessel to pass through, with only six in- 
 ches to spare under her keel, in half an hour she was once 
 more in blue water, out of soundings, and out of danger. 
 
LOSS OF THE TRANSPORT HARPOONER. 
 
 327 
 
 “ Now, master rascallion of a wrecker,” cried the disen- 
 tangled mariner, “ tit for tat is fair play all the world over; 
 and, unless you hand me back again my thousand dollars. I’ll 
 cut the tow rope of your thievish looking boat, and tliep, iii- 
 stead of returning evil for evil, as I ought by riglits to do, I’ll 
 be more of a cliristian, and do you a very great service, by 
 carrying you away from one of the most inl’amous places in 
 the world, to the direst country imaginable — I mean America. 
 And as you seem to have a certain touch of black blood in 
 your veins, 1 may cliance to get good interest for my loan of 
 these thousand dollars, by selling you as a slave in the 
 Charleston negro market! What say you, my gay Mudian.'” 
 
 ..OSS OF THE TRANSPORT HARPOONER. 
 
 The hired transport Harpooner, was lost near Newfound- 
 land, in November, J3!o; she -had on board three hundred 
 and eighty five men, women, and children, including the ship’s 
 company. The passengers consisted of detachments of several 
 regiments, with their families, who were on their way to Que- 
 bec. On Saturday evening, November lOth, a few minutes 
 after nine o’clock, the second mate on watch called out, “ the 
 ship’s aground at which she slightly struck on the ouiermost 
 rock of St. Shotts, in the Island of Newfoundland. Siie beat 
 aver, and proceeding a sliort distance, she struck again, and 
 filled ; encircled among rocks, the wind blowing strong, the 
 night dark, and a very heavy sea rolling, she soon fell over on 
 her larboard beam end ; and, to heighten the terror and alarm, 
 a lighted candle communicated fire to some spirits in the mas- 
 ter’s cabin, which, in the confusion, was with difficulty ex- 
 tinguished. 
 
 The ship still driving over the rocks, her masts were cut 
 away, by which some men were carried overboard. The vessel 
 drifted over, near the high rocks, towards the main. In this 
 
328 
 
 LOSS OF THE TRANSPORT HARPOONER. 
 
 situation, every one became terrified ; the suddenness of the 
 sea rushing in, carried away the births and stauncheons be- 
 tween decks, when men, women, and children, were drowned, 
 and many were killed by the force with which they were 
 driven against the loose baggage, casks, and staves, which 
 floated below. All that possibly could, got upon deck, but 
 from the crowd and confusion that prevailed, the orders of the 
 officers and masters to the soldiers and seamen were unavail- 
 ing ; death staring every one in the face ; the ship striking 
 on the rocks, as though she would instantly upset. The 
 shrieking and pressing of the people to the starboard side was 
 so violent, that several were much hurt. About eleven 
 o’clock, the boats on the deck were washed overboard by a 
 heavy sea ; but even from the commencement of the disaster, 
 the hopes of any individual being saved were but very small. 
 
 J’rom this time, until four o’clock the ne.xt morning, all on 
 the wreck were anxiously praying for the light to break upon 
 them. The boat from the stern was in the meanwhile lower- 
 ed down, when the first mate and four seamen, at the risk of 
 their lives, pushed o.ffi to the shore. They with difficulty ef- 
 fected a landing upon the main land, behind a high rock, 
 nearest to wdiere the stern of the vessel had been driven. 
 The leg-line was thrown from the wreck, w’ilh a hope that 
 they might lay hold of it ; but darkness, and the tremendous 
 surf that beat, rendered it impracticable. During this awful 
 time of suspense, the possibility of sending a line to them bv a 
 dog occurred to the master ; the animal was brought aft, and 
 thrown into the sea with a line tied round his middle, and with 
 it he swam towards the rock upon which the mate and seameu 
 were standing. It is impossible to describe the sensations 
 which were e.xcited at seeing this fa'thful dog struggling with 
 the waves ; and on reaching the summit of the rock repeatedly 
 dashed back again by the surf into the sea ; until at length, 
 by unceasing exertions, he effected a landing. One end of 
 the line being on board, a stronger rope was hauled and fast- 
 ened to the rock. 
 
 At about si.x o’clock in the morning of the 1 1th, the first per- 
 son was landed by this means ; and afterwards, by an improve- 
 ment in rigging the rope, and placing each individual in slin<is, 
 they were with greater facility extricated from the wreck ; but 
 during this passage, it was with the utmost difficulty that the 
 unfortunate sufferers could maintain their hold, as the sea beat 
 over them and some w'ere dragged to the shore in a state of in 
 sensibility. Lieut. Wilson was lost, being unable to hold on the 
 
LOSS OF THE- TRANSPORT HARPOONER. 
 
 329 
 
 rope with his hands ; he was twice struck by the sea, foil 
 backwards out of the slings, and after swimming for a consider- 
 able time amongst the floating wreck, by which he was struck 
 on the head, he perished. Many who threw themselves over- 
 board, trusting for their safety to swimming, were lost ; they 
 were dashed to pieces by the surf on the rocks, or by the 
 floating pieces of the wreck. 
 
 The rope at length, by constant working, and by swinging 
 across the sharp rock, was cut in two ; and there being no 
 means of replacing it, the spectacle became more than ever 
 terrific ; the sea beating over the wreck with great violence, 
 washed numbers overboard ; and at last the wreck, breaking 
 up at the stern from midships and forecastle, precipitated all 
 that remained into one common destruction. 
 
 The parting of the ship was noticed by those on shore, and 
 signified with the most dreadful cry of “Go Forward !” — It 
 is difficult to paint the horror of the scene ; — children clinging 
 to their parents for help ; parents themselves struggling with 
 death, and stretehing out their feeble arms to save their chil- 
 dren, dying within their grasp. 
 
 The total number of persons lost was two hundred and eight, 
 and one hundred and seventy-seven were saved. 
 
 Lieut. IViylrea, of the 4th Veteran Battalion, one of the 
 oldest subalterns in the service, and then upwards of seventy 
 years of age, was the last person who quitted the wreck ; 
 when he had seen every other person either safe, or beyond 
 the power of assistance, he threw himself on to a rock, from 
 which he wa.s afterwards rescued. 
 
 Among the severest sufferers, was the daughter of Surgeon 
 Armstrong, who lost on this fatal night her father, mother, 
 brother, and two sisters. 
 
 The rock which the survivors were landed upon, was about 
 one hundred feet above the water surrounded at the flowing 
 of the tide. On the top of this rock they were obliged to re- 
 main during the whole of the night, without shelter, food, or 
 nourishment, e.xposed to wind and rain, and many without 
 shoes. The only comfort that presented itself was a fire, 
 which was made from pieces of the wreck that had been wash- 
 ed ashore. 
 
 At daylight on the morning of the 12th, at low water, their 
 removal to the opposite land was effected, some being let down 
 by a rope, others slipping down a ladder to the bottom. After 
 they crossed over, they directed their course to a house or 
 fisherman’s shed, distant a mile and a half from the wreck, 
 
330 
 
 LOSS OF THE TRANSPORT IlARPOONER 
 
 wliere they remained iintil the next day ; tlie proprietor of 
 this miserable shed not having the means of supplying relief to 
 so considerable a number as took refuge, a party went over 
 land to Trepassy, about fourteen miles distant, through a 
 marshy country, not inhabited by any human creature. This 
 party arrived at Trepassy, and reported the event to jMessrs. 
 Jackson, Burke, Sims, and the Rev. I\Ir. Brown, who im- 
 mediately took measures for alleviating the distressed, by de- 
 spatching men with provisions and spirits, and to assist in 
 bringing all those forward to Trepassy who could walk. ' 
 
 On the 13th, in the evening, the major part of the survivors 
 (assisted by the inhabitants, who, during the journey carried 
 the weak and feeble upon their backs) arrived at Trepassy 
 where they were billeted, by order of the magistrate, propor- 
 tionably upon each house. 
 
 There still remained at St. Shotts, the wife of a serjeant of 
 the Veteran Battalion ; witli a child, of which she was deliver- 
 ed on the top of the rocks shortly after she was saved. A 
 private, whose leg was broken, and a woman severely bruised 
 by the wreck, were also necessarily left there. 
 
 Immediately after the arrival at Trepas.sy, measures were 
 adopted for the comfort and refreshment of the detachments, 
 and boats were provided for their removal to St. John’s where 
 they ultimately arrived in safety. 
 
A TALE OF THE SEA, 
 
 331 
 
 A TALE OF THE SEA. 
 
 It was a briglit moonlight evening, and so warm that our 
 men lay about the dech and in groups with hardly any cover- 
 ing ; I think I never saw so perfectly clear and brilliant a 
 night. Some of the officers were reading, and with ease, by 
 the light of the moon, and the ocean as far as the sight could 
 sketch was a glittering mirror witiiout a single ruffle or wave ; 
 we lay like a log on the water, with all sails set, but not a 
 breath of air to move them. The crew were collected in small 
 parties about the forecastle and main deck listening to the 
 long yarns of some cray-headed seaman, about the “ Flying 
 Dutchman” of the “Black Biver of Gatand,” while now and 
 then some favorite sea soim was bawled forth from the laugh- 
 ing crowd. The officers were ^valking about the quarter 
 deck smoking and conversing, and occasionally extending 
 thei.' walk so far as to listen to the storie.s of the forecastle. 
 This was my first voyage on the “ wide, wide sea,” and as I 
 vras the youngest of the mids I found particular favor w’ith 
 several of the oldest seamen, with ■whom by-the-by I liked to 
 associate better than with my brother midciys — I always loved 
 to listen to their tales of murder and battles, and would sit for 
 hours on the coils of rope, and hear old “Jack Transom” our 
 second mate, an old man of sixty years relate his adventures 
 and “hairbreadth escapes.” Ue had left Port Royal on the 
 south side of Jamaica the day before on our way to the mouth 
 of the Amazon, and were at the time of this writing passing 
 between the small island of Monts-Errat and Guadaloupe : in 
 the distance you could see the white moon beams playing on 
 the fort and beach, and glistening on the low roofs and white 
 walls of the little capital of Guadaloupe. I was standing on 
 the capstan with a small night giass in my hand, looking at 
 the opposite shore with its long low beach with here and there 
 a small slave hut, or mound of loose stones piled up as a 
 covering over the grave of some drowned sailor who.«e body 
 had been washed on shore. I dropped niv glass and was get- 
 ting down from my station when Jack Transom stepped up 
 and asked for a squint, I handed the glass to him and after 
 looking through it a moment he handed it back saying, “ Ay, 
 
332 
 
 A TALE OF THE SEA. 
 
 ay, there it stands with its creaking chains and dry bones rat- 
 tling in the still air as if a ten knot breeze was ripping over 
 it.” “ What ’s that P’ said I, eagerly catching the glass and 
 pointing it where ‘ old starboard,’ as he was familiarly called, 
 directed me. It was some time before I saw what he meant. 
 When I did, I was at no loss for his abrupt speech. A little 
 north of the town on the white beach, stood a tall gibbet with 
 its chains, and even as old Jack said, its white bones, for I 
 plainly saw them even at that distance glimmering in the rays 
 of the bright moon, and I almost fancied I heard them rattling 
 and shaking against each other, although as I said before, 
 there was not a breath of air, not enough to move a feather ; 
 I shuddered at the sight, for I was young and easily affect- 
 ed by any thing terrible or gloomy — w’e all knew that ‘ old 
 starboard’ was on one of his ‘ long yarn tacks,’ and in a short 
 time a group was formed around the old fellow, as anxious as 
 the crowds of coffee drinkers in the saloons of Constantinople 
 to listen to the wonderful adventures of the Caliph Haroun 
 Alraschid or Sindbad the Sailor. “ It ’s now forty years ago 
 or thereabout,” began ‘ old starboard,’ stuffing a huge quid 
 of the true Virginia into liis left cheek, “ since I first laid eyes 
 on that same death telling gallows. I was then a mere fore- 
 mast-man and perhaps ratlier green, seeing as how that was 
 my first tack this way, and only the third time I had ever smelt 
 salt water. It was a dark stormy niglit with a strong north- 
 wester blowing at the rate of ten knots an hour, and we were 
 beating across this very channel under a heavy press with the 
 hopes of clearing the shoals before morning ; all hands were 
 on deck clearing off' and taking in some of our light canvass, for 
 the gale kept on increasing and our main-mast creaked heavily 
 with its load. When the watch ahead bawled out, helm-a-lee ! 
 sail a head ! but before the words were scarcely out of his 
 mouth we were upon the vessel ; we struck her about mid ship, 
 carrying away our bowsprit and dashing in the forecastle sails 
 and knuckle ti.mbers as if they had been glass ; but it fared 
 worse with the vessel we met ; she was small, being about 
 seven feet in the water, whereas we drew nearer fifteen — we 
 passed slick over her as if she had been a mere boy’s play- 
 thing. You may be sure there was no standing still, every 
 thing was hauled up and we were before the wind in less than 
 half a shake, the boats were lowered although there was 
 such a sea running that it was almost impossible to live in 
 a small boat — logs of wood and hen coops, were thrown over- 
 board so that if any were alive they might save themselves — 
 
A TALE OF THE SEA. 
 
 S33 
 
 our first mate was standing on the quarter listening, when he 
 declared that he heard a shout — we listened and then it came 
 again and again, but fainter every time — at length our captain 
 ordered a boat out, with directions to put in to the shore, and 
 come oif in the morning, as we should lay too. That night 
 there was not an eye closed in the ship. We were all wait- 
 ing for the morning, for many thought it sheer madness in our 
 captain to send off a boat in such a sea, and so dark a night, 
 and prophesied that she would be swamped in less than ten 
 minutes. Though no one said so to the captain, for he was 
 in one of his gloomy moods, and walked the deck nearly the 
 whole night without opening his mouth. We stood off and on 
 till morning, and by this time the wind had lulled considerably, 
 and we had a moderate breeze — as soon as it was light we 
 bore down to the little bay you see off yonder to the north-east, 
 and having anchored, sent off a boat to the shore ; I was in 
 her, and I shall never forget my joy when I first saw oGr men 
 standing on the beach and hallooing to us — we were soon 
 among them and asking questions enough to sink a lighter. 
 After leaving the ship they steered as near as they could tell, 
 to where the cries came from ; after running about ten min- 
 utes, they could hear them plainer, and at last got so near as 
 to speak to the person — it was a man who was clinging to a 
 large board, and was nearly e.xhausted — after a time they got 
 him in, and finally reached the shore — the poor fellow was 
 nearly gone, and could not speak a word, so they took him to 
 a house, and after awhile by rolling and warming him, brought 
 him to — it so happened that the house belonged to the governor 
 or whatever they call him — and as soon as he clapt his eyes 
 on the man he knew him, and had him taken to prison — and it 
 turned out that after all our trouble we had only saved the 
 poor wretch from being drowned that he might be hung — for 
 as it was proved by many who knew him, having seen the 
 fellow before, and by pieces of the wreck which floated ashore 
 that he was nothing better than a real pirate, (whose murders 
 were so numerous they could’nt be counted) he had been 
 taken twice before, but had escaped each time — the governor, 
 to be sure of him now, ordered the e.xecution to take place 
 that day ; — we had leave to stay on shore and see it — he look- 
 ed pale and half dead when they brought him out, and for the 
 soul of me I could’nt help pitying him, he stept so firm, and 
 w«nt so willingly to meet his death — he was led out to the 
 gallows between two files of soldiers, our parson talked to him 
 all the way, but he paid no attention and seemed to be think- 
 
334 
 
 LOSS OF THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 
 
 ing of something else. IVIayhap the fine vessel he had lest, 
 and all that — we saw the poor fellow swung off, and then went 
 back to our ship, but here was no laughing or joking that day 
 nor the next either — for we all felt as if we had some hand in 
 it, and wished the poor devil had been food for the fishes, 
 rather than to have fallen a prey to land-sharks. The body 
 was taken down and then hung up in chains, and on our home- 
 ward voyage we saw them there rattling in the sea breeze and 
 bleaching in the sun. I have passed here often, but I have 
 never forgotten to look for the gallows and the Pirate’s re- 
 mains, and I shall never forget that night while I live.” All 
 hands a hoy ! shouted the boatswain, and in a moment I was 
 left alone. Before I went to my berth I took one more look at 
 the dreaded object, and determined if ever I found leisure to 
 commit the story to paper 
 
 LOSS OF THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 
 
 The Ship Lajy of the Lake, sailed from Belfast, on the 8tb 
 of April 18.3.3, bound to Quebec, with 230 passengers. — The 
 following particulars were furnished by Capt. Grant. 
 
 On the 11th ]\Iay in lat. 46. 50, N. and Ion. 47. 10, W. at 
 5, A. IM. steering per compass \V. S. \V. with a strong wind 
 at IV. N E. we lell in with several pieces of ice ; at 8, A. IM. 
 the ice getting closer, I judged it prudent to haul the ship our 
 to the eastward under easy sail to avoid it j while endeavour- 
 ing to pass between two large pieces, a tongue under water in 
 the lee ice struck our starboard bow and stove it entirely in. 
 We immediately wore the ship round, expecting to get the leak 
 cut of the water, but did not succeed ; the ship now filling fast, 
 the mate, with seven or eight of the crew, got into the stern 
 boat — after getting bread, beef, compass, See. Stc. we oulled 
 
LOSS OF THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 
 
 33d> 
 
 away to the northwest — the scene that then took place is be 
 yond description ; after getting the long boat out, the pas 
 sengers crowded into her with such mad desperation, that she 
 was twice upset alongside, drowning about 80 of them. I no\f 
 attempted to save my own life and succeeded in getting the 
 boat clear of the ship half full of water, with 33 souls in her 
 without oars, sails, or a mouthful of provisions. The last timo 
 I saw the brig, (khe ice coming between her and us) she was 
 sunk up to the tops, and about 30 of the pa.ssengers in the 
 main-top-mast rigging. We then tried to pull after the other 
 boat, with the bottom boards and thufts, but got beset with the 
 ice. We now e.xpected a worse fate than those who were 
 in the vessel, viz. to perish witli cold and hunger. The next 
 morning the wind changed to the westward and we got clear 
 of most of the ice. We then pulled to the eastward, in the 
 fa<nt hope of some vessel picking us up, and at noon saw a 
 brig lying to under her two topsails — at four got on board of 
 her, and found the crew just leaving her, the brig in the same 
 state as our own, sinking. We, however, got some provisions 
 out of her, and there being a boat lying on her decks, I got 
 part of the passengers out of our own boat into it. In the 
 course of the night it came on to blow from the south-west and 
 the other boat foundered. All that now remained alive, to the 
 best of my belief or knowledge, out of a crew and passengers 
 of 280, is myself, one seaman, two boys, nine male passengers 
 and two female, fifteen in all. At noon on the 14th, we fell 
 in with the master and mate of the brig Harvest Home, of 
 Newcastle, the vessel we had ])reviously been on board of; 
 and on the evening of the same day both got on board of a 
 loaded brig bound to St. Johns, Newfoundland, after we had 
 been 75 hours in an open boat, halfdressed, wet and frost bitten ; 
 next morning, I, with the remainder of the crew and passen- 
 gers, left the brig and was kindly received on board the ship 
 Amazon, of Hull, bound to Quebec, where we arrived in 
 safety. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
THE 
 
 TOOK OE THE OCEAI 
 
 AND 
 
 LIFE ON THE SEA; 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 TIiaiLLrXG XARUA-TIVKS AND ADVENTURES OF OCEAN LIFE 
 IN ALL COUNTUIKS, FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD 
 TO THE PRESENT TIME. 
 
 *'*- WITH SIXTY ILLUSTRATIOITS. 
 
 A"OL. IT. 
 
 AUBURN; 
 
 A L D E N , BEARDSLEY & CO. 
 ROCHESTER : 
 
 ^ WANZER, BEARDSLEY & CO. 
 
 1852 . 
 
* 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Adventures of Capt. Woodward and Five Seamen in tlie 
 
 island of Celebes, - 7 
 
 An Occurrence at sea, ------- - 14 
 
 Loss of H. B. M. ship Phoenix, off Cuba, . - . . 1 C 
 
 An account of the Whale Fishery, with anecdotes of the dan- 
 gers attending it, - 30 
 
 Loss of the Brig Tyrrel, - -- -- -- 49 
 
 I^ass of the Peggy, - -- -- -- - 58 
 
 Loss of H. B. M. ship Litchfield, - - - - - 64 
 
 Wreck of the Rothsay Castle Steamer, - - - - 74 
 
 Loss of the French ship Droits de L’Homme, - - - 78 
 
 Loss of H. B. M. ship Queen Charlotte, - - - - 82 
 
 A Scene on the Atlantic Ocean, ----- 84 
 
 Wreck of the French Frigate Medusa, on the Arguin Banit, - 87 
 
 Loss of the Royal George, ------- 146 
 
 Loss of the iEneas, transport, ------ 148 
 
 The Absent Ship, -------- 152 
 
 I, OSS of the Halsewell, East Indiaman, ----- 155 
 
 An account of Four Russians, abandoned on the Island of 
 
 East Spitzbergen, ------- 166 
 
 Loss of the Amphitrite, Female Convict Ship, - - - 173 
 
 The Mutineers, a Tale of the Sea, ----- 176 
 
 Fate of Seven Sailors, left on the island of St. Maurice, - 182 
 
 Seamen •vvintering in Spitzbergen ----- 185 
 
 A Man Overboard - -- -- -- - 190 
 
 An Escape through the Cabin Windows, - - - - 192 
 
 Tom Cringle’s Log, - -- -- -- - 197 
 
 Loss of the Nautilus, Sloop of War, ----- 201 
 
 Wreck of a Slave Ship, ------- 212 
 
 The Wrecked Seamen, ------- 213 
 
 Adventure* of Philip Ashton, ------ 219 
 
 Explosion of H. B. M. ship Amphion, ----- 239 
 
 t 
 
V 
 
 C0NTE^T3. 
 
 ?»*• 
 
 Loss of H. B. M ship La Tribune, . - . - . 245 
 
 Burning of the Prince, a French East Indiaman, - - - 250 
 
 Wreck of the Schooner Betsy, ...... 259 
 
 Early American Heroism, ....... 2G2 
 
 Fingal’s Cave, ......... 264 
 
 Loss of H. B. M. ship Ramillies, ...... 267 
 
 Presei-vation of Nine Seamen, ...... 276 
 
 Capt. Ross’s Expedition, ....... 281 
 
 I.oss of the Cathai-ine, Venus, and Piedmont, transports, and 
 
 three Mercliant Ships, ...... 288 
 
 Wreck of the Ship Sydney, ...... 298 
 
 Loss of the Duke William, transport, ..... 303 
 
 Commodore Barney, ........ 320 
 
 Naval Battles of the United States, ... . 324 
 
 Address to the Ocean, . _ _ - 33(5 
 
THE 
 
 BOOK OB THE OCEAN. 
 
 ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN WOODWARD AND 
 FIVE SEAMEN IN THE ISLAND OF CELEBES. 
 
 In the year 1791, Woodward sailed from Boston in the 
 ship Robert Morris, Captain Hay, for the East Indies. On 
 his arrival there lie was employed in making country voy- 
 ages until the 20th of January, when he sailed as chief-mate 
 in an American ship from Batavia bound to Manilla. 
 
 lii passing through the straits of Macassar, they found the 
 wind and current both against them, and after beating up for 
 six weeks they fell short of provision. Captain Woodward 
 and five seamen were sent to purchase some from a vessel 
 about four leagues distant. They were without water, pro- 
 visions, or compass, — having on board only an axe, a boat 
 hook, two penknives, a useless gun and forty dollars in cash. 
 
 They reached the ship at sunset, and were told by the 
 captain that he had no provision to spare as he was bound to 
 China and was victualled for only one month. He advised 
 them to stay until morning, which they did. But when 
 morning dawned, their owm ship was out of sight even from 
 the mast head, and with a fair wind for her to go through the 
 straits of IMacassar. Being treated coolly by the captain, 
 they agreed w'ith one voice to leave the ship in search of their 
 own. On leaving the vessel, the captain gave them twelve 
 musket cartridges and a round bottle of brandy, but neither 
 water nor provision of any sort. 
 
ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN WOODWARD. 
 
 They rowed till twelve o’clock at night, in hopes of seeing 
 their own vessel, and then drawing near an island they 
 thought it prudent to go there to get some fresh water. — 
 They landed and made a large fire in hopes their ship might 
 see it. But not being able to see any thing of her in the 
 morning and finding no water or provisions on the island, 
 they continued their course in the middle of the straits six 
 days longer, without going on shore or tasting of any thing 
 but brandy. They soon had the shore of Celebes in sight, 
 where they determined to go in search of provisions and then 
 to proceed to Macassar. 
 
 As they approached the shore they saw two proas full of 
 natives, who immediately put themselves in a posture of de- 
 fence. The sailors made signs to them that they wanted pro- 
 visions, but instead of giving it the Malays began to brand- 
 ish their cresses or steel daggers. Three of the men jumped 
 on board a proa to beg some Indian corn, and got three or 
 four small ears. The chief seemed quite friendly and agreed 
 to sell captain Woodward two cocoa nuts for a dollar, but as 
 soon as he had received the money, he immediately began to 
 strip him in search of more. Captain Woodward defended 
 himself with a hatchet and ordered the boat to be shoved off, 
 the chief levelled a musket at him, but fortunately it missed 
 him. 
 
 They then stood off, went round a point of land and land- 
 ed out of sight of the proas, when they found a plenty of co- 
 coa nut trees. Captain Woodward while engaged in cutting 
 them down, heard the man whom he had left to take care of 
 the boat, scream out in a most bitter manner. He ran im- 
 mediately to the beach where he saw his own boat off at some 
 distance full of IMalays and the poor fellow who guarded it 
 lying on his back with his throat cut, and his body' stabbed in 
 several places. 
 
 They now fled immediately to the mountains, and finding 
 that they had lost their boat, money, and most of their clothes, 
 they concluded that their only chance of escape was to get 
 to Macassar by land. Being afraid to travel in the day time 
 they set out in the evening, taking a star for their guide bear- 
 ing south. But they soon lost sight of the star and at day 
 light found themselves within a few rods of the place, where 
 they had set out. They had travelled on the side of a moun- 
 tain, and had gone quite round it instead of going straight 
 over it. They started again and travelled by the sea shore 
 
ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN WOODWARD. 
 
 9 
 
 six nights successively, living on berries and water found in 
 the hollows of trees. 
 
 On the sixth they arrived at a bay where they saw a party 
 of the Malays fishing. Here Captain Woodward found some 
 yellowish berries which were to him quite palatable, but his 
 men not liking them eat some of the leaves. On the next 
 day they concluded to make a raft and go to the small islana 
 or: which they first landed, thinking that they might be taken 
 off from it by some ship passing that way. But they were 
 obliged to abandon this project, for in the evening the men 
 tvho had eaten the leaves, were attacked with violent pains 
 and were crying out in torture during the whole night. — 
 Although they got better towards evening yet they were so 
 weak and dejected that Captain Woodward was convinced 
 that they could not reach the island and asked them if they 
 were willing to surrender themselves to the Malays. On re- 
 flection they all thought this the best course which they could 
 take ; and forthwith proceeded to the bay where they had 
 seen the Malays in the morning, in order at once either to find 
 friends or to meet their fate. At first they saw no one, but 
 Captain Woodward soon saw three of the natives approach- 
 ing him; and ordering his men to keep quiet, he advanced 
 alone until he had come within a short distance of them, 
 where they stopped and drew out their cresses or knives. — 
 Captain Woodward fell on his knees and begged for mercy. 
 The Malays looked at him for about ten minutes with their 
 knives drawn, when one of them came towards him, knelt in 
 the same manner and offered both his hands. More natives 
 now came up and stripped them of their hats and handker- 
 chiefs and even the buttons on their jackets, which they took 
 for money. 
 
 They were now taken to Travalla and carried to the court- 
 house or judgment hall, accompanied by a great concourse of 
 people, including women and children who made a circle at 
 some distance from them. The chief soon entered, looking 
 ns wild as a madman, carrying in his hand a large drawn cress 
 or knife, the blade of which was two feet and half long and 
 very bright. Captain Woodward approached so near to him 
 as to place the foot of the chief on his own head, as a token 
 that he was completely under his power and direction. The 
 chief after holding a short consultation, returned to his house 
 and brought out five pieces of betel nut, which he gave to 
 the sailors as a token of friendship. 
 
 VOL. II I* 
 
10 
 
 ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN WOODWARD. 
 
 They were now permitted to rest until about eight o’clock 
 when they were carried to the Rajah^s house, wliere they 
 found a supper provided for them of sago-bread and peas, but 
 in all hardly enough for one man. Their allowance after- 
 wards w’as for each man a cocoa nut and an ear of Indian 
 corn at noon, and the same at night. In this manner they 
 lived about twenty days, but were not allowed to go out ex- 
 cept to the water to bathe. The natives soon began to relax 
 their vigilance over them, and in about four months, they 
 were conveyed to the head Rajah of Parlow. They had not 
 been there long when the head Rajah sent to a Dutch port 
 called Priggia, which is at the head of a deep bay on the east 
 side of the island and which is under the care of a command- 
 ant who was a Frenchman, and had been thirty years in the 
 Dutch service. Fie arrived at Parlow and sent for Capt. Wood- 
 ward. He wished him to go with him to Priggia where he 
 resided, but Captain Woodward refused, being apprehensive 
 that he should be forced into the Dutch service. The com- 
 mandant then enquired where he intended to go. He answer- 
 ed to Batavia or Macassar and thence to Bengal. He did 
 not offer Captain Woodward or his people either money, as- 
 sistance, or clothes, but seemed quite affronted. 
 
 The Rajah now gave him the liberty of returning to Tra- 
 valla, taking care, however, to send him in the night for fear 
 that he should get sight of Dungally, where there lived a JMa- 
 homedan priest called Juan Fladgee. This priest had been at 
 Travalla, and offered a ransom for Captain Woodward and 
 his men, but the natives were unwilling to take it, and were 
 fearful that their captives would try to escape to the town 
 where the priest lived. It happened however, that they were 
 becalmed off Dungally, so that Captain AVoodward could ob- 
 serve its situation. On arriving at Travalla, he attempted to 
 escape alone by water, but the canoe being leaky, he came 
 very near losing his life. But not discouraged, he started 
 immediately for Dungally by land, and reached it just as the 
 day dawned. 
 
 Juan Fladgee received him kindly and provided him with 
 food and clothing. In the course of three days the chief of 
 Travalla learning that he had gone to Dungally, sent after 
 him, but the old priest and the Rajah of Dungally refused to 
 let him go. They told him that intlie course of three months 
 they would convey him to Batavia or IMacassar, and also de- 
 sired him to send for the four men he had left at Travalla. — 
 This he did by means of a letter v. hich he wrote with a pen 
 
ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN WOODWARD. 
 
 11 
 
 of bamboo, and sent by the captain of a proa, who delivered it 
 secretly. The men made their escape from Parlow at the 
 time of a feast, early in the evening, and arrived at Dungally 
 at twelve o’clock the next day. They were received with 
 great rejoicing by the natives, who immediately brought them 
 plenty of victuals. And this fortunate circumstance revived 
 their hopes of reaching some European settlement, after many 
 narrow escapes and difficulties. 
 
 Juan Hadgee now informed Capt. Woodward that he should 
 set off in about two months, but that he must first make a 
 short voyage for provisions, which he did, leaving Captain 
 Woodward in his house with his wife and two servants. 
 
 They soon began to suffer exceedingly for the want of pro- 
 visions, so that the natives were obliged to convey them up 
 the country, there to be supplied by some of the same tribe, 
 who regularly went from the village into the country at a cer- 
 tain season to cultivate rice and Indian corn. But the Rajah 
 of Parlow making war on the Rajah of Dungally, because 
 the latter would not deliver them up, they were soon brought 
 back to Dungally. There was but one engagement, and then 
 the men of Parlow were beaten and driven back to their own 
 town. 
 
 Provisions again growing scarce, Juan Hadgee was bound 
 for another port called Sawyah, situated about two degrees 
 north of the line. He gave Captain Woodward permission to 
 accompany him, provided the Rajah was willing, but the lat- 
 ter refused, saying that he must stay there and keep guard 
 Captain Woodward now mustered his men, and taking their 
 guns they went to the house of tlie Rajah and told him tliey 
 would stand guard no longer for they wished to go to Macas- 
 sar. He immediately replied that they should not. Being 
 determined not to live longer in this manner, and finding no 
 other means of escaping. Captain Woodward came to the 
 resolution of stealing a canoe, to which all the men agreed. 
 They were lucky enough to obtain one and seemed in a fair 
 way to make their escape, but just as they were getting into it 
 they were surrounded by about twenty natives and carried be- 
 fore the Rajah, w’ho ordered them to account for their con- 
 duct. They told him that they could get nothing to eat, and 
 were determined to quit the place on the first opportunity that 
 
 offered. Nothing of consequence resulted from this. 
 
 Knowing the language and people they had now become fear- 
 less of danger. 
 
12 
 
 ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN WOODWARD. 
 
 The Rajah refusing to let them go with Juan Hadgee they 
 determined to run away with him, which they were enabled to 
 do, as the old man set out at twelve o’clock at night, and there 
 happened luckily to be a canoe on the beach near his own. — 
 This they took and followed him as well as they could, but 
 they soon parted from him, and in the morning discovered a 
 proa close by them filled with Malays. They told them that 
 they were bound with the old man to Sawyah. The ]\Iaiays 
 took them at their word and carried them there instead of to 
 Dungally, which was a lucky escape to them for that time. — 
 Whilst residing at Sawyah the old priest carried Captain 
 Woodward to an island in the bay of Sawyah, which he grant- 
 ed to him, and in compliment called it Steersman’s Island; 
 steersman being the appellation by which Captain Woodward 
 was distinguished by the natives. After staying some time in 
 Sawyah and making sago, which they bartered for fish and 
 cocoa-nuts, they left the place and proceeded toDumpolis, a 
 little to the southward of Sawyah. Juan Hadgee soon left 
 the place for Tomboo about a day’s sail south, where he had 
 business. Here Captain Woodward and hiS men also follow- 
 ed him. The old priest was willing to assist them to escape 
 from here, but was evidently unable to do it. Tomboo being 
 under the direction of the Rajah of Dungally. 
 
 Fortunately they succeeded in stealing a canoe in the night, 
 and once more shoving off, they directed their course to a small 
 island in the bay, where they landed at daybreak. Aot being 
 able to find water here as they expected, they landed at an- 
 other point of land, which they knew to be uninhabited. — 
 Having obtained water and repaired their canoe, they direct- 
 ed their course to IMacassar, which was then about five de- 
 grees to the southward. After coasting along the island for 
 the space of eight days, during which time they were twice 
 very nearly taken by the IMalays, they arrived at a part of the 
 island of Celebes, which was very thickly inhabited. 
 
 They passed many towns and saw many proas within the 
 harbors. Having observed a retired place, they landed to pro- 
 cure some fresh water, but they had hardly got a draught 
 each, when two canoes were seen coming to the very place 
 where they were. They immediately shoved off and kept on 
 .heir course all day. Just as the sun went down they discov- 
 ered two canoes not far from them fishing. As soon as the 
 natives saw them they made the best of their way to the shore. 
 Captain Woodward wished to inquire the distance to Macas- 
 sar, but not being able to stop them he made for one of two 
 
ADVENTURES OP CAPTAIN WOODWARD. 
 
 13 
 
 canoes which he saw at a distance lying ct anchor.- Being 
 told that the captain was below and asleep he went down and 
 awakened him. He came on deck with three or four men 
 all armed with spears, and inquired where they were going. 
 Captain Woodward told him to Macassar and inquired of him 
 the distance to that place. He answered that it would take a 
 month and a day to reach it. Captain Woodward told him it 
 was not true and made the best of his way off. The Malaya 
 however made chase, but Captain Woodward and his men by 
 putting out to sea and making great exertion, soon lost sight 
 of them and were able again to stand in towards the land. 
 
 At daylight they discovered a number of fishing canoes, 
 two of which made towards them. They let them come 
 alongside as there was only one man in each. One of them 
 came on board and Captain Woodward put the same question 
 to him respecting Macassar. He first said it would take 
 thirty days to reach there and asked them to go on shore and 
 see the Rajah. But they declined doing this, and he after- 
 w:irds acknowleged that a proa could go there in two days. 
 
 They then left the canoe and sailed along the coast. At 
 evening they perceived a proa full of IVIalay men set off from 
 the shore. It was soon along side, and four of them jumping 
 into the boat nearly upset her, and thus Captain Woodward and 
 his men were again prisoners of the Malays. They were car- 
 ried to a town called Pamboon and then conducted to the 
 Rajah’s house. The Rajah demanded of them whence they 
 came and whither they were going. Captain Woodward an- 
 swered the same as before; he also told him that they must go 
 immediately, and must not be stopped. They had now be- 
 come so familiar with dangers and with captures, and were al- 
 so so much nearer Macassar, than they could have expected 
 after so many narrow escapes, that they became more and more 
 desperate and confident, from the persuasion that they should 
 at last reach their destined port. 
 
 In the morning Captain Woodward again waited on the 
 Rajah, and begged to be sent to Macassar; telling him that 
 the Governor had sent for them, who would stop all his proas 
 at Macassar if he detained them. After thinking on it a 
 short time, he called the captain of a proa, and delivered the 
 prisoners to him, telling him to carry them to Macassar, and 
 if he could get anything for them to take it, but if not to let 
 them go. The proa not being ready they stayed in the canoe 
 three days, quite overcome by their many hardships and fa- 
 tigues. Captain Woodward having had no shirt, the sun had 
 
14 
 
 AV OCCURRENCE AT SEA 
 
 burnt his shoulder so as to lay it quite bare and produce a bad 
 sore. Here he caught cold, and was attacked with a violent 
 fever, so that by the time the proa was ready to sail he was 
 unable to stand. He was carried and laid on the deck with- 
 out a mat or any kind of clotliing. The cold nights and fre- 
 quent showers of rain would without doubt have killed him, 
 had he not been kept alive by the hopes of reaching Macas- 
 sar, the thoughts of which kept up all their spirits. 
 
 They landed at Macassar on the loth of June 1795, after a 
 voyage of about nineteen days frcm Tomboo, and after hav- 
 ing been two years and five months in captivity; the reckon- 
 ing which Captain Woodward kept during that time, being 
 wrong only one day. 
 
 AN OCCURRENCE AT SEA. 
 
 In June, 1824, I embarked at Liverpool onboard the Vib- 
 elia transport with the head-quarters of my regiment, which 
 was proceeding to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Our passage across 
 the Atlantic was smooth, though long and tedious. After 
 passing over the great bank of Newfoundland, catching large 
 quantities of codtish and halibut, and encountering the usual 
 fogs, we were one morning, about the end of July, completely 
 becalmed. All who have performed a voyage, know the feel- 
 ing of listlessness to which a landsman abandons himself dur- 
 ing a calm. The morning was slowly passed in looking for 
 appearances of a breeze — whistling for a wind, and the other 
 idle pursuits usual on such occasions. . Towards noon, a sailor 
 frcm aloft pointed out to our observation a vessel at a distance, 
 also, of course, becaln*ed. All eyes and glasses were imme- 
 diately directed towards her, but she was too far off for the 
 most experienced to determine whether she was English or 
 foreign, man-of-war or merchantman. After a time it occur- 
 red to me, that it was a favorable opportunity for breaking in 
 upon the monotony of the day. My influence with our captaiu 
 
AN OCCURRENCE AT SEA. 
 
 15 
 
 obtained permission for the small cutter to Le lowered, but he 
 would not allow a single seaman to leave the ship. I therefore 
 became coxswain of the boat, and, accompanied by four of my 
 brother officers as rowers, we pushed off, determined to pay a 
 visit to the strange sail. To our landsmen’s eyes and judg- 
 ment, she had appeared to be about four miles from us, but we 
 found ourselves very much out in our calculation — it was more 
 than double that distance. The rowers, however, pulled on 
 bravely — we neared the stranger, making her out to be a large 
 American merchantman, and as he was approached, we ob- 
 served a number of persons on deck reconnoitring us through 
 glasses. At length we were alongside, and I passed on board, 
 followed by three of my ccmpanions, one remaining in charge 
 of the boat. On reaching the deck, we found it crowded with 
 men, who seemed to regard us with wondering looks. I step- 
 ped forward and was received by the Captain, who acquaint- 
 ed me that his vessel was the American ship Cadmus, on her 
 passage from Havre-de-grace to New York, with General the 
 Marquis de I.afayette and suite as passengers. A noble, 
 venerable looking veteran advanced from the poop towards us, 
 and offered his greetings with the courtsey of the old French 
 school. He was Lafayette. My explanation of who we 
 were, and the motive of our visit, appeared to excite his sur- 
 prise. That five officers of the land service, unaccompanied 
 by a single sailor, should leave their vessel on the open ocean, 
 and from mere curiosity, visit a strange sail at such a distance, 
 was, he declared, most extraordinary. He said they had ob- 
 served our ship early in the morning — had been occupied 
 (like ourselves) in vain endeavors to make us out — had re- 
 marked an object, a mere speck upon the sea, leave the vessel 
 and move towards them, and when at length it was made out 
 to be a boat, the probable cause of such a circumstance had 
 given rise to many surmises. I told him in mitigation of 
 what he deemed our rashness, that we were, as a nation, so 
 essentially maritime, that every man in England was more or 
 less a sailor. At all events, I ventured to add if we had en- 
 countered some little risk, we had been amply repaid in see- 
 ing a man so celebrated, and of whom we had all heard and 
 read. Our comrade being relieved by an American sailor in 
 the care of the boat, ',ve accepted the General’s offer of re- 
 freshment, proceeded to the cabin, and passed a most agree- 
 able hour. The fast approach of evening and appearances 
 of a hreeze springing up induced us to take leave. We sepa- 
 rated from the old chief, not as the acquaintance of an hour, 
 
16 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PHCENIX. 
 
 but with all the warmth — the grasp and pressure of hand — of 
 old friends. As I parted from him at the gangway, he men- 
 tioned having caused a case of claret to be lowered into our 
 boat, which he begged us to present to our Colonel and the 
 other officers of our mess. We pulled cheerily back, but it 
 was not until long after dark that we reached the ‘ Vibelia,’ 
 and which we perhaps could not have accomplished, but for 
 tbeir having exhibited blue lights every few minutes to point 
 out her position. We found our comrades had been in great 
 alarm for our safety. Various had been tbe surmises. Thai 
 we had boarded a pirate, and been sacrificed, or made prison- 
 ers, was most prevalent, and a breeze was anxiously prayed 
 for, that they might bear down, and release or revenge us. 
 Half an hour after we returned to our ship, a light wind sprang 
 up, which very shortly freshened into a gale, so that in the 
 morning we had completely lost sight of the ‘Cadmus.’ 
 
 ACCOUNT OF THE LOSS OF HIS MAJESTY’S 
 SHIP PHOENIX. 
 
 The Phoenix of 44 guns, Capt. Sir Hyde Parker was lost 
 in a hurricane, off Cuba, in the West Indies, in the year 
 1780. The same hurricane destroyed the Thunderer, 74, 
 Stirling Castle, 64 ; La Blanche, 42 ; Laurel, 28 ; And- 
 romeda, 28 ; Deas Castle, 24 ; Scarborough, 20 ; Beaver’s 
 Prize, 16; Barbadoes, 14; Cameleon, 14; Endeavour, 14; 
 and Victor, 10 guns. Lieut. Archer was first-lieutenant of 
 the Phoenix at the time she was lost. His narrative in a letter 
 to his mother, contains a most correct and animated account 
 of one of the most awful events in the service. It is so simple 
 and natural as to make the reader feel himself as on board the 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PHCENIX. 
 
 17 
 
 Phoenix. Every circumstance is detailed with feeling, and 
 powerful appeals are continually made to the heart. It must 
 likewise afford considerable pleasure to observe the devout 
 spirit of a seaman frequently bursting forth, and imparting 
 sublimity to the relation. 
 
 At Sea, June 30, 1781. 
 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 I am now going to give you an account of our last cruise in 
 the Phoenix ; and must premise, that should any one see it be- 
 sides yourself, they must put this construction on it — that it 
 was originally intended for the eyes of a mother, and a mother 
 only — as, upon that supposition, my feelings maybe tolerated. 
 You will also meet with a number of sea-terms, which, if you 
 don’t understand, why, I cannot help you, as I am unable to 
 give a sea description in any other words. 
 
 To begin then ; — On the 2d of August, 1780, we weighed 
 and sailed for Port Royal, bound for Pensacola, having two 
 store-ships under convoy, and to see safe in ; then cruise off 
 the Havana, and in the gulf of Me.xico, for si.x weeks. In a 
 few days we made the two sandy islands, that look as if they 
 had just risen out of the sea, or fallen from the sky ; inhabit- 
 ed, nevertheless, by upwards of three hundred English, who 
 get their bread by catching turtle and parrots, and raising 
 vegetables, which they e.xchange with ships that pass, for 
 clothing and a few of the luxuries of life, as rum, &c. 
 
 About the I2th we arrived at Pensacola, without any thing 
 remarkable happening except our catching a vast quantity of 
 fish, sharks, dolphins, and bonettos. On the 13th sailed 
 singly, and on the 14th had a very heavy gale of wind at north, 
 right off the land, so that we soon left the sweet place, Pen- 
 sacola, at a distance astern. We then looked into the Havana, 
 saw a number of ships there, and knowing that some of them 
 were bound round the bay, we cruised in the track : a fort- 
 night, however, passed, and not a single ship hove in sight to 
 cheer our spirits. We then took a turn or two round the 
 gulf, but not near enough to be seen from the shore. Vera 
 Cruz we expected would have made us happy, but the same 
 luck still continued ; day followed day, and no sail. The dol- 
 lar bag began to grow a little bulky, for every one had lost 
 two or three times, and no one had won ; this was a small 
 gambling party entered into by Sir Hyde and ourselves ; 
 every one put a dollar into a bag, and fixed on a day when we 
 
13 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PHCENIX. 
 
 should see a sail, but no two persons were to name the same 
 day, and whoever guessed right first was to have the bag. 
 
 Being now tired of our situation, and glad the cruise was 
 almost out, for we found the navigation very dangerous, owing 
 to unaccountable currents ; we shaped our course for Cape 
 Antonio. The next day the man at the mast liead, at about 
 one o’clock in the afternoon, called out : “ A sail upon the 
 
 weather bow ! Ha ! Ha ! Sir. Spaniard, 1 think we have you 
 at last. Turn out all hands ! make sail ! All hands give 
 chase !” There was scarcely any occasion for this order, for 
 the sound of a sail being in sight tlew like wild fire through the 
 ship and every sail was set iti an instant almost before the oi ders 
 were given. A lieutenant at the mast head, with a spy glass, 
 “ What is she “ A large ship studding athwart right be- 
 fore the wind. P-o-r-t ! Keep her away ! set the studding 
 sails ready ! ” Up comes the little doctor, rubbing his hands ; 
 “ Ha ! ha ! I have won the bag.” “ The devil take vou and 
 the bag ; look, what’s ahead will fill all our bags.” IMast- 
 head again : “ Two more sail on the larboard beam !” 
 
 “ Archer, go up, and see what you can make of them.” 
 “ Upon deck there ; I see a whole fleet of twentv sail coming 
 right before the wind.” “ Confound the luck of it, this is 
 some convoy or other, but we must try if we can pick some of 
 them out.” “Haul down the studding-sails! Luff! bring 
 her to the wind ! Let us see what we can make of them. 
 
 About five we got pretty near them, and found them to be 
 twenty-six sail of Spanish merchantmen, under convoy of 
 three line of battle ships, one of which chased us ; but when 
 she found we were playing with her (for the old Phoenix had 
 heels) she left chase, and joined the convoy ; which they drew 
 up into a lump, and placed themselves at the outside ; but we 
 still kept smelling about till after dark. O, for the Hector, 
 the Albion, and a frigate, and we should take the whole fleet 
 and convoy, worth some millions ! About eight o’clock per- 
 ceived three sail at some distance from the fleet ; dashed in 
 between them, and gave chase, and were happy to find they 
 steered from the fleet. About twelve came up with a large 
 ship of twenty-six guns. “ Archer, every man to his quarters ! 
 run the lower deck guns out, and light the ship up ; show this 
 fellow our force ; it may prevent his firing into us and killing 
 a man or two.” jVo sooner said than done. “ Hoa, the ship 
 ahoy, lower all your sails down, and bring to instantly, or Pll 
 sink you.” Clatter, clatter, went the blocks, and away flew 
 all their sails in proper confusion. “ U'hat ship is that r” 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PHffiNIS. 
 
 19 
 
 'The Polly.” “Whence came you ?” “From Jamacia.” 
 “ Wheie are you bound ?” “To New York.” “ What ship 
 is that ?” “ The Phoenix.” Huzza, three times by the whole 
 
 ship’s company. An old grum fellow of a sailor standing 
 close by me : “ O, d — m your three cheers, we took you to 
 be something else.” Upon examination we found it to be as 
 he reported, and that they had fallen in with the Spanish fleet 
 that morning, and were chased the whole day, and that nothing 
 saved them but our stepping in between ; for the Spaniards 
 took us for three consorts, and the Polly took the Phoenix for 
 a Spanish frigate, till we hailed them. The other vessel in 
 company was likewise bound to New York. Thus was I, 
 from being worth thousands in idea, reduced to the old 4s. 6d. 
 a day again : for the little doctor made the most prize money 
 of us all that day, by winning the bag, which contained be- 
 tween thirty and forty dollars ; but this is nothing to what we 
 sailors sometimes undergo. 
 
 After parting company, we steered south-south-east, to go 
 round Antonio, and so to Jamaica, (our cruise being out) with 
 our fingers in our mouths, and all of us as green as you please. 
 It happened to be my middle watch, and about three o’clock, 
 when a man upon the forecastle bawls out ; “ Breakers ahead, 
 and land upon the lee-bow I looked out, and it was so sure 
 enough. “ Ready about ! put the helm down ! Helm a lee !” 
 Sir Hyde hearing me put the ship about, jumped upon deck. 
 “Archer what ’s the matter ? you are putting the ship about 
 without my orders !” “ Sir, ’tis time to go about ! the ship is 
 
 almost ashore, there ’s the land.” “ Good God so it is ! Will 
 the ship stay .”’ “ Yes, Sir, I believe she will, if we don’t 
 
 make any confusion ; she’s all aback — forward now P ’ — 
 “ Well,” says he, “ work the ship, I will not speak a single 
 word.” The ship sta.yed very well. “ Then, heave the lead ! 
 see what water we have!” “Three fathom.” “Keep the 
 ship away, west-north-west.” — “ By the mark three.” “ This 
 won’t do. Archer.” “ No, sir, we had better haul more to the 
 northward ; we came south-south-east, and had better steer 
 north-north-west.” “ Steady, and a quarter three.” “This 
 may do, as we deepen a little.” “ By the deep four.” “ Very 
 well, my lad, heave quick.” “Five Fathom.” “That ’s a 
 fine fellow ! another cast nimbly.” “ Quarter less eight.” 
 “ That will do, come, we shall get clear by and by.” — 
 “Mark under water five.” “What ’s that?” “Only five 
 fathom. Sir.” “Turn all hands up, bring the ship to an 
 anchor, boy !” “ Are the anchors clear !” “ In a moment, 
 
 Sir.” “ All clear !” “ What water have you in the chains 
 
20 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PHCENIS. 
 
 now!” Eight, half nine.” ‘‘Keep fast the anchors till I 
 call you.” “ Ay, ay, Sir, all fast !” “ I have no ground with 
 
 this line.” “ How many fathoms have you out ? pass along 
 the deep-sea line!” “Ay, ay. Sir.” “Come are you all 
 ready ?” “All ready. Sir.” “Heave away, watch I watch ! 
 bear away, veer away, no ground Sir, \vith a hundred fath- 
 om.” “That’s clever, come, Madam Phcenix, there is an- 
 other squeak in you yet — all down but the watch; secure the 
 anchors again ; heave the main-top-sail to the mast ; luff, and 
 bring her to the wind !” 
 
 I told you, Madam, you should have a little sea-jargon : if 
 you can understand half of what is already said, I wonder at 
 it, though it is nothing to what is to come yet, when the old 
 hurricane begins. As soon as the ship was a little to rights, 
 and all quiet again. Sir Hyde came to me in the most friendly 
 manner, the tears almost starting from his eyes — “Archer, we 
 ought all, to be much obliged to you for the safety of the ship, 
 and perhaps of ourselves. 1 am particularly so ; nothing but 
 that instantaneous presence of L.i-nd and calmness saved her ; 
 another ship’s length and we should have been fast on shore ; 
 had you been the least diffident, or made the least confusion, 
 so as to make the ship baulk in her stays, she must have been 
 inevitably lost.” “ Sir, you are very good, but I have done 
 nothing that I suppose any body else would not have done, in 
 the same situation. I did not turn all the hands up, knowing 
 the watch able to work the ship ; besides, had it spread im- 
 mediately about the ship, that she was almost ashore, it might 
 have created a confusion that was better avoided.” “ Well,” 
 says he, “ ’t is well indeed.” 
 
 At daylight we found that the current had set us between 
 the Collarado rocks and Cape Antonio, and that we could not 
 have got out any other way than we did ; there was a chance, 
 but Providence is the best pilot. We had sunset that day 
 twenty leagues to the south-east of our reckoning by the 
 current. 
 
 After getting clear of this scrape, we thought ourselves for- 
 tunate, and made sail for Jamaica, but misfortune seemed to 
 follow misfortune. The ne.xt night, my watch upon deck too, 
 we were overtaken by a squall, like a hurricane while it last- 
 ed ; for though I saw it coming, and prepared for it, yet, 
 when it took the ship, it roared, and laid her down so, that I 
 thought she would never get up again. However, by keeping 
 her away, and clewing up every thing, she righted. The re- 
 mainder of the night w’e had very heavy squalls, and in the 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PHffiNIX. 
 
 21 
 
 morning found the mainmast sprung half the way through ; one 
 hundred and twenty-three leagues to the leeward of mmaica, 
 the hurricane months coming on, the head of the mainmast al- 
 most off, and at short allowance ; well, we must make the best 
 of it. The mainmast was well fished, but we were obliged to 
 be very tender of carrying sail. 
 
 Nothing remarkable happened for ten days afterwards, when 
 we chased a Yankee man of war for six hours, but could not 
 get near enough to her before it was dark, to keep sight of 
 her j so that we lost her because unable to carry any sail on 
 the mainmast. In about twelve days more made the island of 
 Jami.ica, having weathered all the squalls, and put into Mon- 
 tego Bay for water ; so that we had a strong party for kicking 
 up a dust on shore, having found three men of war lying there. 
 Dancing, &c. &c. till two o’clock every morning ; little think- 
 ing what was to happen in four days’ time : for out of the four 
 men of war that were there, not one was in being at the end 
 of that time, and not a soul alive but those left of our crew. 
 Many of the houses, where we had been so merry, were so com- 
 pletely destroyed, that scarcely a vestige remained to mark 
 where they stood. Thy works are wonderful, 0 God ! prais- 
 ed be thy holy Name ! 
 
 September the 30th weighed ; bound for Port Royal, round 
 the eastward of the island ; the Bardadoes and Victor had 
 sailed the day before, and the Scarborough was to sail the 
 next, hloderate weather until October the 2d. Spoke to the 
 Barbadoes off Port Antonio in the evening. At eleven at 
 night it began to snuffle, with a monstrous heavy appearance 
 from the eastward. Close reefed the top-sails. Sir Hyde 
 sent for me ; “ What sort of weather have we. Archer !” 
 “ It blows a little, and has a very ugly look : if in any other 
 quarter but this, I should say we were going to have a gale of 
 wind,” “Ay, it looks so very often here when there is no 
 wind at all ; however, don’t hoist the top-sails till it clears a 
 little, there is no trusting any country.” At twelve I was re- 
 lieved ; the weather had the same rough look ; however, they 
 made sail upon her, but had a very dirty night. At eight in 
 the morning I came up again, found it blowing hard from the 
 east-north-east, with close-reefed top-sails upon the ship, 
 and heavy squalls at times. Sir Hyde came upon deck : 
 “Well, Archer, what do you think of it ?” “ O, Sir, ’t is 
 
 only a touch of the times, we shall have an observation at 
 twelve o’clock ; the clouds are beginning to break ; it will 
 clear up at noon, or else— blow very hard afterwards.” “ I 
 
22 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PHCENIX. 
 
 wish it would clear up, but I doubt it much. I was once in a 
 hurricane in the East Indies, and the beginning of it had much 
 the same appearance as this. So take in the top-sails, we 
 have plenty of sea-room.” 
 
 At twelve, the gale still increasing, wore ship, to keep as 
 near mid-channel between Jamaica and Cuba, as possible ; 
 at one the gale increasing still ; at two, harder yet, it still 
 blows harder ! Reefed the courses, and furled them ; brought 
 to under afoul mizen stay-sail, head to the northward. In the 
 evening no sign of the weather taking off, but every appear- 
 ance of the storm increasing, prepared for a proper gale of 
 wind ; secured all the sails with spare gaskets ; good rolling 
 tackles upon the yards ; squared the booms ; saw the boats 
 all made fast ; new lashed the guns ; double breeched the 
 lower deckers ; saw that the carpenters had the tarpawlings 
 and battens all ready for hatchways; got the top-gallant-mast 
 down upon the deck ; jib-boom and sprit-sail-yard fore and 
 aft ; in fact every thing we could think of to make a snug 
 ship. 
 
 The poor devils of birds now began to find the uproar in the 
 elements, for numbers, both of sea and land kinds, came on 
 board of us. I took notice of some, which happening to be to 
 leeward, turned to windward, like a ship, tack and tack ; for 
 they could not fly against it. When they came over the ship 
 they dashed themselves down upon the deck, without attempt- 
 ing to stir till picked up, and when let go again, they would 
 not leave the ship, but endeavoured to hide themselves from 
 the wind. 
 
 At eight o’clock a hurricane ; the sea roaring, but the wind 
 still steady to a point ; did not ship a spoonful of water. 
 However, got the hatchways all secured, expecting what would 
 be the consequence, should the wind shift ; placed the car- 
 penters by the mainmast, with broad axes, knowing, from ex- 
 perience, that at the moment you may want to cut it away to 
 save the ship, an axe may not be found. Went to supper : 
 bread, cheese, and porter. The purser frightened out of his 
 wits about his bread bags ; the two marine officers as white as 
 sheets, not understanding the ship’s working so much, and the 
 noise of the lower deck guns ; which, by this time, made a 
 pretty screeching to people not used to it ; it seemed as if the 
 whole ship’s side was going at each roll. Wooden, our car- 
 penter, was all this time smoking his pipe and laughing at the 
 doctor ; the second lieutenant upon deck, and the third in his 
 hammock. 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PHCENIX. 
 
 23 
 
 At ten o’clock I thought to get a little sleep ; came to look 
 into my cot ; it was full of water ; for every seam, by the 
 straining of the ship, had began to leak. Stretched myself, 
 therefore, upon deck between two chests, and left orders to be 
 called, should the least thing happen. At twelve a midship- 
 man came to me ; “Mr. Archer, we are just going to wear 
 sliip. Sir !” “ 0, very well. I’ll be up directly, what'sort of 
 
 weather have you got ?” “ It blows a hurricane.’^'* Went 
 
 upon deck, found Sir Hyde there. “ It blows damned hard, 
 Archer.” “ It does indeed. Sir.” “ I don’t know that I 
 ever remember its blowing so hard before, but the ship makes 
 a good weathei' of it upon this tack as she bows the sea ; but 
 we must wear her, as the wind has shifted to the south-east, 
 and we were drawing right upon Cuba ; so do you go for- 
 ward, and have some hands stand by ; loose the lee yard-arm 
 of the fore-sail, and when she is right before the wind, whip 
 the clue-garnet close up, and roll up the sail.” “ Sir ! there 
 is no canvass can stand against this a moment ; if we attempt 
 to loose him he will fly into ribands in an instant, and we may 
 lose three or four of our people ; she’ll wear by manning the 
 fore shrouds.” “ No, 1 don’t think she will.” “ I’ll answer 
 for it, Sir ; I have seen it tried several times on the coast of 
 America with success.” “ Well, try it ; if she does not wear, 
 we can only loose the fore-sail afterwards.” This was a 
 great condescension from such a man as Sir. Hyde. How- 
 ever, by sending about two hundred people into the fore-rig- 
 ging, after a hard struggle, she wore ; found she did not make 
 so ^ood weather on this tack as on the other ; for as the sea 
 began to run across, she had not time to rise from one sea be- 
 fore another lashed against her. Began to think we should 
 lose our masts, as the ship lay very much along, by the pres- 
 sure of the wind constantly upon the yards and niasts^lone : 
 for the poor mizen-stay-sail had gone in shreds long before, 
 and the sails began to fly from the yards through the gaskets 
 into coach whips. IMy God ! to think that the wind could 
 have such force ! 
 
 Sir Hyde now sent me to see what was the matter between 
 decks, as there was a good deal of noise. As soon as I was 
 below, one of the IMarine oflicers calls out ; “ Good God ' 
 Mr. Archer, we are sinking, the water is up to the bottom of my 
 cot.” “ Pooh, pooh ! as long as it is not over yo'ir mouth, 
 you are well off ; what the devil do you make this noise for 
 1 found there was some water between decks, but nothing to bo 
 alarmed' at ; scuttled the deck, and let it run into the well ; 
 
24 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PHffi.VIX. 
 
 found she made a good deal of water tlirough the sides and 
 decks ; turned the watch below to the pumps, though only two 
 feet of water in the well ; but expected to be kept constantly 
 at work now, as the ship labored much, with scarcely a part 
 of her above water but the quarter-deck, and that but seldom. 
 “ Come, pump away, my boys. Carpenters, get the weather 
 chain-pump rigged.” “All ready, Sir.” “Then man it, 
 and keep both pumps going.” 
 
 At two o’clock the chain-pump was choked ; set the car- 
 penters at work to clear it ; the two head pumps at work upon 
 deck ; the ship gained on us while our chain-pumps were idle ; 
 in a quarter of an hour they were at work again, and we began to 
 gain upon her. While 1 was standing at the pumps, cheering 
 the people, the carpenter’s mate came running to me witii a 
 face as long as my arm : “ 0, Sir ! die ship has sprang a leak 
 in the gunner’s room.” “Go, then, and tell the carpenter to 
 come to me, but don’t speak a word to any one else.’’ IMr. 
 Goodinoh, I am told there is a leak in the gunner’s room ; go 
 and see what is the matter, but don’t alarm any body, and come 
 and make your report privately to me.” In ashort time he re- 
 turned ; “ Sir, there ’s nothing there, ’tis only the water wash- 
 ing up between the timbers that this booby has taken for a 
 leak.” “ 0, very well ; go upon deck and see if you can 
 keep any of the water from washing down below.” “ Sir, I 
 have had four people constantly keeping the hatchways secure, 
 but there is such a weight of water upon the deck that nobody 
 can stand it when the ship rolls.” Tlie gunner soon after- 
 wards came to me ; “ Mr. Archer, I should be glad if you 
 would, step this way into the magazine for a moment 1 
 thought some damned thing was the matter, and ran directly : 
 “ Well, what is the matter here “ The ground-tier of pow- 
 der is spoiled, and I want to show you that it is not out of 
 carelessness in stowing it, for no powder in the world could 
 be better stowed. Now, Sir, what am I to do ? if you don't 
 speak to Sir Hyde, he will be angry with me.” I could not 
 forbear smiling to see how easy he took the danger of the ship, 
 and said to him : “ Let us shake off tliis gale of wind first, 
 and talk of the damaged powder afterwards.” 
 
 At four we had gained upon the skip a little, and I went 
 upon deck, it being my watch. The second lieutenant reliev- 
 ed me at the pumps. Who can attempt to describe the ap- 
 pearance of things upon deck ? If I was to write for ever I 
 could not give you an idea of it — a total darkness all above ; 
 the sea on fire, running as it were in Alps, or PealiS of Tea- 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 
 
 25 
 
 eriffe ;■ (mountains are too common an idea) ; the wind roar- 
 ing louder than thunder, (absolutely no flight of imagination), 
 the whole made more terrible, if possible, by a very uncom- 
 mon kind of blue lightning ; the poor ship very much pressed, 
 yet doing what she could, shaking her sides, and groaning at 
 every stroke. Sir Hyde upon deck lashed to windward ! I 
 soon lashed myself alongside of him, and told him the situa- 
 tion of things below, saying the ship did not make more water 
 than might be expected in such weather, and that I was only 
 afraid of a gun breaking loose. “ I am not in the least afraid 
 of that ; I have commanded her six years, and have had many 
 a gale of wind in her ; so that her iron work, which always 
 gives way first, is pretty well tried. Hold fast ! that was an 
 ugly sea ; we must lower the yards, I believe. Archer ; the 
 ship is much pressed.” “ If we attempt it. Sir, we shall lose 
 them, for a man aloft can do nothing ; besides their being 
 down would ease the ship very little ; the mainmast is a 
 sprung mast ; I wish it was overboard without carrying any 
 thing else along with it ; but that can soon be done, the gale 
 cannot last for ever ; ’twill soon be daylight now.” Found 
 by the master’s watch that it was five o’clock, though but a 
 little after four by ours ; glad it was so near daylight, and 
 looked for it with much anxiety. Cuba, thou art much in our 
 way ! Another ugly sea : sent a midshipman to bring news 
 from the pumps : the ship was gaining on them very much, for 
 they had broken one of their chains, but it was almost mend- 
 ed again. News from the pump again. “ She still gains ! a 
 heavy lee !” Back-water from leeward, half-way up the 
 quarter-deck ; filled one of the cutters upon the booms, and 
 tore her all to pieces ; the ship lying almost on her beam 
 ends, and not attempting to right again. W ord from below 
 that the ship still gained on them, as they could not stand to 
 the pumps, she lay so much along. I said to Sir Hyde ; 
 “ This is no time. Sir, to think of saving the masts, shall we 
 cut the mainmast away “ Ay ! as fast as you can.” I 
 accordingly went into the weather chains with a pole-axe, to 
 cut away the lanyards ; the boatswain went to leeward, and the 
 carpenters stood by the mast. We were all ready, when a very 
 violent sea broke right on board of us, carried every thing 
 upon deck away, filled the ship with water, the main and miz- 
 en masts went, the ship righted, but was in the last struggle 
 of sinking under us. 
 
 As soon as we could shake our heads above water. Sir 
 Hyde exclaimed : “We are gone, at last. Archer ! found- 
 
26 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PHCENIX. 
 
 ered at sea !” “Yes, Sir, farewell, and the Lord have mercy 
 upon us !” I then turned about to look forward at the ship ; 
 and thought she was struggling to get rid of some of the water ; 
 but all in vain, she was almost full below. “ Almighty God ! I 
 thank thee, that now I am leaving this world, which I have 
 always considered as only a passage to a better, I die with a 
 full hope of the mercies, through the merits of Jesus Christ, 
 thy son, our Saviour !’’ 
 
 I then felt sorry that I could swim, as by that means I might 
 be a quarter of an hour longer dying than a man who could 
 not, and it is impossible to divest ourselves of a wish to pre- 
 serve life. At the end of these reflections I thought I heard 
 the ship thump and grinding under our feet ; it was so. “ Sir, 
 the ship is ashore !” “ What do you say ?” “ The ship is 
 
 ashore, and we may save ourselves yet !” By tliis time the 
 quarter-deck was full of men who had come up from below ; and 
 ‘the Lord have mercy upon us,’ flying about from all quarters 
 The ship now made every body sensible that she was ashore, 
 for every stroke threatened a total dissolution of her whole 
 frame ; found she was stern ashore, and the bow broke the 
 sea a good deal, though it was washing clean over at every 
 stroke. Sir Hyde cried out : “ Keep to the quarter-deck, my 
 lads, when she goes to j)ieces, ’t is your best chance !” Pro- 
 videntially got the foremast cut away, that she might not pay 
 round broad-side. Lost five men cutting away the fore-mast, 
 bv the breaking of a sea on board just as the mast went. 
 That was nothing; every one expected it would be his own 
 fate next ; looked for daybreak with the greatest impatience. 
 At last it came ; but what a scene did it show us ! The ship 
 upon a bed of rocks, mountains of them on one side, and Cor- 
 dilleras of water on the other ; our poor ship grinding and cry- 
 ing out at every stroke between them ; going away by piece- 
 meal. However, to showthe unaccountable workings of Pro- 
 vidence, that which often appears to be the ttreatest evil, 
 ])roved to be the greatest good ! 'I'hat unmerciful sea lifted 
 and beat us up so liigh among the rocks, that at last the ship 
 scarcely moved. She was very strong, and did not go to 
 pieces at the first thumping, though her decks tumbled in. 
 We found afterwards that she had beat over a ledge of rocks, 
 almost a quarter of a mile in extent beyond us, where, if she 
 had struck, every soul of us must have perished. 
 
 I now began to think of getting on shore, so stripped off my 
 coat and shoes for a swim, and looked for a line to carry the 
 end with me. Luckily could not find one, which gave me 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PHCENIX. 
 
 27 
 
 time for recollection : “ This wont do for me, to be the first 
 
 man out of the ship, and first lieutenant ; we may get to Eng- 
 land again, and people may think I paid a great deal of atten- 
 tion to myself and did not care for any body else. No, that 
 wont do ; instead of being the first, I ’ll see every man, sick 
 and well, out of her before me.” 
 
 I now thought there was no probability of the ship’s soon 
 going to pieces, therefore had not a thought of instant death : 
 took a look round with a kind of philosophic eye, to see how 
 the same situation affected my companions, and was surorised 
 to find the most swaggering, swearing bullies in fine weather, 
 now the most pitiful wretches on earth, when death appeared 
 before them. However, two g"^t safe ; by which means, 
 with a line, we got a hawser on shore, and made fast to the 
 rocks, upon which many ventured and arrived safe. There 
 were some sick and wounded on board, who could not avail 
 themselves of this method ; we, therefore, got a spare top-sail- 
 yard from the chains and placed one end ashore and the other 
 on the cabin window, so that most of the sick got ashore this 
 way. 
 
 As I had determined, so I was the last man out of the ship ; 
 this was about ten o’clock. The gale now began to break. 
 Sir Hyde came to me, and taking me by the hand was so af- 
 fected that he was scarcely able to speak “ Archer, I am 
 happy beyond expression, to see you on shore, but look at 
 our poor Phoenix !” I turned about, but could not say a 
 single word, being too full : my mind had been too intensely 
 occupied before ; but every thing now rushed upon me at 
 once, so that I could not contain myself, and I indulged for a 
 full quarter of an hour in tears. 
 
 By twelve it was pretty moderate; got some nails on shore 
 and made tents; found great quantities of fish driven up by 
 the sea into the holes of the rocks; knocked up a fire, and 
 had a most comfortable dinner. In the afternoon made a 
 stage from the cabin-windows to the rocks, and got out some 
 provisions and water, lest the ship should go to pieces, in 
 which case we must all have perished of hunger and thirst; 
 for we were upon a desolate part of the coast, and under a 
 rocky mountain, that could not supply us with a single drop 
 of water. 
 
 Slept comfortably this night and the next day, the idea of 
 death vanishing by degrees, the prospect of being prisoners, 
 during the war, at the Havana, and walking three hundred 
 miles to it through the woods, was rather unpleasant. How'- 
 
28 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 
 
 ever, to save life for the present, we employed this day in 
 getting more provisions and water on shore, which was not an 
 easy matter, on account of decks, guns and rubbish, and ten 
 feet water that lay over them. In the evening I proposed 
 to Sir Hyde to repair the remains of the only boat left, 
 and to venture in her to Jamaica myself; and in case I arriv- 
 ed safe, to bring vessels to take them all off; a proposal wor- 
 thy of consideration. It was, next day, agreed to; therefore 
 got the cutter on shore, and set the carpenters to work on her; 
 in two days she was ready, and at four o’clock in the after- 
 noon I embarked with four volunteers and a fortnight’s provi- 
 sion, hoisted English colors as we put off from the shore, 
 and received three cheers fr".m the lads left behind, which we 
 returned, and set sail with a light heart; having not the least 
 doubt, that, with God’s assistance, we should come and bring 
 them all off. Had a very squally night, and a very leaky 
 boat, so as to keep two buckets constantly bailing. Steered her 
 myself the whole night by the stars, and in the morning saw 
 the coast of Jamaica distant twelve leagues. At eight in the 
 evening arrived at Montego Bay. 
 
 I must now begin to leave off, particularly as I have but 
 half an hour to conclude; else my pretty little short letter 
 will lose its passage, which I should not like, after being ten 
 days, at different times, writing it, beating up with the con- 
 voy to the northward, which is a reason that this epistle will 
 never read well; as 1 never set down with a proper disposition to 
 go on with it; but as I knew something of the kind would please 
 you, I was resolved to finish it; yet it will not bear an over- 
 haul; so don’t expose your son’s nonsense. 
 
 But to proceed — I instantly sent off an express to the ad- 
 miral, another to the Porcupine man of war, and went my- 
 self to Martha Bray to get vessels; for all their vessels here, 
 as well as many of their houses, were gone to Moco. Got 
 three small vessels, and set out back again to Cuba, where I 
 arrived the fourth day after leaving my companions. I 
 thought the ship’s crew would have devoured me on my land- 
 ing; they presently whisked me up on their shoulders and car- 
 ried me to the tent where Sir Hyde was. 
 
 I must omit many little occurrences that happened on shore, 
 for want of time; but I shall have a number of stories to tell 
 when I get alongside of you; and the next time I visit you I 
 shall not be in such a hurry to quit you as I was the last, for 
 then I hoped my nest would have been pretty well feather- 
 ed: — But my tale is forgotten. 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PHCENIX. 29 
 
 I found the Porcupine had arrived that day, and the lads 
 had built a boat almost ready for launching, that would hold 
 fifty of them, which was intended for another trial, in case I 
 had foundered. JVext day embarked all our people that were 
 left, amounting to two hundred and fifty; for some had died 
 of their wounds they received in getting on shore; others of 
 drinking rum, and others had straggled into the country. — 
 All our vessels were so full of people, that we could not take 
 away the few clothes that were saved from the wreck; but 
 that was a trifle since we had preserved our lives and liberty. 
 To make short of my story, we all arrived safe at Montego 
 Bay, and shortly after at Port Royal, in the Janus, which 
 was sent on purpose for us, and were all honorably acquitted 
 for the loss of the ship. I was made admiral’s aid-de-camp, 
 and a little time afterwards sent down to St. Juan’s as captain 
 of the Resource, to bring what were left of the poor devils to 
 Blue Fields, on the Musquito shore, and then to Jamaica, 
 where they arrived after three month’s absence, and without 
 a prize, though I looked out hard off Porto Bello and Cartha- 
 gena. Found in my absence that I had been appointed cap- 
 tain of the Tobago, where I remain his majesty’s most true 
 and faithful servant, and my dear mother’s most dutiful son, 
 
 ARCHER. 
 
30 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERT. 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THU WHALE FISHERY, 
 
 WITH ANECDOTES OF THE DANGERS ATTENDING IT. 
 
 Historians, in general, have given to the Biscayans the 
 credit of having first practiced the fishery for the IVhale; the 
 English, and afterwards the Dutch are supposed to have fol- 
 lowed in the pursuit. It was prosecuted by the Norwegians 
 so early as the ninth century, and by the Icelanders about the 
 eleventh. It was not till the seventeenth century, however, 
 that the whale fishery was engaged in by the maritime nations 
 of Europe as an important branch of commerce. 
 
 The crew of a whale ship usually consists of forty to fifty 
 men, comprising several classes of officers, such as harpoon- 
 ers, boat-steerers, line-managers, !s.c. together with fore-mast- 
 men, landmen and apprentices. As a stimulus to the crew in 
 the fishery, every individual, from the master down to the 
 boys, besides his monthly pay, receives either a gratuity for 
 every size fish caught during the voyage, or a certain sum for 
 every ton of oil which the cargo produces. iNIasters and har- 
 pooners receive a small sum before sailing, in place of month- 
 ly wages; and if they procure no cargo whatever, they re- 
 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 31 
 
 ceive nothing more for their voyage; but in the event of a 
 successful fishing, their advantages are considerable. 
 
 The crow’s nest is an apparatus placed on the main-top- 
 mast, or top-gallant-mast head, as a watch tower for the offi- 
 cer on the lookout. It is closely defended from the wind and 
 cold, and is furnished with a speaking trumpet, a telescope and 
 rifle. The most favorable opportunity for prosecuting the fishery 
 in the Greenland seas, commonly occurs with north, north-west 
 or west winds. At such times the sea is smooth, and the atmos- 
 phere, though cloudy and dark, is generally free from fog and 
 snow. The fishers prefer a cloudy to a clear sky; because 
 in very bright weather, the sea becomes illuminated, and the 
 shadows of the whale-boats are so deeply impressed in the 
 water by the beams of the sun that the whales are apt to take 
 the alarm. Fogs are only so far unfavorable as being liable 
 to endanger the boats by shutting out the sight of the ship. — 
 A well constructed whale-boat floats lightly and safely on the 
 water, — is capable of being rowed with great speed, and readily 
 turned round, — it is of such capacity that it carries si.v or seven 
 men, seven or eight hundred weight of whale-lines, and va- 
 rious other materials, and yet retains the necessary properties 
 of safety and speed. Whale-boats being very liable to re- 
 ceive damage, both from whales and ice, are always carver- 
 built, a structure which is easily repaired. The instru- 
 
 ments of general use in the capture of the whale, are the har- 
 poon and lance. There is, moreover, a kind of harpoon which 
 is shot from a gun, but being difficult to adjust, it is seldom 
 used. Each boat is likewise furnished with a “jack” or 
 flag fastened to a pole, intended to be displayed as a signal 
 whenever a whale is harpooned. The crew of a whale-ship 
 are separated in divisions, equal in number to the number of the 
 boats. Each division, consisting of aharpooner, a boat-steer- 
 er, and a line-manager, together with three or four rowers, 
 constitutes a “boats crew.” 
 
 On fishing stations, when the w'eather is such as to render 
 the fishery practicable, the boats are always ready for instant 
 service. The crow’s nest is generally occupied by one of 
 the officers, w’ho keeps an an.xious watch for the appearance 
 of a whale. The moment that a fish is seen, he gives notice 
 to the “ watch upon deck,” part of w hom leap into a boat, are 
 lowered down, and push off towards the place. If the fish be 
 large, a second boat is despatched to the support of the other; 
 and when the whole of the boats are sent out, the ship is said 
 to have a ’‘ a loose fall.” There are several rules observed 
 
32 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 in approaching a whale to prevent the animal from taking 
 the alarm. As the whale is dull of hearing, but quick 
 of sight, the boat-steerer always endeavors to get behind it ; 
 and, in accomplishing this, he is sometimes justified in tak- 
 ing a circuitous rout. In calm weather, where guns are 
 not used, the greatest caution is necessary before a whale 
 can be reached; smooth careful rowing is always requisite, 
 and sometimes sculling is practiced. It is a primary consid- 
 eration with the harpconer, always to place his boat as near 
 as possible to the spot in which he expects the fish to rise, and 
 he conceives himself successful in the attempt when the fish 
 “comes up within a start,” that is, within the distance of 
 about two hundred yards. 
 
 Whenever a whale lies on the surface of tlie water, uncon- 
 scious of the approach of its enemies, the hardy fisher rows 
 directly upon it ; and an instant before the boat touches it, 
 buries his harpoon in his back. The wounded whale, in th^e 
 surprise and agony of the moment, makes a convulsive effort 
 to escape. Then is the moment of danger. The boat is sub- 
 jected to the most violent blows from its head, or its fins, but 
 particularly from its ponderous tail, whicli sometimes sweeps 
 the air with such tremendous fury, that boat and men are ex- 
 posed to one common destruction. 
 
 The head of the whale is avoided, because it cannot be 
 penetrated with the harpoon; but any part of the body, be- 
 tween the head and the tail, will admit of the full length of 
 the instrument, without danger of obstruction. The moment 
 that the wounded whale disappears, a flag is displayed; on 
 sight of which, those on watch in the ship, give the alarm, by 
 stamping on the deck, accompanied by shouts of “ a fall.” — 
 At the sound of this, the sleeping crew are roused, jump from 
 their beds, rush upon deck, and crowd into the boats. The 
 alarm of “ a fall,” has a singular effect on the feelings of a 
 sleeping person, unaccustomed to hearing it. It has often 
 l)een mistaken as a cry of distress. A landsman, seeing the 
 crew, on an occasion of a fall, leap into the boats in their 
 shirts, imagined that the ship was sinking. He therefore 
 tried to get into a boat hiinself, but every one of them being 
 fully manned, he was refused. After several fruitless endeav- 
 ors to gain a place among his comrades, he cried out, in evi- 
 dent distress, “ What shall I do? — Will none of you take me 
 in ?” 
 
 The first effort of a “ fast-fish,” or whale that has been 
 struck, is to escape from the boat by sinking under water. 
 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY 
 
 S3 
 
 After this, it pursues its course downward, or reappears at a 
 little distance, and swims with great celerity, near the surface 
 of the water. It sometimes returns instantly to the surface, 
 and gives evidence of its agony by the most convulsive throes. 
 The downward course of a whale is, however, the most com- 
 mon. A whale, struck near the edge of any large sheet of 
 ice, and passing underneath it, will sometimes run the whole 
 of the lines out of one boat. The approaching distress of a 
 boat, for want of line, is indicated by the elevation of an oar, 
 to which is added a second, a third, or even a fourth, in pro- 
 portion to the nature of the exigence. The utmost care and 
 attention are requisite, on the part of every person in the 
 boat, when the lines are running out; fatal consequences hav- 
 ing been sometimes produced by the most trifling neglect. — 
 When the line happens to “ run foul,” and cannot be cleared 
 on the instant, it sometimes draws the boat under water; on 
 which, if no auxiliary boat, or convenient piece of ice, be at 
 hand, the crew a plunged into the sea, and are obliged to trust 
 to their oars or their skill in swimming, for supporting them 
 selves on the surface. 
 
 Captain Scoresby relates an accident of this kind, which 
 happened on his first voyage to the whale fishery. A thou- 
 sand fathoms of line were already out, and the fast-boat was 
 forcibly pressed against the side of a piece of ice. The har 
 pooner, in his anxiety to retard the flight of the whale, ap- 
 plied too many turns of tlie line round the bollard, which, 
 getting entangled, drew the boat beneath the ice. Another 
 boat, providentially was at hand, into which the crew had 
 just time to escape. The whale, with near two miles length 
 of line, was, in consequence of the accident, lost, but the 
 boat was recovered. 
 
 The average stay under water of a wounded whale is about 
 thirty minutes. ^Vhen it reappears, the assisting boats make 
 for the place with their utmost speed, and as they reach it, 
 each harpooner plunges his harpoon into its back, to the 
 amount of three, four, or more, according to the size of the 
 whale. It is then actively plied with lances, which are thrust 
 into its body, aiming at its vitals. The sea to a great extent 
 around is dj'ed w'ith its blood, and the noise made by its tail 
 in its dying struggle, may be heard several miles. In dying, 
 it turns on its back or on its side; which circumstance is an- 
 nounced by the capturers with the striking of their flags, ac- 
 conjpanied with three lively huzzas ! 
 
S4 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 Whales are sometimes captured, with a single harpoon, in 
 the space of fifteen minutes. Sometimes they resist forty or 
 fifty hours, and at times they will break three or four lines at 
 once, or tear themselves clear off the harpoons, by the vio- 
 lence of tlieir struggles. Generally tlie capture of a whale 
 depends on the activity of the harpooner, the state of the 
 wind and weather, or the peculiar conduct of the animal it- 
 self. Under the most favourable circumstances, the length 
 of time does not exceed an hour. The general average may 
 be stated at two hours. Instances have occurred where 
 whales have been taken without being struck at all, simply by 
 entangling themselves in the lines that had been used to de- 
 stroy others, and struggling till they were drowned or died of 
 exhaustion. 
 
 The fishery for whales, when conducted at the margin of 
 those wonderful sheets of ice, called fields, i.s, when the, 
 weather is fine, and the refuge for ships secure, the mo.-t 
 agreeable, and sometimes the most jiroductive of all other 
 ways. When the fish can be observed “ blowing” in any of 
 the holes of a field, the men travel over the ice and attack it 
 with lances to turn it back. As connected with this subject. 
 Captain Scoresby relates the fillorring circumstance, which 
 occurred under his own observation. 
 
 On the eighth of Julv, 1813, the ship Esk lav bv the. ed<re 
 of a large sheet of ice, in which there were several thin parts, 
 and some holes. Here a whale beiiiir heard blowinij. a bar- 
 poon, with a line fastened to it, was conveved across the ice, 
 from a boat on guard, and the harpooner succeeded in striking 
 the whale, at the distance of three hundred and fifty yards 
 from the verge. It dragged out ten lines, y2100 yards.) and 
 was supposed to be seen blowing in different holes in the ice. 
 After some time it made its appearance on the exterior, and was 
 again struck, at the moment it was about to go under the sec- 
 ond time. About an hundred cards from tlie edue, it broke the 
 ice where it was a foot thick, with its head, and respired 
 through the opening. It then pushed forward, breaking the 
 ice as it advanced, in spite of the lances constantlv directed 
 against it. At last it reached a kind of basin in the field, 
 where it floated on the surface without any incumbrance 
 from ice. Its back being fairly exposed, the harpoon struck 
 from the boat on the outside, was observed to be so slightly 
 entangled, that it was ready to drop out. Some of the ofli- 
 cers lamented this circumstance, and wished that the harpoon 
 might be better fast; at the same time observing that if it 
 
AN ACCOUNT OP THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 35 
 
 should slip out, either the fish would be lost, or they should 
 be under the necessity of flensing it where it lay, and of 
 dragging the blubber over the ice to the ship; a kind and de- 
 gree of labor every one was anxious to avoid. No sooner 
 was the wish expressed, and its importance explained, than a 
 young and daring sailor stepped forward, and offered to strike 
 the harpoon deeper. Not at all intimidated by the surprise 
 manifested on every countenance at such a bold proposal, he 
 leaped on the back of the living whale, and cut the harpoon 
 out with his pocket knife. Stimulated by his gallant example, 
 one of his companions proceeded to his assistance. While 
 one of them hauled upon the line and held it in his hands, the 
 other set his shoulder against the end of the harpoon, and 
 though it was without a stock, contrived to strike it again 
 into the fish more effectually than at first! The whale was in 
 motion before they had finished. After they got off its back, 
 it advanced a considerable distance, breaking the ice all the way, 
 and survived this novel treatment ten or fifteen minutes. This 
 daring deed was of essential service. The whale fortunately 
 sunk spontaneously after it expired; on which it was hauled 
 out under the ice by the line and secured without farther trou- 
 ble. It proved a mighty whale; a very considerable prize. 
 
 When engaged in the pursuit of a large whale, it is a neces- 
 sary precaution for two boats at all times to proceed in com- 
 pany, that the one may be able to assist the other, on any 
 emergency. With this principle in view, two boats from the 
 Esk were sent out in chase of some large whales, on the 13th 
 of June 1814. No ice was within sight. The boats had pro- 
 ceeded some time together, when they separated in pursuit 
 of two whales, not far distant from each other; when, by a 
 singular coincidence, the harpooners each struck his fish at 
 the same moment. They were a mile from the ship. Urgent 
 signals for assistance were displayed by each boat, and in a 
 few minutes one of the harpooners was obliged to slip the end 
 of his line. Fortunately the other fish did not descend so 
 deep, and the lines in the boat proved adequate for the occa- 
 sion. One of the fish being then supposed to be lost, five of 
 the boats out of seven attended on the fish which yet remain- 
 ed entangled, and speedily killed it. A short time afterwards, 
 the other fish supposed to be lost, was descried at a little dis- 
 tance from the place where it was struck; — three boats pro- 
 ceeded against it; — it was immediately struck, and in twenty 
 minutes also killed. Thus were fortunately captured two 
 whales, both of which had been despaired of. They pro- 
 
36 
 
 AJI ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 duced near forty tons of oil, value, at that time £1400. The 
 lines attached to the last fish were recovered with it. 
 
 Before a whale can be flensed, as the operation of taking 
 off the fat and whalebone is called, some preliminary measures 
 are requisite. These consist in securing the whale to the 
 boat, cutting away the attached whale-lines, lashing the fins 
 together, and towing it to the ship. Some curious circum- 
 stances connected with these operations may be mentioned 
 here. 
 
 In the year 1816, a fish was to all appearance killed by the 
 crew of the Esk. The fins were partly lashed, and the tail 
 on the point of being secured, and all the lines excepting one, 
 were cut away, the fish meanwhile lying as if dead. To 
 the alarm, however, of the sailors, it revived, began to move, 
 and pressed forward in a convulsive agitation; soon after it 
 sunk in the water to some depth, and then died. One line 
 fortunately remained attached to it, by which it was drawn to 
 the surface and secured. 
 
 A suspension of labor is generally allowed after the whale 
 has been secured aside of the ship, and before the commence- 
 ment of the operation of flensing. An unlucky circumstance 
 once occured in an interval of this kind. At that period of the 
 fishery, (forty or fifty years ago,) when a single stout whale, 
 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 37 
 
 together with the bounty, was found sufficient to remunerate 
 the owners of a ship for the expenses of the voyage, great 
 joy was exhibited on the capture of a whale, by the fishers. 
 They were not only cheered by a dram of spirits, but some- 
 times provided with some favorite “ mess,” on which to regale 
 themselves, before they commenced the arduous task of fiens- 
 ing. At such a period, the crew of an English vessel had 
 captured their first whale. It w’as taken to the ship, placed 
 on the lee-side, and though the wind blew a strong breeze, it 
 was fastened only by a small rope attached to the fin. In 
 this state of supposed security, all hands retired to regale 
 themselves, the captain himself not excepted. The ship be- 
 ing at a distance from any ice, and the fish believed to be fast, 
 they made no great haste in their enjoyment. At length, the 
 specksioneer, or chief harpooner, having spent sufficient time 
 in indulgence and equipment, with an air of importance and 
 self-confidence, proceeded on deck, and naturally turned to 
 look on the whale. To his astonishment it was not to be 
 seen. In some alarm he looked a-stern, a-head, on the oth- 
 er side, but his search was useless; the ship drifting fast, had 
 pressed forcibly upon the whale, the rope broke, the fish 
 sunk and was Jost. The mortification of this event may be 
 conceived, but the termination of their vexation will not easi- 
 ly be imagined, when it is known, that no other opportunity 
 of procuring a whale occured during the voyage. The ship 
 returned home clean. 
 
 Flensing in a swell is a most difficult and dangerous under- 
 taking; and when the swell is at all considerable, it is com- 
 monly impracticable. No ropes or blocks are capable of 
 bearing the jirk of the sea. The harpooners are annoyed by 
 the surge, and repeatedly drenched in water; and are likewise 
 subject to be wounded by the breaking of ropes or hooks of 
 tackles, and even by strokes from each other’s knives. Hence 
 accidents in this kind of flensing are not uncommon. The 
 harpooners not unfrequently fall into the whale’s mouth, when 
 it is exposed by the removal of a surface of blubber; where 
 they might easily be drowned, but for the prompt assistance 
 which is always at hand. 
 
 One of the laws of the fishery universally adhered to, is, 
 that whenever a whale is loose, whatever may be the case or 
 circumstances, it becomes a free prize to the first person who 
 gets hold of it. Thus, when a whale is killed, and the flens- 
 ing is prevented by a storm, it is usually taken in tow; if the 
 rope by which it is connected with the ship should happen to 
 
38 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 break, and the people of another ship should seize upon it 
 while disengaged, it becomes their prize. The following cir- 
 cumstance, which occured a good many years ago, has a ten- 
 dency to illustrate the existing Greenland laws. 
 
 During a storm of wind and snow several ships were beat- 
 ing to windward, under easy sail, along the edge of a pack. 
 When the storm abated and the weather cleared, the ships 
 steered towards the ice. Two of the fleet approached it, 
 about a mile assunder, abreast of each other, when the 
 crews of each ship accidentally got sight of a dead fish at a 
 little distance, within some loose ice. Each ship now made 
 sail, to endeavor to reach the fish before the other; which fish 
 being loose, would be a prize to the first who could get pos- 
 session of it. JVeither ship could out sail the other, but each 
 contrived to press forward towards the prize. The little ad- 
 vantage one of them had in distance, the other compensated 
 with velocity. On each bow of the two ships, was stationed 
 a principal officer, armed with a harpoon in readiness to dis- 
 charge. But it so happened that the ships came in contact 
 with each other, when within a lew yards of the fish, and in 
 consequence of the shock with which their bows met, they re- 
 bounded to a considerable distance. Tlie officers at the same 
 moment discharged their harpoons, but all of them fell short 
 of the fish. A hardy fellow who was second mate of the lee- 
 ward ship immediately leaped overboard and with great dex- 
 terity swam to the whale, seized it by the fin, and proclaimed 
 it his prize. It was, however, so swollen, that he was unable 
 to climb upon it, but was obliged to remain shivering in the wa- 
 ter until assistance should be sent. His captain elated with 
 his good luck, forgot, or at least neglected his brave second 
 mate; and before he thought of sending a boat to release him 
 from his disagreeable situation, prepared to moor his ship to 
 an adjoining piece of ice. JMeanwhile the other ship tacked, 
 and the master himself stepped into a boat, pushed off and 
 rowed deliberately towards the dead fish. Observing the 
 trembling seaman still in the water holding by the fin, he ad- 
 dressed him with, “ Well my lad, you have got a fine fish 
 here,” — to which after a natural reply in the affirmative, he 
 added, “ but don’t you find it very cold.'” — “ Yes,” replied 
 the shivering sailor, “ I’m almost starved. I wish you would 
 allow me to come into your boat until our’s arrives.” This fa- 
 vor needed no second solicitation; the boat approached the 
 man and he was assisted into it. The fish being again loose 
 and out of possession, the captain instantly struck his harpoon 
 
AN ACCOUNT OP THE WHALE FISHERY, 
 
 S9 
 
 into it, hoisted his flag, and claimed his prize! Mortified and 
 displeased as the other master felt at this trick, for so it certainly 
 was, he had nevertheless no redress, but was obliged to permit 
 the fish to be taken on board of his competitor’s ship, and to 
 content himself with abusing the second mate for want of dis- 
 cretion, and condemning himself for not having more com- 
 passion on the poor fellow’s feeling, which would have pre- 
 vented the disagreeable misadventure. 
 
 Those employed in the occupation of killing whales, are, 
 when actually engaged, exposed to danger from three sources, 
 viz. from the ice, from the climate, and from the whales them- 
 selves. The ice is a source of danger to the fishers, from 
 overhanging masses falling upon them, — from the approxima- 
 tion of large sheets of ice to each other, w’hich are apt to 
 crush or upset the boats, — from their boats being stove or 
 sunk by large masses of ice, agitated by a swell, — and from 
 the boats being enclosed and beset in a pack of ice, and their 
 crews thus prevented from joining their ships. 
 
 On the commencement of a heavy gale of wind, May 1 Ith, 
 1813, fourteen men put off in a boat from the Volunteer of 
 Whitby, with the view of setting an anchor in a large piece 
 of ice, to which it was their intention of mooring the ship. — ■ 
 The ship approached on a signal being made, the sails were 
 clewed up, and a rope fixed to the anchor; but the ice shiver- 
 ing with the violence of the strain when the ship fell astern, 
 the anchor flesv out and the ship went adrift. The sails being 
 again set, the ship was reached to the eastward (wind at 
 north,) the distance of about two miles; but in attempting to 
 wear and return, the ship, instead of performing the evolution, 
 scudded a considerable distance to the leeward, and was then 
 reaching out to sea; thus leaving fourteen of her crew to a 
 fate most dreadful, the fulfilrrient of Avhich seemed almost in- 
 evitable. The temperature of the air was 15 or 16 of Fahr. 
 when these poor wretches were left upon a detached piece of 
 ice, of no considerable magnitude, without food, without sliel- 
 ter from the inclement storm, deprived of every means of re- 
 fuge except in a single boat, which, on account of the num- 
 ber of men, and the violence of the storm, was incapable of 
 conveying them to their ship. Death staled them in the face 
 whichever way they turned, and a division in opinion ensued. 
 Some were wishful to remain on the ice, but the ice could af- 
 ford them no shelter to the piercing wind, and would probably 
 be broken to pieces by the increasing swell ; others were 
 anxious to attempt to join their ship while she was yet in 
 
40 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 sight, but the force of the wind, the violence of the sea, the 
 smallness of the boat in comparison to the number of men to 
 be conveyed, were objections which would have appeared in- 
 surmountable to any person but men in a state of despair. — 
 Judging, that by remaining on the ice, death was but retard- 
 ed for a few hours, as the extreme cold must eventually be- 
 numb their faculties, and invite a sleep which would overcome 
 the remains of animation, — they determined on making the 
 attempt of rowing to their ship. Poor souls, what must have 
 been their sensations at that moment, — when the spark of 
 hope yet remaining was so feeble, that a premature death even 
 to themselves seemed inevitable. They made the daring ex- 
 periment, when a few minutes’ trial convinced them, that the 
 attempt was utterly impracticable. They then with longing 
 eyes, turned their efforts towards recovering the ice they had 
 left, but their utmost exertions were unavailing. Every one 
 now viewed his situation as desperate; and anticipated, as cer- 
 tain, the fatal event which was to put a period to his life. 
 How great must have been their delight, anil how overpow- 
 ering their sensations, when at this most critical juncture a 
 ship appeared in sight! She was advancing directly towards 
 them; their voices were extended and their flag displayed. — 
 But although it was impossible they should be heard, it was 
 not impossible they should be seen. Their flag was descried 
 by the people on board the ship, their mutual courses were so 
 directed as to form the speediest union, and in a few minutes 
 they found themselves on. the deck of the Lively of AVhitby, 
 under circumstances of safety! They received from their 
 townsmen the warmest congratulations; and while each indi- 
 vidual was forward in contributing his assitance towards the 
 restoration of their benumbed bodies, each appeared sensible 
 that their narrow escape from death was highly providential. 
 The forbearance of God is wonderful. Perhaps these very 
 men a few hours before, were impiously invoking their own 
 destruction, or venting imprecations upon their fellow beings! 
 True it is that the goodness of the Almighty extendeth over 
 all his works, and that while ‘ Mercy is his darling attribute,’ — 
 ‘Judgment is his strange work.’ 
 
 The most extensrve source of danger to the whale-fisher, 
 when actively engaged in his occupation, arises from the ob- 
 ject of his pursuit. Excepting when it has young under its 
 protection, the whale generally exhibits remarkable timidity 
 of character. A bird perching on its back alarms it; hence, 
 the greater part of the accidents which happen in the course 
 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 4J 
 
 of its capture, must be attributed to adventitious circumstan- 
 ces on the part of the whale, or to mismanagement or fool- 
 hardiness on the part of the fishers. 
 
 A harpooner belonging to the Henrietta of Whitby, when 
 engaged in lancing a whale, into which he had previously 
 struck a harpoon, incautiously cast a little line under his feet 
 that he had just hauled into the boat, after it had been drawn 
 out by the fish. A painful stroke of his lance induced the 
 whale to dart suddenly downward; his line began to run out 
 from beneath his feet, and in an instant caught him by a turn 
 round his body. He had but just time to cry out, “ clear 
 away the line,” — “O dear!” when he was almost cut assun- 
 der, dragged overboard and never seen afterwards. The line 
 was cut at the moment, but without avail. The fish descend- 
 ed a considerable depth, and died; from whence it was drawn 
 to the surface by the lines connected with it, and secured. 
 
 While the ship Resolution navigated an open lake of water, 
 in the 81st degree of north latitude, during a keen frost and 
 strong north wind, on the 2d of June 1806, a whale appear- 
 ed, and a boat put off in pursuit. On its second visit to the 
 surface of the sea, it was harpooned. A convulsive heave 
 of the tail, which succeeded the wound, struck the boat at 
 the stern; and by its reaction, projected the boat-steerer 
 overboard. As the line in a moment dragged tlie boat be- 
 yond his reach, the crew threw some of their oars towards him 
 for his support, one of which he fortunately seized. The ship 
 and boats being at a considerable distance, and the fast-boat 
 being rapidly drawn away from him, the harpooner cut the line 
 with the view of rescuing him from his dangerous situation 
 
42 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 But no sooner was this act performed, than to their extreme 
 mortification they discovered, that in consequence of some 
 oars being thrown towards their floating comrade, and others 
 being broken or unshipped by the blow from the fish, one oar 
 only remained; with which, owing to the force of the wind, 
 they tried in vain to approach him. A considerable period 
 elapsed, before any boat from the ship could afford him assist- 
 ance, though the men strained every nerve for the purpose. 
 At length, when they reached him, he was found with his 
 arms stretched over an oar, almost deprived of sensation. — 
 On his arrival at the ship, he was in a deplorable condition. 
 H is clothes were frozen like mail, and his hair constituted a 
 helmet of ice. He was immediately conveyed into the cabin, 
 his clothes taken otf, his limbs and body dried and well rub- 
 bed, and a cordial administered which he drank. A dry shirt 
 and stockings were then put upon him, and he was laid in the 
 captain’s bed. After a few hours sleep he awoke, and ap- 
 peared considerably restored, but complained of a painful 
 sensation of cold. He was, therefore, removed to his own 
 birth, and one of his messmates ordered to lie on each side 
 of him, whereby the diminished circulation of the blood was 
 accelerated, and the animal heat restored. The shock on his 
 constitution, however, was greater than \vas anticipated. — 
 He recovered in the course of a few days, so as to be able to 
 engage in his ordinary pursuits; but many months elapsed 
 before his countenance exhibited its usual appearance of 
 health. 
 
 TheAimwell of Whitby, while cruising the Greenland seas, 
 in the year 1810, had boats in chase of whales on the 26th of 
 IVIay. One of them was harpooned. But instead of sinking 
 immediately on receiving the wound, as is the most usual 
 manner of the whale, this individual only dived for a moment, 
 and rose again beneath the boat, struck it in tlie most vicious 
 manner w’ith its fins and tail, stove it, upset it, and then disap- 
 peared. The crew, seven in number, got on the bottom of 
 the boat; but the unequal action of the lines, which for some- 
 time remained entangled with the boat, rolled it occasionally 
 over, and thus plunged the crew repeatedly into the water. — 
 Four of them, after each immersion, recovered themselves 
 and clung to the boat; but the other three, one of whom was 
 the only person acquainted with the art of swimming, were 
 drowned before assistance could arrive. The four men on 
 the boat being rescued and conveyed to the ship, the attack 
 on the whale was continued and two more harpoons struck. — ■ 
 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 43 
 
 But the whale irritated, instead of being enervated by its 
 wounds, recommenced its furious conduct. The sea w'as in a 
 foam. Its tail and fins were in awful play; and in a short 
 time, harpoon after harpoon drew out, the fish was loosened 
 from its entanglements and escaped. 
 
 In the fishery o^ 1812, the Henrietta of Whitby suffered a 
 similar loss. A fi.^h which was struck very near the ship, by 
 a blow of its tail, stove a small hole in the boat’s bow. Ev- 
 ery individual shrinking from the side on which the blow was 
 impressed, aided the influence of the stroke, and upset the 
 boat. They all clung to it while it was bottom up; but the 
 line having got entangled among the thwarts, suddenly drew 
 the boat under water, and with it part of the crew. Exces- 
 sive anxiety among the people in the ship, occasioned delay 
 in sending assistance, so that when the first boat arrived at 
 the spot, two survivors only out of six men were found. 
 
 During a fresh gale ofwind in the season of 1809, one of the 
 Resolution’s harpooners struck a sucking whale. Its mother 
 being near, all the other boats were disposed around, with the 
 hope of entangling it. The old whale pursued a circular 
 route round its cub, and was followed by the boats; but its 
 velocity was so considerable, that they were unable to keep 
 pace with it. Being in the capacity of harpooner on this oc- 
 casion myself, I proceeded to the chase, after having careful- 
 ly marked the proceedings of the fish. I selected a situation, 
 in which I conceived the whale would make its appearance, 
 and was in the act of directing my crew to cease rowing, 
 when a terrible blow was struck on the boat. The whale I 
 never saw, but the effect of the blow was too important to be 
 overlooked. About fifteen square feet of the bottom of the 
 boat were driven in; it filled, sunk, and upset in a moment. 
 Assistance was providentially at hand, so that we were all ta- 
 ken up without injury, after being but a few minutes in the 
 water. The whale escaped; the boat’s lines fell out and were 
 lost, but the boat was recovered. 
 
 A remarkable instance of the power which the whale pos- 
 sesses in its tail, was exhibited vrithin my own observation, in 
 the year 1807. On the 29th of May, a whale was harpoon- 
 ed by an officer belonging to the Resolution. It descended a 
 considerable depth; and, on its re-appearance, evinced an un- 
 common degree of irritation. It made such a display of its 
 fins and tail, that few of the"crew were hardy enough to ap- 
 proach it. The captain, (Captain Scoresby’s father,) observ- 
 ing their timidity, called a boat, and himself struck a second 
 
44 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERV. 
 
 harpoon. Another boat immediately followed, and unfortu- 
 nately advanced too far. The tail was again reared into the 
 air, in a terrific attitude, — the impending blow was evident, — 
 the harpooner, who was directly underneath, leaped over- 
 board, — and the ne.xt moment the threatened stroke was im- 
 pressed on the centre of the boat, which it buried in the wa- 
 ter. Happily no one was injured. The harpooner who leap- 
 ed overboard, escaped certain death by the act, — the tail hav- 
 ing struck the very spot on which he stood. The effects of 
 the blow were astonishing. The keel was broken, — the gun- 
 wales, and every plank, e.xcepting two, were cut through, — 
 and it was evident that the boat would have been completely 
 divided, had not the tail struck directly upon a coil of lines. 
 The boat was rendered useless. 
 
 Instances of disasters of this kind, occasioned by blows 
 from the whale, could be adduced in great numbers, — cases 
 of boats being destroyed by a single stroke of the tail, are 
 not unknown, — instances of boats having been stove or upset, 
 and their crews wholly or in part drowned, are not unfre- 
 quent, — and several cases of whales having made a regular 
 attack upon every boat which came near them, dashed some 
 in pieces, and killed or drowned some of the people in them, 
 have occurred within a few years even under my own obser- 
 vation. 
 
 The Dutch ship Gort-lMooIen, commanded by Cornelius 
 Gerard Ouwekaas, with a cargo of seven fish, was anchored 
 in Greenland in the year 1660. The captain, perceiving a 
 whale a-head of his ship, beckoned his attendants, and threw 
 himself into a boat. lie was the first to ap[)roach the 
 whale; and was fortunate enough to harpoon it before the ar- 
 rival of the second boat, w’hich was on the advance. Jacques 
 Yienkes, who had the direction of it, joined his captain im- 
 mediately afterwards, and prepared to make a second attack 
 on the fish, when it should remount again to the surface. At 
 the moment of its ascension, the boat of 4 ienkes happening 
 unfortunately to be perpendicularly above it, was so suddenly 
 and forcibly lifted up by a stroke of the head of the whale, 
 that it was dashed to pieces before the harpooner could dis- 
 charge his weapon. 
 
 ^^ienkes flew along with the pieces of the boat, and fell up- 
 on the back of Abe %nmal. This intrepid seaman, who still 
 retained his weS^i 'in his harpooned the whale on 
 
 which he stoodj'^OTKl by means of the harpoon and the line, 
 which he never abandomed^e steadied himself firmly upon 
 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 45 
 
 the fish, notwithstanding his hazardous situation, and regard- 
 less of a considerable wound that he received in his leu 
 his fall along with the fragments of the boat. All the etforts 
 of the other boats to approach the whale, and deliver the har- 
 pooner, were futile. The captain, not seeing any other meth- 
 od of saving his unfortunate companion, who was in some 
 way entangled with the line, called to him to cut it with his 
 knife, and betake himself to swimming. Tienkes, embarras- 
 sed and disconcerted as he was, tried in vain to follow this 
 counsel. His knife was in the pocket of his drawers; and, 
 being unable to support himself with one hand, he could not 
 get it out. The whale, meanwhile, continued advancing along 
 the surface of the water with great rapidity, but fortunately 
 never attempted to dive. While his comrades despaired of his 
 life, the harpoon by which he held, at length disengaged itself 
 from the body of the whale. Vienkes being thus liberated, 
 did not fail to take advantage of this circumstance; he cast 
 himself into the sea, and by swimming, endeavored to regain 
 the boats which continued the pursuit of the whale. When 
 his shipmates perceived him struggling with the waves, they 
 redoubled their e.xertions. They reached him just as his 
 strength was exhausted, and had the happiness of rescuing 
 this adventurous harpooner from his perilous situation. 
 
 Captain Lyons of the Raith of Leith, while prosecuting 
 the whale-fishery on the Labrador coast, in the season of 
 1802, discovered a large whale at a short distance from the 
 ship. Four boats were dispatched in pursuit, and two of them 
 succeeded in approaching it so closely together, that two har- 
 poons were struck at the same moment. The fish descended 
 a few fathoms in the direction of another of the boats, which 
 was on the advance, rose accidentally beneath it, struck it with 
 its head, and threw the boat, men, and apparatus about fifteen 
 feet into the air. It was inverted by the stroke, and fell into 
 the water with its keel upwaros. All the people were picked 
 up alive by the fourth boat, which was just at hand, excepting 
 one man, who having got entangled in the boat, fell beneath 
 it, and was unfortunately drowned. The fish was soon after- 
 wards killed. The engraving on page 30, is illustrative of 
 this remarkable accident. 
 
 In 1822, two boats belonging to the ship Baffin went in pur- 
 suit of a whale. John Carr was harpooner and commander of 
 one of them. The whale they pursued led them into a vast 
 shoal of his own species; they were so numerous that their 
 blowing was incessant, and they believed that they did not see 
 
46 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 fewer than an hundred. Fearful of alarming them without 
 striking any, they remained for a while motionle.s3 At last 
 one rose near Carr’s boat, and he approached, and fatally for 
 himself, harpooned it. When he struck, the fish was ap- 
 proaching tiie boat; and, passing very rapidly, jerked the line 
 out of its place over the stern, and threw it upon the gun- 
 wale. Its pressure in this unfavorable position so careened 
 the boat, that the side was pulled under water, and it began to 
 fill. In this emergency, Carr, who was a brave, active man, 
 seized the line, and endeavored to relieve the boat by restor- 
 ing it to its place; but, by some circumstance which was nev- 
 er accounted for, a turn of the line flew over his arm, drag- 
 ged him overboard in an instant, and drew him under tlie 
 water, never more to rise. So sudden was the accident, that 
 only one man, who was watching him, saw what had happen- 
 ed; so that when the boat righted, which it immediately did, 
 though half full of water, the whole crew on looking round 
 inquired what had become of Carr. It is impossible to im- 
 agine a death more awfully sudden and unexpected. The in- 
 
 ' ~ '' '* ~ ~ 
 
 INSTRUMENTS USED IN THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 1. A common Harpoon. 
 
 2. A Pricker. 
 
 3. A sharp Spade, used in cutting up a Whale. 
 
 4. A Harpoon which is fired from a gun. 
 
 5. A Lance, to kill the IVhale after he has been har- 
 
AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE FISHERY. 
 
 47 
 
 visible bullet could not have effected more instantaneous de- 
 struction. The velocity of the whale at its first desccr+ 's 
 from tiiirteen to fifteen feet per second. Now as this unlorcu- 
 nate man was adjusting the line at the water’s very edge, 
 where it must have been perfectly tight, owing to its obstruc- 
 tion in running out of the boat, the interval between the fast- 
 ening the line about him and his disappearance could not have 
 exceeded the third part of a second of time, for in one second 
 only he must have been dragged ten or twelve feet deep. In- 
 deed he had not time for the least exclamation; and the person 
 who saw his removal, observed that it was so exceeding quick 
 that though his eye was upon him at the moment, he could 
 scarcely distinguish his figure as he disappeared. 
 
 As soon as the crew recovered from their consternation, 
 they applied themselves to the needful attention w'hich the 
 lines required. A second harpoon W’as struck from the accom- 
 panying boat on the raising of the whale to the surface, and 
 some lances were applied, but this melancholy occurrence had 
 cast such a damp on all present, that they became timid and 
 inactive in their subsequent duties. The w'hale when nearly 
 exhausted was allow’ed to remain some minutes unmolested, 
 till having recovered some degree of energy, it made a vio- 
 lent effort and tore itself away from both harpoons. The ex- 
 ertions of the crews thus proved fruitless, and were attended 
 with serious loss. 
 
 Innumerable instances might be adduced of the perils and 
 disasters to which our whalemen are subject; of their never 
 tiring fortitude and daring enterprise; but we believe the ex- 
 amples we have given alone will sufficiently convey a full and 
 correct idea of the customs and dangers of the whale-fishery . 
 
 THE NARWAL, OR SEA-UNICORN, 
 
 Is a species of the Whale, and seldom exceeds tw enty-two 
 feet long. Its body is slenderer than that oJf the whale, and 
 its fat not in so great abundance. But this great animal is 
 sufficiently distinguished from all others of the deep, bv its 
 
43 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHAEE FISHERY. 
 
 tooth or teeth, which stand -pointing directly forward from the 
 upper jaw, and are from nine to ten feet long. In all the va- 
 riety of weapons with which nature has armed her various 
 tribes, there is not one so large or so formidable as this. — 
 This terrible weapon is generally found single; and some are 
 of opinion that the animal is furnished with but one by nature; 
 but there is at present the skull of a Narwal at the Stadt- 
 house at Amsterdam, with two teeth. The tooth, or, as some 
 are pleased to call it, the horn of the Narwal, is as straight 
 as an arrow, about the thickness of the small of a man’s leg, 
 wreathed as we sometimes see twisted bars of iron; it tapers 
 to a sharp point; and is whiter, heavier, and harder than ivory. 
 It is generally seen to s|>ring from the left side of the head 
 directly forward in a straight line with the body; and its root 
 enters into the socket above a foot and a half. Notwithstand- 
 ing its appointments for combat, this long and pointed tusk, 
 amazing strength, and matchless celerity, the Narwal is one 
 of the most harmless and peaceful inhabitants of the ocean. 
 It is seen constantly and inoffensively sporting among the oth- 
 er great monsters of the deep, no way attempting to injure 
 them, but pleased in their company. 'I'he Greenlanders call 
 the Narwal the forerunner of the whale; for wherever it is 
 seen, the whale is shortly after sure to follow. This may 
 arise as well from the natural passion for society in these ani- 
 mals, as from both living upon the same food. These power- 
 ful fishes make war upon no other living creature; and, though 
 furnished with instruments to spread general destruction, are 
 as innocent and as peaceful as a drove of o.xen. The Narwal 
 is much swifter than the whale, and would never be taken by 
 the fishermen but for those very tusks, which at first appear 
 to be its principal defence. These animals are always seen 
 in herds of several at a time; and whenever they are attacked, 
 they crowd together in such a manner, that they a' mutually 
 embarrassed by their tusks. By these they are often lockea 
 together, and are prevented from sinking to the bottom. It 
 seldom happens, therefore, but the fishermen make sure of 
 one or two of the hindmost, which very well reward their 
 trouble. 
 
LOSS OP THE BRIG TTRREL. 
 
 49 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG TYRREL. 
 
 In addition to the many dreadful shipwrecks already narrat- 
 ed, the following, which is a circumstantial account given by 
 T. Purnell, chief mate of the brig Tyrrel, Arthur Cochlan, 
 commander, and the only person among the whole crew who 
 had the good fortune to escape, claims our particular atten- 
 tion. 
 
 On Saturday, June 29th, 1759, they sailed from New York 
 to Sandy Hook, and there came to an anchor, waiting for the 
 captain’s coming down with a new boat, and some other arti- 
 cles. Accordingly he came on board early the succeeding 
 morning, and the boat cleared, hoisted in, stowed and lashed. 
 At eight o’clock, A. M. they weighed anchor, sailed out of 
 Sandy Hook, and the same day at noon, took their departure 
 from the High Land Never Sunk, and proceeded on their 
 passage to Antigua. As soon as they made sail, the captain 
 ordered the boat to be cast loose, in order that she might be 
 painted, with the oars, rudder and tiller, which job, he (Cap- 
 tain Cochlan) undertook to do himself. 
 
 At four P. M. they found the vessel made a little more wa- 
 ter, than usual; but as it did not cause much additional la- 
 bour at the pump, nothing was thought of it. At eight, the 
 leak did not seem to increase. At twelve it began to blow 
 very hard in squalls, which caused the vessel to lie down very 
 much, whereby it was apprehended she wanted more ballast. 
 Thereupon the captain came on deck, being the starboard 
 watch, and close reefed both top-sails. 
 
 At four A. M. the weather moderated — let out both reefs: — 
 at eight it became still more moderate, and they made more 
 sail, and set top-gallant-sails; the weather was still thick and 
 hazy. There was no further observation taken at present, 
 except that the vessel made more water. The captain was 
 now chiefly employed in painting the boat, oars, rudder and 
 tiller. 
 
 On Monday, June 30, at four P. M. the wind was at E. N. 
 E. freshened very much, and blew so very hard, as occasioned 
 the brig to lie along in such a manner as caused general 
 
 TOL. II 3 
 
60 
 
 LOSS OF THE ERIG TYRREL. 
 
 alarm. The captain was now earnestly intreated to put for 
 New York, or steer for the Capes of Virginia. At eight, 
 took in top-gallant-sail, and close reefed both top-sails, still 
 making more water. Afterwards the weather oecame still 
 more moderate and fair, and they made more sail. 
 
 July 1, at four A. M. it began to blow in squalls very hard; 
 took in one reef in each top sail, and continued so until eight 
 A. M. the weather being still thick and hazy. — No ob- 
 servation. 
 
 The next day she made still more water, but as every 
 watch pumped it out, this was little regarded. At four P. INI. 
 took second reef in each top-sail, — close reefed both, and 
 sent down top-gallant-yard; the gale still increasing. 
 
 At four A. M. the wind got round to N. and there was no 
 appearance of its abating. At eight, tlie captain well satisfied 
 that she was very crank and ouglit to have had more ballast, 
 agreed to make for Bacon Island Road, in North Carolina; 
 and in the very act of wearing her, a sudden gust of wind 
 laid her down on her beam-end, and she never rose again! — 
 At this time Mr. Purnell was lying in the cabin, with his 
 clothes on, not having pulled them off since they left land. — 
 Having been rolled out of his bed (on his chest,) with great 
 difficulty he reached the round-house door; the first saluta- 
 tion he met with was from the step-ladder that went from the 
 quarter-deck to the poop, which knocked him against the 
 companion, (a lucky circumstance for those below, as, by lav- 
 ing the ladder against the companion, it served both him and 
 the rest of the people who were in the steerage, as a convev- 
 ance to windward); having transported the two after guns 
 forward to bring her more by the head, in order to make her 
 hold a better wind; thus they got through the aftermost gun- 
 port on the quarter-deck, and being all on her broadside, ev- 
 ery moveable rolled to leeward, and as the vessel overset, 
 so did the boat, and turned bottom upwards, her lashings be- 
 ing cast loose, by order of the captain, and having no other 
 prospect of saving their lives but by the boat, Purnell, with 
 two others, and the cabin-boy (who were excellent swimmers) 
 plunged into the water, and with difficulty righted her, when 
 she was brim full, and washing with the water’s edge. They 
 then made fast the end of the main-sheet to the ring in her 
 stern-post, and those who were in the fore-chains sent down 
 the end of the boom-tackle, to wdiich they made fast the boat’s 
 painter, and by which they lifted her a little out of the water, 
 so that she swam about two or three inches free, but almost 
 
 full 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG TYRREL. 
 
 51 
 
 They then put the cabin-boy into her, and gave him a bucket 
 that happened to float by, and he bailed away as quick as he 
 could, and soon after another person got in with another 
 bucket, and in a short time got all the water out of her. — 
 They then put two long oars that were stowed in the larboard- 
 quarter of the Tyrell into the boat, and pulled or rowed right 
 to windward; for, as the wreck drifted, she made a dreadful 
 appearance in the water, and Mr. Purnell and two of the 
 people put off from the wreck, in search of the oars, rudder 
 and tiller. After a long while they succeeded in picking 
 them all up, one after another. They then returned to their 
 wretched companions, who were all overjoyed to see them, 
 having given them up for lost. By this time night drew on 
 very fast. While they were rowing in the boat, some smalt 
 quantity of white biscuit (Mr. Purnell supposed about half a 
 peck,) floated in a small cask, out of the round house; but, 
 before it came to hand, it was so soaked with salt water, that 
 it was almost in a fluid state: and about double the quantity 
 of common ship-biscuit likewise floated, which was in like 
 manner soaked. This was all the provision that they had; not 
 a drop of fresh water could they get; neither could the car- 
 penter get at any of his tools to scuttle her sides, for, could 
 this have been accomplished, they might have saved plenty of 
 provisions and water. 
 
 By this time it was almost dark; having got one compass, it 
 was determined to quit the wreck, and take their chance in 
 the boat, which was nineteen feet si.x inches long, and six feet 
 four inches broad; Mr. Purnell supposes it was now about 
 nine o’clock; it was very dark. 
 
 They had run abut 360 miles by their dead reckoning, on a 
 S. E. by E. course. The number in the boat was 17 in all; 
 the boat was very deep, and little hopes were entertained of 
 either seeing land or surviving long. The wind got round to 
 westward, which was the course they wanted to steer; but it 
 began to blow and rain so very hard, that they were obliged 
 to keep before the wind and sea, in order to preserve her 
 above water. Soon after they had put off from the wreck the 
 boat shipped two heavy seas, one after another, so that they 
 were obliged to keep her before the wind and sea; for had she 
 shipped another sea, she certainly would have swamped with 
 them. 
 
 By sunrise the next morning, July 3, they judged that they 
 had been running E. S. E. which was contrary to their wishes. 
 The wind dying away, the weather became very moder- 
 
52 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG TYRREL. 
 
 ate. The compass which they had saved proved of no utili- 
 ty, one of the people having trod upon, and broken it; it was 
 accordingly thrown overboard. They now proposed to make 
 a sail of some frocks and trowsers, but they had got neither 
 needles nor sewing twine, one of the people however, had a 
 needle in his knife, and another several fishing lines in his 
 pockets, v/hich were unlaid bv some, and others were employ- 
 ed in ripping the frocks and trowsers. By sunset tliey had 
 provided a tolerable lug-sail; having split one of the boat’s 
 tliwarts, (which was of yellow deal,) with a very large knife, 
 which one of the crew had in his pocket, they made a yard 
 and lashed it together by the strands of the fore-top-gallant- 
 halyards, that were thrown into the boat promiscuously. — 
 They also made a mast of one of the long oars, and set their 
 sails, with sheets and tacks made out of the top-gallant-hal- 
 yards. Their only guide was the Xorth Star. They had a 
 tolerable good breeze all night; and the whole of the next 
 day, July 4, the weather continued very moderate, and the 
 people were in as good spirits as their dreadful situation would 
 admit. 
 
 July 5, the wind and weather continued much the same, 
 and they knew by the North star that they were standing in 
 for the land. The next day Mr. Purnell observed some of 
 the men drinking salt water, and seeming rather fatigued. — 
 At this time they imagined the wind was got round to the 
 southward, and they steered, as they thought by the North 
 star, to the northwest quarter; but on the 7th, they found 
 the wind had got back to the northward, and blew very fresh. 
 They got their oars out the greatest part of the night, and 
 the next day the wind still dying away, the people laboured 
 alternately at the oars, without distinction. About noon the 
 wind sprung up so that they laid in their oars, and, as they 
 thought, steered about N. N. W. and continued so until about 
 eight or nine in the morning of July 9, when they all thought 
 they were upon soundings, by the coldness of the water. — 
 They were, in general, in very good spirits. The weather 
 continued still thick and hazy, and, by the North star, they 
 found that they had been steering about N. by W. 
 
 Julv 10. — The people had drank so much salt water, that it 
 came from them as clear as it was before they drank it; and 
 IMr. Purnell perceived that the second mate had lost a consid- 
 erable share of his strength and spirits; and also, at noon, 
 that the carpenter was delirious, his malady increasing every 
 hour; about dusk he had almost overset the boat, by attempt- 
 
LOSS OF THE BAIG TYRREL. 
 
 53 
 
 ing to throw himself overboard, and otherwise behaving quite 
 violent. 
 
 As his strength, however, failed him, he became more man 
 ageable, and they got him to lie down in the middle of the 
 boat, among some of the people. Mr. Purnell drank once a 
 little salt water, but could not relish it; he prefered his own 
 urine, which he drank occasionally as he made it. Soon after 
 sunset the second mate lost his speech. Mr. Purnell desired 
 him to lean his head on him; he died, without a groan or 
 struggle, on the 11th of July, being the 9th day they were in 
 the boat. In a few minutes after, the carpenter expired al- 
 most in a similar manner. These melancholy scenes render- 
 ed the situation of tlie survivors more dreadful; it is impossi- 
 ble to describe their feelings. Despair became general; ev- 
 ery man imagined his own dissolution was near. They all now 
 went to prayers; some prayed in the Welch language, some 
 in Irish, and others in English; then, after a little delibera- 
 tion, they stripped the two dead men, and hove them over- 
 board. 
 
 The weather being now very mild, and almost calm, they 
 turned to, cleaned the boat, and resolved to make their sail 
 larger out of the frocks and trowsers of the two deceased 
 men. Purnell got the captain to lie down with the rest of the 
 people, the boatswain and one man excepted, who assisted him 
 in making the sail larger, which they had completed by six 
 or seven o’clock in the afternoon, having made a shroud out of 
 
 the boat’s painter, which served as a shifting back-stay. 
 
 Purnell also fixed his red flannel waistcoat at the mast-head, 
 as a signal the most likely to be seen. 
 
 Soon after this some of them observed a sloop at a great 
 distance, coming, as they thought, from the land. This rous- 
 ed every man’s spirits; they got out their oars, at which they 
 laboured alternately, exerting all their remaining strength to 
 come up with her; but night coming on, and the sloop getting 
 a fresh breeze of wind, they lost sight of her, which occasion- 
 ed a general consternation; however, the appearance of the 
 North star, which they kept on their starboard-bow, gave 
 them hopes that they stood in for land. This night one Wil- 
 liam Wathing died; he was 64 years of age, and had been to 
 sea 50 years; quite worn out with fatigue and hunger, he 
 earnestly prayed, to the last moment, for a drop of water 
 to cool his tongue. Early the next morning Hugh Williams 
 also died, and in the course of the day another of the crew; 
 entirely exhausted, — they both expired without a groan. 
 
64 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG TTRREL. 
 
 JEarly in the morning of July 13, it began to blow very 
 fresh, and increased so much, that they were obliged to furl 
 their sail, and keep the boat before the wind and sea, which 
 drove them off soundings. In the evening their gunner died. 
 The weather now becoming moderate and the wind in the S 
 W. quarter, they made sail, not one being able to row or pull 
 an oar at any rate; they ran all this night with a fine breeze. 
 
 The next morning (July 14) two more of the crew died, 
 and in the evening they also lost the same number. They 
 found they were on soundings again, and concluded the wind 
 had got round to the N. W. quarter. They stood in for the 
 land all this night, and early on July 12 two others died; the 
 deceased were thrown overboard as soon as their breath had 
 departed. The weather was now thick and hazy, and they 
 were still certain that they were on soundings. 
 
 The cabin-boy was seldom required to do any thing, and as 
 his intellects, at this time, were very good, and his under- 
 standing clear, it was the opinion of Mr. Purnell that he 
 would survive them all, but he prudently kept his thoughts to 
 himself. The captain seemed likewise tolerably well, and to 
 have kept up his spirits. On account of the haziness of the 
 weather, they could not so well know how they steered in the 
 day time as at night; for, whenever the North star appeared, 
 they endeavored to keep it on their starboard bow, by which 
 means they were certain of making the land some time or 
 other. In the evening two more of the crew died, also, be- 
 fore sunset, one Thomas Philpot, an old experienced seaman, 
 and very strong; he departed rather convulsed; having latter- 
 ly lost the power of articulation, his meaning could not be 
 comprehended. He was a native of Belfast, Ireland, and had 
 no family. The survivors found it a difficult task to heave his 
 body overboard, as he was a very corpulent man. 
 
 About six or seven the next morning, July 16, they stood 
 in for the land, according to the best of their judgment, the 
 weather still thick and hazy. Purnell now prevailed upon 
 the captain and boatswain of the boat to lie down in the fore- 
 part of the boat, to bring her more by the head, in order to 
 make her hold a better wind. In the evening the cabin-boy, 
 who lately appeared so well, breathed his last, leaving behind, 
 the captain, the boatswain and JMr. Purnell. 
 
 The next morning, July 17, Mr. Purnell asked his two 
 companions if they thought they could eat any of the boy’s 
 flesh; and having expressed an inclination to try, and the 
 body being quite cold, he cut the inside of his thigh, a little 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG TTRREL. 
 
 65 
 
 above his knee, and gave a piece to the captain and boat- 
 swain, reserving a small piece for himself; but so weak were 
 their stomachs that none of them could swallow a morsel of it, 
 the body was therefore thrown overboard. 
 
 Early in the morning of the 18th, Mr. Purnell found both 
 of his companions dead and cold! Thus destitute, he began 
 to think of his own dissolution; though feeble, his understand- 
 ing was still clear, and his spirits as good as his forlorn situa- 
 tion ’ould possibly admit. By the colour and coldness of 
 the w r, he knew he was not far from land, and still main- 
 tained ii.'-pes of making it. The weather continued very foggy. 
 He lay to all this night, which was very dark, with the boat’s 
 head to the northward. 
 
 In the morning of the 19th, it began to rain; it cleared up 
 in the afternoon, and the wind died away; still Mr. Purnell 
 was convinced he was on soundings. 
 
 On the 20th, in the afternoon, he thought he saw land, and 
 stood in for it; but night coming on, and it being now very 
 dark, he lay to, fearing he might get on some rocks and 
 shoals. 
 
 July 21, the weather was very fine all the morning, but in 
 the afternoon it became thick and hazy. IMr. Purnell’s 
 spirits still remained good, hut his strength was almost e.xhaus- 
 ted; he still drank his own water occasionally. 
 
 On the 22d he saw some barnacles on the boat’s rudder, 
 very similar to the spawn of an oyster, which filled him with 
 greater hopes of being near land. He unshipped the rudder, 
 and scraping them otf with his knife, found they were of a 
 salt fishy substance, atid eat them; he was now so weak, the 
 boat having a great motion, that he found it a difficult task to 
 ship the rudder. 
 
 At sunrise, July 23, he became so sure that he saw land, that 
 bis spirits were considerably raised. In the middle of this 
 day he got up, leaned his liack against the mast, and received 
 succour from the sun, having previously contrived to steer the 
 boat in this position. The ne.xt day he saw, at a very great 
 distance, some kind of a sail, which he judged was coming 
 from the land, which he soon lost sight of In the middle of 
 the day he got up, and received warmth from the sun as be- 
 fore. He stood on all niglit for the land. 
 
 Very early in the morning of the 25th, after drinking his 
 morning draught, to his ine.xpressible joy he saw, while the 
 sun was rising, a sail, and when the sun was up, found she 
 was a two-mast vessel. He was, however, consideraoly per 
 
56 
 
 LOSS OF THE BRIG TYRREL. 
 
 plexed, not knowing what to do, as she was a great distance 
 astern and to the leeward. In order to watch her motions 
 better, he tacked about. Soon after this he perceived she 
 was standing on her starboard tack, which had been the same 
 he had been standing on for many hours. He saw she ap- 
 proached him very fast, and he lay to for some time, till he 
 believed she was within two miles of the boat, but still to lee- 
 ward; therefore he thought it best to steer larger, when he 
 found she was a top-sail schooner, nearing him very fa-'t. — 
 He continued to edge down towards her, until he had ought 
 her about two points under his lee-bow, having it in h.s power 
 to spring his luff, or bear away. By this time she was within 
 half a mile, and he saw some of her people standing forwards 
 on her deck and waiving for him to come under their lee-bow. 
 
 At the distance of about 200 yards they hove the schooner 
 up in the wind, and kept her so until Purnell got alongside, 
 when they threw him a rope, still keeping the schooner in the 
 wind. They now interrogated him very closely; by the man- 
 ner the boat and oars were painted, they imagined she belong- 
 ed to a man of war, and that they bad run away with her from 
 some of his IVIajesty’s ships at Halifax, consequently that they 
 would be liable to some punishment if they took him up; they 
 also thought, as the captain and boatswain were lying dead 
 in the boat, they might expose themselves to some contagious 
 disorder. Thus they kept Purnell in suspense for some time. 
 They told him they had made the land that morning from the 
 mast-head, and that they were running along shore for j\Iar- 
 blehead, to which place they belonged, and where they ex- 
 pected to be the next morning. At last they told him he 
 might come on board; which as he said, he could not without 
 assistance, the captain ordered two of his men to help him. — 
 They conducted him aft on the quarter deck, where they left 
 him resting on the companion. 
 
 They were now for casting the boat adrift, but i\Ir. Purnell 
 told them she was not above a month old, built at New York, 
 and if they would hoist her in, it would pay them well for 
 their trouble. To this they agreed, and having thrown the 
 two corpses overboard, and taken out the clothes tliat were 
 left by the deceased, they hoisted her in and made sail. 
 
 Being now on board, Purnell asked for a little water, Cap- 
 tain Castleman (for that was his name) ordered one of his 
 sons, (having two on board) to fetch him some; when he 
 came with the water, his father looked to see how much he 
 was bringing him, and thinking it too much, threw some of it 
 
LOSS OF THE BRIG TYRREL, 
 
 57 
 
 away, and desired him to give the remainder, which he drank, 
 being the first fresh water he had tasted for 23 days. As he 
 leaned all this time against the companion, he became very 
 cold, and begged to go below; the captain ordered two men 
 to help him down to the cabin, where they left him sitting on 
 the cabin-deck, leaning upon the lockers, all hands being now 
 engaged in hoisting in and securing the boat. This done, all 
 hands went down to the cabin to breakfast, except the man at 
 the helm. They made some soup for Purnell, which he 
 thought very good, but at present he could eat very little, and 
 in consequence of his late draughts, he had broke out in ma- 
 ny parts of his body, so that he was in great pain whenever 
 he stirred. They made a bed for him out of an old sail, and 
 behaved very attentive. While they were at breakfast a 
 squall of wind came on, which called them all upon deck; 
 during their absence, Purnell took up a stone bottle, and 
 without smelling or tasting it, but thinking it was rum, took a 
 hearty draught of it, and found it to be sweet oil; having 
 placed it where he found it, he lay down. 
 
 They still ran along shore with the land in sight, and were 
 in great hopes of getting into port that night, but the wind dy- 
 ing away, they did not get in till nine o’clock the next night. 
 All this time Purnell remained like a child; some one was 1- 
 ahvays with him, to give him whatever he wished to eat or drink. 
 
 As soon as they came to anchor, Captain Castleman went 
 on shore, and returned on board the next morning with the 
 owner, John Picket, Esq. Soon after they got Purnell into 
 a boat, and carried him on shore; but he was still so very fee- 
 ble, that he was obliged to be supported by two men. Wr 
 Picket took a very genteel lodging for him, and hired a nurse 
 to attend him; he was immediately put to bed, and afterwards 
 provided with a change of clothes. In the course of the day 
 he was visited by every doctor in the town, who all gave him 
 hopes of recovering, but told him it would be some time, for 
 the stronger the constitution, the longer (they said) it took to 
 recover its lost strength. Though treated with the utmost 
 tenderness and humanity, it was three weeks before he was 
 able to come down stairs. Pie stayed in Marblehead two 
 months, during which he lived very comfortably, and gradual- 
 ly recovered his strength. The brig’s boat and oars were 
 sold for 95 dollars, which paid all his expenses, and procured 
 him a passage to Boston. The nails of his fingers and toes 
 withered away almost to nothing, and did not begin to grow 
 for many months after. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 3 * 
 
58 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PEGGY. 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PEGGY. 
 
 On the 28th of September, 1785, the Peggy, commanded by 
 Capt. Knight, sailed from the harbor of Waterford, Ireland, 
 for the port of New Y'ork, in America. 
 
 Here it is necessary to observe, that the Peggy was a large 
 unwieldy Dutch-built ship, about eight hundred tons burden, 
 and had formerly been in the Norway, and timber trade, for 
 which, indeed, she seemed, from her immense bulk, well cal- 
 culated. There being no freight in readiness for America, 
 we were under the necessity of taking in ballast : which con- 
 sisted of coarse gravel and sand, with about fifty casks of 
 stores, fresh stock, and vegetables, sufficient to last during the 
 voyage ; having plenty of room, and having been most abund- 
 antly supplied by the hospitable neighbourhood, of which we 
 were about to take our leave. 
 
 We weighed anchor, and with the assistance of a rapid tide 
 and pleasant breeze, soon gained a tolerable offing : we con- 
 tinued under easy sail the remaining part of the day, and to- 
 wards sunset lost sight of land. 
 
 Sept. 29th, made the old head of Kingsale ; the weather 
 continuing favorable, we shortly came within si^ht of Cape 
 Clear, from whence we took our departure from the coast of 
 Ireland. 
 
 Nothing material occurred for several days, during which 
 time we traversed a vast space of the AVestern Ocean. 
 
 Oct. 12th, the weather now became hazy and squally ; — all 
 hands turned up to reef top-sails, and strike top-gallant-yards. 
 — Towards night the squalls were more frequent, indicating 
 an approaching gale : — AVe accordingly clued, reefed top-sails, 
 and struck top-gallant-masts ; and having made all snug aloft, 
 the ship weathered the night very steadily. 
 
 On the ISth the crew were employed in setting up the rig- 
 ging, and occasionally pumping, the ship having made much 
 water during the night. The gale increasing as the day ad- 
 vanced, occasioned the vessel to make heavy rolls, by which 
 an accident happened, which was near doing much injury to 
 the captain’s cabin. A puncheon of rum, which was lashed 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PEGGY. 
 
 59 
 
 on the larboard side of the cabin, broke loose, a sudden jerk 
 having drawn assunder the cleets to whicli it was fastened. 
 By its velocity it stove in the state-rooms, and broke several 
 utensils of the cabin furniture. The writer of this, with mucli 
 difficulty, escaped with whole limbs • but not altogether un- 
 hurt, receiving a painful bruise on the right foot ; having, 
 however, escaped from the cabin, the people on deck were 
 given to understand that the rum was broken loose. The 
 word rum soon attracted the sailor’s attention, and this cask 
 being the ship’s only stock, they were not tardy (as may be 
 supposed ) in rendering their assistance to double lash, what 
 they anticipated — the delight, of frequently splicing the main- 
 brace therewith during their voyage. 
 
 On the 14th the weather became moderate, and the crew 
 were employed in making good the stowage of the stores in 
 the hold, which had given way during the night ; — shaking 
 reefs out of the top-sails, getting up top-gallant-masts and 
 yards, and rigging out studding-sails. All hands being now 
 called to dinner, a bustle and confused noise took place on 
 deck. The captain (who was below) sent the writer of this to 
 discover the cause thereof, but before he could explain, a 
 voice was crying out in a most piteous and vociferous tone. 
 The captain and chief mate, jumped on deck, and found the 
 crew had got the cook laid on the windlass, and were giving 
 him a most severe cobbing with a flat piece of his own fire 
 wood. As soon as the captain had reached forward, he was 
 much exasperated with them I'or their precipitate conduct, in 
 punishing without his knowledge and permission, and having 
 prohibited such proceedings in future cases, he inquired the 
 cause of their grievance. The cook, it seems, having been 
 served out fresh water to dress vegetables for all hands, 
 had inadvertently used it for some other purpose, and boiled 
 the greens in a copper of salt water, which rendered them so 
 intolerably tough, that they were not fit for use ; consequently 
 the sailors had not their expected garnish, and a general mur- 
 mur taking place, the above punishment was inflicted. 
 
 A steady breeze ensuing, all sails filled and the ship made 
 way, with a lofty and majestic air ; and at every plunge of 
 her bows, which was truly Dutch-built, rose a foam of no 
 small appearance. 
 
 During four days the weather continued favorable, which 
 flattered the seamen with a speedy sight of land. 
 
 On the 19th we encountered a very violent gale, with an 
 unusual heavy sea : — The ship worked greatly, and took in 
 
60 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PEGGY. 
 
 much water through her seams ; — the pumps were kept fre- 
 quently going. At mid-day, while the crew were at dinner, 
 a tremendous sea struck the ship right aft, which tore in the 
 cabin windows, upset the whole of the dinner, and nearly 
 drowned the captain, mate, and myself, who was at that time 
 holding a dish on the table, while the captain was busily em- 
 ployed in carving a fine goose, which, much to our discomfit- 
 ure, was entirely drenched by the salt-water. Some of the 
 coops were washed from the quarter-deck, and several of the 
 poultry destroyed. 
 
 In consequence of the vessel shipping so great a quantity 
 of water, the pumps were doubly manned, and soon gained on 
 her. The gale had not in the least abated during the night. 
 The well was plumbed, and there was found to be a sudden 
 and alarming increase of water. The carpenter was imme- 
 diately ordered to examine the ship below, in order to find the 
 cause of the vessel’s making so much water. His report was, 
 she being a very old vessel, her seams had considerably open- 
 ed by her laboring so much, therefore, could devise no means 
 at present to prevent the evil. He also reported, the mizen- 
 mast to be in great danger. 
 
 The heel of the mizen-mast being stepped between decks (a 
 very unusual case, but probably it was placed there in order 
 to make more room for stowage in the after-hold) was likely 
 to work from its step, and thereby might do considerable 
 damage to the ship. 
 
 The captain now held a consultation with the officers, w hen 
 it was deemed expedient to cut the mast away without delay : 
 this was accordingly put into execution the following morning, 
 as soon as the day made its appearance. The necessary pre- 
 parations having been made, the carpenter began hewing at 
 the mast, and quickly made a deep wound. Some of the crew 
 were stationed ready to cut away the stays and lanyards, 
 whilst the remaining part was anxiously watching the moment- 
 ary crash which was to ensue ; the word being given to cut 
 away the weather-lanyards, as the ship gave a lee-lurch, the 
 the whole of the wreck of the mast plunged, without further 
 injury, into the ocean. 
 
 The weather still threatening a continuance, our principal 
 employ was at the pumps, which were kept continually going. 
 The sea had now rose to an alarming height, and frequently 
 struck the vessel with great violence. Towards the afternoon 
 part of the starboard bulwark was carried away by the shock of 
 a heavy sea,which made the ship broach-to, and before she could 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PEGGY. 
 
 61 
 
 answer her helm again, a sea broke through the fore-chains, 
 and swept away the caboose and all its utensils from the deck ; 
 fortunately for the cook he was assisting at the pumps at the 
 time, or he inevitably must have shared the same fate as his 
 galley. 
 
 Notwithstanding the exertions of the crew, the watef gain- 
 ed fast, and made its way into the hold, which washed a great 
 quantity of the ballast through the timber-holes into the hull, 
 by which the suckers of the pumps were much damaged, and 
 thereby frequently choaked. By such delays the leaks in- 
 creased rapidly. We were under the necessity of repeatedly 
 hoisting the pumps on deck, to apply different means which 
 were devised to keep the sand from entering, but all our ef- 
 forts proved ineffectual, and the pumps were deemed of no fur- 
 ther utility. There was now no time to be lost ; accordingly 
 it was agreed that the allowance of fresh water should be less- 
 ened to a pint a man ; the casks were immediately hoisted from 
 the hold, and lashed between decks. As the water was start- 
 ed from two of them, they were saw'ed in two, and formed into 
 buckets, there being no other casks on board fit for that pur- 
 pose ; the whips w^ere soon applied, and the hands began bail- 
 ing at the fore and after hatchways which continued without 
 intermission the whole of the night, each man being suffered 
 to take one hour’s rest, in rotation. 
 
 The morning of the 22d presented to our view a most dreary 
 aspect, — a dismal horizon encircling — not the least appear- 
 ance of the gale abating — on the contrary, it seemed to come 
 w'ith redoubled vigor — the ballast washing from side to side of 
 the ship at each roll, and scarce a prospect of freeing her. 
 Notwithstanding these calamities, the crew did not relax their 
 efforts. The main-hatchway was opened and fresh buckets 
 went to work ; the captain and mate alternately relieving each 
 other at the helm. The writer’s station was to supply the 
 crew with grog, which was plentifully served to them every 
 two hours. By the motion of the ship the buckets struck 
 against the combings of the hatchways with great violence, 
 and in casting them in the hold to fill, they frequently struck 
 on the floating pieces of timber which were generally used as 
 chocks in stowing the hold. By such accidents the buckets 
 were repeatedly stove, and we were under the necessity of 
 cutting more of the water casks to supply their place. Start- 
 ing the fresh water overboard was reluctantly done, par- 
 ticularly as we now felt the loss of the caboose, and were under 
 the necessity of eating the meat raw, which occasioned us to 
 
62 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE PEGCr. 
 
 be very thirsty. Night coming on, the crew were not allow 
 ed to go below to sleep ; each man, when it came to his turn, 
 stretched himself on the deck. 
 
 Oct. 23. Notwithstanding the great quantity of water bailed 
 from the vessel, she gained so considerably that she had vis- 
 ibly settled much deeper in the water. All hands were now 
 called aft, in order to consult on the best measures. It was 
 now unanimously resolved to make for the island of Bermudas, 
 it being the nearest land. Accordingly we bore away for it, 
 but had not sailed many leagues before we found that the 
 great quantify of water in the vessel had impeded her steer- 
 age so much that she would scarcely answer her helm ; and 
 making a very heavy lurch, the ballast shifted, which gave 
 her a great lift to the starboard, and rendered it verv difficult 
 to keep a firm footinir on deck. The anchors which were 
 stowed on the larboard bow were ordered to be cut away, and 
 the cables which were on the orlop deck to be hove overboard 
 in order to right her ; but all this had a very trifling efifect, for 
 the ship was now become quite a log. 
 
 The crew were still employed in baling ; one of whom, in 
 preventing a bucket from being stove against the combings, 
 let go his hold, and fell down the hatchway ; with great diffi- 
 culty he escaped being drowned or dashed against the ship’s 
 sides. Having got into a bucket which w'as instantly lowered, 
 he was providentially hoisted on deck without anv injurv. 
 
 During the night the weather became more moderate, and 
 on the following morning, (Oct. 2.5), the gale had entirely 
 subsided, but left a very lieavv swell. Two large whales ap- 
 proached close to the ship. Th(‘y sported around the vessel 
 the whole- of the day, and alfer dusk disapjieared. 
 
 Having now' no further use of the helm, it was lashed down, 
 and the captain and mate took their spell at the buckets. My 
 assistance having been also required, a boy of less strength, 
 whose previous business was to attend the cook, now took my 
 former station of serving the crew with refreshments. This 
 lad had not lonij filled his new' situation of drawing out rum 
 from the casic, before he was tempted to taste it, and which 
 having repeatedly done he soon became intoxicated, and was 
 missed on deck for some time. I was sent to look for him. 
 The spigot 1 perceived out of the cask, and the liquor running 
 about, but the boy I could not see for some time ; how- 
 ever looking down the lazeretto (the trap-door of which was 
 lying open), I found him fast asleep. He had luckily fallen 
 on some sails which were stowed there, or he must have 
 pe risked 
 
THE LOSS OF THE PEGGT- 
 
 63 
 
 On the 26th and 27th of Oct. the weathc/ continued quite 
 clear, with light baffling winds. A man was constantly kept 
 aloft to look out for a sail. The rest of the crew were em- 
 ployed at the whips. 
 
 On the 28th the weather began to lower, and appeared in- 
 clined for rain. Tiiis gave some uneasiness, bciiig appre- 
 hensive of a gale. The captain therefore directed the car- 
 penter to overhaul tlie long-boat, caulk her, and raise a streak, 
 which orders were immediately complied with ; but when he 
 went to his locker for oakum, he found it plundered of nearly 
 the whole of his stock — all hands were therefore set to pick- 
 ing, by which means he was soon supplied. 
 
 It was totally clear on the 29th, with a fresh breeze, but 
 the ship heeled so much that her gunwale at times was under 
 water, and the crew could scarcely stand on deck. All hands 
 were now ordered to assenible aft, when the captain in a short 
 address, pointed out the most probable manner by which they 
 could be saved. All agreed in opinion with him, and it was 
 resolved that the long-boat should be hoisted out as speedily 
 as possible, and such necessaries as could be conveniently 
 stowed, to be placed in her. Determined no longer to labor 
 at the buckets, the vessel, which could not remain above 
 water many hours after we had ceased baling, was now aban- 
 doned to her fate. 
 
 I now began to reflect on the small chance we had of being 
 saved — tw'enty-two people in an open boat — upwards of three 
 hundred miles from the land — in a boisterous climate, and the 
 whole crew worn out with fatigue The palms of the crew’s 
 hands were already so flayed it cf)uld not be expected that they 
 could do much execution with the oars — while thus reflecting 
 on our perilous situation, one of our oldest seamen, who at 
 this moment was standing near me, turned his head aside to 
 wipe away a tear — I could not refrain from sympathizing with 
 him — my heart was already full ; — The captain perceiving my 
 despondency bade me be of good cheer, and called me a 
 young lubber. 
 
 The boat having been hoisted out, and such necessaries 
 placed in her as were deemed requisite, one of the hands was 
 sent aloft to lash the colors downwards to the main-top-mast 
 shrouds ; which having done, he placed himself on the cross- 
 trees, to look around him, and almost instantly hallooed out, 
 — “A sail.” — It would be impossible to describe the ecstatic 
 emotions of the crew : every man was aloft, in order to be 
 satisfied ; though, a minute before, not one of the crew was 
 able to stand upright. 
 
64 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD. 
 
 The sail was on our weather-bow, bearing right down on us 
 with a smart breeze. She soon perceived us, but hauled her 
 wind several times, in order to examine our ship. As she ap- 
 proached nearer she clearly perceived our calamitous situa- 
 tion, and hastened to our relief. 
 
 She proved to be a Philadelphia schooner, bound to Cape 
 Francois, in St. Domingo. The captain took us all on board 
 in the most humane and friendly manner, and after casting 
 our boat adrift, proceeded on his voyage. When we perceiv- 
 ed our ship from the vessel on which we were now happily on 
 board, her appearance was truly deplorable. 
 
 The captain of the schooner congratulated us on our for- 
 tunate escape, and expressed his surprise that the ship should 
 remain so long on her beam ends, in such a heavy sea, with- 
 out capsizing. We soon began to distance the wreck, by this 
 time very low in the water, and shortly after lost sight of her. 
 
 The evening began to approach fast, when a man loosing 
 the main-top-sail, descried a sail directly in the same course 
 on our quarter. We made sail for her, and soon came within 
 hail of her. She proved to be a brig from Glasgow, bound to 
 Antigua. It was now determined, between the captains, that 
 half of our people should remain in the schooner, and the cap- 
 tain, mate, eight of the crew, and myself, should get on board 
 the brig. On our arrival at Antigua we met with much kind- 
 ness and humanity. 
 
 LOSS OF HIS MAJESTY’S SHIP LITCHFIELD. 
 
 The Litchfield, Captain Barton, left Ireland on the 11th of 
 November, 1758, in company with several other men of war 
 and transports, under the command of Commodore Keppel, 
 intended for the reduction of Goree. The voyage was pros- 
 perous till the 28th, when at eight in the evening I took 
 charge of the watch, and the weather turned out very squal- 
 ly with rain. At nine it was e.xtremely dark, with much 
 
THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD. 
 
 65 
 
 lightning, the wind varying from S. W. to W. N. W. At 
 half past nine, had a very hard squall. Captain Barton came 
 upon deck and staid till ten; then left orders to keep sight 
 of the commodore, and to make what sail the weather would 
 permit. At eleven, saw the commodore bearing south, but 
 the squalls coming on so heavy, were obliged to hand the 
 main-top-sail, and at twelve o’clock, were under our courses 
 
 November the 29, at one in the morning, I left the deck in 
 charge of the first lieutenant; the light, which we took to be 
 the commodore’s right ahead, bearing S. wind W. S.W. blow- 
 ing very hard; at six in the morning I was awakened by a 
 great shock, and a confused noise of the men on deck. I 
 ran up, thinking some ship had run foul of us, for, by my own 
 reckoning, and that of every other person in the ship, we 
 were at least 35 leagues distant from land; but, before I could 
 reach the quarter-deck, the ship gave a great stroke upon the 
 ground, and the sea broke all over her. Just after this, I 
 could perceive the land, rocky, rugged and uneven, about 
 two cables’ length from us. The ship lying with her broadside 
 to windward, the masts soon went overboard, carrying some 
 men with them. It is impossible for any one but a sufterer to 
 feel our distress at this time; the masts, yards, and sails hang- 
 ing alongside in a confused heap; the ship beating violently 
 upon the rocks; the waves curling up to an incredible 
 height, then dashing down with such force as if they would 
 immediately have split the ship to pieces, which we, indeed, 
 every moment expected. Having a little recovered from our 
 confusion, saw it necessary to get every thing we could over 
 to the larboard side, to prevent the ship from heeling oft’, and 
 exposing the deck to the sea. Some of the people were very 
 earnest to get the boats out contrary to advice; and, after much 
 intreaty, notwithstanding a most terrible sea, one of the boats 
 was launched, and eight of the best men jumped into her, but 
 she had scarcely got to the ship’s stern, when she was whirl- 
 ed to the bottom, and every soul in her perished. The rest 
 of the boats were soon washed to pieces on the deck. — • 
 We then made a raft of the davit, capstan-bars and some 
 boards, and waited with resignation, for divine Providence to 
 assist us. 
 
 The ship soon filled with water, so that we had no time to 
 get any provision up; the quarter-deck and poop were now 
 the only place we could stand on with security, the waves 
 being mostly spent by the time they reached us, owing to the 
 fore part of the ship breaking them 
 
66 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD. 
 
 At four in the afternoon, perceiving the sea to be much 
 abated, one of our people attempted to swim, and got safe on 
 shore. There were numbers of Moors upon the rocks ready 
 to take hold of any one, and beckoned much for us to come 
 ashore, which, at first we took for kindness, but they soon un- 
 deceived us, for they had not the humanity to assist any that 
 was entirely naked, but would fly to those who had anything 
 about them, and strip them before they were quite out of the 
 water, wrangling among themselves about tlie plunder; in the 
 mean time the poor wretches were left to crawl u|> the rocks 
 if they were able, if not, they perished unregarded. The 
 second lieutenant and myself, with about si.\tv-five others, got 
 ashore before dark, but were left exposed to the weather on 
 the cold sand. To preserve ourselves from perishing of cold, 
 were obliged to go down to the shore, and to bring up pieces 
 of the wreck to make a fire. While thus emploved, if we 
 happened to pick up a shirt or handkerchief, and did not give 
 it to the Moors at the first demand, the next thing was a dao- 
 ger presented to our breast. 
 
 They allowed us a piece of an old sail, which they did not 
 think worth carrying off; with this we made two tents, and 
 crowded ourselves into them, sitting between one another’s 
 legs to preserve warmth, and make room. In this uneasv situ- 
 ation, continually bewailing our misery, and that of our poor 
 shipmates on the wreck, we passed a most tedious night, with- 
 out so much as a drop of water to refresh ourselves, except- 
 ing wdiat we caught through our sail-cloth covering. 
 
 November the 30th, at six in the morning, went down with 
 a number of our men upon the rocks, to assist our shipmates 
 in coming ashore, and found the ship had been greallv shat- 
 tered in the night. It being now low water, many attempted 
 to swim ashore; some got safe, l.ut others perished. The 
 people on board got the raft into the water, and about fifteen 
 men placed themselves upon it. 'I hey had no sooe.er put otF 
 from the wreck, tlian it overturned; most of the men recover- 
 ed it again, but, scarcely were they on, before it was a second 
 time overturned. Only three or four got hold of it again, and 
 all the rest perished. In the mean time, a good swimmer 
 brought with much difficulty a rope ashore, which I had the 
 good fortune to catch hold of, just when he was quite spent, 
 and had thoughts of quitting it. 
 
 Some people coming to my assistance, we pulled a large 
 rope ashore with that, and made it fast round a rock. We 
 found this gave great spirits to the poor souls upon the wreck; 
 
THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD. 
 
 67 
 
 it being hauled taught from the upper part of the stern, made 
 an easy descent to any who had art enough to walk or slide 
 upon a rope, with a smaller rope fixed above to hold by. This 
 was a means of saving a number of lives, though many were 
 washed off by the impetuous surf, and perished. The flooa 
 coming on, raised the surf, and prevented any more from 
 coming at that time, so that the ropes could be of no furthe 
 use. We then retired from the rocks; and hunger prevailing, 
 set about boiling some of the drowned turkeys. Sic. which 
 with some flour mixed into a paste, and baked upon the coals, 
 constituted our first meal upon this barbarous coast. We 
 found a well of fresh water about a half a mile off, which very 
 much refreshed us. But we had scarcely finished this coarse 
 repast, when the Moors, who were now grown numerous, 
 drove us all down to the rocks to bring up empty iron bound 
 casks, pieces of the wreck which had the most iron about them, 
 and other articles. 
 
 About three o’clock in the afternoon we made another meal 
 on the drowned poultry, and finding this was the best provi- 
 sion we were likely to have; some were ordered to save all 
 they could find, others to raise a larger tent, and the rest sent 
 down to the rocks to look for people coming ashore. The 
 surf greatly increasing with the flood, and breaking upon the 
 fore-part of the ship, she was divided into three parts; the 
 fore-part turned keel up, the middle part soon dashed into a 
 thousand pieces; the fore-part of the poop likewise fell at this 
 time, and about thirty men with it, eight of whom got ashore 
 with our help, but so bruised, that we despaired of their re- 
 covery. Nothing but the after-part of the poop now remain- 
 ed above water, and a very small part of the other decks, on 
 which our captain, and about 130 more remained, expecting 
 every wave to be their last. Evei'y shock threw some off; 
 few or none of whom came on shore alive. During this dis- 
 tress the Moors laughed uncommonly, and seemed much di- 
 verted, when a wave larger than usual, threatened the destruc- 
 tion of the poor wretches on the wreck. Between four and 
 five o’clock the sea was decreased with the ebb; the rope be- 
 ing still secure, the people began to venture upon it; some 
 tumbled off and perished, but others reached the shore in 
 safety. 
 
 About five, we beckoned as much as possible for the cap- 
 tain to come upon the rope, as this seemed to be as good 
 an opportunity as any we had seen; and many arrived in 
 safety with our assistance. Some told us that the captain 
 
68 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD. 
 
 was determined to stay till all the men had quitted the wreck; 
 however, we still continued to beckon for him, and before it 
 was dark, saw him come upon the rope. He was closely fol- 
 lowed by a good able seaman, who did all he could to keep up 
 his spirits and assist him in warping. As he could not swim, 
 and had been so many hours without refreshment, with the 
 surf hurling him violently along, he was unable to resist the 
 force of the waves, had lost his hold of the great rope, and 
 must inevitably have perished had not a wave thrown him 
 within the reach of our ropes, which he had barely sufficient 
 sense to catch hold of. We pulled him up, and after resting 
 a short time on the rocks, he came to himself, and walked up 
 to the tent, desiring us to continue to assist the rest of the 
 people in coming on shore. 
 
 The villians, (the Moors), would have stripped him, though, 
 he had nothing on but a plain waistcoat and breeches, if we 
 had not plucked up a little spirit and opposed them; upon 
 which they thought proper to desist. The people continued 
 to come ashore, though many perished in the attempt. The 
 Moors, at length, growing tired with waiting for so little plun- 
 der, would not suffer us to remain on the rocks, but drove us 
 all away. I then, with the captain’s approbation, went, and 
 by signs made humble supplication to the bashaw, who was in 
 the tent, dividing the valuable plunder. He understood us at 
 last, and gave us permission to go down, at the same time 
 sending some Moors with us. We carried fire-brands down to 
 let the poor souls on the wreck see that we were still there in 
 readiness to assist them. About nine at night finding that 
 no more men would venture upon the rope, as the surf was 
 again greatly increased, we retired to the tent, leaving by the 
 account of the last man arrived, between thirty and forty souls 
 still upon the wreck. We now thought of stowing every 
 body in the tent, and began by fixing the captain in the mid- 
 dle. Then made every man lie down on his side, as we could 
 not afford them each a breadth; but, after all, many took easi- 
 er lodging in empty casks. 
 
 The next morning the weather was moderate and fair. — 
 We found the wreck all in pieces on the rocks, and the thore 
 covered with lumber. The people upon the wreck all perish- 
 ed about one in morning. In the afternoon we called a mus- 
 ter, and found the number of the survivors to be 220; so that 
 130 perished on this melancholy occasion. 
 
 On the 2d of December, the weather still continued moder- 
 ate, We subsisted entirely on the drowned stock, and a lit- 
 
THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD. 
 
 69 
 
 tie pork to relish it, and the flour made into cakes; all of which 
 we issued regularly and sparingly, being ignorant whether 
 the Moors would furnish us with any thing, they being stiil very 
 troublesome, and even wanting to rob us of the canvass which 
 covered our tent. 
 
 At two in the afternoon a black servant arrived, sent by 
 Mr. Butler, a Dane, factor to the African Company at Saffy 
 at the distance of about thirty miles, to inquire into our con 
 dition and to offer us assistance. The man having brought 
 pens, ink and paper, the captain sent back a letter by him. — 
 Finding there was one who offered us help, it greatly refresh 
 ed our afflicted hearts. 
 
 In the afte>- oon of the following day, we received a lette* 
 from Mr. Butler, with some bread and a few other necessa 
 ries. On the 4th, the people were employed in picking up 
 pieces of sails, and whatever else the Moors would permit 
 them. We divided the crew into messes, and served the 
 necessaries we received the preceding day. They had bread 
 and the flesh of the drowned stock. In the afternoon we 
 received another letter from Mr. Butler, and one at the same 
 time from ]\Ir. Andrews, an Irish gentleman, a merchant at 
 Saffy. The Moors were not so troublesome now as before, 
 most of them going off with what they had got. 
 
 On the 5th the drowned stock was entirely consumed, and 
 at low water the people were employed in collecting muscles. 
 At ten in the morning, BIr. Andrews arrived, bringing a French 
 surgeon with medicines and plaisters, of which, some of the 
 men who had been dreadfully bruised, stood in great need. — 
 The following day, w'e served out one of the blankets of the 
 country to every two men, and pampooses, a kind of slippers, 
 to those who were in most want of them. These supplies 
 were likewise brought us by Mr. Andrews. The people were 
 now obliged to live upon muscles and bread, the Moors, who 
 promised us a supply of cattle, having deceived us, and never 
 returned. 
 
 The people on the 7th were still employed in collecting 
 muscles and limpets. The Moors began to be a little civil to 
 us, for fear the emperor should punish them for their cruel 
 treatment to us. In the afternoon, a messenger arrived from 
 the emperer at Salle, with general orders to the people to 
 supply us with provisions. They accordingly brought us 
 some lean bullocks and sheep which Mr. Andrews purchased 
 for us; but at this time we had no pots to make broth in, and 
 the cattle were scarcely fit for any thing else. 
 
70 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD. 
 
 In the morning of the 10th, we made preparations for 
 marching to Blorocco, the emperor having sent orders for that 
 purpose, and camels to carry the lame and necessaries. At 
 nine, set off with about thirty camels, having got all our 
 liquor with us, divided into hogsheads, for the convenience of 
 carriage on the camels. At noon, joined the crews of one of 
 the transports and a bomb-tender, that had been wrecked 
 about three leagues to the northward of us. We were then 
 all mounted upon camels, excepting the captain, who was 
 furnished with a horse. We never stopped till seven in the 
 evening, when they procured two tents only, which would 
 not contain one third of tlie men, so that most of them lay 
 exposed to the dew, which was very heavy, and extremely 
 cold. We found our whole number to be 388, including offi- 
 cers, men, boys, three women and a child, which one of the 
 women brought ashore in her teeth. 
 
 On the 11th, continued our journey, attended by a number 
 of Moors on horseback. At six in the evening we came to 
 our resting place for that night, and were furnished with tents 
 sufficient to cover all our men. 
 
 At five in the morning of the 12th, we set out as before, 
 and, at two in the afternoon, saw the emperor’s cavalcade at 
 a distance. At three, a relation of the emperor’s, named 
 Muli Adriz, came to us, and told the captain it was the em- 
 peror’s orders, he should that instant write a letter to our 
 governor at Gibraltar, to send to his Britanic iMajesty to in- 
 quire whether he would settle a peace witli him or not. Cap- 
 tain Barton immediately sat down upon the grass and wrote a 
 letter, which, being given to ]\luli Adriz, he went and joined 
 the emperor again. At six in the evening came to our rest- 
 ing place for the night, and were well furnished with tents, 
 but very little provisions. 
 
 We were, the following day, desired to continue on the 
 same spot, till the men were refreshed, and this repose they 
 greatly needed, and we received a better supply of provi- 
 sions. That morning. Lieutenant Harrison commanding the 
 soldiers belonging to Lord Forbes’s regiment died suddenly 
 in the tent. In the evening, while employed with his inter- 
 ment, the inhuman Moors disturbed us by throwing stones 
 and mocking us. The next day we found that iney had 
 opened the grave and stripped the body. 
 
 On the 16th, we continued our journey, came to our rest- 
 ing place at four in the afternoon, pitched the tents, and serv- 
 ed out the provision. Here our people were ill-treated by 
 
THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD. 
 
 ?1 
 
 Ihe country Moors. As they were taking water from a brook, 
 the Moors would always spit into the vessel before they would 
 suffer them to take it away. Upon this some of us went 
 down to inquire into the affair, but were inamediately saluted 
 with a shower of stones. We ran in upon them, beat some 
 of them pretty soundly, put them to flight, and brought away 
 one who thought to defend himself with a long knife. This 
 fellow was severely punished by the officer who had the 
 charge of conducting us. 
 
 The two succeeding days continued our journey, and, at 
 three in the afternoon of the 18th, arrived at the City of Mo- 
 rocco, without having seen a single habitation during the 
 whole journey. Here we were insulted by the rabble, and, 
 at five, were carried before the emperor, surrounded by five 
 or six hundred of liis guards. He was on horseback before 
 the gate of his palace, that being the place where he distri- 
 butes justice to his people. He told Captain Barton, by an 
 interpreter, that he was neither at peace nor war with Eng- 
 land, and he would detain us till an ambassador arrived from 
 that country to conclude a permanent treaty. The captain 
 then desired that we might not be treated as slaves. He an- 
 swered hastily, that we should be taken care of. We were 
 then immediately hurried out of his presence, conveyed to 
 two old ruinous houses, shut up amidst dirt and innumerable 
 vermin of every description. Air. Butler being at Morocco 
 on business, came and supplied us with victuals and drink, 
 and procured liberty for the captain to go home with him to 
 his lodgings. He likewise sent some blankets for the officers, 
 and we made shift to pass the night with tolerable comfort, 
 being very much fatigued. 
 
 At nine in the morning of the 21st, the emperor sent orders 
 for the captain and every officer to appear before him. We 
 immediately repaired to his palace; vve remained waiting 
 in an outer yard two hours; in the mean time he diverted 
 himself with seeing a clumsy Dutch boat rowed about in a 
 pond by four of our petty officers. About noon we were call- 
 ed before him, and placed in a line about thirty yards from 
 him. He was sitting in a chair by the side of the pond, ac- 
 companied only by two of his chief alcaides. Having view- 
 ed us some time, he ordered the captain to come forward, and 
 after asking him a good many questions concerning our navy, 
 and the destination of the squadron to which we had belonged, 
 we were also called forward by two and three at a time as we 
 stood according to our rank. He then asked most of us 
 
72 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD 
 
 some very insignificant questions, and took some to be Porfu- 
 guese because they had black hair, and others to be Swedes 
 because their hair was light. He judged none of us to be 
 English excepting the captain, the second lieutenant, the en- 
 sign of the soldiers, and myself. But assuring him we were 
 all English, he cried Bonno, and gave a nod for our depar- 
 ture, to which we returued a very low bow, and were glad to 
 return to our old ruined houses again. Our total number 
 amounted to thirty. 
 
 On the 23th, being Christmas-day, prayers were read to the 
 people as usual in the church of England. The captain this 
 day received a present of tea and loaves of sugar from one of 
 the queens, whose gra,ndfather had been an English renegado. 
 
 In the afternoon of the 26th, we received the disagreeable 
 intelligence, that the emperor would oblige all the English to 
 work, like all the other Christian slaves, excepting the officers 
 who were before him on the 21st. The next day this account 
 was confirmed; for, at seven in the morning, an alcaide came 
 and ordered all our people out to work, excepting the sick. 
 Upon our application eight were allowed to stay at home 
 every day to cook for the rest, and this office was performed 
 by turns throughout the whole number. At four in the after- 
 noon the people returned, some having been employed in car- 
 rying wood, some in turning up the ground with hoes, and 
 others in picking weeds in the emperor’s garden. Their vic- 
 tuals were prepared for them against their return. 
 
 On the 28th all the people went to work as soon as tiiey 
 could see, and returned at four in the afternoon. Two of the 
 soldiers received one hundred bastinadoes each, for behaving 
 in a disrespectful manner while the emperor was looking at 
 their work. 
 
 On the 30th, Captain Barton received a kind message from 
 the emperor, with permission to ride out or take a walk in his 
 garden with his officers. 
 
 From this time the men continued in the same state of sla- 
 very till the arrival, in April, of Captain Milbank, sent as an 
 ambassador to the emperor. He concluded a treaty for the 
 ransom of the crew of the Litchfield, together with the other 
 English subjects in the emperor’s power, and the sum stipu- 
 lated to be paid for their release, was 170,000 dollars. Our 
 people accordingly set out for Salee, attended by a bashaw 
 and two soldiers on horseback. On the fourth day of their 
 inarch, they had a skirmish with some of the country Moors. 
 The dispute began in consequence of some of our men in the 
 
THE LOSS OF THE LITCHFIELD. 
 
 73 
 
 rear stopping at a village to buy some milk, for which, after 
 they had drank it, the Moors demanded an exorbitant price. 
 This our men refused to give, on which the Moors had re- 
 course to blows, which our people returned; and others com- 
 ing to their assistance, they maintained a smart battle, till the 
 enemy became too numerous. In the meantime some rode 
 off to call the guard, who instantly came up with their drawn 
 scimetars, and dealt round them pretty briskly. During thic 
 interval we were not idle, and had the pleasure to see the 
 blood trickling down a good many of their faces. The guards 
 seized the chief man of the village, and carried him before 
 the bashaw, who was our conductor, and who having heard 
 the cause dismissed him without further pnuishnient, in con- 
 sideration of bis having been well drubbed by us. 
 
 On the 22d of April, we arrived at Sallee, and pitched our 
 tents in an old castle, whence we soon afterwards embarked 
 on board the Gibraltar, which landed us at Gibraltar on the 
 27th of June. From that place the captain and crew were 
 put on board the Marlborough store ship, prepared expressly 
 for their reception, and arrived in England in the month of 
 Aug^^t, 1760. 
 
 YOU II. 
 
 4 
 
THE ROTHSAY STEAMER. 
 
 ?4 
 
 WRECK OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE STEAMER. 
 
 The Rothsay Castle \i as a steam packet which formerly 
 traded on the Clyde. She belonged to the line of steamers 
 which sailed from Liverpool to Beaumaris and Bangor, and 
 was furnished with one engine ordy. She was commanded by 
 Lieut. Atkinson. At ten o’clock on the — of August, 1831, 
 the vessel was appointed to sail from the usual place, George’s 
 Pierhead, but a casual delay took place in starting, and it was 
 eleven o’clock before she had got every thing in readiness. 
 Whilst taking passengers on board, a carriage arrived at the 
 Pierhead for embarkation. It belonged to 31. W. Foster, 
 Esq. of Regent’s park, London, who, with his wife and servant, 
 were conveyed in it to the packet, and took their passage at 
 the same time. They were all subsequently drowned, a little 
 dog which accompanied them being the only survivor of this 
 unfortunate group. When the steamer left the Pierhead her 
 deck was thronged with passengers. The captain, crew, 
 musicians, £ic. amounted to fifteen, in addition to whom, it was 
 supposed by persons who saw the vessel sail that one hundred 
 and ten or one hundred and twenty souls were on board. 
 The majority of the passengers consisted of holydav and family 
 parties, chiefly from country places ; and in one of these com- 
 panies, who came on a journey of pleasure from Burv, the 
 hand of death committed a merciless devastation. It consist- 
 ed of twenty-si.x persons ; in the morning, joyous with health 
 and hilarity, they sat out upon the waves, and when the shades 
 of that evei.iiig aj j^roached, every soul but two saw his last of 
 suns go down. 
 
 The weather was not particularly boisterous at the time she 
 sailed. A severe storm however, had raged in the morning 
 
THE ROTHSAY STEAMER. 
 
 75 
 
 Bnd must have agitated the water on the Banks more than 
 usual. The wind too, blew strongly from the north-west, and 
 the vessel had to contend with the tide, which began to flow 
 soon after she passed the rock. When the steamer arrived 
 off the Floating-light, which is stationed about fifteen miles 
 from Liverpool, the roughness of the sea alarmed many of the 
 passengers. — One of the survivors stated, that Mr. Tarry, of 
 Bury, who, with his family, consisting of himself, his wife, 
 their five children, and servant, was on board, being, in com- 
 mon with others, greatly alarmed for his own safety and the 
 safety of those dear to him, went down to the cabin, where the 
 captain was at dinner, and requested him to put back. His 
 reply was, “ I think there is a great deal of fear on board, and 
 very little danger. If we were to turn back with passengers, 
 it would never do — we should have no profit.” To another 
 gentleman who urged him to put back, he is reported to have 
 said very angrily, “ I’m not one of those that turn back.” 
 He remained in the cabin two whole hours, and peremptorily 
 refused to comply with the repeated requests made to him 
 by the more timid of his passengers to return to Liverpool ; 
 observing that if they knew him, they would not make the re- 
 quest. Before dinner, his behavior had been une.xceptionable ; 
 but, after he had dined, a very striking difference was observ- 
 ed in his conduct. He became violent in his manner, and 
 abusive in his language to the men. When anxiously ques- 
 tioned by the passengers, as to the progress the vessel was 
 making, and the time at which she was likely to reach her des- 
 tination, he returned trifling, and frequently very contradic- 
 tory answers. During the early part of the voyage, he had 
 spoken confidently of being able to reach Beaumaris by seven 
 o’clock ; but the evening wore away, night came on, and the 
 vessel was still a considerable distance from the termination 
 of her voyage. It was near twelve o’clock when they arrived 
 at the mouth of the Menai Strait, which is about five miles 
 from Beaumaris. The tide, which had been running out of 
 the strait, and which had, consequently, for some time pre- 
 vious retarded the steamer’s progress towards her destination, 
 was just on the turn. The vessel, according to the statement 
 of two of the seamen and one of the firemen saved, had got 
 round the buoy on the north end of the Dutchman’s Bank, 
 and had proceeded up the river as far as the tower on Puffin 
 Island ; when suddenly the steam got so low that the engine 
 would not keep her on her proper course. When asked, 
 why there was not steam on, the fireman said, that a deal of 
 
76 
 
 THE ROTHSAY STEAMER. 
 
 water had been finding its way into the vessel all day, and that 
 sometime before she got into the strait, the bilge-pumps were 
 cboked. The water in the hold then overflowed the coals ; so 
 that, in renewing the fires, a deal of water went in with the coals, 
 and made it impossible to keep the steam up. It was the 
 duty of the fireman to give notice of this occurrence ; but he 
 seems not to have mentioned it to the captain. The vessel, 
 which had evidently come fair into the channel, though there 
 was no light on the coast to guide her, now drifted, with the 
 ebb tide and north-west wind, towards the Dutchman’s Bank, 
 on the north point of which she struck, her bows sticking fast in 
 the sand. Lieut. Atkinson immediately ordered the man at 
 the helm to put the helm a starboard. The man refused to do 
 so ; but put it to port. The mate, perceiving this, ran aft, 
 took the helm from the man, and put it to starboard again. — 
 In the meantime, the captain and some of the passengers got 
 the jib up. — No doubt he did this intending to wear her round 
 and bring her head to the northward ; but in the opinion of 
 nautical men, it could not make the least difference which way 
 her head was turned, as she was on a lee shore, and there was 
 no steam to work her off. The captain also ordered the pas- 
 sengers first to run aft, in the hope, by removing the pressure 
 from the vessel’s stem, to make her float : this failing to pro- 
 duce the desired effect, he then ordered them to run forward. 
 All the exertions of the captain, the crew and passengers 
 united were unavailing. The ill-fated vessel stuck still faster 
 in the sands, and all gave themselves up for lost. The terror 
 of the passengers became excessive. Several of them urged 
 the captain to hoist lights, and make other signals of distress ; 
 but he positively refused to do so, assuring the passengers that 
 there was no danger, and telling them several times, that the 
 packet was afloat, and doing well, and on her way ; when the 
 passengers knew perfectly well that she was sticking fast in 
 the sand, and her cabins rapidly filling with water. Doubtless 
 the unfortunate man was perfectly aware of the imminence of 
 the danger ; but we may charitably suppose, that be held such 
 language for the purpose of preventing alarm which might be 
 fatal. The alarm bell was now rung with so much violence 
 that the clapper broke, and some of the passengers continued 
 to strike it for some time with a stone. The bell was heard, 
 it is said, at Beaumaris, but, as there was no light hoisted on the 
 mast of the steamer, (a fatal neglect !) those who heard the 
 signal were, of course, ignorant whence it proceeded. The 
 
THE ROTHSAY STEAMER. 
 
 77 
 
 weather, at this awful moment, was boisterous, but perfectly 
 clear. The moon, though slightly overcast, threw consider- 
 able light on the surrounding objects. — But a strong breeze 
 blew from the north-west, the tide began to set in with great 
 strength, and a heavy sea beat over the bank on which the 
 steam packet was now firmly and immovably fixed. 
 
 We cannot describe the scene which followed. Certain 
 death seemed now to present itself to all on board, and the 
 most affecting scenes were exhibited. The females, in parti- 
 cular, uttered the most piercing shrieks ; some locked them- 
 selves in each others arms, while others, losing all self-com- 
 mand, tore off their caps and bonnets, in the wildness of de- 
 spair. A Liverpool pilot, who happened to be in the packet, 
 now raised his voice and exclaimed, “ It is all over — we are 
 all lost !” At these words there was a universal despairing 
 shriek. The women and children collected in a knot together, 
 and kept embracing each other, keeping up, all the time, the 
 most dismal lamentations. When tired with crying they lay 
 against each other, with their heads reclined, like inanimate 
 bodies. The steward of the vessel and his wife, who was on 
 board, lashed themselves to the mast, determined to spend 
 their last moments in each other’s arms. Several husbands 
 and wives also met their fate locked in each other’s arms ; 
 whilst parents clung to their beloved cliildren, — several mo- 
 thers it is said, having perished with their dear little ones 
 firmly clasped in their arms. A party of the passengers, 
 about fifteen or twenty, lowered the boat and crowded into it. 
 It was impossible for any open boat to live in such a sea, even 
 though not overloaded, and she immediately swamped and 
 went to tlie bottom, with all who had made this last hopeless 
 effort for self-preservation. 
 
 For some time the vessel, though now irrecoverably lost, 
 continued to resist the action of the waves, and the despair- 
 ing souls on board still struggled with their doom. But hope 
 had forever fled ; the packet was beaten and tossed about by 
 the tumultuous waters with a violence which threatened to 
 dash her into fragments at every shock, and the sea now 
 made a continual breach over her. The decks were repeat- 
 edly swept by the boiling ocean, and each billow snatched its 
 victims to a watery grave. The unfortunate captain and his 
 mate were among the first that perished. About thirty or forty 
 passengers were standing upon the poop clinging to each 
 other in hopeless agony, and occasionally uttering the mos 
 piteous ejaculations. Whilst trembling thus upon the brink 
 
78 
 
 THE DROITS DE l’hOMME 
 
 of destruction, and expecting every moment to share the fate 
 which had already overtaken so many of their companions in 
 misery, the poop was discovered to give way ; another wave 
 rolled on with impetuous fury, and the hinder part of the luck- 
 less vessel, with all who sought safety in its frail support, was 
 burst away from its shattered counterpart, and about forty 
 wretched beings hurried through the foaming flood into an 
 eternal world. 
 
 “ Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell. 
 
 Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave.” 
 
 Those who retained any degree of sensibility endeavored 
 to catch at whatever was floating within their reach, with the 
 vain hope of prolonging their lives though it was certain that 
 life could only lengthen their sufferings. INIany grasped 
 with frantic despair, at the slightest object they could find, 
 but were either too weak to retain their hold, or were forced 
 to relinquish their grasp by the raging of the surge. The 
 rudder was seized by eight of the sinking creatures at the 
 same time, and some of them, were ultimately preserved. 
 The number of those who clung to the portion of the wreck 
 which remained upon the bank gradually grew thinner and 
 thinner, as they sunk under their fatigues, or were hurled 
 into the deep by the remorseless waves. At length, about an 
 hour and a half from the time when she struck, the remnant 
 of the Rothsay Castle disappeared from the bosom of the 
 ocean, and the remainder of her passengers and crew were 
 precipitated into the foaming abyss. 
 
 SHIPWRECK OF THE FRENCH SHIP DROITS 
 DE L’HOMME. 
 
 On the 5th of January, 17,97, returning home on leave of 
 absence from the West Indies, in the Cumberland letter ol 
 marque, for the recovery of my health, saw a large man of war 
 off the coast of Ireland, being then within four leasues of the 
 mouth of the river Shannon. She hoisted English colours. 
 
THE DROITS DE L HOMME 
 
 79 
 
 and decoyed us within gun-shot, when she substituted the tri- 
 coloured flag, and took us. She proved to be les Droits de 
 L’Homme, of 74 guns, commanded by the ci-devant baron, 
 now citizen La Crosse, and had separated from a fleet of men 
 of war, on board of which were twenty thousand troops, in- 
 tended to invade Ireland. On board of this ship was General 
 Humbert, wlio afterwards effected a descent into Ireland (in 
 ngS) with nine hundred troops and six hundred seamen. 
 
 On the 7th of January went into Bantry Bay to see if any 
 of the squadron was still there, and on finding none, the ship 
 proceeded to the southward. Nothing extraordinary occurred 
 until the evening of the 1.3th, when two men of war hove in 
 sight, which afterwards proved to be the Indefatigable and 
 Amazon frigates. It is rather remarkable that the captain 
 of the ship should inform me, that the squadron which was 
 going to engage him was Sir Edward Fellow’s, and declared, 
 as was afterwards proved by the issue, “ that he would not 
 yield to any two English frigates, but would sooner sink 
 his ship with every soul on board.” The ship was then 
 cleared for actio; ', and we English prisoners, consisting of 
 three infantry officers, two captains of merchantmen, two wo- 
 men, and forty-eight seamen and soldiers, were conducted 
 down to the cabin tier at the foot of the fore-mast. 
 
 The action began with opening the lower deck ports, which, 
 however were soon shut again, on account of the great sea, 
 which occasioned the water to rush in to that degree that we 
 felt it running on the cables. I must here observe, that this 
 ship was built on a new construction, considerably longer 
 than men of war of her rate, and lier lower-deck, on w’hich 
 she mounted thirty-two pounders F’rench, equal to forty 
 pounders English, was two feet and a half lower tnan usual. 
 The situation of the ship, before she struck on the rocks, has 
 been fully elucidated by Sir Edward Fellow, in his letter of 
 the 17th of January, to Mr. Nepeau. The awful task is lett 
 for me to relate what ensued. 
 
 At about four in the morning a dreadful convulsion, at the 
 foot of the fore-mast, roused us from a state of anxiety for 
 our fate, to the idea that the ship was sinking. It was the 
 foremast that fell over the side; in about a quarter of an hour 
 an awful mandate from above was re-echoed from all parts of 
 the ship; Pouvores Anglais! Fouvores Anglais! IMontez bieu 
 
 vite nous commes tous perdus! “ poor Englishmen! poor 
 
 Englishmen! come on deck as fast as you can, we are aP. 
 lost!” Every one rather flew than climbed. Though scarce 
 
80 
 
 THE DROITS DE l’hOMME 
 
 ly able to move before, from sickness, yet I now felt an ener- 
 getic strength in all my frame, and soon gained the upper 
 deck, but what a sight! dead, wounded and living, intermin- 
 gled in a state too shocking to describe; not a mast standing, 
 a dreadful loom of the land, and breakers all around us. — 
 The Indefatigable, on the starboard quarter, appeared stand- 
 ing off, in a most tremetidous sea, from the Penmark rocks, 
 which threatened her with instant destruction. To the great 
 humanity of her commander, those few persons who survived 
 the shipwreck, are indebted for their lives, for had another 
 broadside been fired, the commanding situation of the Indefat- 
 igable must have swept off at least a thousand men. On 
 the starboard side was seen the Amazon, within two miles, 
 just struck on the shore. Our own fate drew near. The 
 ship struck and immediately sunk! Shrieks of horror and 
 dismay were heard from all quarters, while the merciless 
 waves tore from the wreck many early victims. Day-ligiit 
 appeared, and we beheld the shore lined with people who 
 could render us no assistance. At low' water, rafts w’ere con- 
 structed, and the boats were got in readiness to be hoisted 
 out. The dusk arrived, and an awful sight ensued. The 
 dawn of the second day brought with it still severer miseries 
 than the first, for the wants of nature could scarcely be en- 
 dured any longer, having been already near thirty hours 
 without any means of subsistance, and no possibility of pro- 
 curing them. 
 
 At low water a small boat was hoisted out, and an English 
 captain and eight sailors succeeded in getting to the shore. — 
 Elated at the success of these men all thought their deliver- 
 ance at hand, and many launched out on their rafts, but, alas! 
 death soon ended their hopes. 
 
 Another night renewed our afPiicticns. The morning of 
 the third, fraught with still greater evils, appeared; our con- 
 tinued sufferings made us e.xert the last effort, and we Eng- 
 lish prisoners, tried every means to save as many of our fel- 
 low creatures as lay in our power. Larger rafts were con- 
 structed, and the largest boat was got over the side. The 
 first consideration was to lay the surviving wounded, the wo- 
 men and helpless men in the boat, but the idea of equality, 
 so fatally promulgated among the French, destroyed all subor- 
 dination, and nearly one hundred and twenty having jumped 
 into the boat, in defiance of their officers, they sunk her. — 
 The most dreadful sea that I ever saw seemed at that moment 
 to aggravate our calamity; nothing of the boat was seen for a 
 
THE DROITS DE l’hOMBIE. 
 
 81 
 
 quarter of an hour, when the bodies floated in all directions; 
 then appeared, in all their horrors, the wreck, the shores, the 
 dying and the drowned! Indefatigable in acts of humanity, 
 an adjutant general, Renier, launched himself into the sea, to 
 obtain succours from the shore, and perished in the attempt. 
 
 Nearly one half the people had already perished, when the 
 horrors of the fourth night renewed all our miseries. Weak, 
 distracted, and destitute of every thing, we envied the fate of 
 those whose lifeless corpses no longer wanted sustenance. — 
 The sense of hunger was already lost, but a parching thirst 
 consumed our vitals. Recourse was had to urine and salt 
 water, which only increased the wants; half a hogshead of 
 vinegar indeed floated up, of which each had half a wine 
 glass; it afforded a momentary relief, but soon left us again in 
 the same state of dreadful tnirst. Almost at the last gasp, 
 every one was dying w'ith misery, and the ship, now one third 
 shattered away from the stern, scarcely affored a grasp to hold 
 by, .to the exhausted and helpless survivors. 
 
 The fourth day brought with it a more serene sky, and the 
 sea seemed to subside, but to behold, from fore to aft, the dy- 
 ing in all directions, was a sight too shocking for the feeling 
 mind to endure. Almost lost to a sense of humanity, we no 
 longer looked with pity on those whom we considered only as 
 the forerunners of our own speedy fate, and a consultation 
 took place, to sacrifice some one to be food for the remainder. 
 The die was going to be cast, when the welcome sight of a 
 man of war brig renewed our hopes. 
 
 A cutter speedily followed, and both anchored at a short dis- 
 tance from the wreck. Tliey then sent their boats to us, and 
 by means of large rafts, about one hundred, out of four hun- 
 dred who attempted, were saved by the brig that evening. — 
 Three hundred and eighty ivere left to endure another night’s 
 misery, when, dreadful to relate, above one half were found 
 dead the next morning! 
 
 I was saved about ten o’clock on the morning of the 18th, 
 with my brother officers, the captain of the ship, and General 
 Humbert. They treated us with great humanity on board the 
 cutter, giving us a little weak brandy and water every five or 
 six minutes, and after that a bason of good soup. I fell on 
 the locker in a kind of trance for near thirty hours, and swel- 
 led to such a degree as to require medical aid to restore my 
 decayed faculties. Having 1 ist all our baggage, we were ta- 
 ken to Brest almost naked, where they gave us a rough shift 
 ef clothes, and in consequence of our sufferings, and the help 
 TOL. n. 4'** 
 
62 
 
 LOSS OF THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE, 
 
 we afforded in saving many lives, a cartel was fitted out by 
 order of the French Government to send us home, without 
 ransom or exchange. We arrived at Plymouth on the 7th 
 of March following. 
 
 To that Providence, whose great workings I have experi- 
 enced in this most awful trial of human afflictions, be ever 
 oflered the tribute of my praise and thanksgiving. 
 
 THE LOSS OF HIS MAJESTY’S SHIP, QUEEN 
 
 CHARLOTTE. 
 
 The Queen Charlotte was, perhaps, one of the finest ships 
 m the British navy. She was launched in 1790, and her first 
 cruise was with tlie fleet fitted out against Spain, in conse- 
 quence of the dispute respecting Nootka Sound. Lord Howe, 
 who was the commander and chief of the fleet, was then on 
 board of her ; and she also bore his lordship’s flag on the first 
 of June. After which she was sent to the Mediterranean, and 
 was the flag-ship of the commander in chief on that station. 
 In March, 1800, she was despatched by that nobleman to re- 
 connoitre the island of Cabrera, about thirty leagues from 
 Leghorn, then in the possession of the French, and which it 
 was his lordship’s intention to attack. On the morning of the 
 17th the ship was discovered to be on fire, at the distance of 
 three or four leagues from Leghorn. Every assistance was 
 promptly forwarded from the shore, but a number of boats, it 
 appears, were deterred from approaching the wreck, in con- 
 sequence of the guns, which were shotted, and which, when 
 heated by the fire, discharged their contents in every direction. 
 
 The only consolation that presents itself under the pressure 
 of so calamitous a disaster is, that it was not the effect either 
 of treachery or wilful neglect, as will appear by the following 
 official statement of the carpenter : — 
 
 “ 3Ir. John Braid, carpenter of the Queen Charlotte, re- 
 ports, that twenty minutes after 6 o’clock in the morning, as ho 
 
LOSS OF THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE. 
 
 83 
 
 was dressing himself he heard throughout the ship a general 
 cry of ‘ tire.’ On which he immediately ran up the after-ladder 
 to get upon deck, and found the whole half-deck, the front 
 bulk-head of the admiral’s cabin, the main-mast’s coat, and 
 boat’s covering on the booms, all in flames ; which, froir. 
 every report and probability, he apprehends was occasioned 
 by some hay, which was lying under the half-deck, having 
 been set on fire by a match in a tub, which was usually kept 
 there for signal guns. — The main-sail at this time was set, 
 and almost entirely caught fire ; the people not being able to 
 ?ome to the clue garnets on account of the flames. 
 
 “ He immediately went to the forecastle, and found Lieut. 
 Dundas and the boatswain encouraging the people to get 
 water to extinguish the fire. He applied to Mr. Dundas, see- 
 ing no other otficer in the fore-part of the ship (and being un- 
 able to see any on the quarter-deck, from the flames and 
 smoke between them) to give him assistance to drown the 
 ower-decks, and secure the hatches, to prevent the fire fall- 
 ng down. Lieut. Dundas accordingly went down himself, 
 with as many people as he could prevail upon to follow him : 
 and the lower-deck ports were opened, the scuppers plugged, 
 -he main and fore-hatches secured, the cocks turned, and 
 water drawn in at the ports, and the pumps kept going by the 
 people who came down, as long as they could stand at them. 
 
 “ He thinks that by these exertions the lower-deck was 
 kept free from fire, and the magazines preserved for a long 
 time from danger ; nor did Lieut. Dundas, or he, quit this 
 station, but remained there with all the people who could be 
 prevailed upon to stay, till several of the middle-deck guns 
 came through that deck. 
 
 “ About nine o’clock Lieut. Dundas and he, finding it im- 
 possible to remain any longer below, went out at the fore-mast 
 lower deck port, and got upon the fore-castle ; on which he 
 apprehends there were then about one hundred and fifty of the 
 people drawing water, and throwing it as far aft as possible 
 upon the fire. 
 
 “ He continued about an hour on the fore-castle ; and find- 
 ing all efforts to extinguish the flames unavailing, he jumped 
 from the jib-boom, and swam to an American boat approach- 
 ing the ship, by which he was picked up and put into a Tar- 
 tan then in the charge of Lieut. Stewart, who had come oft* to 
 ne assistance of the ship. 
 
 (Signed) “JOHN BRAID.” 
 
 Leghorn, March 18, 1800. 
 
84 
 
 A SCENE IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, 
 
 Capt. Todd remained upon deck, with his First 1,‘eutenant, 
 to the last moment, giving orders for saving the crew, without 
 thinking of his own safety. Before he fell a sacrifice to the 
 flames, he had time and courage to write down the particulars 
 of this melancholy event, for the information of Lord Keith, 
 of which he gave copies to different sailors, entreating them, 
 that whoever should escape might deliver it to the admiral. 
 
 Thus fell victims to perhaps a too severe duty, the captain 
 and his first lieutenant, at a time when they still had it in their 
 power to save themselves ; but self-preservation is never a 
 matter of consideration in the exalted mind of a British nava. 
 officer, when the safety of his crew is at stake. 
 
 Lord Keith and some of the officers were providentially oi. 
 shore, at Leghorn, when the dreadful accident occurred. 
 Twenty commissioned and warrant officers, two servants and 
 142 seamen, are the whole of the crew that escaped destruction 
 out of nearly 900 souls on board, that for nearly four hours ex- 
 erted every nerve to avoid that dreadful termination which too 
 surely awaited them 
 
 A SCENE IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 
 
 On the morning of the 5th of August, 1833, during a severe 
 gale in lat. 46, Ion. 31, Capt. Dempsey, of the ship Kingstor, 
 discovered at a short distance to leeward, a brig lying on her 
 beam ends, with flag of distress waving. Capt. D. instantly 
 bore down towards her, when she proved to be the Albion, of 
 Cork, crowded with passengers. Having reached within hail of 
 the unfortunate vessel, a heart-rending scene presented itself 
 “ We beheld,” says Capt. Dempsey, “ the brig reeling ere she 
 took the farewell plunge — witnessed the cool intrepidity of the 
 sailors, even at such a moment — and listened, with feelings 
 the most harrowing, to the piercing shrieks of the ill-fated 
 pas.sengers. The crew of the Kingston flung their best boat 
 into the boiling Atlantic, but every exertion was vain — the 
 angry ocean soon made her its prey. The Albion went down 
 with every human soul on board 
 

I 
 
 DErAinUUn OF THE FUENtll FlUCiATF. MEDUSA, 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 87 
 
 SHIPWRECK OF THE FRENCH FRIGATE 
 MEDUSA, 
 
 On the Western Coast of Africa. By Madame Daed, one of the 
 
 Sufferers. 
 
 In the year 1816, an expedition was fitted out by the French 
 to go and resume possession of Senegal, which had been re- 
 stored to them. — My father was reinstated in his place of 
 resident attorney, and taking with him his family repaired 
 immediately to Rochefort to embark on board the Medusa 
 frigate. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 12th of June, we were on our 
 way to the boats that were to convey us on board the Medusa, 
 which was riding at anchor off tlie island of Aix, distant 
 about four leagues from Rochefort. The field through which 
 we passed was sown with corn. Wishing before I left our 
 beautiful France, to make my farewell to the flowers, and, 
 whilst our family went leisurely forward to the place where 
 we were to embark upon the Charenre, I crossed the furrows, 
 and gathered a few blue-bottles and popples. We soon ar- 
 rived at the place of embarkation, where we found some of 
 our fellow passengers, who, like myself, seemed casting a last 
 look to Heaven, whilst they were yet on the French soil. — ■ 
 Vfe embarked, however and left these happy shores. In de- 
 scending the tortuous course of the Charente, contrary winds 
 so impeded our progress, that we did not reach the Medusa 
 till the morrow, having taken twenty-four hours in sailing four 
 leagues. At length we mounted the deck of the Medusa, of 
 paini’ul memory. When we got on board, we found our 
 berths not provided for us, consequently were obliged to re- 
 main indiscriminately together till the next day. Our family, 
 which consisted of nine persons, was placed in a berth near 
 the main deck. As the wind was still contrary, we lay at an- 
 chor for seventeen days. 
 
 On the 17th of June, at four in the morning, we set sail. 
 
88 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 as did the whole expedition, Avhich consisted of the Medusa 
 Irigate, the Loire store-ship, the Argus brig and the Echo 
 corvette. The wind being favorable, we soon lost sigiit of 
 the green fields of I’Aunis. At six in the morning, however, 
 the island of Rhe still appeared above the horizon. We fix- 
 ed our eyes upon it with regret, to salute for the last time our 
 dear country. Now, imagine the ship borne aloft, and sur- 
 rounded by huge mountains of water, which at one moment 
 tossed it in the air, and at another plunged it into the pro- 
 found abyss. 
 
 The waves, raised by a stormy northwest breeze, came 
 dashing in a horrible manner against the sides of our ship. — 
 1 knew not whether it was a presentiment of the misfortune 
 which menaced us that had made me pass the preceding 
 night in the most cruel inquietude. In my agitation, I sprang 
 upon deck, and contemplated with horror the frigate winging 
 its way upon the waters. The winds pressed against the sails 
 with great violence, strained and whistled among the cordage; 
 and the great bulk of wood seemed to split every time the 
 surge broke upon its sides. On looking a little out to sea 1 
 perceived at no great distance on our right, all the other ships 
 of the expedition, which quieted me very much. Towards 
 ten in the morning the wind changed; immediately an appal- 
 ling cry was heard, concerning which the passengers, as well 
 as myself, were equally ignorant. The whole crew were in 
 motion. Some climbed the rope ladders, and seemed to 
 perch on the extremities of the yards; others mounted to the 
 highest parts of the mast; these bellowing and pulling the 
 cordages in cadence; those crying, swearing, whistling, and 
 tilling the air with barbarous and unknown sounds. The of- 
 ficer on duty, in his turn, roaring out these words, starboard, 
 larboard, hoist, luff, tack, which the helmsman repeated in 
 the same tone. All this hubbub, however, produced its ef- 
 fect; the yards were turned on their pivots, the sails set, the 
 cordage tightened, and the unfortunate sea-boys having re- 
 ceived their lesson descended to the deck. Every thing re- 
 mained tranquil, except that the waves still roared, and the 
 masts continued their creaking. However the sails were 
 swelled, the wind less violent, though favorable, and the mari- 
 ner, while he caroled his song, said we had a noble voy- 
 
 During several days w’e did indeed enjov a delightful pas- 
 sage. All the ships of the expedition still kept together; but 
 at length the breeze became changeable, and they all disap- 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 89 
 
 peared. The Echo, however, still kept in sight, and persist- 
 ed in accompanying us, as if to guide us on our route. The 
 wind becoming more favorable, we held due south, sailing at 
 the rate of sixty-two leagues a day. The sea was so fine, 
 and our journey so rapid, that I began to think it nearly as 
 agreeable to travel by sea as by land; but my illusion was not 
 of long duration. 
 
 On the 28th of June, at six in the morning, we discovered 
 the Peak of Teneritfe, towards the south, the summit of whose 
 cone seemed lost in the clouds. We were then distant about 
 two leagues, which we made in less than a quarter of an 
 hour. At ten o’clock we brought to before the town of St. 
 Croix. Several officers got leave to go on shore to procure 
 refreshments. 
 
 While these gentlemen were away, a certain passenger, 
 member of the self-instituted Philanthropic Society of Cape 
 Verd, suggested that it was very dangerous to remain where 
 we were, adding that he was well acquainted with the coun- 
 try, and had navigated in all these latitudes. INI. Le Roy 
 Lachaumareys, captain of the Medusa, believing the pretend- 
 ed knowledge of the intriguing Richefort, gave him the com- 
 mand of the frigate. Various officers of the navy, represent- 
 ed to the captain how shameful it was to put such confidence 
 in a stranger, and they would never obey a man who had no 
 character as a commander. The captain despised these wise 
 remonstrances; and, using his authority, commanded the pi- 
 lots, and all the crew, to obey Richfort; saying he was king, 
 since the orders of the king were, that they should obey him. 
 Immediately the imposter, desirous of displaying his great 
 skill in navigation, made them change the route, for no pur- 
 pose, but that of showing his skill in manoeuvring the ship. — 
 Every instant he changed the tack, went, came and returned, 
 and approached the very reefs, as if to brave them; in short, ^ 
 he beat about so much, that the sailors at length refused to 
 obey him, saying boldly that he was a vile imposter. But it 
 w'as done. The man had gained the confidence of Captain 
 Lachaumareys, who ignorant of navigation himself, was 
 doubtless glad to get some one to undertake his duty. But 
 it must be told, that this blind inept confidence was the sole 
 cause of the loss of the Medusa frigate, as well as all the 
 crimes consequent upon it. 
 
 Towards three in the afternoon, those officers who went on 
 shore in the morning, returned on board loaded with vegeta- 
 bles, fruits and flowers. They laughed heartily at the ma- 
 
90 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 nceuvrcs that had been going on during their absence, which 
 doubtless did not please the captain, who flattered himself 
 he had already found in his pilot Richefort, a good and able 
 seaman; such were his words. 
 
 At four in the afternoon we took a southerly direction. INI. 
 Richefort, then beaming with e.Tultation for having, as he 
 said, saved the Medusa from certain shipwreck, continued to 
 give his pernicious counsels to the captain, persuading him he 
 had been often employed to explore the shores of Africa, and 
 that he was perfectly well acquainted with the Arguin Bank. 
 The journals of the 29th and 30th afford nothing very remarka- 
 able. 
 
 The hot winds from the desert of Sahara began to be felt, 
 whicli told us we approached the tropic; indeed, the sun at 
 noon seemed suspended perpendicularly above our heads, a 
 phenomenon which few among us had ever seen. 
 
 On the 1st of July, we recognised Cape Bojador, and then 
 saw the shores of Sahara. Towards ten in the morning, they 
 set about the frivolous ceremony which the sailors have in- 
 vented for the purpose of exacting something from those pas- 
 sengers who have never crossed the line. During the cere- 
 mony, the frigate doubled Cape Barbas hastening to its de- 
 struction. Captain Lachaumareys very good humoredly pre- 
 sided at this species of baptism, while his dear Richfort prome- 
 naded the forcastle, and looked with indifference upon a 
 shore bristling with dangers. However that may be, all pass- 
 ed on well; nay, it may even be said that the farce was well 
 played off. But the route which we pursued soon made us 
 forget the short lived happiness we had experienced. Every 
 rne began to observe the sudden change which had taken 
 place in the color of the sea, as we ran upon the bank in shal- 
 low water. A general murmur arose among the passengers 
 .. and officers of the navy; — they were far from partaking in the 
 blind confidence of the captain. 
 
 On the second of July, at five in the morning, the captain 
 was persuaded that a large cloud, which was discovered in 
 the direction of Cape Blanco, was that Cape itself After 
 this pretended discovery, they ought to have steered to the 
 west, for about fifty leagues, to have gained sea room to 
 double with certainty the Arguin Bank; moreover, they ought 
 to have conformed to the instructions the jMinister of Marine 
 had given to the ships which set out for Senegal. The other 
 part of the expedition, from having followed these instructions 
 “Tived in safety at their destination. During the preceding 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 91 
 
 night, the Echo, which had hitherto accompanied the Medu- 
 sa, made several signals, but being replied to with contempt, 
 abandoned us. Towards ten in the morning, the danger 
 which threatened us was again represented to the captain, 
 and he was strongly urged, if he wished to avoid the Arguin 
 Bank, to take a westerly course; but the advice was again 
 neglected, and he despised the predictions. One of the offi- 
 cers of the frigate, from having wished to expose the intrigu- 
 ing Richefort, was put under arrest. JMy father, who had al- 
 ready twice made the voyage to Senegal, and who with va- 
 rious persons was persuaded they were going right upon the 
 bank, also made his observations to the unfortunate pilot. — 
 His advice was no better received than those of Messrs Rey- 
 naud, Espiau, IMaudet, See. Richefort, in the sweetest tone, 
 replied, ‘My dear, we know our business; attend to yours, 
 and be quiet. I have already twice passed the Arguin Bank ; I 
 have sailed upon theRed Sea, and you see I am not drowned.’ 
 Wl.at reply could be made to such a preposterous speech? 
 My father, seeing it was impossible to get our route changed, 
 resolved to trust to Providence to free us from our danger, 
 and descended to our cabin, where he sought to dissipate his 
 fears in the oblivion of sleep. 
 
 At noon on the 2d of July, soundings were taken. M. 
 Maudet, ensign of the watch, was convinced we were upon 
 the edge of the Arguin Bank. The captain said to him, as 
 well as to every one, that tliere was no cause of alarm. In 
 the meanwhile, the wind blowing with great violence, impel- 
 led us nearer and nearer to the danger which menaced us. — 
 A species of stupor overpowered all our spirits, and every 
 one preserved a mournful silence, as if they were persuaded 
 we would soon touch the bank. The color of the water en- 
 tirely changed, a circumstance even remarked by the ladies. 
 About three in the afternoon, being in 19 30 north latitude, 
 and 19 45 west longitude, an universal cry was heard upon 
 deck. All declared they saw sand rolling among the ripple 
 of the sea. The captain in an instant ordered to sound. — 
 The line gave eighteen fathoms; but on a second sounding it 
 only gave six. He at last saw his error, and hesitated no 
 longer on changing the route, but it was too late. A strong 
 concussion told us the frigate had struck. Terror and con- 
 sternation were instantly depicted on every face. The crew 
 stood motionless; the passengers in utter despair. In the 
 midst of this general panic, cries of vengeance were heard 
 against the principal author of our misfortunes, wishing to 
 
92 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 throw him overboard; but some generous persons interposed, 
 and endeavored to calm their spirits, by diverting their atten- 
 tion to the means of our safety. The confusion was already 
 so great, that McPoinsignon, commandant of a troop, struck 
 my sister Caroline a severe blow, doubtless thinking it was 
 one of his soldiers. At this cfisis my father was buried in 
 profound sleep, but he quickly awoke, the cries and the tu- 
 mult upon deck having informed him of our misfortunes. He 
 poured out a thousand reproaches on those whose ignorance 
 and boasting had been so disastrous to us. However, they 
 set about the means of averting our danger. The officers, 
 with an altered voice, issued their orders expecting every mo- 
 ment to see the ship go in pieces. They strove to lighten her, 
 but the sea was very rough and the current strong. Much 
 time was lost in doing nothing; they only pursued half mea- 
 sures and all of them unfortunately failed. 
 
 When it was discovered that the danger of the IMedusa was 
 not so great as was at first supposed, various persons propos- 
 ed to transport the troops to the island of Arguin, which was 
 conjectured to be not far from the place where we lay 
 aground. Others advised to take us all successively to the 
 coast of the desert ot Sahara, by the means of our boats, and 
 with provisions sufficient to form a caiavan, to reach the island 
 of Saint Louis, at Senegal. The events which afterwards 
 ensued proved this plan to have been the best, and which 
 would have been crowmed wfith success; unfortunately it was 
 not adopted. M. Schmaltz, the governor, suggested the 
 making of a raft of sufficient size to carry two hundred men, 
 with provisions; which latter plan was seconded by the two 
 officers of the frigate, and put in execution. 
 
 The fatal raft was then begun to be constructed, w'hich 
 would, they said, carry provisions for every one. IMasts, 
 planks, boards and cordage were thrown overboard. Two 
 officers were charged with the framing of these together. — ■ 
 Large barrels were emptied and placed at the angles of the 
 machine, and the workmen were taught to say, that the pas- 
 sengers would be in greater security there, and more at their 
 ease, than in the boats. How’ever, it w’as forgotten to erect 
 rails, every one supposed, and with reason, that those who 
 had given the plan of the raft, had had no design of embark- 
 ing upon it themselves. 
 
 When it was completed, the two chief officers of the frig- 
 ate publicly promised, that all the boats would tow it to the 
 shore of the Desert ; and, when there, stores of provi- 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 93 
 
 sions and fire-arms would be given us to form a caravan to 
 take us all to Senegal. Why was not this plan executed i* — 
 Why were these promises, sworn before the French Hag, 
 made in vain? But it is necessary to draw a veil over the past. 
 I will only add, that if these promises had been fulfilled, eve- 
 ry one would have been saved, and that, in spite of the de- 
 testable egotism of certain personages, humanity would not 
 now have had to deplore the scenes of horror consequent on 
 the wreck of the Medusa. 
 
 On the 3d of July, the efforts were renewed to disengage 
 the frigate, but without success. We then prepared to quit 
 her. The sea became very rough, and the wind blew with 
 great violence. Nothing now was heard but the plaintive 
 and confused cries of a multitude, consisting of more than 
 four hundred persons, who, seeing death before their eyes, 
 deplored their hard fate in bitter lamentations. 
 
 On the 4th, there was a glimpse of hope. At the hour the 
 tide flowed, the frigate, being considerably lightened by all 
 that had been thrown overboard, was found nearly afloat; and 
 it is very certain, if on that day they had thrown the artillery 
 into the water, the Medusa would have been saved; but M. 
 Ijachaumareys said, he would not thus sacrifice the king’s 
 cannon, as if the frigate did not belong to the king also. — 
 However, the sea ebbed, and the ship sinking into the sand 
 deeper than ever, made them relinquish that on which depend- 
 ed our last ray of hope. 
 
 On the approach of night, the fury of the winds redoubled, 
 and the sea became very rough. The frigate then received 
 some tremendous concussions, and the water rushed into the 
 hold in the most terrific mamier, but the pumps would not 
 work. We had now no alternative but to abandon her for 
 the frail boats, which any single wave might overwhelm. — 
 Frightful gulfs environed us; mountains of water raised their 
 liquid summits in the distance. How were we to escape so 
 many dangers? Whither could we go? What hospitable 
 land would receive us on its shores? My thoughts then re- 
 verted to our beloved country. Then starting suddenly from 
 my reverie, I exclaimed: ‘0 terrible condition! that black and 
 boundless sea resembles the eternal night which will engulf 
 us! All those who surround me seem yet tranquil, but that 
 fatal calm will soon be succeeded by the most frightful tor- 
 ments. Fools, what had we to find in Senegal, to make us 
 trust to the most perfidious of elements! Did France not af- 
 ford every necessary for our happiness? Happy! yes, thrice 
 
94 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 happy, they who never set foot on a foreign soil! Great 
 God! succor all these unfortunate beings; save our unhappy 
 family!’ 
 
 My father perceived my distress, but how could he console 
 me? What words could calm my fears, and place me above 
 the apprehensions of those dangers to which we were expos- 
 ed? How, in a word, could I assume a serene appearance, 
 when friends, parents and all that was most dear to me were, 
 in all human probability, on the very verge of destruction? — 
 Alas! my fears were but too well founded. For I soon per- 
 ceived that, although we were the only ladies, besides the 
 Misses Schmaltz, who formed a part of the Governor’s suit, 
 they had the barbarity of intending our family to embark up- 
 on the raft, where were only soldiers sailors and planters of 
 Cape Verd, and some generous officers who had not the hon- 
 or (if it could be accounted one) of being considered among 
 the ignorant confidants of MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys. 
 My father, indignant at a proceeding so indecorous, swore 
 we would not embark upon the raft, and that, if we were 
 not judged worthy of a place in one of the six boats, he would 
 himself, his wife and children, remain on board the wreck 
 of the frigate. The tone in w hich he spoke these words, was 
 that of a man resolute to avenge any insult that might be of- 
 fered to him. The governor of Senegal, doubtless fearing 
 the world would one day reproach him for his inhumanity, de- 
 cided we should have a place in one of the boats. This hav- 
 ing in some pleasure quieted our fears concerning our unfor- 
 tunate situation, I was desirous of taking some repose, but 
 the uproar among the crew was so great 1 could not obtain it. 
 
 Towards midnight, a passenger came to inquire of my 
 father if we were disposed to depart; he replied, we had been 
 forbid to go yet. However, we were soon convinced that a 
 great part of the crew and various ]iassengers were secretly 
 preparing to set oft’ in the boats. A conduct so perfidious 
 could not fail to alarm us, especially as we perceived among 
 those so eager to embark unknown to us, several who had 
 promised, but a little while before, not to go without us. 
 
 M. Schmaltz, to prevent that which was going on upon 
 deck, instantly rose to endeavor to quiet their minds; but the 
 soldiers had already assumed a threatening attitude, and 
 iiolding cheap the words of their commander, swore they 
 would fire upon whosoever attempted to depart in a clandes- 
 tine manner. Tlie firmness of these brave men produced the 
 desired effect, and all was restored to order. The governor 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MED0SA. 
 
 95 
 
 returned to his cabin; and those who were desirous of depart- 
 ing furtively w'ere confused and covered with shame. The 
 governor, however, was ill at ease; and as he had heard 
 very distinctly certain energetic words which had been ad- 
 dressed to him, he judged it proper to assemble a council. — 
 All the officers and passengers being collected, M. Schmaltz, 
 there solemnly swore before them not to abandon the raft, and 
 a second time promised that all the boats would tow it to the 
 shore of the Desert, where they world all be formed into a 
 caravan. I confess this conduct of the governor greatly sat- 
 isfied every member of our family; for w'e never dreamed he 
 would deceive us, nor act in a manner contrary to what he 
 had promised. 
 
 About three in the morning, some hours after the meeting 
 of the council, a terrible noise was heard in the powder room ; 
 it was the helm which was broken. All who were sleeping 
 were roused by it. On going on deck every one was more 
 and more convinced that the frigate was lost beyond all re- 
 covery. Alas ! the w’leck was for our family but the com- 
 mencement of a horrible series of misfortunes. The two 
 chief officers then decided with one accord, that all should em- 
 bark at six in the morning, and abandon the ship to the mercy 
 of the waves. After the decision, f'^llowed a scene the most 
 whimsical, and at the same time the most melancholy that can be 
 well conceived. * To have a more distinct idea of it, let the 
 reader transport himself in imagination to the midst of the li- 
 quid plains of the ocean : then let him picture to himself a mul- 
 titude of all classes, of every age, tossed about at the mercy of 
 the waves upon a dismasted vessel, foundered, and half submer- 
 ged, let him not forget these are thinking beings with the cer- 
 tain prospect before them of having reached the goal of their 
 e.v'istence. 
 
 Separated from the rest of the world by a boundless sea, 
 and having no place of refuge but the wreck of a grounded 
 vessel, the multitude addressed at first their vows to heaven, 
 and forgot, for a moment, all earthly concerns. Then sud- 
 denly starting from their lethargy, they began to look after 
 their wealth, the merchandise they had in small ventures, 
 utterly regardless of the elements which threatened them. 
 The miser, thinking of the gold contained in his coffers, hast- 
 ening to put it in a place of safety, either by sewing it into the 
 lining of his clothes, or by cutting out for it a place in the 
 waistband of his trowsers. The smuggler was tearing his hair 
 at not being able to save a chest of contraband which he had 
 
96 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 secretly got on board, and with which he had hoped to have 
 gained two or three hundred per cent. Another, selfish to 
 excess, was throwing overboard all his hidden money, and 
 amusing himself by burning all his effects. A generous officer 
 was opening his portmanteau, offering caps, stockings, and 
 shirts, to any who would take them. These had scarcely 
 gathered together their various effects, when they learned that 
 they could not take anything with them ; those were search- 
 ing the cabin and store-rooms to carry away everything that 
 was valuable. Ship-boys were discovering the delicate wines 
 and fine liquors, which a wise foresight had placed in reserve 
 Soldiers and sailors were penetrating even into the spirit-room, 
 broaching casks, staving others and drinking fill they fell ex- 
 hausted. Soon the tumult of the inebriated made us forget 
 the roaring of the sea which threatened to engulf us. At last 
 the uproa. was at its height ; the soldiers no longer listened to 
 the voice of the captain. Some knit their brows and muttered 
 oaths ; but nothing could be done with those whom wine had 
 rendered furious. Next, piercing cries mixed with doleful 
 groans were heard — this was the signal of departure. 
 
 At six o'clock on the morning of the 5th, a great part of the 
 military were embarked upon the raft, which was already 
 covered with a large sheet of foam. The soldiers were ex- 
 pressly prohibited from taking their arms. A young officer of 
 infantry, whose brain seemed to be powerfufijr' affected, put his 
 horse beside the barricadoes of the frigate, and then, armed 
 with two pistols, threatened to fire upon any one v.ho refused 
 to go upon the raft. Forty men had scarcely descended when 
 it sunk to the depth of about two feet. To facilitate the em- 
 barking of a greater number, they were obliged to threw over 
 several barrels of provisions which had been placed upon it 
 the day before. In this manner did this furious officer get 
 about one hundred and fifty heaped upon that floating tomb ; 
 but he did not think of adding one more to the number by de- 
 scending himself, as he ought to have done, but went peace- 
 ablv away, and placed himself in one of the best boats. There 
 should have been sixty sailors upon the raft, and there were but 
 about ten. A list had been made out on the dth, assigning 
 each his proper place ; but this wise precaution being disre- 
 garded, every one pursued the plan he deemed the best for his 
 own preservation. The precipitation with which they forced 
 one hundred and fifty unfortunate beings upon the raft was 
 such, that they forgot to give them one morsel of biscuit. 
 However, they threw towards them twenty-five pounds in a 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 97 
 
 sack, while they were not far from the frigate ; but it fell into 
 the sea, and was with difficulty recovered. 
 
 During this disaster, the governor of Senegal, who was 
 busied in the care of his own dear self, effeminately descend- 
 ed in an arm-chair into the barge, where were already various 
 large chests, all kinds of provisions, his dearest friends, his 
 daughters and his wife. Afterwards the captain’s boat re- 
 ceived twenty-seven persons, among whom were twenty-five 
 sailors, good rowers. The shallop, commanded by M. Espiau, 
 ensign of the ship, took forty-five passengers, and put off. 
 The boat, called the Senegal, took twenty-five ; the pinnace 
 thirty-three ; and the yawl, the smallest of all the boats, took 
 only ten. 
 
 Almost all the officers, the passengers, the mariners and su- 
 pernumeraries, were already embarked — all, but our Aveeping 
 family, who still remained upon the boards of the frigate, till 
 some charitable souls would kindly receive us into a boat. 
 Surprised at this abandonment, I instantly felt myself roused, 
 and, calling Avith all my might to the officers of the boats, be- 
 sought them to take our unhappy family along Avith them. 
 Soon after, the barge, in Avhich Avere the governor of Senegal 
 and all his family, approached the Medusa, as if still to take 
 some passengers, for there Avere but feAv in it. I made a mo- 
 tion to descend, hoping that the Misses Schmaltz, Avho had, 
 till that day, taken a great interest in our family, Avould alloAV 
 us a place in their boat ; but I Avas mistaken : those ladies, 
 Avho had embarked in a mysterious incognito, had already for- 
 gotten us ; and M. Lachaumareys, Avho Avas still on the fri- 
 gate, positively told me they Avould not embark along Avith us. 
 Nevertheless I ought to tell, Avhat Ave learned aftenvards, that 
 the officer who commanded the pinnace had received orders 
 to take us in, but, as he Avas already a great way from the fri- 
 gate, Ave Avere certain he had abandoned us. My father hoAV- 
 ever hailed him, but he persisted on his Avay to gain the open 
 sea. A short Avhile afterwards Ave perceived a small boat 
 among the Avaves, Avhich seemed desirous to approach the 
 Medusa ; it Avas the yaAvl. When it Avas sufficiently near, 
 my father implored the sailors Avho Avere in it to take us on 
 board, and to carry us to the pinnace, Avhere our family ought 
 to be placed. They refused. He then seized a firelock, 
 Avhich lay by chance upon deck, and sAvore he Avould kill 
 every one of them if they refused to take us, adding that it 
 Avas the property of the king, and that he Avould Aave advan- 
 tage from it as Avell as another. The sailors murmured, but 
 VOL. II. 5 
 
98 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 durst not resist, and received all our family, which consisted 
 of nine persons, vjz. four children, our stepmother, my cous- 
 in, my sister Caroline, my father and myself. A small box, 
 filled with valuable papers, which we wished to save, some 
 clothes, two bottles of ratafia, which we liad endeavored to 
 preserve amidst our misfortunes, were seized and thrown 
 overboard by the sailors of the yawl, who told us we would 
 find in the pinnace everything we could wish for our voyage. 
 We had then only the clothes which covered us, never think- 
 ing of dressing ourselves in two suits; but the loss which af- 
 fected us most was that of several MS.S, at which my father 
 had been laboring for a long while. Our trunks, our linen 
 and various chests of merchandize of great value, in a word, 
 everything we possessed, W'as left in the lUedusa. hen we 
 boarded the pinnace, the officer who commanded it began e.x- 
 cusing himself for having set off without lorewarning us, as 
 he had been ordered, and said a thousand thinirs in his justifi- 
 cation. But without believing the half of his fine protestations, 
 we felt very happy in having overtaken liim; for it is most 
 certain they had no intention of encumbering themselves with 
 our unfortunate family. I say encumber, for it is evident 
 that four children, one of whom was \'et at tlie breast, 
 were very indifierent beings to people who were actuated by 
 a selfishness without all parallel. 'Vlien we were seated in 
 the long boat, rny father dismissed the sailors witii the 
 yawl, telling them he would ever gratefully remember their 
 services. They speedily departed, but little sati.'fied with the 
 good action they had done. i\Iv father hearinti tiieir murmurs 
 and the abuse they poured out against us, said, loud enough 
 for all in the boat to hear, ‘ We are not surjirised sailors are 
 destitute of shame, when their officers blush at lieiui: compel- 
 led to do a good action.’ The commandant of the boat I’eign- 
 ed not to understand the reproaches conveyed in these words, 
 and, to divert our minds from brooding over our wrongs, en- 
 deavored to counterfeit the man of gallantrv. 
 
 All the boats were already far from the Medusa, when they 
 Avere brought to, to form a chain in order to tow the raft. — 
 The barge, in which was the governor of Senegal, took the 
 first tow, then all the other boats in succession joined them- 
 selves to that. M. Lachaumareys embarked, although there 
 yet remained upon the jMcdusa more than sixty persons. — 
 Then the brave and generous I\l. Bspiau, comtr.andcr of the 
 shallop, quitted the line of boats, and returned to tiie frigate, 
 with the intention of saving all the wretches who had been 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 99 
 
 abandoned. They all sprung into the shallop; but a.3 it was 
 very much overloaded, seventeen unfortunates preferred re- 
 maining on board, rather than expose themselves as well as 
 their companions to certain death. But alas! the greater 
 part afterwards fell victims to their fears or their devotion. — 
 Fifty-two days after they were abandoned, no more than three 
 of them were alive, and those looked more like skeletons than 
 men. They told that their miserable companions had gone 
 afloat upon planks and hen-coops, after having waited in vain 
 forty-two days, for the succor which had been promised them, 
 and that all had perished. 
 
 The shallop, carrying with difftculty all those she had saved 
 from the Medusa, slowly rejoined the line of boats which tow- 
 ed the raft, M. Espiau earnestly besought the officers of the 
 other boats to take some of them along with them; but they 
 refused, alleging to the generous officer that he ought to keep 
 them in his own boat, as he had gone for them himself. M. 
 Espiau, finding it impossible to keep them all wfithout expos- 
 ing them to the utmost peril, steered right for a boat which I 
 will not name. Immediately a sailor sprung from the shallop 
 into the sea, and endeavored to reach it by swimming; and 
 w'hen he was about to enter it, an officer w’ho possessed great 
 influence pushed him back, and, drawing his sabre, threaten- 
 ed to cut off' his hands, if he again made the attempt. The 
 poor wretch regained the shallop, which was very near the pin- 
 nace, which w'e were in, my father supplicated M. Laperere, 
 the officer of the boat, to receive him on board, and had his 
 arms already out to catch him, when M. Laperere instantly let 
 go the rope which attached us to the other boats, and tugged 
 off with all his force. At the same instant every boat imitated 
 our execrable example; and wishing to shun the approach of 
 the shallop, which sought for assistance, stood off from the 
 raft, abandoning, in the midst of the ocean, and to the fury of 
 the waves, the miserable mortals whom they had sworn to 
 land on the shores of the Desert. 
 
 Scarcely had these cowards broken their oath, when we 
 saw the French flag flying upon the raft. The confidence of 
 those unfortunate persons was so great, that when they sawthe 
 first boat which had the tow removing from them, they all cried 
 out the rope is broken! the rope is broken! but wdien no at- 
 tention v/as paid to their observation, they instantly perceived 
 the treachery of the wretches who had left them so basely. — 
 Then the cries of Vive le Roi arose from the raft, as if the 
 poor fellows were calling to their father for assistance; Oi, as 
 
100 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 if they had been persuaded that, at that rallying word, the of- 
 ficers of the boats would return, and not abandon their coun- 
 trymen. The officers repeated the cry of Vive le Roi, with- 
 out a doubt, to insult them; but, more particularly, hi. Lach- 
 aumareys who, assuming a martial attitude, waved his hat in the 
 air. Alas! what availed these false professions? Frenchmen, 
 menaced with the greatest peril, were demanding assistance 
 with the cries of Vive le Roi; yet none were found sufficient- 
 ly generous nor sufficiently French, to go to aid them. After 
 a silence of some minutes, horrible cries weje heard; the air 
 resounded with the groans, the lamentations, the imprecations 
 of these wretched beings, and the echo of the sea frequently 
 repeated, alas! how cruel you are to abandon us!!! The raft 
 already appeared to be buried under the waves, and its un- 
 fortunate passengers immersed. The fatal machine was drift- 
 ed by currents far behind the wreck of the frigate; without 
 cable, anchor, mast, sail or oars; in a word, without the smal- 
 lest means of enabling them to save themselves. Kach wave 
 that struck it, made them stumbie in heaps on one another. — 
 Their feet getting entangled among the cordage, and between 
 the planks, bereaved them of the faculty of moving. Mad- 
 dened by these misfortunes, suspended, and adrift upon a 
 merciless ocean, they were soon tortured between the pieces 
 of wood which formed the scaffold on which they floated. — 
 The bones of their feet and their legs were bruised and brok- 
 en, every time the fury of the waves agitated the raft; their 
 flesh covered with contusions and liideous wounds, dissolved, 
 as it were, in the briny waves, while the roaring flood around 
 them was colored with their blood. 
 
 As the raft, when it was abandoned, was nearly two leagues 
 from the frigate, it was impossible these unfortunate persons 
 could return to it; they were soon after far out to sea. These 
 victims still appeared above their floating tomb; and, stretch- 
 ing out their supplicating hands towards the boats which fled 
 from them, seemed yet to invoke, for the last time, the names 
 of the wretches who had deceived them. O horrid day! a day 
 of shame and reproach! Alas! that the hearts of those who 
 were so well acquainted with misfortune, should have been so 
 inaccessibl-e to pity. 
 
 After witnessing that most inhuman scene, and seeing they 
 were insensible to the cries and lamentations of so many un- 
 happy beings, I felt my heart bursting with sorrow. It seem- 
 ed to me that the waves would overwhelm all these wretclies, 
 and I could not suppress my tears. JMy father, e.xasperated 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 101 
 
 to excess, and bursting with rage at seeing so much coward- 
 ice and inhumanity among the officers ofthe boats, began to re- 
 gret he had not accepted the place which had been assigned for 
 us upo'n the fatal raft. ‘ At least,’ said he, ‘ we would have died 
 with the brave, or would have returned to the wreck of the 
 Medusa; and not have had the ^disgrace of saving ourselves 
 with cowards.’ Although this produced no effect upon the 
 officers, it proved very fatal to us afterwards; for, on our ar- 
 rival at Senegal, it was reported to the Governor, and very 
 probably was the principal cause of all those evils and vexa- 
 tions which we endured in that colony. 
 
 Let us now turn our attention to the several situations of all 
 those who were endeavoring to save tliemselves in the differ- 
 ent boats, as well as to those left upon the wreck of the Me- 
 dusa. 
 
 We have already seen, that the frigate was half sunk when 
 it was deserted, presenting nothing but a hulk and wreck. — 
 Nevertheless, seventeen still remained upon it, and had food, 
 which, although damaged, enabled them to support themselves 
 for a considerable time; while the raft was abandoned to float 
 at the mercy of the waves, upon the vast surface ofthe ocean. 
 One hundred and fifty wretches were embarked upon it, sunk 
 to the depth of at least three feet on its fore part, and on its 
 poop immersed even to the middle. What victuals they had 
 were soon consumed, or spoiled by the salt water; and per- 
 haps some, as the waves hurried them along, became food for 
 the monsters of the deep. Two only of all the boats which 
 left the Medusa, and these with very few people in them, were 
 provisioned with every necessary; these struck off with se- 
 curity and despatch. But the condition of those who were in 
 the shallop v/as but little better than those upon the raft; their 
 great number, their scarcity of provisions, their great distance 
 from the shore, gave them the most melancholy anticipations 
 of the future. Their worthy commander, M. Espiau, had no 
 other hope but of reaching the shore as soon as possible. The 
 other boats were less filled with people, but they were scarce- 
 ly better provisioned; and as by a species of fatality, the pin- 
 nace, in which were our family, was destitute of everything. 
 Our provisions consisted of a barrel of biscuit, and a tierce of 
 water; and, to add to our misfortune, the biscuit being soak- 
 ed in the sea, it was almost impossible to swallow one morsel 
 of it. Each passenger in our boat was obliged to sustain his 
 wretched existence with a glass of water, which he could get 
 only once a day. To tell ho-w this happened, how this boat 
 
102 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE BIEDCSA. 
 
 was SO poorly supplied, while there was abundance left upon 
 the Medusa, is far beyond my power. But it is at least cer- 
 tain, that the greater part of the officers commanding the 
 boats, the shallop, the pinnace, the Senegal boat, and the 
 yawl, were persudaed, when they quitted the frigate, that they 
 would not abandon the raft, but that all the expedition would 
 sail together to the coast of Sahara; that when there, the boats 
 would be again sent to the Medusa to take provisions, arms, 
 and those who were left there; but it appears the chiefs had 
 decided otherwise. 
 
 After abandoning the raft, although scattered, all the boats 
 formed a little fleet, and followed the same route. All who 
 were sincere hoped to arrive the same day at the coast of the 
 Desert, and that every one would get on shore; but 31. 
 Schmaltz and Lachaumareys gave orders to take the route 
 for Senegal. This sudden change in the resolutions of the 
 chiefs was like a thunderbolt to the officers commanding the 
 boats. Having nothing on board but what w’as barely neces- 
 sary to enable us to allay the cravings of hunger for one day, 
 we were all sensibly affected. The other boats, which, like 
 ourselves, hoped to have got on shore at the nearest point, 
 were a little better provisioned than we were; they had at 
 least a little wine, which supplied the place of other necessa- 
 ries. We then demanded some from them, explaining our 
 situation, but none would assist us, not even the captain, who, 
 drinking to a kept mistress, supported by two sailors, swore 
 he had not one drop on board. AYe were next desirous of ad- 
 dressing the boat of the Governor of Senegal, w here we were 
 persuaded were plenty of provisions of every kind, such as 
 oranges, biscuit, cakes, comfits, plums and even the finest li- 
 quors; but my father opposed it, so welt was he assured we 
 would not obtain anything. 
 
 We w'ill now iurn to the condition of those on the raft, 
 when the boats /eft them to themselves. 
 
 If all the boats had continued dragging the raft forward, fa- 
 vored as we were by the breeze from the sea, we would have 
 been able to have conducted them to the shore in less than 
 two days. But an inconceivable fatality caused the generous 
 plan to be abandoned which had been formed. 
 
 Wh en the raft had lost sight of the boats, a spirit of sedi- 
 tion began to manifest itself in furious cries. They then be- 
 gan to regard one another with ferocious looks, and to thirst 
 for one another’s flesh. Some one had already whispered of 
 having recourse to that monstrous extremity, and of com- 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 103 
 
 mencing with the fattest and youngest. A proposition so 
 atrocious filled the brave Captain Dupont and his worthy 
 Lieutenant M. L’Heureux with horror; and that courage 
 which had so often supported them in the field of glory, now 
 forsook them. 
 
 Among the first who fell under the hatchets of the assassins, 
 was a young woman who had been seen devouring the body 
 of her husband. When her turn was come, she sought a lit- 
 tle wine as a last favor, then rose, and without uttering a word 
 threw herself into the sea. Captain Dupont, being prescribed 
 for having refused to partake of the sacrilegious viands with 
 which the monsters were feeding on, was saved by a miracle 
 from the hands of the butchers. Scarcely had they seized 
 him to lead him to the slaughter, when a large pole, which 
 served in place of a mast, fell upon his body; and believing 
 that his legs were broken, they contented themselves by 
 throwing him into the sea. The unfortunate captain plunged 
 and disappeared, and they thought him already in another 
 world. 
 
 Providence, however, revived the strength of the unfortu- 
 nate warrior. He emerged under the beams of the raft, and 
 clinging with all his might, holding his head above water, he 
 remained between two enormous pieces ot' wood, while the 
 rest of his body was hid in the sea. After more than two hours 
 of suffering. Captain Dupont spoke in a low voice to his lieu- 
 tenant, who by chance was seated near the place of his con- 
 cealment. The brave I.’Heureu.x, with eyes glistening with 
 tears, believed he heard the voice, and saw the shade of his 
 captain; and trembling, was about to quit the place of horror; 
 O wonderful! he saw a head which seemed to draw its last 
 sigh, he recognized it, he embraced it, alas! it was his dear 
 friend! Dupont was instantly drawn from the water, and 
 L’Heureu.x obtained for his unfortunate comrade again a place 
 upon the raft. Those who had been most inveterate against 
 him, touched at what Providence had done for him in so mi- 
 raculous a manner, decided with one accord to allow him en- 
 tire liberty upon the raft. 
 
 The si.xty unfortunates who had escaped from the first mas- 
 sacre, were soon reduced to fifty, then to forty, and at last to 
 twenty-eight. The least murmur, or the smallest complaint, 
 at the moment of distributing the provisions, was a crime pun- 
 ished with immediate death. In consequence of such a regu- 
 lation, it may easily be presumed the raft was soon lightened. 
 In the meanwhile the wine diminished sensibly, and the half 
 
104 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE BIEDUSA. 
 
 rations very much displeased a certain chief of the conspira- 
 cy. On purpose to avoid being reduced to that extremity, 
 the executive power decided it was much wiser to drown thir- 
 teen people, and to get full rations, than that twenty-eight 
 should have half rations. 
 
 Merciful Heaven! what shame! After the last catastro- 
 phe, the chiefs of the conspiracy, fearing, doubtless of being 
 assassinated in their turn, threw all the arms into the sea, and 
 swore an inviolable friendship with the heroes which the 
 hatchet had spared. On the 17th of July, in the morning. 
 Captain Parnajon, commandant of the Argus brig, still found 
 fifteen men on the raft. They were immediately taken on 
 board, and conducted to Senegal. Four of the fifteen are 
 yet alive, viz. Captain Dupont, residing in the neighborhood 
 of Maintenon, Lieutenant L’Heureux, since Captain at Sene- 
 gal, Savigny, at Rochefort, and Correard, I know not where. 
 
 On the 5th of July, at ten in the morning, one hour after 
 abandoning the raft, and three after quitting the Medusa, M. 
 Laperere, the officer of our boat, made the first distribution of 
 provisions. Each passenger had a small glass of water and 
 nearly the fourth of a biscuit. Each drank his allowance of 
 water at one draught, but it was found impossible to swallow 
 one morsel of our biscuit, it being so impregnated with sea- 
 water. It happened, however, that some was found not quite 
 so saturated. Of these we eat a small portion, and put back 
 the remainder for a future day. Our voyage would have been 
 sufficiently agreeable, if the beams of the sun had not been so 
 fierce. On the evening we perceived the shores of the De- 
 sert ; but as the two chiefs (MiVI. Schmaltz and Lachau- 
 mareys) wished to go right for Senegal, notw ithstanding we 
 were still one hundred leagues from it, we were not allowed 
 to land. Several officers remonstrated, both on account of 
 our want of provisions and the crowded condition of the 
 boats, for undertaking so dangerous a voyage. Others urged 
 with equal force, that it would be dishonoring the French 
 name if we were to neglect the unfortunate people on the 
 raft, and insisted we should be set on shore, and whilst we 
 waited there, three boats should return to look after the raft, 
 and three to the wreck of the frigate, to take up the seventeen 
 who were left there, as well as a sufficient quantity of provi- 
 sions to enable us to go to Senegal by the way of Barbarv. 
 But MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareyswhose boats were suf- 
 ficiently well provisioned, scouted the advice of their subal- 
 terns, and ordered them to cast anchor till the following morn- 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 105 
 
 ing. They were obliged to obey these orders, and to relin- 
 quish their designs. During the night, a certain passenger, 
 who was doubtless no doctor, and who believed in ghosts and 
 witches, was suddenly frightened by the appearance of flames, 
 which he thought he saw in the waters of the sea, a little way 
 from where our boat was anchored. INIy father, and some 
 others, who were aware that the sea is sometimes phosphor- 
 ated, confirmed the poor credulous man in his belief, and add- 
 ed several circumstances which fairly turned his brain. They 
 persuaded him the Arabic sorcerers had fired the sea to pre- 
 vent us from travelling along their deserts. 
 
 On tlie morning of the 6th of July, at five o’clock, all the 
 boats were under way on the route to Senegal. The boats 
 of MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys took the lead along the 
 coast, and all the expedition followed. About eight, several 
 sailors in our boat, with threats, demanded to be set on shore ; 
 but M. Laperere, not acceding to their request, the whole 
 were about to revolt and seize the command ; but the firmness 
 of this officer quelled the mutineers. In a spring which he 
 made to seize a firelock which a sailor persisted in keeping in 
 his possession, he almost tumbled into the sea. ]\Iy father 
 fortunately was near him, and held him by his clothes, but he 
 had instantly to quit him, for fear of losing his hat, which the 
 the waves were floating away. A short while after this slight 
 accident, the shallop, which we had lost sight of since the 
 morning, appeared desirous of rejoining us. We plied all 
 hands to avoid her, for we were afraid of one another, and 
 thought that that boat, encumbered with so many people, wish- 
 ed to board us to oblige us to take some of its passengers, as 
 M. Espial! would not suffer them to be abandoned like those 
 upon the rafi. That officer hailed us at a distance, offering to 
 take our family on board, adding, he was anxious to take 
 about sixty people to the Desert. The officer of our boat, 
 thinking that this was a pretence, replied, we preferred suffer- 
 ing where we were. It even appeared to us that M. Espiau 
 had hid some of his people under the benches of the shallop. 
 But alas ; in the end we deeplv deplored being so suspicious, 
 and of having so outraged the devotion of the most generous 
 officer of the Medusa. 
 
 Our boat began to leak considerably, but we prevented it 
 as well as we could, by stuffing the largest holes with oakum, 
 which an old sailor had had the precaution to take before quit- 
 ting the frigate. At noon the heat became so strong — so in- 
 tolerable, that several of us believed we had reached our last 
 VOL. u. 6* 
 
106 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 moments. The hot winds of the Desert even reached us ; and 
 the fine sand with which they were loaded, had completely ob- 
 scured the clearness of the atmosphere. The sun presented 
 a reddish disk ; the whole surface of the ocean became nebul- 
 ous, and the air which we breathed, depositing a fine sand, an 
 impalpable powder, penetrated to our lungs, already parched 
 with a burning thirst. In this state of torment we remained 
 till four in the afternoon, when a breeze from the northwest 
 brought us some relief. Notwithstanding the privations we 
 felt, and especially the burning thirst which had become in- 
 tolerable, the cool air which we now began to breathe, made 
 us in part forget our sufferings. The heavens began again to 
 resume the usual serenity of those latitudes, and we hoped to 
 have passed a good night. A second distribution of provisions 
 was made ; each received a small glass of water, and the 
 eighth part of a biscuit. Notwithstanding our meagre fare, 
 every one seemed content, in the peruasion we would reach 
 Senegal by the morrow. But how vain were all our hopes, 
 and what sufferings had we yet to endure ! 
 
 At half past seven, the sky was covered with stormy clouds. 
 The serenity we had admired a little while before, entirely dis- 
 appeared, and gave place to tbe most gloomy obscurity. The 
 surface of the ocean presented all the signs of a coming temp- 
 est. The horizon on the side of the Desert had the appear- 
 ance of a long hideous chain of mountains piled on one an- 
 other, the summits of which seemed to vomit fire and smoke. 
 Bluish clouds, streaked with a dark copper color, detached 
 themselves from that shapeless heap, and came and joined 
 with those which floated over our heads. In less than half 
 an hour the ocean seemed confounded with the terrible skv 
 which canopied us. The stars were liid. Suddenly a fright- 
 ful noise t\as hettrd from the west, and all the waves of the 
 sea rushed to founder our frail bark. A fearful silence suc- 
 ceeded to the general consternation Every tongue was 
 mute ; and none durst communicate to his neighbor the horror 
 with which his mind was impressed. At intervals the cries of 
 the children rent our hearts. At that instant a weeping and 
 agonized mother bared her breast to her dying child, but it 
 yielded nothing to appease tbe thirst of the little innocent 
 who pressed it in yain. 0 night of horrors ! v, hat pen is ca- 
 pable to paint thy terrible picture ! How describe the agoniz- 
 ing fears of a father and mother, at the sight of their children 
 tossed about and e.xpiring of hunger in a small boat, which the 
 winds and waves threatened to engulf at every instant ! Hav- 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 107 
 
 ins; full before our eyes the prospect of inevitable death, we 
 gave ourselves up to our unfortunate condition, and addressed 
 our prayers to Heaven. The winds growled with the utmost 
 fury ; the tempestuous waves arose exasperated. In their 
 terrific encounter a mountain of water was precipitated into 
 jur boat, carrying away one of the sails, and the greater part 
 of the effects which the sailors had saved from the Medusa. 
 Our bark was nearly sunk ; the females and the children lay 
 rolling in its bottom, drinking the waters of bitterness ; and 
 their cries, mixed with the roaring of the waves and the furi- 
 ous north wind, increased the horrors of the scene. JNly un- 
 fortunate father then experienced the most excruciating agony 
 of mind. The idea of the loss which the shipwreck had oc- 
 casioned to him, and the danger which still menaced all he 
 held dearest in the world, plunged him into a swoon. The 
 tenderness of his wife and children recovered him ; but alas ! 
 his recovery was to still more bitterly deplore the wretched 
 situation of his family. He clasped us to liis bosom ; he 
 bathed us with his tears, and seemed as if he was regarding us 
 with his last looks of love. 
 
 Every soul in the boat was seized with the same perturba- 
 tion, but it manifested itself in different ways. One part of 
 the sailors remained motionless, in a bewildered state ; the 
 other cheered and encouraged one another ; the children, 
 locked in the arms of their [larents, wept incessantly. Some 
 demanded drink, vomiting the salt water which choked them ; 
 others, in short, embraced as for the last time, intertwining 
 their arms, and vowing to die together. 
 
 In the meanwhile the sea became rougher and rougher. 
 The whole surface of the ocean seemed a vast plain furrowed 
 with huge blackish waves fringed with white foam. The 
 thunder growled around us, and the lightning discovered to our 
 eyes all that our imagination could conceive most horrible. 
 Our boat, beset on all sides by the wind.s, and at every instant 
 tossed on the summit of mounyiins of water, was very nearly 
 sunk in spite of our every efiorl in baling it, when we discover- 
 ed a large hole in its poop. It was instantly stuffed with 
 everything we could find: — old clothes, sleeves of shirts, shreds 
 of coats, shawls, useless bonnets, everything was employed, 
 and secured us as far as it was possible. During the space 
 of six hours, we rowed suspended alternately between hope, 
 and fear, between life and death. At last towards the middie 
 of the night, Heaven which had seen our resignation, com- 
 manded the floods to be still. Instantly the sea became less 
 
108 
 
 FREXCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 rough, the veil which covered the sky became less obscure, 
 the stars again shone out, and the tempest seemed to withdraw. 
 A general exclamation of joy and thankfulness issued at one 
 instant from every mouth. The winds calmed, and each of us 
 sought a little sleep, while our good and generous pilot steer- 
 ed our boat on a still very stormy sea. 
 
 The day at last, the day so desired, entirely restored the 
 calm ; but it brought no other consolation. During the night, 
 the currents, the waves, and the winds had taken us so far 
 out to sea, that, on the dawning of the 7th of July, we saw 
 nothing but sky and water, without knowing whither to direct 
 our course ; for our compass had been broken during the 
 tempest. In this hopeless condition, we continued to steer 
 sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left, until the sun 
 arose, and at last showed us the east. 
 
 On the morning of the 7th of July, we again saw the 
 shores of the Desert, notwithstanding we were a great dis- 
 tance from it. The sailors renewed their murmurings, wish- 
 ing to get on shore, with the hope of being able to get some 
 wholesome plants, and some more palatable water than that of 
 the sea; but as we were afraid of the IMoors, their request 
 was opposed. However, M. Laperere proposed to take them 
 as near as he could to the first breakers on the coast; and 
 when there, those who wished to go on shore should throw 
 themselves into the sea, and swim to land. Eleven accepted 
 the proposal; but when we had reached the first waves, none 
 had the courage to brave the mountains of water which roll- 
 ed between them and the beach. Our sailors then betook 
 themselves to their benches and oars, and promised to be 
 more quiet for the future. A short while after, a third distri- 
 bution was made since our departure from the iMedusa; and 
 nothing more remained than four pints of water, and one half 
 dozen biscuits. What steps were we to take in this cruel 
 situation ? We were desirous of going on shore, but we had 
 such dangers to encounter. However we soon came to a de- 
 cision, when we saw a caravifli of IMoors on the coast. \Ve 
 then stood a little out to sea. According to the calculation 
 of our commanding officer, we would arrive at Senegal on 
 the morrow. Deceived by that false account, we preferred 
 suffering one day more, rather than be taken by the 
 Moors of the Desert, or perish among the breakers. We 
 had now no more than a small half glass of water, and the 
 seventh of a biscuit. 
 
 Exposed as we were to the heat of the sun, which darted 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 109 
 
 its rays perpendicularly on our heads, that ration, though small, 
 would have been a grout relief to us; but the distribution 
 was delayed to the morrow. We were then obliged to drinl 
 the bitter sea water, ill as it was calculated to quench out 
 thirst. Must I tell it! thirst had so withered the lungs of 
 our sailors, that they drank water salter than that of the sea 
 Our numbers diminished daily, and nothing but the hope of 
 arriving at the colony on the following day sustained our frail 
 e.xistence. My young brothers and sisters wept incessantly 
 for water. The little Laura, aged six years lay dying at the 
 feet of her mother. Her mournful cries so moved the sou', 
 of my unfortunate father, that he was on the eve of opening 
 aviento quench the thirst which consumed his child; liut a 
 wise person opposed his design, observing that all the bloo<t 
 in his body would not prolong the life of his infant one m- 
 ment. 
 
 The freshness of the night wind procured us some respite 
 We anchored pretty near to the shore, and though dying oi 
 famine, each got a tranquil sleep. On the morning of tlu» 
 8th of July, at break of day, we took the route for Senegal 
 A short while after the wind fell, and we had a dead calm.— 
 We endeavored to row, but our strength was exhausted. A 
 burth and last distribution was made, and in the twinkling of 
 an eye, our last resources were consumed. We were fortv- 
 two people who had to feed upon six biscuits and about four 
 pints of water, with no hope of a farther supply. Then came 
 the moment for deciding whether we were to perish among 
 the breakers, which defended the approach to the shores of 
 
 the Desert, or to die of famine in continuing our route. 
 
 The majority preferred the last species of misery. We con- 
 tinued our progress along the shore, painfully pulling our 
 oars. Upon the beach were distinguished several downs of 
 white sand and some small trees. We were thus creeping 
 along the coast, observing a mournful silence, when a sailor 
 suddenly exclaimed, behold the Moors! ^^'’e did, in .fact, see 
 various individuals upon the rising ground, walking at a 
 quick pace, and whom we took to be the Arabs of the Desert. 
 As we were very near the shore, we stood farther out to sea, 
 fearing that these pretended flloors, or Arabs,, would throw 
 themselves into the sea, swim out, and take us. Some hours 
 after, we observed several people upon an eminence, wno 
 seemed to make signals for us. 
 
 We examined them attentively, and soon recognized them 
 to be our companions in misfortune. We replied to them by 
 
110 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 attaching a white handkerchief to the top of our mast. Then 
 we resolved to land at the risk of peiishing among the break- 
 ers, which were very strong towards the shore, although the 
 sea was calm. On approaching the beach, we went towards 
 the right, where the waves seemed less agitated, and endeav- 
 ored to reach it, with the hope of being able more easily to 
 land. Scarcely had we directed our course to that point, 
 when we perceived a great number of people standing near 
 to a little wood surrounding the sand-hills. We recognized 
 them to be the passengers of that boat, which, like ourselves, 
 were deprived of provisions. 
 
 Meanwhile we approached the shore, and already the foam- 
 ing surge filled us with terror. Each wave that came from 
 the open sea, each billow that swept beneath our boat, made 
 us bound into the air; so we were sometimes thrown from the 
 poop to the prow, and from the prow to the poop. Then, if 
 our pilot had missed the sea, we ^vould have been sunk; the 
 waves would have thrown us aground, and we would have 
 been buried among the breakers. The helm of the boat was 
 again given to the old pilot, who had already so happily steer- 
 ed us through the dangers of the storm. He instantly threw in- 
 to the sea the mast, the sails, and everything that could impede 
 our proceedings. When we came to the first landing point, 
 several of our shipwrecked companions, who had reached the 
 shore, ran and hid themselves behind the hills, not to see us 
 perish; others made signs not to approach at that place; some 
 covered their eyes with their hands; others, at last despising 
 the danger, precipitated themselves into the waves to receive 
 us in their arms. ^Ve tlien saw a spectacle that made us 
 shudder. We had already doubled two ranges of breakers; 
 but those which we had still to cross raised their foaming 
 waves to a prodigious height, then sunk with a hollow and 
 monstrous sound, sweeping along a long line of the coast. — 
 Our boat sometimes greatly elevated, and sometimes engulf- 
 ed between the waves, seemed, at the moment, of utter ruin. 
 Bruised, battered and tossed about on all hands, it turned of 
 itself, and refused to obey the kind hand which directed it. — 
 At that instant a huge wave rushed from the open sea, and 
 dashed against the poop; the boat plunged, disappeared, and 
 we were all among the waves. Our sailors, v hose strength 
 had returned at the presence of danger, redoubled their efforts, 
 uttering mournful sounds. Our bark groaned, the oars were 
 broken; it was thought aground, but it was stranded; it was 
 upon its side. The last sea rushed upon us with the impetu 
 
FJRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA 
 
 in 
 
 osity of a torrent. We were all up to the neck in water; the 
 bitter sea-froth choked us. The grapnel was thrown out. — ■ 
 The sailors threw themselves into the sea; they took the 
 children in their arms; returned, and took us upon their 
 shoulders; and I found myself seated upon the sand on the 
 shore, by the side of my step-mother, my brothers and sisters, 
 almost dead. Every one was upon the beach except my fath- 
 er and some sailors; hut that good man arrived at last, to 
 mingle his tears with those of his family and friends. 
 
 Instantly our hearts joined in addressing our prayers and 
 praises to God. I raised my hands to heaven, and remained 
 sometime immoveable upon the beach. Every one also hast- 
 ened to testify his gratitude to our old pilot, who next to 
 God, justly merited the title of our preserver. M. Dumege, 
 a naval surgeon, gave him an elegant gold watch, the only 
 thing he had saved from the Medusa. 
 
 Let the reader now recollect all the perils to which we had 
 been exposed in escaping from the wreck of .the frigate to the 
 shores of the Desert — all that we had suffered during our four 
 days’ voyage — and he will perhaps have a just notion of the 
 various sensations we felt on getting on shore on that strange 
 and savage land. Doubtless the joy we experienced at having 
 escaped, as by a miracle, the fury of the floods, was very 
 great; but how much was it lessened by the feelings of our 
 horrible situation! Without water, provisions, and the ma- 
 jority of us nearly naked, was it to be wondered at that we 
 should be seized with terror on thinking of the obstacles 
 which we had to surmount, the fatigues, the privations, the 
 pains and sufferings we had to endure, with the dangers we 
 had to encounter in the immense and frightful Desert we had 
 to traverse before we could arrive at our destination.^ .Al- 
 mighty Providence! it was in Thee alone I put my trust. 
 
 After we had a little recovered from the fainting and fatigue 
 of our getting on shore, our fellow-suflerers told us they had 
 landed in the forenoon, and cleared the breakers by the 
 strength of their oars and sails ; but they had not all been so 
 lucky as we were. One unfortunate person, too desirous of 
 getting quickly on shore, had his legs broken under the 
 shallop, and was taken and laid on the beach, and left to the 
 care of Providence. M. Espiau, commander of the shallop, 
 reproached us for having doubted him when he wished to board 
 us to take our family along with him. It was most true he 
 had landed sixty-three people that day. A short while after 
 our refusal, he took the passengers of the yawl, who wmuld n 
 
112 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 fallibly have perished in the stormy nights of the 6th and 7th. 
 Ihe boat named the Senegal, commanded by INI. Maudet, had 
 made the shore at the same time with M. Espiau. The boats 
 of MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys were the only ones 
 which continued the route for Senegal, while nine-tenths of 
 the Frenchmen intrusted to these gentlemen were butchering 
 each other on the raft, or dying of hunger on the burning 
 sands of Sahara. 
 
 About seven in the morning, a caravan was formed to pen- 
 etrate into the interior, for the purpose of finding some fresh 
 water. We did accordingly find some at a little distance from 
 the sea, by digging among the sand. Every one instantly 
 flocked round the little wells, which furnished enough to 
 quench our thirst. This brackish water was found to be de- 
 licious, although it had a sulphurous taste : its color was that 
 of whev. As all our clothes were wet and in tatters, and as 
 we had nothing to change them, some generous officers offer- 
 ed theirs. My step-mother, my cousin, and my sister, were 
 dressed in them ; for myself, I preferred keeping my own. 
 We remained nearly an hour beside our beneficent fountain, 
 then took the route for Senegal ; that is, a southerly direction, 
 for we did not know exactly where that country lay. It was 
 agreed that the females and children should walk before the 
 caravan, that they might not be left behind. The sailors vol- 
 untarily carried the youngest on their shoulders, and every 
 one took the route along the coast. Notwithstanding it was 
 nearly seven o’clock, the sand was quite burning, and we suf- 
 fered severely, walking without shoes, having lost them while 
 landing. As soon as we arrived on the shore, we went to 
 walk on the wet sand, to cool us a little. Thus we travel- 
 ed during all the night, without encountering anything but 
 shells, which wounded our feet. 
 
 On the morning of the 9ih, w'e saw an antelope on the top 
 of a little hill, which instantly disappeared, before we had time 
 to shoot it. The Desert seemed to our view' one immense 
 plain of sand, on which was seen not one blade of verdure. 
 However, we still found water by digging in the sand. In the 
 forenoon, two officers of marine complained that our familv in- 
 commoded the, progress of the caravan. It is true, the females 
 and the children could not walk so quickly as the men. We 
 w'alked as fast as it w'as possible for us, nevertheless, we often 
 fell behind, which obliged them to halt til! we came up 
 These officers, joined with other individuals, considered among 
 themselves whether they would wait for us, or to abandon us 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 113 
 
 IP the Desert. I will be bold to say, however, that but few 
 were of the latter opinion. My father being informed of what 
 was plotting against us, stepped up to the chiefs of the con- 
 spiracy, and reproached them in the bitterest terms for their 
 selfishness and brutality. The dispute wa.xed hot. Those 
 wlio were desirous of leaving us drew their swords, and my 
 father put his hand upon a poignard, with which he had pro- 
 vided himself on quitting the frigate. At this scene, we threw 
 ourselves in between them, conjuring him rather to remain in 
 the Desert with his family, than seek the assistance of those 
 who were, perhaps, less human than the Moors themselves. 
 Several people took our part, particularly M. Begnere, cap- 
 tain of infantry, who quieted the dispute by saying to his sol- 
 diers, ‘ My friends, you are Frenchmen, and! have the honor 
 of being your commander ; let us never abandon an unfortu- 
 nate family in the Desert, so long as we are able to be of use 
 to them.’ This brief, but energetic speech, caused those to 
 blush who wished to leave us. All then joined with the old 
 captain saying they would not leave us on condition we would 
 walk quicker. INI. Begnere and his soldiers replied, they did 
 not wish to impose conditions on those to whom they were de- 
 sirous of doing a favor ; and the unfortunate family of Picard 
 were again on the road with the whole caravan. 
 
 About noon hunger was felt so powerfully among us, that it 
 was agreed upon to go to the small hills of sand which were 
 near the coast, to see if any herbs could be found fit for eat- 
 ing ; but we only got poisonous plants, among which were 
 various kinds of euphorbium. Convolvaluses of a bright green 
 carpeted the downs ; but on tasting their leaves we found them 
 as bitter as gall. The caravan rested in this place, while 
 several officers went farther into the interior. They came 
 back in about an hour, loaded with wild purslain, which they 
 distributed to each of us. Every one instantly devoured his 
 bunch of herbage, without leaving the smallest branch : but 
 as our hunger was far from being satisfied with this small al- 
 lowance, the soldiers and sailors betook themselves to look for 
 more. They soon brought back a sufficient quantity, which 
 was equally distributed, and devoured upon the spot, so deli- 
 cious had hunger made that food to us. For myself, I declare 
 I never eat anything with so much appetite in all my life. 
 Water was also found in this place, but it was of an abomin- 
 able taste. After this truly frugal repast, we continued our 
 route. The heat was insupportable in the last degree. The 
 sands on which we trod were burning, nevertheless severaJ ef 
 
114 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 US walked on these scorching coals without shoes ; and the 
 females had nothing but their hair for a cap. When we reach- 
 ed tlie sea-shore, we all ran and lay down among the waves. 
 After remaining there some time, we took our route along the 
 wet beach. On our journey we met with several large crabs, 
 which were of considerable service to us. Every now and 
 then we endeavored to slake our thirst bj' sucking their crook- 
 ed claws. About nine at night we halted between two pretty 
 high sand hills. After a short talk concerning our misfor- 
 tunes, all seemed desirous of passing the night in this place, 
 notwithstanding we heard on every side the roaring of leopards. 
 We deliberated on the means of securing ourselves, but sleep 
 soon put an end to our fears. Scarcely had we slumbered a 
 few hours when aterrilde roaring of wild beasts awoke us, and 
 made us stand on our defence. It was a beautiful moonlight 
 night, and in spite of my fears and the horrible aspect of the 
 place, nature never appeared so sublime to me before. In- 
 stantly something was announced that resembled a lion. This 
 information was listened to with the greatest emotion. Every 
 one being desirous of verifying the truth, fixed upon something 
 he thought to be the object : one believed he saw the long 
 teeth of the king of the forest ; another was convinced his 
 mouth was already open to devour us : several, armed with 
 muskets, aimed at the animal, and advancing a few steps, dis- 
 covered the pretended lion to he nothing more than a shrub 
 fluctuating in the breeze. However, the bowlings of ferocious 
 beasts had so frightened us, being yet heard at intervals that 
 we again sought the sea-shore, on purpose to continue our 
 route towards the south. 
 
 Some of our companions were desirous of making observ- 
 ations in the interior, and they did not go in vain. They in- 
 stantly returned, and told us they had seen two Arab tents 
 upon a slight rising ground. We instantly directed our steps 
 thither. We had to pass great downs of sand very slippery, 
 and arrived in a large plain streaked here and there with ver- 
 dure ; but the turf was so hard and piercing, we could scarce- 
 ly walk over it without wounding our feet. Our presence in 
 these frightful solitudes put to flight three or four 3Ioorish 
 shepherds, who herded a small flock of sheep and goats in an 
 oasis. At last we arrived at the tents after which we were 
 searching, and found in them three Mooresses and two little 
 ciiildren, who did not seem in the least frightened by our visit. 
 A negro servant, belonging to an officer of marine, interpret- 
 ed between us ; and the good women, who, when they had 
 beard of our misfortunes, oflered us millet and water for - 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 IIS 
 
 ment. We bought a little of that grain at the rate of thirty 
 pence a handful ; the water was got for three francs a glass ; 
 it was very good, and none grudged the money it cost. As a 
 glass of water, with a handful of millet, was but a poor dinner 
 for famished people, my father bought two kids, which they 
 would not give him under twenty piastres. We immediately 
 killed them, and our Mooresses boiled them in a large kettle. 
 While our repast was preparing, my father, who could not af- 
 ford the whole of the e.xpense, got others to contribute to it ; 
 but an old officer of marine, who was to have been captain of 
 the port of Senegal, was the only person who refused, notwith- 
 standing he had about him nearly three thousand francs which 
 he boasted of in the end. Several soldiers and sailors had 
 seen him count it in round pieces of gold, on coming ashore 
 on the Desert, and reproached him for his sordid avarice ; but 
 he seemed insensible to their reproaches, nor eat the less of his 
 portion of the kid with his companions in misfortune. 
 
 When about to resume our journey, we saw several Moors 
 approaching us armed with lances. Our people instantly 
 seized their arms, and put themselves in readiness to defend 
 us in case of an attack. Two officers, followed by several 
 soldiers and sailors, with our interpreter, ad.vancedto discover 
 their intentions. They instantly returned with the Moors, 
 who said, that far from wishing to do us harm, they had come 
 to offer us their assistance, and to conduct us to Senegal. 
 This offer being accepted of with gratitude by all of us, the 
 Moors, of w'hom we had been so afraid, became our protectors 
 and friends, verifying the old proverb, there are good people 
 everywhere ! As the camp of the Moors wms at some con- 
 siderable distance from where we were, we set off altogether 
 to reach it before night. After having walked about two 
 leagues through the burning sands, we found ourselves again 
 upon the shore. Towards night, our conductors made us 
 strike again into the interior, saying we were near their camp 
 which is called in their language Berkelet. But the short 
 distance of the Moors was found very long by the females and 
 the children, on account of the downs of sand which we had to 
 ascend and descend every instant, also of prickly shrubs over 
 which w'e were frequently obliged to walk. Those who were 
 barefooted, felt most severely at this time the want of their 
 shoes. I myself lost among the bushes various shreds of my 
 dress, and my feet and legs were all streaming with blood. 
 At length, after two long hours of walking and suffering, we 
 arrived at the camp of that tribe to which belonged our Arab 
 
116 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 conductors. We had scarcely got into the camp, when the 
 dogs, the children, and the Moorish women, began to annoy 
 us. Some of them threw sand in our eyes, others amused 
 themselves by snatching at our hair, on pretence of wishing 
 to examine it. This pinched us, that spit upon us ; the dogs 
 bit our legs, whilst the old harpies cut the buttons from the 
 officers coats, or endeavored to take away the lace. Our 
 conductors, however, had pity on us, and chased away the 
 dogs and the curious crowd, who had already made us suffer 
 as much as the thorns which had torn our feet. The chiefs 
 of the camp, our guides, and some good women, at last set 
 about getting us some supper. Water in abundance was 
 given us without payment, and they sold us fish dried in the 
 sun, and some bowlsful of sour milk, at a reasonable price. 
 
 We found a Moor in the camp who had previously known my 
 father at Senegal, and who spoke a little French. As soon as 
 he recognised him, he cried, ‘Tiens toi Picard ! ni a pas con 
 neitre moi Amet ?’ Hark ye, Picard, know you not Amet ? 
 We were all struck with astonishment at these French words 
 coming from the mouth of a Moor. IMy father recollected 
 having employed long ago a young goldsmith at Senegal, and 
 discovering the Moor Amet to be the same person, shook him 
 by the hand. After that good fellow had been made acquaint- 
 ed with our shipwreck, and to what extremities our unfortu- 
 nate family had been reduced, he could not refrain from tears ; 
 and this perhaps wms the first time a Mussulman had ever 
 wept over the misfortunes of a Christian. Amet was not sat- 
 isfied with deploring our hard fate ; he was desirous of prov- 
 ing that he was generous and humane, and instantly distributed 
 among us a large quantity of milk and water free of any 
 charge. He also raised for our family a large tent of the 
 skins of camels, cattle and sheep, because his religion would 
 not allow him to lodge with Christians under the same roof. 
 The place appeared very dark, and the obscurity made us un- 
 easy. Amet and our conductors lighted a large fire to quiet 
 us ; and at last, bidding us good night, and retiring to his tent, 
 said, ‘ Sleep in peace ; the God of the Christians is also the 
 God of the Mussulman.’ 
 
 We had resolved to quit this truly hospitable place early in 
 tire morning ; but during the night, some people who had pro- 
 bably too much money, imagined the Moors had taken us to 
 their camp to plunder us. They communicated their fears to 
 others, and pretending that the Moors, who walked up and 
 down among their flocks, and cried from time to time to keep 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 117 
 
 away the ferocious beasts, had already given the signal for 
 pursuing and murdering us. Instantly a general panic seized 
 all our people, and they wished to set off forthwith. My fa- 
 ther, although he well knew the perfidy of the inhabitants of 
 the Desert, endeavored to assure them we had nothing to fear, 
 because the Arabs were too frightened for the people of Sene- 
 gal, who would not fail to avenge us if we were insulted ; but 
 nothing could quiet their apprehensions, and we had to take 
 the route during the middle of the night. The Moors being 
 soon acquainted with our fears, made us all kinds of protesta- 
 tions ; and seeing we persisted in quitting the camp, offered 
 us asses to carry us as far as the Senegal. These beasts of 
 burden were hired at the rate of 12 francs a day, for each head, 
 and we took our departure under the guidance of those Moors 
 who had before conducted us to the camp. Amet’s wife being 
 unwell, he could not accompany us, but recommended us 
 strongly to our guides. My father was able to hire only two 
 asses for the whole of our family ; and as it was numerous, my 
 sister Caroline, my cousin, and myself, were obliged to crawl 
 along, whilst my unfortunate father followed in the suite of the 
 caravan, which in truth went much quicker than we did. 
 
 A short distance from the camp, the brave and compassion- 
 ate Qapt. Begnere, seeing we still walked, obliged 'us to ac- 
 cept of the ass he had hired for himself, saying he would not 
 ride when young ladies exhausted with fatigue, followed on 
 foot. The King afterwards honorably recompensed this 
 worthy officer, who ceased not to regard our unfortunate 
 family with a care and attention I will never forget. 
 
 During the remainder of the night, we travelled in a 
 manner sufficiently agreeable, mounting alternately the ass of 
 Captain Begnere. 
 
 At five in the morning of the 11th of July we regained the 
 sea-shore. Our asses, fatigued with the long journey among 
 the sand, ran instantly and lay down among the breakers, in 
 spite of our utmost exertions to prevent them. This caused 
 several of us to take a bath we wished not; I was myself held 
 under my ass in the water, and had great difficulty in saving 
 one of my young brothers who’ was floating away. But, in 
 the end as this incident had no unfortunate issue, we laugh- 
 ed, and continued our route, some on foot and some on the ca- 
 pricious asses. Towards ten o’clock, perceiving a ship out 
 at sea, we attached a white handkerchief to the muzzle of a 
 gun, waiving it in the air, and soon had the satisfaction ot 
 seeing it was noticed. The ship having approached suffi- 
 
118 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 ciently near the coast, the Moors who were with us threw 
 themselves into the sea and swam to it. It must be said we 
 had very wrongfully supposed that these people had had a de- 
 sign against us, for their devotion could not appear greater 
 than when five of them darted through the waves to endeavor 
 to communicate between us and the ship, notwithstanding it 
 was still a good quarter of a league distant from where we 
 stood on the beach. In about half an hour we saw these good 
 Moors returning, making float before them three small bar- 
 rels. Arrived on shore, one of them gave a letter to ]\I. E.-^- 
 piau from M. Parnajon. This gentleman was the captain of 
 the Argus brig, sent to seek after the raft, and to give us pro- 
 visions. This letter announced a small barrel of biscuit, a 
 tierce of wine, a half tierce of brandv, and a Dutch cheese. 
 0 fortunate event ! We were very de.sirous of testifying our 
 gratitude to the generous commander of the brig, but he in- 
 stantly set out and left us. AVe staved the barrels which held 
 our small stock of provisions, and made a distribution. — 
 Each of us had a biscuit, about a glass of wine, a half glass 
 of brandy, and a small morsel of cheese. Each drank his 
 allowance of wine at one gulp; the brandy was not even de- 
 spised by the ladies. I however preferred quantity to quali- 
 ty, and exchanged my ration of hraiidy for that of wine. To 
 describe our joy, while, taking this repast, is impossible. * Ex- 
 posed to the fierce raws of a vertical sun; exhausted bv a long 
 train of suffering; deprived for a long while, the use of any 
 kind of spirituous liquors, when our portions of water, wine 
 and brandy mingled in our stomachs we became like insane 
 people. 
 
 Life, which had lately been a gre.at burden, now became pre- 
 cious to us. Foreheads, lowering and sulky, began to un- 
 wrinkle; enemies became most brotherly; the avaricious en- 
 deavored to forget their selfishness and cupidity; the children 
 smiled for the first time since our shipwreck; in a word, every 
 one seemed to be born again from a condition, melancholy 
 and dejected. I even believe the sailors sung the praises of 
 their mistresses. 
 
 This journey was the most fortunate for us. Some short 
 while after our delicious meal, we saw several Moors ap- 
 proaching, w'ho brought milk and butter, so that we had re- 
 freshments in abundance. It is true we paid a little dear for 
 them; the glass of milk cost not less than three francs. Af- 
 ter reposing about three hours, our caravan proceeded on its 
 route. 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 119 
 
 About six in the evening, my father finding himself ex- 
 tremely fatigued, wished to rest himself. W/ e allowed the 
 caravan to move on, while my step-mother and myself re- 
 mained near him, and the rest of the family followed with 
 their asses. We all three soon fell asleep. When we awoke 
 we were astonished at not seeing our companions. The sun 
 was sinking in the west. We saw several Moors approach- 
 ing us, mounted on camels; and my father reproached him- 
 self for having slept so long. 
 
 Their appearance gave us great uneasiness, and we wished 
 much to escape from them, but my step-mother and myself 
 fell quite exhausted. The Moors with long beards having 
 come quite close to us, one of them alighted and addressed 
 us in the following w'ords. “ Be comforted, ladies; under 
 the costume of an Arab, you see an Englishman wdio is desi- 
 rous of serving you. Having heard at Senegal that French- 
 men rvere thrown ashore upon these deserts, I thought my 
 presence might be of some service to them, as I was acquaint- 
 ed with several of the princes of this arid country.” These 
 noble words from the mouth of a man we had at first taken to 
 be a Moor, instantly quieted our fears. 
 
 Recovering from our fright, we rose and expressed to the 
 philanthropic Englishman the gratitude we felt. Mr. Carnet, 
 the name of the generous Briton, told us that our caravan, 
 which he had met, waited for us at about the distance of two 
 leagues. He then gave us some biscuit, which we eat; and 
 we then set off together to join our companions. Mr. Carnet 
 wished us to mount his camels, but my step-mother and my- 
 self, being unable to persuade ourselves we could sit securely 
 on their hairy haunches, continued to walk on the moist sand, 
 W'hilst my father, Mr. Carnet and the Moors who accompani- 
 ed him, proceeded on the camels. We soon reached a little 
 river, called in the country IMarigot des Maringoins. We 
 wished to drink of it, but found it as salt as the sea. Mr. 
 Carnet desired us to have patience, and we should find some 
 at the place where our caravan waited. We forded that river 
 knee deep. 
 
 At last, having walked about an hour, we rejoined our com- 
 panions, who had found several wells of fresh water. It was 
 resolved to pass the night in this place, which seemed less 
 arid than any we saw near us. The soldiers, being requesied 
 to go and seek wood to light a fire, for the purpose of fright- 
 ening the ferocious beasts which were heard roaring around 
 us, refused; but Mr. Carnet assured us, that the Moors who 
 
120 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 were with him knew weli how to keep all such intruders from 
 our camp. In truth, during the whole of the night these good 
 Arabs promenaded round our caravan, uttering cries at inter- 
 vals like those we had heard in the camp of the generous 
 Amet. 
 
 We passed a very good night, and at four in the morning 
 continued our route along the shore, Mr. Carnet left us to 
 endeavor to procure some provisions. Till then our asses 
 had been quite docile: but, annoyed with their riders so long 
 upon their backs, they refused to go forward. A fit took pos- 
 session of them, and all at the same instant threw their riders 
 on the ground, or pmong the bushes. The Moors, however, 
 who accompanied us, assisted to catch our capricious animals, 
 who had nearly scampered off, and replaced us on the hard 
 backs of these headstrong creatures. At noon the heat be- 
 came so violent, that even the hloors themselves bore it with 
 difficulty. We then determined on finding some shade be- 
 hind the high mounds of sand which appeared in the interior; 
 but how were we to reach them! The sands could not be 
 hotter. We had been obliged to leave our asses on the shore, 
 for they would neither advance nor recede. The greater 
 part of us had neither shoes nor hats; notwithstanding we 
 were obliged to go forward almost a long league to find a lit- 
 tle shade. The heat reflected by the sands of the Desert 
 could be compared to nothing but the mouth of an oven at the 
 moment of drawing out the bread; nevertheless, we endured 
 it; but not without cursing those who had been the occasion 
 of all our misfortunes. Arrived behind the heights for which 
 we searched, we stretched ourselves under the 3Iimos-gom- 
 mier, (the acacia of the Desert), several broke branches of the 
 asclepia (swallow-wort), and made themselves a shade. But 
 whether from want of air, or the heat of ttie ground on which 
 we were seated, we were nearly all suffocated. I thought 
 my last hour was come. Already my eyes saw nothing but a 
 dark cloud, when a person of the name of Keruer, who was to 
 have been a smith at Senegal, gave me a boot containing some 
 muddy water, which he had had the precaution to keep. I 
 seized the elastic vase, and hastened to swallow the liquid in 
 large draughts. 
 
 One of my companions equally tormented with thirst, en- 
 vious of the pleasure I seemed to feel, and which I fch effec- 
 tually, drew the foot from the boot, and seized it in his turn, 
 but it availed him nothing. The water which remained was 
 so disgusting, that he could not drink it, and spilled it on ihe 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 121 
 
 ground. Captain Begnere, who was present, judging, by the 
 water which fell, how loathsome must that' have been which I 
 had drank, offered me some crumbs of biscuit, which he had 
 kept most carefully in his pocket. I chewed that mixture of 
 bread, dust and tobacco, but I could not swallow it, and gave 
 it all masticated to one of my young brothers, who had fallen 
 from inanimation. 
 
 W e were about to quit this furnace, when we saw our gen- 
 erous Englishman approaching, who brought us provisions. — 
 At this sight I felt my strength revive, and ceased to desire 
 death, which I had before called on to release me from my 
 sufferings. Several Moors accompanied Mr. Carnet, and ev- 
 ery one was loaded. On their arrival we had water, with 
 rice and dried fish in abundance. Every one drank his al- 
 lowance of water, but had not ability to eat, although the rice 
 Mas excellent. We were all anxious to return to the sea, 
 that we might bathe ourselves, and the caravan put itself on 
 the road to the breakers of Sahara. After an hour’s march 
 of great suffering, we regained the shore, as M’ell as our ass- 
 es, who were lying in the M'ater. We rushed among the 
 M'aves, and after a bath of half an hour, we reposed ourselves 
 upon the beach. ]\Iy cousin and I M-ent to stretch ourselves 
 upon a small rising ground, M'here we were shaded with some 
 old clothes which we had M’ith us. My cousin m’bs clad in an 
 officer’s uniform, the lace of M’hich strongly attracted the 
 eyes of Mr. Carnet’s IMoors. Scarcely had we lain doM’n, 
 when one of them, thinking we were asleep, came to endeav- 
 or to steal it; but seeing we were awake, cemented himself 
 by looking at us very steadily. 
 
 About three in the morning, a northM'est wind having 
 sprang up and a little refreshed us, our caravan continued its 
 route; our generous Englishman again taking the task of 
 procuring us provisions. At four o’clock the sky became 
 overcast, and M-e heard thunder in the distance. We all ex- 
 pected a great tempest, M’hich happily did not take place. — 
 Near seven we reached the spot M’here M’e were to M-ait for 
 Mr. Carnet, who came to us with a bullock he had purchased. 
 Then quitting the shore, we went into the interior to seek a 
 place to cook our supper. We fixed our camp beside a 
 small M'ood of acacias, near to which M’ere several wells or 
 cisterns of fresh water. Our ox M'as instantly killed, skinned, 
 cut to pieces and distributed. A huge fire was kindled, and 
 each was occupied in dressing his meal. At this time I 
 caught a smart fever; notwithstanding I could not help laugh- 
 VOL. II. 6 
 
122 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 ing at seeing every one seated round a large fire holding his 
 piece of beef on the point of his bayonet, a sabre or some 
 sharp-pointed stick. The flickering of the flames on the dif- 
 ferent faces, sun-burned and covered with long beards, ren- 
 dered more visible by the darkness of the night, joined to the 
 noise of the waves and the roaring of ferocious beasts, which 
 we heard in the distance, presented a spectacle at once laugh- 
 able and imposing. 
 
 While these thoughts were passing across my mind, sleep 
 overpowered my senses. Being awakened in the middle of 
 the night, I found my portion of beef in the shoes which an 
 old sailor had lent me for walking among the thorns, although 
 it was a little burned and smelt strongly of the dish in which 
 it was contained, I eat a good part of it, and gave the rest to 
 my friend the sailor. That seaman, seeing I was ill, offered 
 to exchange my meat for some which he had had the address 
 to boil in a small tin-box. I prayed him to give me a little 
 water if he had any, and he instantly went and fetched me 
 some in his hat. My thirst was so great that I drank it out 
 of his nasty hat without any repugnance. 
 
 At nine o’clock we met upon the shore a large flock herd- 
 ed by young Moors. These shepherds sold us milk, and one 
 of them offered to lend my father an ass for a knife which he 
 had seen him take out . of his pocket. IMy father having ac- 
 cepted the proposal, the Moor left his companion to accom- 
 pany us as far as Senegal, from which we were yet two good 
 leagues. 
 
 Suddenly we left the shore. Our companions appearing 
 quite transported with joy, some of us ran forward, and hav- 
 ing gained a slight rising ground, discovered the Senegal at 
 no great distance. 
 
 We hastened our march, and for the first time since our 
 shipwreck, a smiling picture presented itself to our view. — 
 The trees always green, with which that noble river is shaded, 
 the humming birds, the red birds, the paroquets, the prome- 
 rops, Js-c. who flitted among their long yield.iag branches, 
 caused in us emotions difficult to express. e could not sa- 
 tiate our eyes with gazing on the beauties of ‘.his place, ver- 
 dure being so enchanting to the sight, especially after having 
 travelled through the Desert. Before reaching the river, we 
 had to descend a little hill covered with thorny bushes. .My 
 ass stumbling threw me into the midst of one, and I tore my- 
 self in several places, but was easily consoled when I at 
 length found myself on the banks of a river of fresh water. 
 
SRENCH FRIGATE MEBUSA. 
 
 123 
 
 Every one having quenched his thirst, we stretched ourselves 
 under the shade of a small grove, while the beneficent Mr 
 Carnet and two of our officers set forward to Senegal to an- 
 nounce our arrival, and to get us boats. In the meanwhile 
 some took a little repose, and others were engaged in dress- 
 ing the wounds with which they were covered. 
 
 At two in the afternoon, we saw a small boat beating 
 against the current of the stream with oars. It soon reached 
 the spot where we were. Two Europeans landed, salut- 
 ed our caravans, and inquired for my father. One of them 
 said he came on the part of MM. Artigue and Laboure, in- 
 habitants of Senegal, to offer assistance to our family; the 
 other added, that he had not waited for the boats which were 
 getting ready for us at the island of St. Louis, knowing too 
 well what would be our need. We were desirous of thank- 
 ing them, but they instantly ran off to the boat and brought 
 us provisions, which my father’s old friends had sent him. — 
 They placed before us a large basket containing several 
 loaves, cheese, a bottle of Madeira, a bottle of filtered water 
 and dresses for my father. Every one, who, during our 
 journey, had taken any interest in our unfortunate family, and 
 especially the brave Captain Begnere, had a share of our 
 provisions. We e.xperienced a real satisfaction in partaking 
 with them, and giving them this small mark of our gratitude. 
 
 A young aspirant of marine, who had refused us a glass of 
 water in the Desert, pressed with hunger, begged of us some 
 bread; he got it, also a small glass of Madeira. 
 
 It was four o’clock before the boats of the government ar- 
 rived, and we all embarked. Biscuit and wine were found in 
 each of them, and all were refreshed. 
 
 That in which were our family was commanded by PJ. Ar- 
 tigue, captain of the port, and one of those who had sent us 
 provisions. My father and he enibraced as two old friends 
 who had not seen one another for eight years, and congratu- 
 lated themselves that they had been permitted to meet once 
 more before they died. We had already made a league upon 
 the river when a young navy clerk (M. Mollien) was suddenly 
 taken ill. We put him ashore, and left him to the care of a 
 negro to conduct him to Senegal when he should recover. 
 
 It would be in vain for me to paint the various emotions of 
 my mind at that delicious moment. I am bold to say all the 
 colony, if we accept MM. Schmaltz and Laebaumareys, were 
 at the port to- receive us from our boats. M. Artigue going 
 on shore first to acquint the English governor of our arrival, 
 
124 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 met him coming to us on horseback, followed by our gener- 
 ous conductor Mr. Carnet, and several superior officers. — 
 We went on shore carrying our brothers and sisters in our 
 arms. My father presented us to the English governor, who 
 had alighted; he appeared to be sensibly affected with our 
 misfortunes, the females and children chiefly e.xcited his com- 
 miseration. And the native inhabitants and Europeans ten- 
 derly shook the hands of the unfortunate people; the negro 
 slaves even seemed to deplore our disastrous fate. 
 
 The governor placed the most sickly of our companions in 
 a hospital; various inhabitants of the colony received others 
 into their houses; M. Artigue obligingly took charge of our 
 family. Arriving at his house we there found his wife, two 
 ladies and an English lady, who begged to be allowed to as- 
 sist us. Taking my sister Caroline and myself, she conducted 
 us to her house, and presented us to her husband, who re- 
 ceived us in the most affable manner; after which she led us 
 to her dressing-room, where we were combed, cleansed, and 
 dressed by the domestic negresses, and were most obligingly 
 furnished with linen from her own wardrobe, the whiteness of 
 which was strongly contrasted with our sable countenances. 
 Ill the midst of my misfortunes my soul had preserved all its 
 strength; but this sudden change of situation affected me so 
 much, that 1 thought my intellectual faculties were forsaking 
 me. We were so confused by our agitation, that we scarcely 
 heard the questions which were put to us, having constantly be- 
 fore our eyes the foaming waves and the immense tract ot 
 sand over which we had passed. 
 
 The following is the substance, abridged from MM. Correard 
 and Savigny, of what took place on the raft during thirteen 
 days before the sufferers were taken up by the Argus 
 Brig. 
 
 After the boats had disappeared, the consternation became 
 e.xtreme. All the horrors of thirst and famine passed before 
 our imagination; besides, we had to contend with a treacher- 
 ous element, which already covered the half of our bodies. — 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 The deep stupor of the soldiers and sailors instantly -■'Vianget 
 to despair. All saw their inevitable destruction, and express- 
 ed by their moans the dark thoughts which brooded in thei/ 
 minds. Our words were at first unavailing to quiet theii 
 fears, which we participated with them, but which a greatei 
 strength of mind enabled us to dissemble. At last an unmov- 
 ed countenance, and our proffered consolations, quieted then- 
 by degrees, but could not entirely dissipate the terror with 
 which they were seized. 
 
 When tranquility was a little restored, we began to search 
 about the raft for the charts, the compass, and the anchor, 
 which we presumed had been placed upon it, after what we 
 had been told at the time of quitting the frigate. 
 
 These things of the first importance, had not been placed 
 upon our machine. Above all, the want of a compass the 
 most alarmed us, and we gave vent to our rage and vengeance. 
 ]M. Correard then remembered he had seen one in the hands 
 of the principal workmen under his command; he spoke to 
 the man, who replied, ‘Yes, yes, I have it with me.’ This 
 information transported us with joy, and we believed that our 
 safety depended upon this futile resource; it was about the 
 size of a crown-piece, and very incorrect. Those who have 
 not been in situations in which their existence was exposed to 
 extreme peril, can have but a faint knowledge of the price 
 one attaches then to the simplest objects — with what avidity 
 one seizes the slightest means capable of mitigating the rigor 
 of that fate against which they contend. The compass was 
 given to the commander of the raft, but an accident deprived 
 us of it forever; it fell and disappeared between the pieces of 
 wood which formed our machine. We had kept it but a few 
 hours, and, after its loss, had nothing to guide us but the ri- 
 sing and sitting of the sun. 
 
 We had all gone afloat without taking any food. Hunger 
 beginning to be imperiously felt, we mixed our paste of sea- 
 biscuit with a little wine, and distributed it thus prepared. — 
 Such was our first meal, and the best we had, during our stay 
 upon the raft. 
 
 An order, according to our numbers, was established for 
 the distribution of our miserable provisions. The ration of 
 wine was fixed at three quarters a day. We will speak no 
 more of the biscuit, it having been entirely consumed at the 
 first distribution. The day passed away sufficiently tranquil. 
 Vie talked of the means by which we would save ourselves; 
 we spoke of it as a certain circumstance, which reanimated 
 
126 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 our courage; and we sustained that of the soldiers, by cher- 
 ishing in them the hope of being able, in a short time, to re- 
 venge themselves on those who had bandoned us. This 
 hope of vengeance, it must be avowed, equally animated us 
 all; and we poured out a thousand imprecations against those 
 who had left us a prey to so much misery and danger. 
 
 The officer who commanded the, raft being unable to move, 
 M. Savigny took upon himself the duty of erecting the mast. 
 He caused them to cut in two one of the poles of the fri- 
 gate’s masts, and fi.xed it with the rope which had served to 
 tow us, and of which we made stays and shrouds. It was 
 placed on the anterior third of the raft. We put up for a sail 
 the main-top-gallant, which trimmed very well, but was of 
 very little use, except when the wind served from behind; and 
 to keep the raft in this course, we were obliged to trim the 
 sail as if the breeze blew athwart us. 
 
 In the evening, our hearts and our prayers, by a feeling 
 natural to the unfortunate, were turned towards Heaven.— 
 Surrounded by inevitable dangers, we addressed that invisi- 
 ble Being who has established, and who maintains the order 
 of the universe. Our vows were fervent, and we experienc- 
 ed from our prayers the cheering influence of hope. It is 
 necessary to have been in similar situations, before one can 
 rightly imagine wffiat a charm is the sublime idea of a God 
 protecting the unfortunate to the heart of the sufferer 
 
 One consoling thought still soothed our imaginations. We 
 persuaded ourselves that the little divisions had gone to the 
 isle of Arguin, and that after it had set a part of its people 
 on shore, the rest w'ould return to our assistance; we endeav- 
 ored to impress this idea on our soldiers and sailors, which 
 quieted them. The night came without our hope being real- 
 ized; the wind freshened, and the sea was considerably swel- 
 led. What a horrible ni"ht! The thought of seeing the 
 boats on the morrow, a little consoled our men, the greater 
 part of whom, being unaccustomed to the sea, fell on one an- 
 other at each movement of the raft. jM. Savigny, seconded 
 by some people who still preserved their presence of mind 
 amidst the disorder, stretched cords across the raft, by which 
 the men held, and were better able to resist the swell of the 
 sea; some were even obliged to fasten themselves. In the 
 middle of the night the weather was very rough; huge waves 
 burst upon us, sometimes overturning -us with great violence. 
 I'he cries of the men, mingled with the flood, whilst the ter- 
 rible sea raised us at every instant from the raft, and threat- 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 m 
 
 ened to sweep us away. This scene was rendered still more 
 terrible, by the horrors inspired by the darkness of the night. 
 Suddenly we believed we saw fires in the distance at inter- 
 vals. 
 
 We had had the precaution to hang at the top of the mast, 
 the gun-powder and pistols which we had brought from the 
 frigate. We made signals by burning a large quantity of 
 cartridges; we even fired some pistols, but it seems the fire 
 we saw, was nothing but an error of vision, or, perhaps, 
 nothing more than the sparkling of the waves. 
 
 We struggled with death during the whole of the night, 
 holding firmly by the ropes which were made very secure. — 
 Tossed by the waves from the back to the front, and from the 
 front to the back, and sometimes precipitated into the sea; 
 floating between life and death, mourning our misfortunes, 
 certain of perishing; we disputed, nevertheless, the remain- 
 der of our existence, with that cruel element which threaten- 
 ed to engulf us. Such was our condition till daybreak. At 
 every instant were heard the lamentable cries of the soldiers 
 and sailors; they prepared for death, bidding farewell to one 
 another, imploring the protection of Heaven, and addressing 
 fervent prayers to God. Every one made vows to him, in 
 spite of the certainty of never being able to accomplish them. 
 Frightful situation! How is it possible to have any idea of it, 
 which will not fail far short of the reality! 
 
 Towards seven in the morning the sea fell a little, the 
 wind blew with less fury; but what a scene presented itself 
 to our view ! Ten or twelve unfortunates, having their infe- 
 rior extremities fixed in the openings between the pieces of 
 the raft, had perished by being unable to disenage them- 
 selves; several others were swept away by the violence of 
 the sea. At the hour of repast, we took the numbers anew; 
 we had lost twenty men. We will not affirm that this was the 
 exact number; for we perceived some soldiers who, to have 
 more than their share, took rations for two, and even three; 
 we were so huddled together that we found it absolutely im- 
 possible to prevent this abuse. 
 
 In the midst of these horrors a touching scene of filial pie- 
 ty drew our tears. Two young men raised and recognized 
 their father, who had fallen, and was lying insensible among 
 the feet of the people. They believed him at first dead, and 
 their despair was expressed in the most affecting manner. It 
 was perceived, however, that he still breathed, and every as- 
 sistance was rendered for his recovery in our power. He 
 
!28 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 slowly revived, and was restored to life, and to the prayers of 
 his sons, who supported him closely folded in their arms. — 
 Whilst our hearts were softened by this affecting episode in 
 our melancholy adventures, we had soon to witness the sad 
 spectacle of a dark contrast. Two ship-boys and a baker 
 feared not to seek death, and threw themselves into the sea, 
 after having bid farewell to their companions in misfortune. 
 Already the minds of our people were singularly altered; 
 some believed that they saw land, others ships which were 
 coming to save us; all talked aloud of their fallacious visions. 
 
 We lamented the loss of our unfortunate companions. At 
 this moment we were far from anticipating the still more ter- 
 rible scene which took place on the following night; far from 
 that, we enjoyed a positive satisfaction so well were we per- 
 suaded that the boats would return to our assistance. The 
 day was fine, and the most perfect tranquility reigned all the 
 while on our raft. The evening came and no boats appeared. 
 Despondency began again to seize our men, and then a spirit 
 of insubordination manifested itself in cries of rage. The 
 voice of the officers was entirely disregarded. ^ight fell 
 rapidly in, the sky was obscured by dark clouds; the wind 
 which, during the whole day, had blown rather violently, be- 
 came furious and swelled the sea, which in an instant became 
 very rough. 
 
 The preceding night had been frightful, but this was more 
 so. Mountains of water covered us at every instant, and 
 burst with fury into the midst of us. Very fortunately we 
 had the wind from behind, and the strongest of the sea was a 
 little broken by the rapidity with whicli we were driven be- 
 fore it. We were impelled towards the land. The men, 
 from the violence of the sea, were hurried from the back to 
 the front; we were obliged to keep to the centre, the firmest 
 part of the raft, and those who could not get there almost all 
 perished. Before and behind the waves dashed impetuously, 
 and swept away the men in spite of all their resistance. At 
 the centre the pressure was such, that some unfortunates 
 were suflbcated by the weight oftheir comrades, who fell upon 
 them at every instant. The officers kept by the foot of the 
 little mast, and were obliged every moment to call to those 
 around them to go to the one or the other side to avoid the 
 waves; for the sea coming nearly athwart us, gave our raft 
 nearly a perpendicular position, to counteract which, they 
 were forced to throw themselves upon the side raised by the 
 sea. 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 129 
 
 The soldiers and sailors, frightened by the presence of al- 
 most inevitable danger, doubted not that they had reached their 
 last hour. Firmly believing they were lost, they resolved to 
 soothe their last moments by drinking till they lost their sens- 
 es. We had no power to oppose this disorder. They seized 
 a cask which was in the centre of the raft, made a little hole 
 in the end of it, and, with small tin cups, took each a pretty 
 large quantity; but they were obliged to cease, for the sea 
 water rushed into the hole they had made. The fumes of the 
 wine failed not to disorder their brains, already weakened by 
 the presence of danger and want of food. Thus excited, 
 these men became deaf to the voice of reason. They wish- 
 ed to involve, in one common ruin, all their companions in 
 misfortune. They avowedly expressed their intention of free- 
 ing themselves from their officers, who they said, wished to 
 oppose their design; and then to destroy the raft, by cutting 
 the ropes which united its different parts. Immediately after 
 they resolved to put their plans into execution. One of them 
 advanced upon the side of the raft with a boarding axe, and 
 began to cut the cords. This was the signal of revolt. We 
 stepped forward to prevent these insane mortals, and he who 
 was armed with the hatchet, with which he even threatened 
 an officer, fell the first victim; a stroke of a sabre terminated 
 his existence. 
 
 This man was an Asiatic, and a soldier in a colonial regi- 
 ment. Of a colossal stature, short hair, a nose extremely 
 large, an enormous mouth and dark complexion, he made a 
 most hideous appearance. At first he had placed himself in 
 the middle of the raft, and, at each blow of his fist, knocked 
 down every one who opposed him; he inspired the greatest 
 terror, and none durst approach him. Had there been si.x 
 such, "our destruction would have been certain. 
 
 Some men anxious to prolong their existence, armed and 
 united themselves with those who wished to preserve the raft; 
 among this number were some sabaltern officers and many 
 passengers. The rebels drew their sabres, and those who 
 had none armed themselves with knives. They advanced in 
 a determined manner upon us; we stood on our defence; the 
 attack commenced. Animated by despair, one of them aimed 
 a stroke at an officer; the rebel instantly fell, pierced with 
 wounds. This firmness awed them for an instant, but dimin- 
 ished nothing of their rage. They ceased to advance, and 
 withdrew, presenting to us a front bristling with sabres and 
 bayonets, to the back part of the raft to execute their plan. — 
 VOL. II. 6* 
 
130 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 One of them feigned to rest himself on the small railings on 
 the sides of the raft, and with a knife began cutting the cords. 
 Being told by a servant, one of us sprung upon him. A sol- 
 dier, wishing to defend him, struck at the officer with his knife, 
 which only pierced his coat; the officer wheeled round, seiz- 
 ed his adversary, and threw both him and his comrade into 
 the sea. 
 
 There had been as yet but partial affairs; the combat be- 
 came general. Some one cried to lower tbe sail; a crowd of 
 infuriated mortals threw themselves in an instant upon the 
 hauiyards and the shrouds, and cut them. The fall of the 
 mast almost broke the thigh of a captain of infantry, who fell 
 insensible. He was seized by the soldiers, who threw him 
 into the sea. We saved him, and placed him on a barrel, 
 whence he was taken by the rebels, who wished to put out 
 his eyes with a penknife. E.xasperated by so much brutalitv, 
 we no longer restrained ourselves, but pushed in upon them, 
 and charged them with fury. Sword in hand we traversed 
 the line which the soldiers had formed, and many paid with 
 their lives the errors of their revolt. Various passengers, 
 during these cruel moments, evinced the greatest courage 
 and coolness. 
 
 M. Correard fell into a sort of swoon; but hearing at ev- 
 ery instant the cries, To Arms! with us comrades; we are 
 lost! joined with the groans and imprecations of the wounded 
 and dying, was soon roused from his lethargy. All this hor- 
 rible tumult speedily made him comprehend how necessary it 
 was to be upon his guard. Armed witli his sabre, he gatlier- 
 ed together some of his workmen on the front of the raft, and 
 there charged them to hurt no one, unless they were attack- 
 ed. He almost always remained with them; and several 
 times they had to defend themselves against the rebels, who, 
 swimming round to that point of the raft, placed ?il. Correard 
 and his little troop between two darigers, and made their posi- 
 tion very difficult to defend. At every instant he was oppos- 
 ed to men armed with knives, sabres and bayonets. 3Iany 
 had carabines which they wielded as clubs. Every effort 
 was made to stop them, by holding them off at the point of 
 their swords; but, in spite of the repugnance they e.xperienc- 
 ed in fighting witli their wretched countrymen, they were com- 
 pelled to use their arms without mercy. lUany of the muti- 
 neers attacked with fury, and they were obliged to repel them 
 in the same manner. Some of tire laborers received seveYe 
 wounds in this action. Their commander comd show a great 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 13t 
 
 number received in the different engagements. At last their 
 united efforts prevailed in dispersing this mass who had atack- 
 ed them with such fury. 
 
 During this combat, M. Correard was told by one of his 
 workmen who remained faithful, that one of their comrades, 
 named Dominique, had gone over to the rebels, and that they 
 had seized and thrown him into the sea. Immediately forget- 
 ting the fault and treason of this man, he threw himself in at 
 the place whence the voice of the wretch was heard calling 
 for assistance, seized him by the hair, and had the good for- 
 tune to restore him on board. Dominique had got several sa- 
 bre wounds in a charge, one of which had laid open his head. 
 In spite of the darkness we found out the wound, which seem- 
 ed very large. 
 
 One of the workmen gave his handkerchief to bind and 
 stop the blood. Our care recovered the wretch; but, when 
 he had collected strength, the ungrateful Dominique, forget- 
 ting at once his duty and the signal service which we had 
 rendered him, went and rejoined the rebels. So much base- 
 ness and insanity did not go unrevenged; and soon after he 
 found, in a fresh assault, that death from which he was not 
 worthy to be saved, but which he might in all probability have 
 avoided, if, true to honor and gratitude, he had remained 
 among us. 
 
 Just at the moment we finished dressing the wounds of 
 Dominique, another voice was heard. It was that of the un- 
 fortunate female who was with us on the raft, and whom the 
 infuriated beings had thrown into the sea, as well as her hus- 
 band, who had defended her with courage. M. Correard 
 in despair at seeing two unfortunates perish, whose pitiful 
 cries, especially the woman’s pierced his heart, seized a large 
 rope which he found on the front of the raft, which he fasten- 
 ed round his middle, and throwing himself a second time into 
 the sea, was again so fortunate as to sai'e the woman, who in- 
 voked, with all her might, the assistance of our Lady of Land. 
 Her husband was rescued at the same time by the head 
 workman, Lavilette. W e laid these unfortunates upon the dead 
 bodies, supporting their backs with a barrel. In a short 
 while they recovered their senses. The first thing the woman 
 did was to acquaint herself with the name of the person who 
 saved her, and to express to him her liveliest gratitude. — 
 Finding, doubtless, that her words but ill expressed her feel- 
 ings, she recollected she had in her pocket a little snuff, and 
 instantly offered it to him, — it was all she possessed Touch- 
 
132 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 ed with the gift, but unable to use it, M. Correard gave it to 
 a poor sailor, which served him for three or four days. But 
 it is impossible for us to describe a still more affecting scene, 
 the joy this unfortunate couple testified, when they had suffi- 
 ciently recovered their senses, at finding that they were both 
 saved. 
 
 The rebels being repulsed, as it has been stated above, left 
 us a little repose. The moon lighted with her melancholy 
 rays this disastrous raft, this narrow space, on which were 
 found united so many torturing anxieties, so many cruel mis- 
 fortunes, a madness so insensate, a courage so heroic, and 
 the most generous, the most amiable sentiments of nature and 
 humanity. 
 
 The man and wife, who had been but a little before stabbed 
 with swords and bayonets, and thrown both together into a 
 stormy sea, could scarcely credit their senses when they 
 found themselves in one another’s arms. The woman was a 
 native of the Upper Alps, which place she had left twenty- 
 four years before, and during which time. she liad followed the 
 French armies in the campaigns in Italy, and other places, as 
 a sutler. ‘ Therefore preserve my life,’ said she to M. Cor- 
 reard, ‘ you see I am an useful woman. Ah! if you knew 
 how often 1 have ventured upon tlie field of battle, and braved 
 death to carry assistance to our gallant men. AVhether they 
 had money or not I always let them have my goods. Some- 
 times a battle would deprive me of my poor debtors; but after 
 the victory, others would pay me double or triple for what 
 they had consumed before the engagement. Thus I came in 
 for a share of their victories.’ Unfortunate woman! she lit- 
 tle knew what a horrible fate awaited her among us! They 
 felt, they e.xpressed so vividly that happiness which they alas 
 so shortly enjoyed, that would have drawn tears from the 
 most obdurate heart. But in that horrible moment, when we 
 scarcely breathed from the most furious attack, — when we 
 were obliged to be continually on our guard, n?>t only against 
 the violence of the men, but a most boisterous sea, few 
 among us had time to attend to scenes of conjugal affection. 
 
 After this second check, the rage of the soldiers was sud- 
 denly appeased, and gave place to the most abject cowardice. 
 Several threw themselves at our feet, and implored our par- 
 don, which was instantly granted. Thinking that order was 
 re-established, we returned to our station on the centre of the 
 raft, only taking the precaution of keeping our arms. AVe, 
 however, had soon to prove the impotsibilitv of counting on 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 133 
 
 the permanence of any honest sentiment in the hearts of 
 these beings. 
 
 It Avas nearly midnight; and after an hour of apparent tran- 
 quility, the soldiers rose afresh. Their mind was entirely 
 gone; they ran upon us in despair with knives and sabres in 
 their hands. As they yet had all their physical strength, and 
 besides were armed, we Avere obliged again to stand on our 
 defence. Their revolt became still more dangerous, as, in 
 their delirium, they Avere entirely deaf to the voice of reason. 
 They attacked us, Ave charged them in our turn, and immedi- 
 ately the raft Avas streAved Avith their dead bodies. Those of 
 our adA’ersaries who had no Aveapons endeavored to tear us 
 Avith their sharp teeth. Many of us Avere cruely bitten. — 
 M. Savigny was torn on the legs and the shoulder; he also 
 received a wound on the right arm Avhich deprived him of the 
 use of his fourth and little finger for a long Avhile. Many 
 others Avere Avounded; and many cuts Avere found in our 
 clothes from knives and sabres. 
 
 One of our workmen Avas also seized by four of the rebels, 
 who Avished to throw him into the sea. One of them had laitl 
 hold of his right leg, and had bit most unmercifully the tendon 
 above the heel ; others Avere striking him Avith great slashes 
 of their sabres, and Avith the butt end of their guns, Avhen his 
 cries made us hasten to his assistance. In this affair, the 
 brave Lavilette, ex-serjeant of the foot artillery of the Old 
 Guard, behaved Avifh a courage Avorthy of the greatest praise. 
 He rushed upon the infuriated beings in the manner of M. 
 Correard, and soon snatched the Avorkman from the danger 
 Avliich menaced him. Some short Avhile after, in a fresh attack 
 of the rebels, sub-lieutenant Lozach fell into their hands. In 
 their delirium, they had taken him for Lieutenant Danglas, of 
 Avhom we have formerly spoken, and who had abandoned the 
 raft at the moment Avhen Ave Avere quitting the frigate. The 
 troop, to a man, eagerly sought this officer, who had seen 
 little service, and Avhom they reproached for having used them 
 ill during the time they garrisoned the Isle of Rhe. We be- 
 lieved this officer lost, but hearing his voice, Ave soon found it 
 still possible to save him. Immediately MM. Clairet, Savigny, 
 L’ Heureux, Lavilette, Coudin, Correard, and some Avorkmen, 
 formed themselves into small platoons, and rushed upon the in- 
 surgents Avith great impetuosity, overturning everyone in their 
 Avay, and retook M. Lozach, and placed him on the centre of 
 the raft. 
 
 The preservation of this officer cost us infinite difficulty 
 
134 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 Every moment the soldiers demanded he should be delivered 
 to them, designating him always by the name of Danglas. 
 We endeavored to make them comprehend their mistake, and 
 told them that they themselves had seen the person for whom 
 they sought return on board the frigate. They were insensible 
 to everything we said ; everything before them was Danglas ; 
 they saw him perpetually, and furiously and unceasingly de- 
 manded his head. It was only by force of arms we succeed- 
 ed in repressing their rage, and quieting their dreadful cries 
 of death. 
 
 Horrible night ! thou shrouded with thy gloomy veil these 
 frightful combats, over which presided the cruel demon of 
 despair. 
 
 IVe had also to tremble for the life of IM. Coudin. Wound- 
 ed and fatigued by the attacks which he had sustained with us, 
 and in which he had shown a courage superior to everything, 
 he was resting himselfon a barrel, holding in his arms a young 
 sailor boy of twelve years of age, to whom he had attached 
 himself. The mutineers seized him with his barrel, and threw 
 him into the sea with the boy, whom he still held fast. In 
 spite of his burden, he had the presence of mind to lay hold of 
 the raft, and to save himself from this extreme peril. 
 
 We cannot yet comprehend how a handful of men should 
 have been able to resist such a number so monstrously insane. 
 We are sure we were not more than twenty to combat all these 
 madmen. Let it not, howmver, be imagined, that in the midst 
 of all these dangers we had preserved our reason entire. 
 Fear, anxiety, and the most cruel privations, had greatly 
 changed our intellectual faculties. But being somewhat less 
 insane than the unfortunate soldiers, we energetically opposed 
 their determination of cutting the cords of the raft. Permit 
 us now to make some observations concerning the different 
 sensations w'ith which we were affected. During the first day, 
 M. Griffon entirely lost his senses. He threw himself into the 
 sea, but IM. Savigny saved him with his owm hands. His 
 words were vague and unconnected. A second time he threw 
 himself in, but, by a sort of instinct, kept hold of the cross 
 pieces of the raft, and was again saved. 
 
 The following is w’hat IM. Savigny experienced in the begin- 
 ning of the night. His eyes closed in spite of himself, and he 
 felt a general drowsiness. In this condition the most delight- 
 ful visions flitted across his imagination. He saw around him 
 a country covered with the most beautiful plantations, and 
 found himself in the midst of objects delightful to his senses. 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 135 
 
 Nevertheless, he reasoned concerning his condition, and felt 
 that courage alone could withdraw him from this species of 
 non-existence. He demanded some wine from the master- 
 gunner, who got it for him, and he recovered a little from this 
 stupor. If the unfortunates who were assailed with these 
 primary symptoms had not strength to withstand them, their 
 death was certain. Some became furious ; others threw them- 
 selves into the sea, bidding farewell to their comrades with the 
 utmost coolness. Some said — ‘Fear nothing ; T am going to 
 g..t you assistance, and will return in a short while.’ In the 
 midst of this general madness, some wretches were seen rush- 
 ing upon their companions, sword in hand, demanding a wing 
 of a chicken and some bread to appease the hunger which 
 consumed them ; others asked for their hammocks to go, they 
 said, between the decks of the frigate to take a little repose. 
 Many believed they were still on the Medusa, surrounded by 
 the same objects they there saw daily. Some saw ships, and 
 called to them for assistance, or a fine harbor, in the distance 
 of which was an elegant city. M. Correard thought he was 
 travelling through the beautiful fields of Italy. An officer said 
 to him — ‘ I recollect we have been abandoned by the boats ; but 
 fear nothing. I am going to write to the governor, and in a few 
 hours we shall be saved.’ M. Correard replied in the same 
 tone, and as if he had been in his ordinary condition. — ‘ Have 
 you a pigeon to carry your orders with such celerity ?’ The 
 cries and the confusion soon roused us from this languor ; but 
 when tranquility was somewhat restored, we again fell into the 
 same drowsy condition. On the morrow, we felt as if we had 
 awoke from a painful dream, and asked our companions, if, 
 during their sleep, they had not seen combats and heard cries 
 of despair. Some replied, that the same visions had contin- 
 ually tormented them, and that they were exhausted with 
 fatigue. Every one believed he was deceived by the illusions 
 of a horrible dream. 
 
 After these different combats, overcome with toil, with want 
 of food and sleep, we laid ourselves down and reposed till the 
 morrow dawned, and showed us the horror of the scene. A 
 great number in their delirium had thrown themselves into the 
 sea. We found that sixty or sixty-five had perished during 
 the night. A fourth part at least, we supposed, had drowned 
 themselves in despair. We only lost two of our own numbers, 
 neither of whom were officers. The deepest dejection was 
 painted on every face ; each, having recovered himself, could 
 
136 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 now feel the horrors of his situation ; and some of us, shed- 
 ding tears of despair, bitterly deplored the rigor of our fate. 
 
 A new misfortune was now revealed to us. During the 
 tumult, the rebels had thrown into the sea two barrels of wine, 
 and the only two casks of water which we had upon the raft. 
 Two casks of wine had been consumed the day before, and 
 only one was left. We were more than sixty in number, and 
 we were obliged to put ourselves on half rations. 
 
 At break of day, the sea calmed, which permitted us again 
 to erect our mast. When it w’as replaced, we made a dis- 
 tribution of wine. The unhappy soldiers murmured and blam- 
 ed us for privations which we equally endured with them. 
 They fell exhausted. We had taken nothing for forty-eight 
 hours, and we had been obliged to struggle continually against a 
 strong sea. We could, like them, hardly support ourselves ; 
 courage alone made us still act. We resolved to employ 
 every possible means to catch fish, and, collecting all the hooks 
 and eyes from the soldiers, made fish-hooks of them but all 
 was of no avail. The currents carried our lines under the 
 raft, where they got entangled. We bent a bayonet to catch 
 sharks ; one bit at it, and straitened it, and we abandoned 
 our project. Something was absolutely necessary to sustain 
 our miserable existence, and we tremble with horror at being 
 obliged to tell that of which we made use. We feel our pen 
 fall from our hands : a mortal cold congeals all our members, 
 and our hair bristles erect on our foreheads. Readers ! we 
 implore you, feel not indignant towards men already overload- 
 ed with misery. Pity their condition, and shed a tear of sor- 
 row for their deplorable fate. 
 
 The wretches, whom death had spared during the disastrous 
 night we have described, seized upon the dead bodies with 
 which the raft was covered, cutting them up by slices, which 
 some even instantly devoured. Many nevertheless refrained. 
 Almost all the officers were of this number. Seeing that this 
 monstrous food had revived the strength of those who had 
 used it, it was proposed to dry it, to make it a little more 
 palatable. Those who had firmness to abstain from it, took 
 an additional quantity of wine. We endeavored to eat shoul- 
 der-belts and cartouch-boxes, and contrived to swallow some 
 small bits of them. Some eat linen ; others the leathers of 
 their hats, on which was a little grease, or rather dirt. We had 
 recourse to many expedients to prolong our miserable exfist- 
 ence, to recount which would only disgust the heart of 
 humanity 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 137 
 
 The day was calm and beautiful. A ray of hope beamed for 
 a moment to quiet our agitation. We still expected to see 
 the boats or some ships, and addressed our prayers to the 
 Eternal, on whom we placed our trust. The half of our men 
 were extremely feeble, and bore upon their faces the stamp 
 of approaching dissolution. Ihe evening arrived, and- we 
 found no help. The darkness of the third night augmented 
 our fears, but the wind was still, and the sea less agitated. The 
 sun of the fourth morning since onr departure shone upon our 
 disaster, and showed us ten or twelve of our companions 
 stretched lifeless upon the raft. This sight struck us most 
 forcibly, as it told us we would be soon extended in the same 
 manner in the same place. We gave their bodies to tlie sea 
 for a grave, reserving only oxe to feed those who, but the day 
 before, had held Ins trembling hands, and sworn to him eter- 
 nal friendship. This day was beautiful. Our souls, anxious 
 for more delightful sensations, were in harmony with the aspect 
 of the heavens, and got again a new ray of hope. Towards 
 four in the afternoon, an unlocked for event happened which 
 gave us some consolation. A shoal of flying fish passed under 
 our raft, and as there were an infinite number of openings be- 
 tween the pieces which composed it, the fish were entangled 
 in great quantities. We threw ourselves upon them, and cap- 
 tured a considerable number. We took about two hundred 
 and put them in an empty barrel ; we opened them as we 
 caught them, and took out what is called their milt. This food 
 seemed delicious ; but one man would have required a thou- 
 sand. Our first emotion was to give to God renewed thanks 
 for this unhoped for favor. 
 
 An ounce of gunpowder having been found in the morning, 
 was dried in the sun during the day, which was very fine ; a 
 steel, gunflints, and tinder made also a part of the same par- 
 cel. After a good deal of difficulty w'e set fire to some frag- 
 ments (>f dry linen. We made a large opening in the side of an 
 empty cask, anti placed at the bottom of it several wet things, 
 and upon this kind of scafi'olding we set our fire ; all of which 
 we placed on a barrel that the sea-water might not extinguish 
 it. We cooked some fish and eat them with extreme avidity ; 
 but our hunger was such, and our portion so small, that we 
 added to it some of the sacrilegious viands, wffiich the cooking 
 rendered less revolting. This some of the officers touched 
 for the first time. From this day we continued to eat it ; but 
 we could no longer dress it, the means of making a fire hav- 
 ing been entirely lost ; the barrel having caught fire wo ex- 
 
138 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 tinguished it without being able to preserve anything to re- 
 kindle it on the morrow. The powder and tinder were en- 
 tirely gone. This meal gave us all additional strength to sup- 
 port our fatigues. The night was tolerable, and would have 
 been happy, had it not been signalized by a new massacre. 
 
 Some Spaniards, Italians, and negroes, had formed a plot 
 to throw us all into the sea. The negroes had told them that 
 they were very near the shore, and that, when there, they 
 would enable them to traverse Africa without danger. ^Ve 
 had to take to our arms again, the sailors, who had remained 
 faithful to us, pointing out to us the conspirators. Tlie first 
 signal for battle was given by a Spaniard, who, placing him- 
 self behind the mast, holding fast by it, made the sign of the 
 Cross with one hand, invoking the name of God, and w ith the 
 other held a knife. The sailors seized him and threw him 
 into the sea. An Italian, servant to an officer of the troops, 
 who was in the plot, seeing all w'as discovered, armed himself 
 with the only boarding axe left on the raft, made his retreat 
 to the front, enveloped himself in a piece of drapery he wmre 
 across his breast, and of his own accord threw himself into the 
 sea. The rebels rushed forward to avenge their comrades ; a 
 terrible conflict again commenced ; both sides fought with des- 
 perate fury ; and soon the fatal raft was strewed with dead 
 bodies and blood, which should have been shed by other 
 hands, and in another cause. In this tumult we heard them 
 again demanding, with horrid rage, the head of Lieut. Dan- 
 glas ! In this assault the unfortunate sutler was a second time 
 thrown into the sea. JM. Coudin, assisted by some workmen, 
 saved her, to prolong for a little while her torment and her 
 existence. 
 
 In this terrible night Lavilette failed not to give proofs of 
 the rarest intrepidity. It was to him and some of those who 
 had survived the sequel of our misfortunes, that we owed our 
 safety. At last, after unheard of efforts, the rebels were once 
 more repulsed, and quiet restored. Having escaped this new 
 danger, we endeavored to get some repose. The day at length 
 dawned upon us for the fifth time. We were now no more 
 than thirty in number. We had lost four or five of our faithful 
 sailors, and those who survived were in the most deplorable 
 condition. The sea-water had almost entirely excoriated the 
 skin of our lower extremities ; we were covered with contu- 
 sions or wounds, which, irritated by the salt water, extorted 
 from us the most piercing cries. About twenty of us only 
 were capable of standing upright or walking. Almost all our 
 
FRENCH frigate MEDUSA. 
 
 1S9 
 
 fish was exhausted ; we had but four days’ supply of wine ; in 
 four days, said we, nothing will be left, and death will be inevit- 
 able. Thus came the seventh day of our abandonment. In 
 the course of the day two soldiers had glided behind the only 
 barrel of wine that was left ; pierced it, and were drinking by 
 means of a reed. We had sworn that those who used such 
 means should be punished with death ; which law was instant- 
 ly put in execution, and the two transgressors were thrown 
 into the sea. 
 
 This same day saw the close of the life of a child named 
 Leon, aged twelve y^ears. He died like a lamp which ceases 
 to burn for want of aliment. All spoke in favor of this young 
 and amiable creature, who merited abetter fate. His angelic 
 form, his musical voice, the interest of an age so tender in- 
 creased still more by the courage he had shown, and the ser- 
 vices he had performed, for he had already made in the pre- 
 ceding year a campaign in the East Indies, ins];ired us all 
 with the greatest pity for this young victim, devoted to so hor- 
 rible and premature a death. Our old soldiers and all our 
 people in general did everything they could to prolong his ex- 
 istence, but all was in vain. IN either the wine which they 
 gave him without regret, nor all the iueans they eniployed, 
 could arrest his melancholy doom, and he expired in the arms 
 of .IM. Coudin, who had not ceased to give him the most un- 
 wearied attention. Whilst he had strength to move, he ran 
 incessantly from one side to the other, loudiv calling for his 
 unhappy mother, for water and food, lie trod indiscriminate- 
 ly on tlie feet and legs of his companions in misfortune, who, 
 in their turn, uttered sorrowful cries, but these were very' rare- 
 ly accompanied with menaces ; they paiJoned alj which the 
 poor boy had made them suffer. He was not in his senses, 
 consequently cou'd not bo expected to behave as if he had had 
 the use of his reason. 
 
 There now remained but twenty-seven of us. Fifteen of 
 that number seemed able to live yet some days ; the rest, 
 covered with large xvounds, bad almost entirely lost the use 
 of their reason. They still, however, shared in the distribu- 
 tions, and would, before they died, consume to thirty or forty 
 bottles of wine, which to us were inestimable. We deliberat- 
 ed, that by putting the sick on half allowance was but putting 
 them to death by' halves ; but after a counsel, at which presid- 
 ed the most dreadful despair, it was decided they should be 
 thrown into the sea. This means, however repugnant, how- 
 ever horrible it appeared to us, procured the survivors six 
 
140 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 days’ wine. But after the decision was made, who durst ex- 
 ecute it } The habit of seeing death ready to devour us ; the 
 certainty of our infallible destruction without this monstrous 
 expedient ; all, in short, had hardened our hearts to every 
 feeling but that of self-preservation. Three sailors and a sol- 
 dier took charge of this cruel business We looked aside and 
 shed tears of blood at the fate of these unfortunates. Among 
 them were the wretched sutler and her husband. Both had 
 been grievously wounded in the different combats. The 
 woman had a thigh broken between the beams of the raft, and 
 a stroke of a sabre had made a deep wound in the head of her 
 husband. Every thing announced their approaching end. 
 We consoled ourselves with the belief that our cruel resolution 
 shortened but a brief space the term of their existence. Ye 
 who shudder at the cry of outraged humanity, recollect, that it 
 was other men, fellow-countrymen, comrades who had placed 
 us in this awful situation ! 
 
 This horrible expedient saved the fifteen who remained ; for 
 when we were found by the Argus brig, we had very little 
 wine left, and it was the sixth day after the cruel sacrifice we 
 have described. The victims, we repeat, had not more than 
 forty-eight hours to live, and by keeping them on the raft, we 
 would have been absolutely destitute of the means of existence 
 two days before we were found. Weak as we were, we con- 
 sidered it as a certain thing, that it would have been impos- 
 sible for us to have lived only twenty-four hours more without 
 taking some food. After this catastrophe, we threw our arms 
 into the sea ; they inspired us with a horror we could not over- 
 come. We only kept one sabre, in case we had to cut some 
 cordage or some piece of wood. 
 
 A new event, for everything was an event to wretches to 
 whom the world was reduced to the narrcw space of a few 
 toises, and for whom the winds and waves contended in their 
 fury as they floated above tlie abyss ; an event happened 
 which diverted our minds from the horrors of our situation. 
 All on a sudden a white butterfly, of a species common in 
 France, came fluttering above our heads, and settled on our 
 sails. The first thought this little creature suggested was, 
 that it was the harbinger of approaching land, and we clung to 
 the hope with a delirium of joy. It was the ninth day we had 
 been upon the raft ; the torments of hunger consumed our en- 
 trails ; and the soldiers and sailors already devoured with hag- 
 gard eyes this wretched prey, and seenied ready to dispute 
 about it. Others looking upon it as a messenger from Heaven, 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 141 
 
 declared that they took it under their protection, and would 
 suffer none to do it harm. It is certain we could not be far 
 from land, for the butterflies continued to come on the follow- 
 ing days, and flutter about our sail. We had also on the 
 same day another indication not less positive, by a Goeland 
 which flew around our raft. This second visitor left us no 
 doubt that we were fast approaching the African soil, and we 
 persuaded ourselves we would be speedily thrown upon the 
 coast by the force of the currents. 
 
 This same day a new care employed us. Seeing we were 
 reduced to so small a number, we collected all the little 
 strength we had left, detached some planks on the front of the 
 raft, and, with some pretty long pieces of wood, raised on the 
 centre a kind of platform, on which we reposed. All the ef- 
 fects we could collect were placed upon it, and rendered to 
 make it less hard ; which also prevented the sea from passing 
 with such facility through the spaces between the different 
 planks, but the waves came across, and sometimes covered us 
 completely. 
 
 On this new theatre we resolved to meet death in a manner 
 becoming Frenchman, and with perfect resignation. Out 
 time was almost wholly spent in speaking of our unhappy 
 country. All our wishes, our last prayers, were for the pros- 
 perity of France. Thus passed the last days of our abode 
 upon the raft. 
 
 Soon after our abandonment, we bore with comparative ease 
 the immersions during the nights, which are very cold in these 
 countries ; but latterly, every time the waves washed over us, 
 we felt a most painful sensation, and we uttered plaintive 
 cries. We employed every, means to avoid it. Some sup- 
 ported their heads on pieces of wood, and made with what 
 they could find a sort of little parapet to screen them from the 
 force of the waves ; others sheltered themselves behind two 
 empty casks. But these means were very insufficient : it was 
 only when the sea was calm that it did not break over us. 
 
 An ardent thirst, redoubled in the day by the beams of a burn- 
 ing sun, consumed us. An officer ofthe army found by chance 
 a small lemon, and it may be easily imagined how valuable 
 such a fruit would be to him. His comrades, in s|)ite of the 
 most urgent entreaties, could not get a bit of it from him. Signs 
 of rage were already manifested, and had he not partly listened 
 to the solicitations of those around him, they would have ta! en 
 it by force, and he would have perished the victim of his self- 
 ishness. We also disputed about thirty clover of garlic which 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 14H 
 
 were found in the bottom of a sack. These disputes were 
 for the most part accompanied with violent menaces, and if 
 they had been prolonged, we might perhaps have come to the 
 last extremities. There was found also two small phials, in 
 which was a spirituous liquid for cleaning the teeth. lie who 
 possessed them kept them with care, and gave witli reluctance 
 one or two drops in the palm of the hand. This liquor which, 
 we' think, was a tincture of guiacum, cinnamon, cloves, and 
 other aromatic substances, produced on our tongues an agree- 
 able feeling, and for a short while removed the thirst which 
 destroyed us. Some of us found some small pieces of powder, 
 which made, when put into the mouth, a kind of coolness. 
 One plan generally employed was to put into a hat a quantity 
 of sea-water with which we washed our faces fur a while, re- 
 peating it at intervals. We also bathed our hair and held our 
 hands in the water. Misfortune made us ingenious, and each 
 thought of a thousand means to alleviate his sufferings. Ema- 
 ciated by the most cruel privations, the least agreeable feeling 
 was to us a happiness supreme, 'fhus we sought with avidity 
 a small empty phial which one of us possessed, and in which 
 had once been some essence of roses ; and eveiy one as he 
 got hold of it respired with deliglit the odor it exhaled, which 
 imparted to his senses the most soothing impressions. 3!ai;y 
 of us kept our ration of wine in a small tin cup, and sucked it 
 out with a quill. This manner of taking it was of great bene- 
 fit to us, and allayed our thirst much better than if we had 
 gulped it off at once. 
 
 Three days passed in inexpressible anguish. So much did 
 we despise life, tliat many of us feared not to bathe in sight 
 of the sharks w hich surrounded our raft ; others [ilaced them- 
 selves naked upon the front of our machine, which was under 
 water. These expedients diminished a little the ardor of their 
 thirst. A species of molusca, known to seamen by the name 
 of gatere, was sometimes driven in great numbers on our raft ; 
 and when their long arms rested on our naked bodies, they 
 occasioned us the most cruel sufferings. ^Vill it be believed, 
 that admist these terrible scenes, struggling with inevitable 
 aeath, some of us uttered pleasantries which made us yet smile, 
 in spite of the horrors of our situation ? ^One, besides others, 
 said jestingly, ‘ If the brig is sent to search for us, pray God 
 it has the eves of Argus,’ in allusion to tlie name of the vessel 
 we presumed would be sent to our assistance. This consola- 
 tory idea never left us an instant, and we spoke of it fre- 
 quently. 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA, 
 
 143 
 
 On the 16th, reckoning we were very near land, eight of the 
 most determined among us resolved to endeavor to gain the 
 coast. A second raft, of smaller dimensions, was formed for 
 transporting them thither : but it was found insufficient, and 
 they at length determined to await death in their present situa- 
 tion. Meanwhile night came on, and its sombre veil revived 
 in our minds the most afflicting thoughts. We were convin- 
 ced there were not above a dozen or fifteen bottles of wine in 
 our barrel. We began to have an invincible disgust at the 
 flesh which had till tlien scarcely supported us ; and we may 
 say, that the sight of it inspired us with feelings of horror, 
 doubtless produced by the idea of our approaching destruc- 
 tion. 
 
 On the m< ruing of the 17th, the sun appeared free from 
 clouds. After having addressed our prayers to the Eternal, 
 we divided among us a part of our wine. Each, with delight, 
 was taking his small portion, when a captain of infantry, cast- 
 ing his eyes on the horizon, perceived a ship, announced it to 
 us by an exclamation of joy. We knew it to be a brig, but it 
 was at a great distance ; we could distinguish the masts. The 
 sight of this vessel revived in us emotions difficult to describe 
 Each believed his deliverance sure, and we gave a thousand 
 thanks to God. Fears, however, mingled with our hopes. 
 W'e straightened some hoops of casks, to the ends of which 
 we fixed handkerclnefs of different colors. A man, with our 
 united assistance, mounted to the top of the mast, and waved 
 these little flaos. For more than half an hour, we were toss- 
 ed between hope and fear. Some thought the vessel grew 
 larger, and others were convinced its course was from us. 
 These last were the only ones whose eyes w'ere not blinded 
 by hope, for the ship disappeared. 
 
 From the delirium of joy, we passed to that of despondency 
 and sorrow. We envied the fate of those whom we had seen 
 perish at our sides.; and we said to ourselves, ‘ When we 
 shall be in want of every thing, and when our strength begins 
 to forsake us, we will wrap ourselves up as well as we can, 
 we will stretch ourselves on this platform, the witness of the 
 most cruel sufferings, and there await death with resignation.’ 
 At length, to calm our despair, we sought for consolation in 
 the arm of sleep. The day before, we had been scorched by 
 the beams of a burning sun ; to-day, to avoid the fierceness 
 of his rays, we made a tent with the main-sail of the frigate 
 As soon as it was finished, we laid ourselves under it ; thus 
 all that was passing without was hid from our eyes. We pro 
 
144 
 
 FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 posed then to write upon a plank an abridgement of our ad- 
 ventures, and to add our names at the bottom of the recital, 
 and fix it to the upper part of the mast, in the hope it would 
 reach the government and our families. 
 
 After having passed two hours, a prey to the most cruel re- 
 flections, the master gunner of the frigate, wishing to go to the 
 front of the raft, went out from below the tent. Scarcely had 
 he put out his head, when he turned to us, uttering a piercing 
 cry, Joy was painted upon his face ; his hands were stretch- 
 ed towards the sea ; he breathed with difficulty. All he was 
 able to say was ; ‘ Saved ! see the brig upon us !’ and in 
 fact it was not more than half a league distant having every 
 sail set, and steering right upon us. We rushed from our tent ; 
 even those whom enormous wounds in their in.erior extrem- 
 ities had confined for many days, dragged themselves to the 
 back of the raft, to enjoy a sight of the ship which had come 
 to save us from certain death. We embraced one another 
 with a transport which looked much like madness, and tears 
 of joy trickled down our cheeks, withered by the most cruel 
 privations. Each seized handkerchiefs, or some pieces of 
 linen, to make signals to the brig, which was rapidly approach- 
 ing us. Some fell on their knees, and fervently returned 
 thanks to Providence for this miraculous preservation of their 
 lives. Our joy redoubled when saw we at the top of the fore- 
 mast a large white flag, and we cried, ‘ It is then to Frenchmen 
 we w'ill owe our deliverance.’ AVe instantly recognised the brig 
 to be the Argus ; it was then about two gunshots from us. 
 AYe were terribly impatient to see her reef her sails, which at 
 last she did, and fresh cries of joy arose from our raft. The 
 Argus came and lay-to on our starboard, about half a pistol- 
 shot from us. The crew, ranged upon the deck and on the 
 shrouds, announced to us, by the waving of their hands and 
 hats, the pleasure they felt at coming to the assistance of their 
 unfortunate countrymen. In a short time we were all trans- 
 ported on board the brig, where we found the lieutenant of 
 the frigate, and some others who had been wrecked with us. 
 Compassion was painted on every face ; and pity drew tears 
 from every eye which beheld us. 
 
 AA'e found some excellent broth on board the brig, which 
 they had prepared, and when they had perceived us they add- 
 ed to it some wine, and thus restored our nearly exhausted 
 strength. They bestowed on us the most generous care and 
 attention ; our wounds were dressed, and on the morrow many 
 of our sick began to revive Some, however, still suffered 
 
FRENCH FRIGATE MEDUSA. 
 
 145 
 
 much, for they were placed between decks, very near the 
 kitchen, which augmented the almost insupportable heat of 
 these latitudes. This want of space arose from the small size 
 of the vessel. The number ofthe shipwrecked was indeed very 
 considerable. Those who did not belong to the navy were laid 
 upon cables, wrapped in flags, and placed under the fire of the 
 kitchen. Here they had almost perished during the course 
 of the night, fire having broken out between decks about ten 
 in the evening ; but timely assistance being rendered, we were 
 saved for the second time. We had scarcely escaped when 
 some of us became again delirous. An officer of infantry 
 wished to throw himself into the sea, to look for his pocket 
 book, and would have done it had he not been prevented, 
 Others were seized in a manner not less frenzied. 
 
 The commander and officers of the brig watched over us, 
 and kindly anticipated our wants. They snatched us from 
 death, by saving us from our raft ; their unremitting care re- 
 vived within us the spark of life. The surgeon of the ship, 
 M. Renaud, distinguished himself for his indefatigable zeal. 
 He was obliged to spend the whole of the day in dressing our 
 wounds ; and during the two days we were in the brig, he be- 
 stowed on us all the aid of his art, with an attention and gen- 
 tleness which merit our eternal gratitude. 
 
 In truth, it was time we should find an end of our suffer- 
 ings ; they had lasted thirteen days, in the most cruel manner. 
 The strongest among us might have lived forty-eight hours, 
 or so, longer. M. Correard felt that he must die in the course 
 of the day ; he had, however a presentiment we would be 
 saved. He said, that a series of events so unheard of would 
 not be buried in oblivion ; that Providence would at least pre- 
 serve some of us to tell to the world the melancholy story of 
 our misfortunes. 
 
 Such is the faithful history of those who were left upon the 
 memorable raft. Of one hundred and fifty, fifteen only were 
 saved. Five of that number never recovered from their fa- 
 tigue, and died at St. Louis. Those who yet live are covered 
 with scars ; and the cruel sufferings to which they have been 
 exposed, have materially shaken their constitutions 
 
 1 
 
 voi.. n 
 
140 
 
 THE ROYAL GEORGE 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE. 
 
 On the 29th of August, 1782, it was found necessary that 
 the Royal George, a line-of-battle ship of 108 guns, which 
 liad lately arrived at Spithead from a cruise, should, previous- 
 ly to her going again to sea, undergo the operation which sea- 
 men technically call a Parliament heel. In such cases the 
 ship is inclined in a certain degree on one side, while the de- 
 fects below the water-mark on the other side are examined 
 and repaired. This mode of proceeding is, we believe at the 
 present day, very commonly adopted where the defects to be 
 repaired are not extensive, or where (as was the case with 
 the Royal George) it is desirable to avoid the delay of going 
 into dock. The operation is usually perfomed in still weath- 
 er and smooth water, and is attended with so little difficulty 
 and danger, that tlie officers and crew usually remain on 
 board, and neither the guns nor stores are removed. 
 
 The business was commenced on the Royal George early 
 in the morning, a gang of men from the Portsmouth Dock- 
 yard coming on board to assist the ship’s carpenters. It is 
 said that, finding it necessary to strip off more of the sheath- 
 ing than had been intended, the men in their eagerness to 
 reach the defect in the ship’s bottom, were induced to hcei her 
 too much, when a sudden squall of wind threw her wholly on 
 her side; and the gun -ports being open, and the cannon rol- 
 ling over to the depressed side, the ship was unable to right 
 herself, instantaneously filled with water, and went to the bot- 
 tom. 
 
 The fatal accident happened about ten o’clock in the morn- 
 ing. Admiral Kempenfeldt was writing in his cabin, and the 
 greater part of the people were between decks. The ship, 
 as is usually the case upon coming into port, was crowded 
 with people from the shore, particularly women, of whom it 
 is supposed there were not less than three hundred on board. 
 Amongst the sufferers were many of the wives and children 
 of the jietty officers and seamen, who, knowing the ship was 
 shortly to sail on a distant and perilous service, eagerly em- 
 braced the opportunity of visiting their husbands and fathers 
 
THE ROYAL GEORGE. 
 
 147 
 
 The Admiral, with many brave officers and most of those 
 who were between decks, perished; the greater number of 
 the guard, and those who happened to be on the upper deck, 
 were saved by the boats of the fleet. About seventy others 
 were likewise saved. The exact number of persons on board 
 at the time could not be ascertained; but it was calculated 
 that from 800 to 1000 were lost. Captain Waghorn, whose 
 gallantry in the North Sea Battle, under Admiral Parker, had 
 procured him the command of this ship, was saved, though he 
 was severely bruised and battered; but his son, a lieutenant 
 in the Royal George, perished. Such was the force of the 
 whirlpool, occasioned by the sudden plunge of so vast a body 
 in the water, that a victualler which lay alongside the Royal 
 George was swamped; and several small craft, at a consider- 
 able distance, were in imminent danger. 
 
 Admiral Kempenfeldt, who was nearly 70 years of age, was 
 peculiarly and universally lamented. In point of general 
 science and judgment, he was one of the first naval officers 
 of his time; and, particularly in the art of manoeuvring a fleet, 
 he was considered by the commanders of that day as unrival- 
 led. His excellent qualities, as a man, are said to have equal- 
 led his professional merits. 
 
 This melancholy occurrence has been recorded by the poet 
 Cowper, in the following beautiful lines: — 
 
 Toll for the brave! 
 
 The brave, that are no more'! 
 
 All sunk beneath the wave. 
 
 Fast by their native shore. 
 
 Eight hundred of the brave. 
 
 Whose courage well was tried, 
 
 Had made the vessel heel. 
 
 And laid her on her side. 
 
 A land-breeze shook the shrouds, 
 
 And she was overset; 
 
 Down went the Royal George, 
 
 With all her crew complete 
 
 Toll for the brave! 
 
 Brave Kempenfeldt is gone; 
 
 His last sea-fight is fought; 
 
 His work of glory done. 
 
143 
 
 THE ^NEAS TRANSPORT. 
 
 It was not in the battle; 
 
 No tempest gave the shock, 
 
 She sprang no fatal leak; 
 
 She ran upon no rock. 
 
 H is sword was in its sheath; 
 
 His fingers held the pen, 
 
 When Kempenfeldt went down, 
 
 With twice four hundred men. 
 
 Weigh the vessel up, 
 
 Once dreaded by our foes! 
 
 And mingle with our cup 
 
 The tear that England owes. 
 
 Her timbers yet are sound. 
 
 And she may fioat again. 
 
 Full charg’d with England’s thunder, 
 And plough the distant main. 
 
 But Kempenfeldt is gone, 
 
 His victories are o’er; 
 
 And he, and his eight hundred. 
 
 Shall plough the wave no more. 
 
 LOSS OF THE ^NEAS TRANSPORT. 
 
 The .®neas transport sailed with 347 souls on board, in- 
 cluding a party of men belonging to the 100th regiment of 
 foot, as also some officers, together with several women and 
 children. About four in the morning of the 23d of Oct. 1805, 
 the vessel struck violently on a rock, and received such dam- 
 age that her total wreck soon became evident to all on board. 
 For the first few minutes after this alarming occurrence, the 
 
THE ^NEAS TRANSPORT. 
 
 149 
 
 women and children clung to their husbands and fathers; but 
 in a short time, a prodigious wave swept not less than 250 of 
 those miserable people into the ocean. The rock whereon 
 the vessel had struck, speedily forced its way through the 
 decks, and then it appears, from her parting, thirty-five of 
 the survivors were driven on a small island before eight in 
 the morning, about a quarter of a mile distant, but when she 
 had entirely gone to pieces. 
 
 The narrative of these events was collected from one of 
 the survivors, a soldier of the 100th regiment, who could give 
 no correct account of how he and the others got ashore, but 
 he supposed they were floated in by part of the wreck. He 
 remembered to have observed one of the boys endeavoring to 
 save Major Bertram, whose arm was broken by some timber, 
 and he was on the point of sinking; he held him up as long 
 as his strength permitted; but, to save his own life, was forced 
 to let go his hold, and the Major perished. 
 
 The thirty-five men who gained the shore, consisted of 
 part of the regiment, two of whom were officers, Lieutenant 
 Dawson and Ensign Faulkner, and seven sailors. Immedi 
 ately on landing, the wind unfortunately changed, so that not 
 an article of any kind was saved from the wreck. Mr. Faulk- 
 ner was aware of the real situation they had reached, judging 
 the main-land, which they saw about a mile distant, to be 
 Newfoundland, and that they were about 300 miles distant 
 from the town of St. John’s. 
 
 After passing one night on the little island, they construct- 
 ed a raft, by means of which, thirty of them arrived on the 
 main land. Previous to this, however, four survivors of the 
 shipwreck had died, among whom was the poor fellow who 
 had endeavored to save Major Bertram. Another, who had 
 both his legs broken, was missing, as he had crawled away 
 from his comrades, that he might die in quiet. But eight 
 days afterwards, he was found alive, though in a shocking 
 state, as his feet were frozen off. Yet he survived all this, 
 and reached Quebec at a future period. Most of the party 
 set out, leaving three behind them, who were unable to walk 
 from brutses, and directed their course towards the rising sun; 
 but when the first day had elapsed. Lieutenant Dawson be- 
 came incapable of keeping up with the remainder; and two 
 soldiers staid to attend him. These three toiled onwards with- 
 out any food, except the berries which they found; and Lieu- 
 tenant Dawson was then unable to stand, unless supported. — 
 On reaching the banks of a river, one of the soldiers attempt- 
 
150 
 
 THE ^NEAS TRANSPORT. 
 
 ed to carry him across on his back; but having waded up to 
 the neck, he was obliged to return, and lay him down on the 
 bank. There Mr. Dawson entreated his faithful attendants 
 to make the best of their way, and leave him to his fate; and 
 at the same time, affectionately squeezing their hands, he en- 
 treated them to inform his father of his melancholy end. — 
 Here the soldier, who was one of them, and who related these 
 affecting incidents, burst into a flood of tears before he could 
 proceed. “ We staid with him,” said he, “ until we did not 
 know whether he was alive or dead.” 
 
 The two survivors continued wandering in a weak and fee- 
 ble state for twelve days longer, making twenty-six in all from 
 the period of their shipwreck, and subsisting on what they 
 could find on a barren and inhospitable land. But after the 
 first four or five days, they suffered no hunger, for, as they 
 themselves said, their misfortunes were so great as to banish 
 its influence, and to deprive them of the sense of feeling. — 
 The snow besides was so deep during the last two days, as to 
 prevent them from getting the berries as usual. 
 
 At last they were found by a man belonging to a hunting 
 party, who, little suspecting to see human beings in that deso- 
 late region, took them at a distance for deer, and had conceal- 
 ed himself behind a fallen tree, with his gun pointed towards 
 one of them, when his dog, leaping towards tliem, began to 
 bark, and shewed his error. When they related their ship- 
 wreck, and the sufferings they had endured, tears stole down 
 the cheeks of the huntsman, and, taking the mocasins from 
 his feet, gave them to the poor miserable creatures. He in- 
 vited them to his hunting cabin, saying it was only a mile off, 
 though the real distance was at least twelve miles; but, bv 
 degrees he enticed them to proceed, and at length they gain- 
 ed it. On approaching the hut, four or five men came out 
 with long bloody knives in their hands, when the narrator, 
 turning to his comrade, exclaimed, “ After all we have es- 
 caped, are we brought here to be butchered and ate up?” — 
 But they soon discovered their mistake, for the men had been 
 cutting up some deer, the fruit of their chase; and tlie appear- 
 ance of the unfortunate soldiers quickly exciting sentiments 
 of pity in their breast, they produced a bottle of rum, where- 
 with they were refreshed. 
 
 Every possible comfort was ministered by the hunters to the 
 unfortunate wanderers, and, from the accounts and descrip- 
 tion giveo to them, they set out in quest of the others. They 
 luckily succeeded in finding the man who remained the first 
 
THE ^NEAS TRANSPORT. 
 
 151 
 
 day on the island, and also the other two who were unable to 
 leave the shore. 
 
 The two men who had accompanied Lieutentant Dawson, 
 appeared to have made but little progress during twenty-si.x 
 days of travelling, for they were discovered in a place not 
 very remote from whence they set out. Thus, involved among 
 the woods, they must have returned over the same ground 
 that they had passed. 
 
 Those who the huntsman first met endeavored to make 
 them understand whore they might find the remains of Lieu- 
 tenant Dawson, and Ensign Faulkner and his party, but they 
 could speak too vaguely of where they had themselves been, to 
 give any pointed directions on the subject. But two of the lat- 
 ter were found by a man on another hunting excui sion, about 
 90 miles distant, apparently lifeless; though on being carried to 
 an adjacent settlement they recovered. Of the whole 35 who 
 survived the wreck of the transport, accounts could be heard 
 only of these five. 
 
 Ensign Faulkner was a strong, active, enterprising man, 
 and fully capable of adopting whatever means could be de- 
 vised for preservation. Both he and Lieutenant Dawson, 
 w'ho was scarce more than 17 years of age, were of the great- 
 est promise. While the transport lay about three miles from 
 Portsmouth, they are said to have swam to the ship, when the 
 former climbed up her side, but the latter was nearly ex- 
 hausted. 
 
 A brig from Port, wdiich touched at Newfoundland, carried 
 five of the survivors from thence to Quebec; and when they 
 arrived there in the barrack square, a most affecting scene 
 ensued. Men and women eagerly flocked around them, 
 with anxious inquiries for some friend or brother who was on 
 board the ill-fated vessel. But all they could answer was, 
 “ If you do not see him here, be assured he has perished; for, 
 of 347 souls, w'e five Irish lads and two sailors are all that re- 
 main alive.” The tears and exclamations following these 
 words can scarce be described. 
 
THE ABSENT SHIP. 
 
 169 
 
 THE ABSENT SHIP. 
 
 Fair ship, I saw thee bounding o’er the deep, 
 
 Thy white wings glancing in the morning ray, 
 
 And many a sparkling eye in vain did weep 
 
 For the bold hearts that steer’d thee on thy wayj 
 
 Long days of grief have lingered into years: 
 Return! return! and charm away their tears. 
 
 I listen’d till the music and the song 
 Died on the waters as she swept along; 
 
 I watch’d her stately beauty, till it grew 
 A fading shadow on the distant blue; 
 
 Less, and still less — the ivaters are alone! 
 
 Queen of the ocean! whither art thou gone? 
 
 The wintry storm hath sighed itself to sleep. 
 
 Yet still thou lingerest on the faithless deep; 
 
 Have calmer seas, and skies of deeper blue. 
 Charm’d thee to bid thine island home adieu! 
 
 Long has yon dark-eye’d maiden wept in vain: 
 Return! return! and bid her smile again. 
 
 Long may’st thou weep, but never shalt thou see 
 Thy fair-hair’d mariner return to thee. 
 
 Clasp thy young beauty in a long embrace. 
 
 And read his pardon in thy happy face; 
 
 Thy gentle prayers, fair mourner, could not save! 
 Thy sailor sleeps within the stormy wave. 
 
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WRECK OF THE IIALSEWELL, ON THE COAST OF ENGLAND. 
 
HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN. 
 
 155 
 
 LOSS OF THE HALSEWELL. 
 
 The catastrophe which is now about to be related made a 
 deep impression on the public mind. Tbe circumstances at- 
 tending it were too aggravating not to excite the highest de- 
 gree of commiseration, whether from the flattering prospects 
 held forth in the outset of the voyage, or from a peculiar feel- 
 ing towards the condition of the sufferers. 
 
 The Halsewell East Indiaman, of 758 tons burthen, com- 
 manded by Captain Richard Pierce, was taken up by the di- 
 rectors of the East India Company to make her third voyage 
 to Coast and Bay. On the I6th of November 1785, she fell 
 down to Gravesend, where she completed her lading. Ladies 
 and other passengers being taken on board at the Hope, she 
 sailed through the Dow'p.s on Sunday the 1st of January 1786; 
 and, when abreast of Duimose next morning, the weather fell 
 calm. 
 
 This was one of the finest ships in the service, and judged 
 to be in the most perfect condition for her voyage. Her com- 
 mander w'as of distinguished ability and exemplary character; 
 his officers of approved fidelity and unquestionable know- 
 ledge in their profession, and the crew not only as numerous 
 as the East India establishment admits, but the best seamen 
 that could be collected. To these were added a considerable 
 body of soldiers, destined to recruit the forces of the East In- 
 dia Company in Asia. 
 
 The passengers were seven ladies, two of whom were 
 daughters to the captain, and other two his relations. Miss 
 Elizabeth Blackburne, daughter of Captain Blackburne; IMiss 
 Mary Haggard, sister to an officer on the Madras establish- 
 ment, and Miss Anne Mansell, a child of European parents 
 residing in Madras, returning from her education in Eng- 
 land. There was also Mr. John George Schutz, returning to 
 collect part of his fortune, which he had left behind him in 
 India. 
 
 The ladies were equally distinguished by their beauty and 
 accomplishments; the gentlemen of amiable manners, and of 
 a highly respectable character. Mr. Burston, the chief mate, 
 
156 
 
 HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN. 
 
 was also related to Captain Pierce’s lady, and the whole form- 
 ed a happy society united in friendship. Nothing could be 
 more pleasing or encouraging than the outset of the voyage 
 
 On Monday the 2d of January, a breeze from the south 
 sprung up at three in the afternoon, when the ship ran in 
 shore to land the pilot. Very thick weather coming on in the 
 evening, and the wind baffling, she was obliged to anchor, at 
 nine o’clock, in eighteen fathom water. The topsails were 
 furled, but the people could not furl the courses, the snow 
 falling thick and freezing as it fell. 
 
 Next morning at four a strong gale came on from east-north- 
 east, and the ship shivering, they were obliged to cut the ca- 
 bles and run out to sea. At noon they spoke w'ith a brig 
 bound to Dublin, and, having put the pilot on board of her, 
 immediately bore down channel. The wind freshening at 
 eight in the evening, and coming round to the southward, 
 such sails were reefed as were judged necessary. It blew a 
 violent gale at ten o’clock from the south, whence they were 
 obliged to carry a press of sail to keep the ship off shore. — 
 In doing this, the hawse-plugs, which according to a late im- 
 provement, were put inside, w'ere washed in, and the hawse- 
 bags washed atvay, in consequence of which the vessel ship- 
 ped a large quantity of water on the gun-deck. 
 
 On sounding the well, and finding the ship had sprung a 
 leak, and now had five feet water in the hold, the people clew- 
 ed up the main-topsail, hauled up the mainsail, and immedi- 
 ately endeavored to furl both, but could not effect it. On 
 discovering the leak all the pumps were set to work. 
 
 At two in the morning of Wednesday the fourth, they tried 
 to wear the ship, but without success, and judging it necessa- 
 ry to cut away the mizen-mast, this was immediately done, 
 when another attempt made to wear her was equally fruitless 
 as the former. The ship had now seven feet water in the 
 hold which was gaining fast on the pumps, therefore, for her 
 preservation it was considered expedient to cut away the 
 mainmast, as she appeared to be in immediate danger of 
 foundering. 
 
 In the fall of the mast, Jonathan INloreton, coxswain, and 
 four men, were either drawn along with the wreck, or fell 
 overboard and were drowned. By eight in the morning the 
 wreck was cleared, and the ship got before the wind, in which 
 position she was kept two hours. Meantime the pumps re- 
 duced the water in the hold two feet, and the ship's head was 
 brought to the eastward with the foresail only. 
 
HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN. 
 
 157 
 
 At ten in the morning the wind abated considerably, but 
 the ship labouring extremely, rolled the fore-topmast over on 
 the larboard side, and, in the fall, the wreck went through the 
 foresail, tearing it to pieces. At eleven the wind came to the 
 westward, and the weather clearing up, the Berryhead was 
 distinguishable, bearing north and by east, distant four or 
 five leagues. Another foresail was now immediately bent, a 
 jury-mainmast erected and a top-gallantsail set for a main- 
 sail, under which sail Captain Pierce bore up for Portsmouth, 
 and employed the remainder of the day in getting up a jury- 
 mizen-mast. 
 
 At two next morning, the wind came to the southward, 
 blowing fresh, the weather being very thick. Portland was 
 seen at noon, bearing north and by east, distant two or three 
 leagues. At night, it blew a strong gale at south, at which 
 time the Portland lights were then seen, bearing north- 
 west, distant four or five leagues. The ship was then wore, 
 and her head got round to the westward; but finding she lost 
 ground on that tack, the captain wore her again, and kept 
 stretching on to the eastward, in hopes to have weathered 
 Peverel Point, in which case he intended to have anchored in 
 Studland Bay. It cleared at eleven at night, and St. Alban’s 
 Head was seen a mile and a half to the leeward, on which, 
 sail was instantly taken in, and the small bower anchor let go, 
 which brought up the ship at a whole cable. She rode for 
 about an hour, but then drove; the -sheet anchor was now let 
 go, and a whole cable wore away, and the ship rode for about 
 two hours longer, when she drove again. 
 
 While in this situation, the captain sent for Mr. Henry 
 Meriton, the second mate, and asked his opinion as to the 
 probability of saving the lives of those on board; to which he 
 replied with equal calmness and candor, that he apprehended 
 there was very little hope of it, as the ship was driving fast 
 on shore, and might every moment be expected to strike. The 
 boats were then mentioned, but it was agreed, that although 
 at that time they could be of very little use, yet in case an 
 opportunity of making them serviceable should present itself, 
 it was proposed that the oflicers should be confidentially re- 
 quested to reserve the long boat for the ladies and themselves; 
 and this precaution was immediately taken. 
 
 About two in the morning of Friday the sixth of January, 
 the ship still driving, and approaching very fast to the shore, 
 the same officer went again into the cuddy, where the cap- 
 tain then was. Another conversation taking place. Captain 
 
i58 
 
 HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN. 
 
 Pierce expressed extreme anxiety for the peservation of his 
 )eloved daughters, and earnestly asked the officer if he could 
 lev’se any method of saving them. On his answering with 
 ^reat concern, that he feared it would be impossible, but that 
 heir only chance would be to wait for morning, the captain 
 ifted up his hands in silent and distressful ejaculation. 
 
 At this dreadful moment, the ship struck, with such vio- 
 ence as to dash the heads of those standing in the cuddy 
 igainst the deck above them, and the shock was accompanied 
 ly a shriek of horror that burst at one instant from every 
 ]uarter of the ship. 
 
 Many of the seamen, who had been remarkably inattentive 
 ind remiss in their duty during a great part of the storm, now 
 loured upon deck, where no exertions of the officers could 
 teep them, while their assistance might have been useful. — 
 They had actually skulked in their hammocks, leaving the 
 vorking of the pumps and other necessary labours to the offi- 
 •.ers of the ship, and the soldiers, who had made uncommon 
 ixertions. Roused by a sense of their danger, the same sea- 
 nen, at this moment, in frantic exclamations, demanded of 
 ieaven and their fellow sufferers, that succour which their 
 iwn efforts timely made might possibly have procured. 
 
 The ship continued to beat on the rocks, and soon bilging, 
 iell with her broadside towards the shore. When she struck, 
 i number of men climbed up the ensign-staff, under an appre- 
 lension of her immediately going to pieces. 
 
 Mr. Meriton, the second mate, at this crisis offered to these 
 tnhappv beings tlie best advice which could be given; he re- 
 ommended mat all should come to the side of the ship lying 
 owest on tlie rocks, and singly to take the opportunities 
 vhich might then olfer, of escaping to the shore. 
 
 Having thus provided to the utmost of his power, for the 
 afety of the desponding crew, he returned to the round- 
 louse, where, by this time, all the passengers, and most of 
 le officers had assembled. The latter were employed in of- 
 ering consolation to the unfortunate ladies, and with unpar- 
 lleled magnanimity, suffering their compassion for the fair 
 nd aimable companions of their misfortunes, to prevail over 
 le sense of their own danger. 
 
 In this charitable work of comfort, ]\Ir. Rleriton now join- 
 d, by assurances of his opinion, that the ship would hold to- 
 ether till the morning, when all would be safe. Captain 
 'ierce observing one of the young gentlemen loud in his ex- 
 lamations of terror, and frequently cry that the ship was 
 
HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN, 
 
 159 
 
 parting, cheerfully bid him be quiet, rema:king, that though 
 the ship should go to pieces, he would not, but would be safe 
 enough. 
 
 It is difficult to convey a correct idea of the scene of this 
 deplorable catastrophe, without describing the place where it 
 happened. 
 
 The Halsewell struck on the rocks near Seacombe, on the 
 island of Purbeck, between Peverel Point and St. Alban’s 
 Head, at a part of the shore where the cliff is of vast height, 
 and rises almost perpendicular from its base. But at this partic- 
 ular spot, the foot of the cliff is excavated into a cavern of ten 
 or twelve yards in depth, and of breadth equal to the length of 
 a large ship. The sides of the cavern are so nearly upright 
 as to be of extremely difficult access; and the bottom is strew- 
 ed with sharp and uneven rocks, which seem, by some convul- 
 sion of the earth, to have been detached from its roof. 
 
 The .thip lay with her broadside opposite to the mouf’a of 
 this cavern, with her whole length stretched almost from side to 
 side of it. But when she struck, it was too dark for the un- 
 fortunate persons on board to discover the real magnitude of 
 tlieir danger, and the extreme horror of such p. situation. — 
 Even Mr. Meriton entertained a hope that she might -keep 
 together till day-light; and endeavored to cheer his drooping 
 friends, and in particular the unhappy ladies, with this com- 
 fortable expectation, as an answer to the captain’s inquiries 
 what he thought of their condition. 
 
 In addition to the company already in the round-house, they 
 had admitted three black women and two soldier’s wives, who, 
 with the husband of one of them, had been allowed to come in, 
 though the seamen, who had tumultuously demanded entrance 
 to get the lights, had been opposed and kept out by JMr. Rog- 
 ers and Mr. Brimer, the third and fifth mates. The numbers 
 there were therefore now increased to near fifty. Capt. Pierce 
 sat on a chair, a cot or some other moveable, with a daughter 
 on each side, whom he alternately pressed to his affectionate 
 breast. The rest of the melancholy assembly were seated on 
 the deck, which was strewed with musical instruments, and 
 the wreck of furniture and other articles. 
 
 Here also IMr. Meriton, after having cut several wax can- 
 dles in pieces and stuck them up in various parts of the round- 
 house, and lighted up all the glass lanthorns he could find, 
 took his seat, intending to wait the approach of dawn; and 
 then assist the partners of his danger to escape. But ob- 
 serving that tba poor ladies appeared parched and exhausted, 
 
160 
 
 HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN. 
 
 he brought a basket of oranges and prevailed on some of them 
 to refresh themselves by sucking a little of the juice. At this 
 time they were all tolerably composed, except Miss Mansel, 
 who was in hysteric fits, on the floor of the deck of the 
 round-house. 
 
 But on Mr. Meriton’s return to the company, he perceived 
 a considerable alteration in the appearance of the ship; the 
 sides were visibly giving way; the deck seemed to be lifting 
 and he discovered other strong indications that she could not 
 hold much longer together. On this account, he attempted 
 to go forward to look out, but immediately saw that the ship 
 had separated in the middle, and that the fore-part having 
 changed its position, lay further towards the sea. In such 
 an emergency, when the next moment might plunge him into 
 eternity, he determined to seize the present opportunity, and 
 follow the example of the crew and the soldiers, who were 
 now quitting the ship in numbers, and making their way to 
 the shore, though quite ignorant of its nature and descrip- 
 tion. 
 
 Among other expedients, the ensign-staff had been unship- 
 ped, and attempted to be laid between the ship’s side and 
 some of the rocks, but w'ithout success, for it snapped assun- 
 der before it reached them. However, by the light of a lan- 
 thorn which a seaman handed through a sky-light of the 
 round-house to the deck, ]Mr. INleriton discovered a spar which 
 appeared to be laid from the ship’s side to the rocks, and on 
 this spar he resolved to attempt his escape. 
 
 Accordingly lying down upon it, he thrust himself forward; 
 however, he soon found that it had no communication with 
 the rock; he reached the end of it and then slipped off, re- 
 ceiving a very violent bruise in his fall, and before he could 
 recover his legs, he was washed off by the surge. He now 
 supported himself by swimming, until a returning wave dash- 
 ed liim against the back part of the cavern. Here he laid 
 hold of a small projection in the rock, but was so much be- 
 numbed that he was on the point of quitting it, when a sea- 
 man, who had already gained a footing, extended his hand, 
 and assisted him until he could secure himself a little on the 
 lock; from which he clambered on a shelf still higher, and out 
 of the reach of the surf. 
 
 Mr. Rogers, the third mate, remained with the captain, and 
 the unfortunate ladies and their companions, nearly twenty 
 n.inutes after Mr. Meriton had quitted the ship. Soon after 
 the latter left the round-house, the captain asked what was 
 
HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN. 
 
 i6i 
 
 become of him, to which Mr. Rogers replied, that he was 
 gone on deck to see what could be done. After this, a heavy 
 sea breaking over the ship, the ladies exclaimed, “ O poor 
 Meriton! he is drowned! had he staid with us he would have 
 been safe!” and they all, particularly Miss Mary Pierce, ex- 
 pressed great concern at the apprehension of his loss. On 
 this occasion Mr. Rogers offered to go and call in Mr. Meri- 
 ton, but it was opposed by the ladies, from an apprehension 
 that he might share the same fate. 
 
 The sea was now breaking in at the fore-part of the ship, 
 and reached as far as the main-mast. Captain Pierce gave 
 Mr, Rogers a nod, and they took a lamp and went together 
 into the stern-gallery, where, after viewing the rocks for some 
 time, Captain Pierce asked Mr. Rogers if he thought there 
 was any possibility of saving the girls; to which he replied, 
 he feared there was none; for they could only discover the 
 black face of the perpendicular rock, and not the cavern 
 which afforded shelter to those who escaped. They then re- 
 turned to the round-house, where Mr. Rogers hung up the 
 lamp, and Captain Pierce sat down between his two daugh- 
 ters, struggling to suppress the parental tears which burst 
 into his eyes. 
 
 The sea continuing to break in very fast, Mr. Macmanus, 
 a midshipman, and Mr. Schutz, asked Mr. Rogers what they 
 could do to escape. “ Follow me,” he replied, and they all 
 went into the stern gallery, and from thence to the upper- 
 quarfer-gallery on the poop. While there, a very heavy sea 
 fell on board and the round-house gave way; Mr. Rogers 
 heard the ladies shriek at intervals, as if the water reached 
 them; the noise of the sea, at other times, drowning their 
 voices. 
 
 Mr. Brimer had followed him to the poop, where they re- 
 mained together about five miuutes; when on the breaking of 
 this heavy sea, they jointly seized a hen-coop. The same 
 wave which proved fatal to some of those below, carried him 
 and his companion to the rock, on which they were violently 
 dashed and miserably bruised. 
 
 Here on the rock were twenty-seven, but it now being low 
 water, and as they were convinced that on the flowing of the 
 tide all must be washed off, many tried to get to the back or 
 the sides of the cavern, beyond the reach of the returning 
 sea. Scarcely more than six, besides Mr. Rogers and Mr. 
 Brimer, succeeded; of the others, some shared the fa'L<J which 
 they had apprehended, and others perished in their efforts to 
 
162 
 
 HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAX. 
 
 ret into the cavern. Mr. Rogers and ]\Ir. Brimer both reach- 
 id it, however, and scrambled up the rock, on narrow shelves 
 rf which they fixed themselves. Mr. Rogers got so near his 
 Ticnd, Mr. Meriton, as to exchange mutual congratulations 
 with him. A warm friendship, indeed, subsisted between 
 .hese two gentlemen; they had made a long and painful voy- 
 ige together, in another Indiaman, where they survived an 
 uncommon mortality by which the crew were visited. They 
 ■eturned to England, and an interval of only twenty-five days 
 dapsed, before they again embarked in the Ilalsewell. 
 
 Mr. Rogers on gaining this station, was so nearly exhausted, 
 hat had his exertions been protracted onlv a few minutes 
 onger, he must have sunk 'under them. He was now prevent- 
 ’'d from joining Mr. Meriton, by at least twenty men between 
 hem, none of whom could move without the imminent peril of 
 lis life. 
 
 They found that a very considerable number of the crew, 
 •eamen, and soldiers, and some petty officers, were in the same 
 iituation as themselves, though many who had reached the 
 'ocks below, perished in attempting to ascend. They could 
 ;^et discern some part of the ship, and in their dreary station 
 solaced themselves with the hope of its remaining entire un- 
 ,il day-break; for in the midst of their own distress, the suf- 
 erings of the females on board affected them with the most 
 joignant anguish; and every sea that broke, inspired them 
 ■with terror for their safety. 
 
 But, alas, their apprehensions were too soon realized! — 
 Within a very few minutes of the time that .Mr. Rogers gain- 
 ed the rock, an universal shriek, which long vibrated in their 
 jars, in which the voice of female distress was lamentably 
 distinguished, announced the dreadful catastrophe. In a few 
 .Tioments all was hushed, except the roaring of the winds and 
 '.he dashing of the waves; the wreck was buried in the deep, 
 and aot an atom of it was ever afterwards seen. 
 
 The shock which this gave to the trembling wretches in the 
 aavern was awful. Though themselves hardly rescued from 
 :he sea, and still surrounded by impending dangers, they wept 
 for the destiny of their unhappy companions. But this was 
 not all. Many who had gained a precarious station, weaken 
 ed with injuries, benumbed and battered bv the tempest, for- 
 sook their hold-fasts, and, tumbling on the rocks below, per- 
 ished beneath the feet of their miserable companions. Their 
 dying groans and exclamations for pitv, onlv tended to awak- 
 en more painful apprehensions, and increase the terror of the 
 survivors 
 
HAbSEWELL EaST INDIAMAJT. 
 
 163 
 
 At length after three hours, which appeared so many ages, 
 day broke, but instead of bringing relief to the suflerers, it 
 only served to disclose the horrors of their situation. They 
 now found, that had the country been alarmed by the guns of 
 distress which they had continued to fire for many hours be- 
 fore the ship struck, but which were not heard, owing to the 
 violence of the storm, they could neither be observed by the 
 people from above, nor could any boat live below. They 
 were completely overhung by the cliff, so that no ropes let 
 down could reach them; nor did any part of the wreck re- 
 main as a guide to their retreat. 
 
 The only prospect of saving themselves, was to creep along 
 the side of the cavern to its outward extremity, and on a ledge 
 scarcely as broad as a man’s hand, to turn the corner, and en- 
 deavor to clamber up the precipice, almost perpendicular, and 
 nearly 200 feet high from the bottom. — And in this desperate 
 effort some did succeed, while others, trembling with fear, 
 and exhausted by the preceding conflict, lost their footing and 
 perished in the attempt. 
 
 The first who gained the top, were the cook and James 
 Thompson, a quarter-master; the moment they reached it, 
 they hastened to the nearest house and made known the con- 
 dition of their comrades. This was Eastington, the habita- 
 tion of Mr. Garland, steward to the proprietors of the Per- 
 beck quarries. He immediately collected the workmen, and 
 procuring ropes with all possible despatch, made the most hu- 
 mane and zealous exertions for the relief of the surviving 
 people. 
 
 Mr. Meriton made a similar attempt to that of the two oth- 
 ers, and almost reached the edge of the precipice. A soldier 
 who preceded him had his feet on a small projecting rock or 
 stone on which also Meriton had fastened his hands to aid his 
 progress. At this critical moment the quarrymen arrived, 
 and seeing a man so nearly within their reach, they dropped a 
 rope to him, of which he immediately laid hold; and in a vi- 
 gorous effort to avail himself of this advantage, loosened the 
 stone on which he stood, and which supported Mr. Meriton. 
 It giving way, IMr. Meriton must have been precipitated to 
 the bottom, had not a rope at that instant providentially been 
 lowered to him, which he seized, when absolutely in the act 
 of falling, and was safely drawn to the summit. 
 
 But the fate of Mr. Brimer was peculiarly severe. Only 
 nine days before the ship sailed, he had been married to a 
 beatiful young lady, the daughter of Captain Norman of the 
 
164 
 
 HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN. 
 
 royal navy, in which service he was a lieutentant, and now on 
 a visit to an uncle at Madras; after getting ashore with Mr. 
 Rogers and up the side of the cavern, he remained until morn- 
 ing, when he crawled out. A rope being thrown to him, he 
 was either so benumbed with cold as to fasten it insecurely 
 about his body, or from some other cause or agitation, to ne- 
 glect doing it completely; at the moment when about to be 
 rescued from his perilous stand, he fell and was dashed to 
 pieces in the presence of his companions. 
 
 More assistance was obtained as the day advanced; and as 
 the efforts of the survivors permitted, they crawled to the ex- 
 tremities of the cavern and presented themselves to their pre- 
 servers above, who stood prepared to assist them. The 
 means of doing so, was by two men boldly approaching the 
 very brink of the precipice, a rope being tied round them and 
 fastened to a strong iron bar fi.xed in the ground; behind them 
 were two more, the like number further back and so on. A 
 strong rope also properly secured, passed round them, by 
 which they might hold, and preserve themselves from falling. 
 They then let down a rope with a noose ready made, below to 
 the cavern, and the wind blowing hard, it was in some instan- 
 ces forced under the projecting rock, sufficiently for the suf- 
 ferers to reach it, without creeping out. Whoever caught it, 
 put the noose round his body, and was drawn up. The dis- 
 tance from the top of the rock to the cavern, was at least an 
 hundred feet, and the rock projected about eight; ten feet 
 formed a declivity to the edge, and the rest was perpen- 
 dicular. 
 
 Many, however, in attempting to secure themselves, shar- 
 ed the fate of Mr. Brimer, and, unable, from weakness or per 
 turbation, to benefit by the assistance offered from above, they 
 were at last precipitated from the cliff, and were either dash- 
 ed to pieces on the rocks below, or perished in the waves. — 
 Among those unhappy sufferers was one who being washed 
 off the rock, or falling into the sea, was carried out by the re- 
 turn of the waves beyond the breakers, within which his ut- 
 most efforts could never again bring him, but he was always 
 further withdrawn by the sea. He swam remarkably well, 
 and continued to struggle in sight of his companions, until his 
 strength being exhausted, he sunk to rise no more. 
 
 It was late in the day before all the survivors gained the 
 land; one indeed a soldier, remained in this precarious sta- 
 tion until the morning of Saturday the 7th of January; ex- 
 posed to the utmost danger and distress. When the officers, 
 
HALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN. 
 
 165 
 
 seamen and soldiers, were mustered at the house of Mr. Gar- 
 land, they were found to amount to seventy-four; and these 
 were the only persons saved out of rather more than two hun- 
 dred and forty that were on board when the ship sailed 
 through the Downs, including the passengers. It was sup- 
 posed that above fifty of the remainder reached the rocks, but 
 were then washed off or fell from the cliffs; and that fifty, or 
 more, sunk with the captain and the ladies in the round-house, 
 when the after-part went to pieces. An accurate account of 
 the whole numbers in the ship could never be obtained, as the 
 last returns dispatched from her did not arrive. 
 
 The whole who reached the summit of the rock survived, 
 excepting two or three who were supposed to have expired 
 while drawing up, and a black who died soon afterwards; 
 though many were severely bruised. 
 
 Mr. Meriton and Mr. Rogers having been supplied with the 
 necessary means of making their journey by Mr. Garland, 
 set off for London to carry the tidings of this disaster to the 
 India House, where they arrived at noon, on Sunday the 8th. 
 On the way they acquainted the magistrates of the towns 
 through which they passed, that a number of shipwrecked 
 seamen would soon be on the road to the metropolis. This 
 they did to avert any suspicions of their travelling for some 
 other intent. It is truly deserving of communication, that 
 the master of the Crown-Inn at Blandford, Dorsetshire, not 
 only sent for all the distressed seamen to his house, where he 
 liberally refreshed them, but presented each with half a crown 
 on his departure. 
 
 By this unfortunate shipwreck, all the passengers perished. 
 The ladies were peculiarly endowed with beauty and accom- 
 plishments. The captain was a man of distinguished worth; 
 humane and generous. (He left, besides those two daughters 
 who suffered along with him, six other children and a widow 
 to deplore his loss.) Most of the officers also perished; one 
 of them, Mr. Thomas Jeane, a midshipman, who was under 
 the immediate care of Captain Pierce, after gaining the rock 
 was swept off by the waves. Swimming well he again reach- 
 ed it; but unable to support the weakness which assailed him, 
 and the beating of the storm, he yielded his hold and perished 
 in the sea. 
 
166 
 
 RUSSIANS AHANDONED ON SPITZBERGEN. 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF FOUR RUSSIAN SAILORS, 
 
 ABANDONED ON THE ISLAND OF EAST SFITZBERGEN. 
 
 In the year 1743, a merchant of INIesen, in Russia, fitted 
 out a vessel for the Greenland whale-fishery. She carried 
 fourteen men, and was destined for Spitzbergen. For eight 
 successive days after their sailing the wind was fair, but on 
 the ninth it changed; so that instead of getting to the coast of 
 Spitzbergen, the usual rendezvous of the Dutch ships, they 
 were driven eastward, and after some days elapsed they found 
 themselves near an island, called by the Russians Little Broun. 
 Approaching within three versts, or two English miles of this 
 island, the vessel was suddenly surrounded by ice and the 
 crew were reduced to an extremely dangerous situation. 
 
 In this alarming state, a council was held when the mate, 
 Alexis Himkof, informed his comrades that some of the peo- 
 ple of Mesen formerly intended wintering on this island, and 
 for that purpose had carried timber hither, fit for building a 
 hut, and actually erected one at some distance from the shore. 
 
 The whole crew, therefore, concluded to winter there, if 
 the hut, as they hoped, still existed, because they were ex- 
 posed to imminent danger by remaining in the ship; and they 
 would infallibly perish if they did so. Four of the crew were 
 on that account, dispatched in search of it, or any other as- 
 sistance they might meet with. 
 
 The names of these four were, Alexis Himkof, Iwan Him- 
 kof, Stephen Scharapof and Feeder Weregiii. Two miles of 
 ice intervened between them and the shore, which being loose 
 and driven together by the wind, rendered their approach dif- 
 ficult and dangerous. Poviding themselves with a musket, a 
 powder-horn containing twelve charges of powder, with as 
 many balls, an axe, a kettle, about twen'y pounds of flour, a 
 knife, a tinder-box, some tobacco and each his wooden pipe, 
 they soon arrived on the island. 
 
 Their first employment was exploring the country, when 
 they discovered the hut alluded to, about a mile and a half 
 from the shore. It was thirty-six feet long, eighteen broad 
 
RUSSIANS ABANDONED OxN SPITZBERGEN. 
 
 16 
 
 and eighteen high; and consisted of two chamhers. Rejoi 
 cing greatly at their success, they passed the night in h 
 though having been built a considerable time, it had suffere 
 much from the weather. 
 
 Ne.xt morning the four men hastened to the shore, impatien 
 to communicate their good fortune to their comrades; hke 
 wise designing to get such stores, ammunition and neces 
 saries from the vessel, as to enable them to winter on the isl 
 and. But the reader may conceive their sorrow and aston 
 ishment, when on reaching the place where they had landed 
 nothing was to he seen but an open sea, instead of the ice 
 which only the day preceding had covered it. Doubtless i 
 violent storm, which arose during the night, had operated thi 
 change. It was not known, however, whether the vessel hat 
 been beat to pieces by the ice, or whether she had been car 
 ried by the current to the ocean; not an uncommon event ii 
 Greenland. Whatever accident befel her, certain it is thej 
 saw her no more; whence it is probable that she sunk, am 
 that all on board perished. 
 
 This unfortunate occurrence deprived them of the hope o 
 ever being able to quit the island, and full of horror and de 
 spair, they returned to the hut. But their first attention wa 
 directed to the means of providing subsistence, and repairing 
 their habitation. The twelve charges of powder procure 
 them as many rein-deer, for the island, fortunately for then 
 abounded with these animals. 
 
 Though there were many crevices in the building, the woo 
 of the hut was still sound and unimpaired, therefore the dr 
 ficiency was supplied and done the more easily, because th 
 lower class of Russians are expert carpenters. Here the 
 had plenty of moss to assist them. 
 
 The intense cold of the climate prevents the growth c 
 vegetables, and no species of tree or shrub is found on th , 
 islands of Spitzbergcn. The Russians, however, collected , 
 quantity of wood on the shore, which at first consisted of th •. 
 wrecks of vessels, and afterwards of whole trees with the i 
 roots, the produce of some more hospitable climate, thoug ; 
 unknown. Fortunately they found several bits of old iroi 
 some nails, five or six inches long, and an iron hook, on a fe- 
 wooden boards washed in by the sea. They likewise foun , 
 the*root of a fir tree, bent and nearly fashioned into the shap • 
 of a bow. 
 
 By the help of a knife, a bow was soon formed but wantin 
 a string and arrows. Unable at present to procure eithe 
 
168 
 
 RUSSIANS ABANDONED ON SPITZEERGEN. 
 
 they resolved to make two lances to defend themselves against 
 the white bears. The iron hook was therefore fashioned into 
 a hammer, by widening a hole which it happened to have 
 about the middle, with one of the largest nails. A large peb- 
 ble served for an anvil, and a couple of rein-deer horns serv- 
 ed for the tongs. 
 
 By means of such tools, two spear heads were made, which 
 were tied fast with thongs to sticks about the thickness of a 
 man’s arm. Thus equiped, the Russians ventured to attack 
 a white bear, and, after a most dangerous encounter, succeed- 
 ed in killing it. This was a new supply of provisions; they 
 relished the flesh exceedingly, and easily divided the tendons 
 into filaments, which, besides other uses, served for strings to 
 their bow. 
 
 The Russians, in the next place, proceeded to forge some 
 bits of iron into smaller pieces, resembling the head of spears, 
 and these were fitted to arrows, by fastening them to fir rods. 
 
 They had thus a complete bow and arrows, and were more 
 easily enabled to obtain food. 
 
 With these, during their abode on the island, they killed 
 no less than two hundred and fifty rein-deer, and a great num- 
 ber of blue and white foxes. They fed on the flesh of the 
 animals and used their skins for clothing. They killed only 
 ten white bears during their residence, and that at the utmost 
 hazard, for these creatures are amazingly strong, and defend- 
 ed themselves with surprising vigour and fury. The first was 
 attacked intentionally; the other nine were killed in self-de- 
 fence, for the animals even ventured to enter the outer room 
 of the hut to devour them. Some, less ferocious than others. 
 
RUSSIANS ABANDONED ON SPITZBERGEN. 169 
 
 were repulsed on the first attempt, but a repetition of their at- 
 tacks exposed the sailors to the continual apprehension of be- 
 ing destroyed. 
 
 As they could not afford wood for a constant fire, they dried 
 a portion of their provision in the open air, and afterwards 
 hung it up in the hut, which was always full of smoke. Pre- 
 pared in this way, they used it for bread, because they were 
 under the necessity of eating their other flesh half raw. 
 
 Unfortunately, one of the Russians was attacked by the 
 scurvy. Iwan Himkof, who had wintered several times on 
 the coast of West Spitzbergen, advised his companions to 
 swallow raw and frozen meat in small pieces; to drink the 
 blood of the rein-deer, as it flowed warm from the veins of the 
 animal, and to eat scurvy-grass, although it was not very abund- 
 ant. Those who followed his injunctions found an effectual 
 antidote, but Feeder Weregin, being naturally of an indolent 
 disposition, averse to drinking the rein-deer blood, and, un- 
 willing to leave the hut when he could possibly avoid it, was 
 soon seized with the scurvy. Under this afflicting distemper 
 he passed nearly six years, enduring the greatest sufferings 
 At length he became so weak that he could not sit erect, nor 
 even raise his hand to his mouth, so that his humane compan- 
 ions were obliged to attend on, and feed him tike a new born 
 infant, until the hour of his death. 
 
 In the course of their excursions through the island, the 
 seamen had met with a slimy loam, or kind of clay, of which 
 they contrived to make a lamp, and proposed to keep it con- 
 stantly burning with the fat of the animals they should kill. — 
 Thus they filled it with rein-deer’s fat, and stuck a bit of 
 twisted linen for a wick. But, to their mortification, always 
 as the fat melted, it not only was absorbed by the clay, but 
 fairly run through it on all sides. On this account they form- 
 ed another lamp, tvhich they dried throughly in the air, and 
 heated red hot. It was next quenched in their kettle, where- 
 in they had boiled a quantity of flour down to the consistence 
 of thin starch. When filled with melted fat, they found to 
 their great joy that it did not leak. Encouraged by this at- 
 tempt, they made another, that, at all events, they might not 
 be destitute of light, and saved the remainder of their flour 
 for similar purposes. Oakum thrown ashore, as also cordage 
 found among the wrecks of vessels, served for wicks; and 
 when these resources failed, they converted their shirts and 
 drawers to the same purpose. By such means they kept a 
 
 VOL. II 8 
 
170 
 
 RUSSIANS ABANDONED ON SPITZBERGEN. 
 
 lamp burning from soon after their arrival on the island, until 
 the day of their embarkation for their native country. 
 
 Clothes, in so rigorous a climate, next became an object 
 of necessity. The uses to which they had applied what they 
 had brought with them exposed them still more to its severity. 
 The skins of rein-deer and foxes had hitherto served for bed- 
 ding. It was essential to devise some method of tanning 
 them, the better to withstand the weather. This was accom- 
 plished, in a certain degree, by soaking the skins in water 
 until the hair could be rubbed off, and then putting rein-deer 
 fat upon them. The leather, by such a process, became soft 
 and pliant. The want of awls and needles was supplied bv 
 bits of iron occasionally collected; of them they made a kind 
 of wire, which, being heated red hot, was pierced with a knife, 
 ground to a sharp point, which formed the eye of a needle. — 
 The sinews of bears and rein-deer, split into threads, served 
 for sewing the pieces of leather together, which enabled the 
 Russians to procure jackets and trowsers for summer dress, 
 and a long fur gown with a hood for their winter apparel. 
 
 The wants of these unfortunate persons being thus provid- 
 ed for, the only reflections disturbing them were regret for 
 those left behind at home, or the apprehensions of some one 
 of them surviving all his companions, and then either famish- 
 ing for want of food, or becoming a prey to wild beasts. The 
 mate, Alexis Himkof, had a wife and three children, who 
 were constantly in his mind, and he was unhappy from the 
 dread of never seeing them more. 
 
 Excepting white bears, foxes and rein-deer, with which the 
 island abounds, no other animals inhabit it. A few birds are 
 .seen in summer, such as geese, ducks and other water-fowl. 
 Whales seldom approach the shore; but there are great ntim- 
 bers of seals; other fish are scarce, and indeed their being in 
 plenty would little avail the Russians, who were unprovid- 
 ed with the means of taking them. Sometimes they found 
 tlie teeth and jaws of seals on the shore, but never an entire 
 carcase; for when these animals die on land, the white bears 
 immediately eat them. The common food of this ferocious 
 creature, however, is the flesh of dead whales, which are fre- 
 quently seen floating about in tire jrolar regions, and are some- 
 times cast on shore. When this provision fails, they fall upon 
 seals, devouring them and other animals sleeping on the beach. 
 
 The island had many mountains and steep rocks of stupen- 
 dous height, perpetually covered with snow and ide;not atroe 
 nor even the poorest shrub was to be met with; neither is them 
 
RUSSIANS ABANDONED ON SPITZBERGEN. 
 
 171 
 
 any vegetable but scurvy-g’-ass, although plenty of moss 
 grows in every part. The Russians found no river; however, 
 there were many small rivulets rising among the rocks and 
 mountains, which afforded a quantity of water. 
 
 They saw the sun moving for months together round the 
 horizon during summer, and in winter they were an equal 
 length of time in total darkness; but the Aurora Borealis, 
 which was then frequent, contributed to lessen the gloominess 
 of so long a night. Thick cloudy weather, great quantities 
 of snow, and almost incessant rain at certain seasons, often 
 obscured the stars. The snow totally covered the nut in 
 winter, and left them no way of getting out of it, excepting by 
 a hole which they had made in the roof of one of the cham- 
 bers. 
 
 When the unfortunate mariners had passed nearly si.x years 
 in this dismal abode. Feeder Weregin, who had all along been 
 in a languid state, died, after suffering the most excruciating 
 pains. Though his companions were thus freed of the trouble 
 of attending on him, and the grief of witnessing his misery, 
 they were dee[)ly affected by his death. They saw their 
 number lessened, and each wished to be the next to follow 
 him. Having died in winter, a grave as deep as possible 
 was dug in the snow to receive his corpse, and the survivors 
 then covered it over to the best of their power, to prevent the 
 white bears from getting at it. 
 
 While the melancholy reflections excited by Weregin’s 
 death were still fresh in the minds of his comrades, and while 
 each expected to pay the like duties to the companions of his 
 misfortunes that they had done to him, or to be himself the 
 first to receive them, a Russian vessel unexpectedly came in 
 view on the I5th of August 1749. 
 
 This vessel belonged to a trader who had come to Arch- 
 angel, and intended to winter in Nova Zembla; but fortunate- 
 ly it was proposed to bim to winter at West Spitzbergen, to 
 which, after many objections, be assented. Contrary winds 
 on the passage prevented the ship from reaching the place 
 of her destination, and drove her towards East Spitzbergen, 
 directly opposite to the residence of the mariners. As soon 
 as they perceived her, they hastened to light fires on the 
 nearest hills, and then ran to the beach wav'ng a flag made of 
 a rein-deer’s skin fastened to a pole. The people on board 
 observing these signals, concluded there were men ashore im- 
 ploring their assistance, and therefore came to an anchor near 
 the island. 
 
172 
 
 RUSSIANS ABANDONED ON 5PITZBERGEN. 
 
 To describe the joy of the unfortunate mariners at seeing 
 
 the moment of their deliverance so near, is impossible. 
 
 They soon agreed with the master of the vessel to take them 
 and all their riches on board, for which they should work dur- 
 ing the voyage, and pay him eighty rubles on arriving in Rus- 
 sia. Therefore they embarked, carrying with them two thou- 
 sand weight of rein-deer fat, many hides of the same animals, 
 the skins of the blue and white foxes and bears they had kill- 
 ed. Neither did they neglect to carry away their spears, 
 their knife and axe, which were almost worn out, or their 
 awls and needles, which were carefully preserved in a box, 
 very ingeniously made of bone. 
 
 After spending six years and three months in this rueful 
 solitude, they arrived safe at Archangel on the 2oth of Sep- 
 tember, 1749. But the moment of landing was nearly fatal to 
 the affectionate wife of Alexis Himkof, who happened to be 
 present when the vessel came into port. Immediately recog- 
 nizing her husband, she ran with such eagerness to embrace 
 him, that she slipped into the water, and very narrowly es- 
 caped being drowned. 
 
 All the three survivors were strong and healthy; having 
 lived so long without bread, they could not be reconciled to 
 the use of it; neither could they bear spirituous liquors, and 
 drank nothing but water. 
 
 As they were vassals of Count Schuwalow, who then had 
 a grant of the whale fishery, M. Le Hoy requested of him 
 that they might be sent from Archangel to St. Petersburgh, 
 where he could satisfy himself respecting their adventures. — 
 Accordingly two of them arrived, Alexis Himkof, aged about 
 fifty and Iwan Himkof about thirty. They brought some cu- 
 rious specimens of their workmanship, so neatly executed, 
 that it was doubtful with what tools it could have been done. 
 From their account, both to M. Klingstadt, auditor of the Ad- 
 miralty at Archangel, and what they now communicated, 31. 
 Le Roy composed the preceding narrative. 
 
 For centuries past Spitzbergen has been greatly resorted 
 to on account of the profitable whale-fishery of the surround- 
 ing seas, and several shipwrecks, as well as incidents similar 
 to the preceding, have occurred there, and in the vicinity. — 
 Spitzbergen is a bleak and barren country, and received its 
 name from the lofty pointed mountains by which it is covered; 
 perpetual snow prevails, few plants spring from the soil, and 
 it is destitute of wood. But to compensate in some measure 
 
LOSS OF A CONVICT SHIP. 
 
 173 
 
 for the scanty productions of nature by land, its seas, abund- 
 antly stored with fish, can afford a copious supply both of food 
 and clothing to mankind. 
 
 LOSS OF THE AMPHITRITE CONVICT SHIP. 
 
 The following particulars of the loss of this vessel are cop- 
 ied from a letter dated Boulogne-sur-mer, Sept. 1, 1833. 
 
 The shocking event which is announced by the title to this 
 letter, has, I assure you, filled the town with dismay, and 
 must lead to a most narrow and rigid investigation. I cannot at- 
 tempt to describe the afflictions not only of the English, but 
 the PVench, at this most distressing event, and I only express 
 the general opinion when I say that the British public de- 
 mands that an inquiry be instituted into the conduct of all 
 parties concerned in this deplorable affair. 
 
 The Amphitrite convict ship sailed for New South Wales 
 from Woolwich on the 25th of August. Capt. Hunter was the 
 commander; Mr. F'orrester the surgeon; and there were 108 
 female convicts, 12 children and a crew of 16 persons. The 
 captain was part owner of the vessel. When the ship arrived 
 off Dungeness, the gale of the 29th began. On F riday morn- 
 ing the captain hove the ship to, the gale being too heavy to 
 sail. The vessel was about three miles to the east from Bou- 
 logne harbor on Saturday at noon, when they made land. — 
 The captain set the topsail and main-foresail in hopes of keep- 
 ing her off shore. 
 
 From three o’clock she was in sight of Boulogne, and cer- 
 tainly the sea was most heavy and the wind extremely strong; 
 but no pilot boat went out to her, and no life-boats or other 
 assistance were dispatched. I observed her from three o’clock 
 till about half past four in the afternoon, when she came 
 round into Boulogne harbor and struck on the sands. By 
 four o’clock it was known that it was a British ship, but some 
 
174 
 
 LOSS OF A CONVICT SHIP, 
 
 said it was a brig; others said it was a merchant vessel, 
 though all said it v’as English. 
 
 It appears I’rom the statement of three men who have been 
 saved out of the crew — all the rest having perished, that the 
 captain ordered the anchor to be let go, in hopes of swinging 
 round with the tide. 
 
 In a few minutes after the vessel had gone aground, multi- 
 tudes rushed to the beach, and a brave French sailor, named 
 Pierre Henin, who has already received the thanks of the Hu- 
 mane Society of London, addressed himself to the captain of 
 the port, and said that he was resolved to go alone, and to 
 reach the vessel, in order to tell the captain that he had not a 
 moment to lose, but must, as it was low water, send all his 
 crew and passengers on shore. 
 
 You will recollect that up to the time of her running 
 aground no measure was adopted, and the captain was not 
 warned from shore of her danger. 
 
 As soon as she had struck, however, a pilot-boat, command- 
 ed by Francois Heuret, who has on many occasions shown 
 much courage and talent, was dispatched, and by a little after 
 five came under her bows. The captain of he vessel refused 
 to avail himself of the assistance of Heuret and his brave 
 companions, and when a portion of the crew proposed going 
 on shore the captain prevented them. Two of the men sav- 
 ed, state that they knew the boat was under the bows, but that 
 the rest were below making up their bundles. The crew 
 could then have got on shore and all the unfortunate women 
 and children. 
 
 When the French boat had gone, the surgeon sent for Ow- 
 en, one of the crew, and ordered him to get out the long 
 boat. This was about half past five. The surgeon discussed 
 the matter with his wife and with the captain. They were 
 afraid of allowing the prisoners to go on shore. The wife of 
 the surgeon is said to have proposed to leave the convicts 
 there, and to go on shore without them. 
 
 In consequence of this discussion, no long boat was sent 
 out. Three of the convict women told Owen, that they heard 
 the surgeon persuaded the captain not to accept the assist- 
 ance of the French boat, on account of the prisoners who 
 were on board. 
 
 Let us now return to Pierre Flenin. The French pilot- 
 boht had been refused by the surgeon and captain — the long- 
 boat had been put out, through a discussion as to saving the 
 convicts — and it was now nearly si.x o’clock. At that time 
 
LOSS OP A CONVICT SHIP, 
 
 175 
 
 Henin went to the beach, stripped himself, took a line, swam 
 naked for about three quarters of an hour or an hour, and ar- 
 rived at the vessel at a little after seven. On reaching the 
 right side of the vessel, he hailed the crew, and said, “Give 
 me a line to conduct you on land, or you are lost, as the sea 
 is coming in.” He spoke English plain enough to be heard 
 He touched the vessel and told them to speak to the captain 
 They threw (that is, some of the crew, but not the surgeon oi 
 captain) two lines, one from the stern and one from the bow. 
 The one from the stern he could not seize — the one from the 
 bow he did. He then went towards the shore, but the rope 
 was stopped. This was, it is believed, the act of the surgeon 
 and captain. He (Henin) then swam back, and told them to 
 give him more rope to get on shore. The captain and sur- 
 geon would not. They then tried to haul him in, but his 
 strength failed and he got on shore. 
 
 You perceive, then, that up to this moment also the same 
 obstacle existed in the minds of the captain and surgeon. — 
 They did not dare, without authority, to land the convicts, and 
 rather than leave them on board, or land them without such 
 authority, they perished with them. 
 
 The female convicts, who \vere battened down under the 
 hatches, on the vessel’s running aground, broke away the half 
 deck hatch, and frantic, rushed on deck. Of course they en- 
 treated the captain and surgeon to let them go on shore in 
 the long-boat, but they were not listened to, as the captain 
 and surgeon did not feel authorized to liberate prisoners com- 
 mitted to their care. 
 
 At seven o’clock the flood tide began. The crew seeing 
 that there were no hopes, clung to the rigging. The poor 
 103 women and 12 children remained on deck, uttering the 
 most piteous cries. The vessel was about three quarters of a 
 mile English from the shore, and no more. Owen, one of the 
 three men saved, thinks that the women remained on deck in 
 this state about an hour and a half. Owen and four others 
 were on the spars, and thinks they remained there three quar- 
 ters of an hour, but, seeing no hope of being saved, he took 
 to swimming, and ivas brought in a state of insensibility to the 
 hotel. Towsey, another of the men saved, was on a plank 
 with the captain. Towsey asked who he was He said “ I 
 am the captain,” but the next moment he was gone. Rice, 
 the third man, floated ashore on a ladder. He was in the aft 
 when the other men took to the raft. When the French pilot- 
 boat rowed away, after being rejected by the captain, he 
 
176 
 
 THE MUTINEERS A TALE OF THE SEA. 
 
 (Rice) saw a man waving his hat on the beach, and remapked 
 to the captain that a gentleman was waving to them to come 
 on shore. The captain turned away and made no answer. — 
 At that moment the women all disappeared, the ship broke in 
 two. 
 
 These are the facts of this awful case. The French Ma 
 rine Humane Society immediately placed hundreds of men on 
 the beach; and the office, or lodging, being close to the shore, 
 as soon as the corpses were picked up they were brought to 
 the rooms, where I assisted many of my countrymen in en- 
 deavoring to restore them to life. Our efforts were fruitless, 
 except in the cases of the three men, Owen, Rice and Tow- 
 sey. I never saw so many fine and beautiful bodies in my life. 
 Some of the women were the most perfectly made; and 
 French and English wept together at such a horrible loss of 
 life in sight of — ay, and even close to, the port and town. — 
 Body after body has been brought in. More than 60 have 
 been found; they will be buried to-morrow. But alas! after 
 all our efforts, only three lives have been saved out of 136. 
 
 THE MUTINEERS— A TALE OF THE SEA. 
 
 There is scarce any one, we apprehend, who is in any con- 
 siderable degree conversant with the shifting scenes of human 
 existence, who does not know that many of the plain narra- 
 tives of common life possess an indescribable charm. These 
 unvarnished details of human weal and human wo, coming right 
 from the mint of nature, decline the superfluous embellish- 
 ments of art, and, in the absence of all borrowed lustre, clear- 
 ly demonstrate that they are “ adorned the most when unad- 
 orned.” They bear a most diametrical contrast to those fig- 
 ments of diseased fancy, that nauseating romance about virgins 
 betrothed and lady love, which in so many instances elbow de- 
 cency and common sense from the pages of our period. ;al 
 literature as “ unwelcome guests.” 
 
THE MUTINEERS A TALE OF THE SEA. H?- 
 
 It has frequently been said that sailors, above every other 
 class of men, have irrepressible hankerings after the wild and 
 wonderful. Certain it is, that he who will sit on a ship’s fore- 
 castle of a bright moonlight evening, will hear of “ hair-breadth 
 escapes,” and perilous adventures no less chivalrous and in- 
 credible than those which Cervantes and the biographer of 
 Baron Munchausen have attributed to their respective heroes. 
 Although the following incidents may excite no very thrilling 
 interest, they have at least the merit of truth. The actors in 
 this short drama are still on the stage, ready to testify to 
 this narrative of facts. 
 
 On the morning of the 14th of April, 1828, the ship Gold- 
 Hunter glided majestically out of the Liverpool docks, with 
 fair wind and tide. The Mersey, from Liverpool to Black 
 Rock, a distance of about three miles, was literally covered 
 with vessels of every character and nation, which had taken 
 advantage of the fair wind to clear the harbor. Here might 
 be seen the little French lugger, carrying back to Bordeaux 
 what its fruit and brandy had bought, as friskey in its motions 
 as the nervous monsieur who commanded it. At a little dis- 
 tance, the square-shouldered Antwerper, sitting on the ele- 
 vated poop of his galliot, was enjoying, with his crew, a glori- 
 ous smoke. You could almost see them (and that, too, with- 
 out very keen optics) put care into their tobacco-pipes : 
 anxiety curled in fume over their heads. A not unfrequent 
 sight was the star-spangled banner floating in beauty over the 
 bosom of the wave. The serenity of the atmosphere, the ever- 
 changing brilliancy of the scene, the tout ensemble, were well 
 calculated to excite the most pleasurable emotions. Every 
 thing seemed to give the most flattering assurances of a voy- 
 age of unruffled peacefulness. 
 
 This large squadron continued comparatively unbroken until 
 it reached Holyhead, where such vessels as were bound for 
 Scotland, or the north of Ireland, bore away from those which 
 were bound down the channel. The Gold-Hunter, whose 
 destination was a port in the United States, was, of course, 
 in company with the latter class. Those on board of her 
 very naturally felt great gratification in perceiving that she 
 was not only the most splendid and graceful ship, but the 
 swiftest sailor in sight. 
 
 Before we proceed farther, however, we must in some mea- 
 sure acquaint the reader with the inmates of the Gold Hunter. 
 jS'otwithstanding she was one of those floating palaces yclept 
 “ Liverpool packets,” and the captain a finished gentlemar* 
 VOR. u- 8* 
 
178 
 
 THE MUTINEERS A TALE OF THE SEA. 
 
 and skilful navigator, there were, on this trip, but two cabin 
 passengers, — an Irish gentleman (who had a short time before 
 sold his lieutenancy in the British army) and his sister. The 
 former had been engaged in some of England’s fiercest battles, 
 and won some of her brightest laurels. The reason which in- 
 duced him to dispose of his commission, and forsake the hard- 
 ships and honors of military life, was a desire to visit some 
 near relations, who, at an early period, had emigrated to this 
 country, and who were now enjoying respectability and a com- 
 petence. It was for this object that Mr. Kelly and his sister 
 had taken passage in the Gold Hunter, at the time of which 
 we are now speaking. It need hardly be said, that they felt 
 towards each other all that deep-toned and romantic affection 
 which in so characteristic a manner pervades Irish relation- 
 ships. 
 
 The captain, who was a man of fine feeling and cultivated 
 intellect, spent most of his leisure moments in their company ; 
 and many an evening, when the moon-beams played forth 
 brightly on the rippling water, and the bellying of the canvass 
 seemed to assure them they were hastening to the tender em- 
 braces of those they loved, w'ould they sit together on the 
 quarter-deck, while Miss Kelly enhanced the brilliancy of the 
 scene by singing some of those wild, touching melodies which 
 she had learned to warble on her own native hills. Thus 
 
 time trod on fiowers,” and the incidental privations and in- 
 conveniences of a sea voyage were greatly mitigated. 
 
 Nothing worthy of special notice occurred until about the 
 25th of April, when IMr. Kelly, who was walking on the 
 weather side of the main deck, accidentally overheard the fol- 
 lowing conversation, between three or four of the crew, en- 
 gaged in caulking the seams just under the lee of the long- 
 boat. 
 
 “ I tell you, once for all, a cargo of silks and broadcloths 
 ’ant a going to do us any good without the ready cash.” 
 
 “ Ready cash ! why, man, how many times must I tell you 
 that there is specie on board the old man has two or three 
 thousand dollars, and Kelly has a bag of sovereigns, or my 
 eyes never saw salt water — “ And the girl,” said a third voice, 
 which Mr. Kelly knew to be the steward’s — “ and the girl did 
 not jingle her bag for nothing the other day, when she walked 
 by me ; something there, or my head ’s a ball of spun-yarn.’' 
 
 Kelly was transfi.xed with utter horror and amazement ; but, 
 fearful lest some one might perceive him, he crouched under 
 the long-boat, which aiForded him a partial concealment. In 
 
THE MUTINEERS A TALE OF THE SEA. 
 
 179 
 
 this situation, he listened with breathless anxiety, to the de- 
 velopement of their plans, so murderous that his very blood 
 ran cold in his veins. 
 
 When the villains came to the blackest, most awful, portions 
 of their scheme, their voices were instinctively hushed into 
 almost a whisper ; so that it was only the general outline that 
 Kelly could gather. He found that it was their intention to 
 wait until some dark, dismal night, when they would rush on 
 the captain, himself and sister, and murder them in their beds, 
 rifle them of their money, and take possession of the ship. It 
 was their design to spare the life of the mate, whose services 
 they needed as a navigator. After having done all this, they 
 were to steer directly for the coast of Africa, where they hop- 
 ed to dispose of the cargo to the negroes. If successful, they 
 expected to carry thence to the West Indies a load of slaves — 
 if not, to abandon the ship entirely, taking with them the 
 specie, and whatever light articles of value they conveniently 
 could. They anticipated no difficulty in introducing them- 
 selves into some of the settlements on the coast as shipwreck- 
 ed mariners ; and, as vessels frequently left the settlements 
 for the United States, they supposed they might procure a 
 passage without exciting any suspicion. 
 
 Kelly was a man of such imperturbable self-command, that 
 he found no difficulty in repressing every symptom which could 
 indicate his knowledge of the diabolical conspiracy. It was 
 no part of his intention, however, to conceal any thing from 
 Capt. Newton ; to the captain, therefore, he made an unre- 
 served disclosure of all that had come to his knowledge. At 
 first they were at a loss what measures to take : one thing 
 they thought of the greatest importance, which was to keep 
 Miss Kelly in entire ignorance of what was transpiring on 
 board. Some uncurbed outbreaking of alarm would he almost 
 certain, such was the excitability of her temperament. This, 
 in their present situation, might be attended with the most 
 disastrous consequences. 
 
 The captain determined to eye with particular vigilance the 
 motions of Harmon, who, from the part he took in the conver- 
 sation alluded to above, appeared to be the ring-leauer. Here, 
 in order that the reader may fully understand the narrative, 
 it becomes necessary for us to make a very short disgression. 
 
 The government of a ship is, in the strictest sense of the 
 term, monarchical, the captain holding undivided and abso- 
 lute authority. The relation he sustains to the sailor resem- 
 bles very much that of the master to the slave. Conse- 
 
180 
 
 THE MUTINEERS A TALE OF THE SEA. 
 
 quently, in order that this relation be not severed by the sailor, 
 evcn the faintest color of insubordination must be promptly 
 quelled. If any master of a ship suffer a sailor to make an 
 impertinent reply with- impunity, he immediately finds his au- 
 thority prostrate and trampled upon, and his most positive 
 commands pertinaciously disregarded. 
 
 The day after that on which Mr. Kelly had communicated 
 the startling intelligence to the captain, was somewhat squally. 
 The latter was standing on the weather side of the quarter- 
 deck, giving directions to the man at the helm (who happened 
 to be Harmon) respecting the steering of the ship : 
 
 “Luff! luff! keep her full and by! Mind your weather 
 helm, or she ’ll be all in the wind . Down with it, or she ’ll be 
 off!” I tell you, if you don’t steer the ship better. I’ll send 
 you from the helm. You don’t keep her within three points 
 of her course either way !” 
 
 Alt this was said, of course, in a pretty authoritative tone, 
 and Harmon impudently replied, “ I can steer as well as you, 
 or any other man in the ship.” 
 
 Capt. Newton’s philosophy was completely dashed by this 
 daring answer, and he immediately gave Harmon a blow with 
 his fist, which Harmon as promptly returned sprawling the 
 captain on the deck. 
 
 Harmon then deserted the helm, leaving the ship to the 
 mercy of the tempest, and hurried forward to the forecastle, 
 hoping there to intrench himself so firmly as to resist all at- 
 tacks from without. 
 
 The captain, as soon as he could recover from his amaze- 
 ment, went to the cabin door and cried out, 
 
 “ Mr. Kelly, our lives are in danger — will you assist me, 
 my dear sir, to secure one of my men, that cut-throat Harmon. 
 We must blow up this scheme in the outset, or we are gone.” 
 Kelly had too little coolness in his constitution to stop to 
 discuss the matter, when he knew that the life of a dear sister 
 might depend on the issue. He saw, in a moment, that the 
 conspirators would take courage, unless they were immediate- 
 ly overpowered. He therefore instantly joined Capt. Newton, 
 and they proceeded to the forecastle together. 
 
 Threats and commands had not virtue enough to bring Har- 
 mon from his hiding-place. Some more effectual e.xpcdient 
 must be resorted to. Accordingly, brimstone was introduced 
 into the numerous crevices of the forecastle, and the atmos- 
 phere rendered insufferable. Frantic with suffocation, his eyes 
 dashing with rage, he brandished savagely a huge case- 
 
THE MUTINEERS — A TALE OF THE SEA. 
 
 181 
 
 knife : — ‘‘ You, Newton! and you Kelly! 1 swear that, if I am 
 obliged to leave this forecastle, I’ll sheath this knife in your 
 breasts, you infernal tormentors !” 
 
 Like the chafed, wounded, maddened bull, which his pur- 
 suers have surrounded, and which is drawing close about him 
 his dying strength, for one last furious charge, was Harmon, 
 when Kelly, with most provoking coolness, said, “ Harmon, 
 you shall leave that forecastle, or die there.” 
 
 It soon became evident that he was making preparations to 
 leave : they therefore planted themselves firmly near the gang 
 way through which alone he could possibly come out. Soon he 
 bolted furiously through, making, as he passed, a desperate 
 plunge at Capt. Newton, with his enormous case-knife. Had 
 not Mr. Kelly, at this moment, by a dexterous effort, struck 
 Harmon’s arm, one more immortal spirit would have been dis- 
 encumbered of this “ coil of mortality.” Instead of this, the 
 villain was disarmed, and his dangerous weapon danced about 
 harmlessly on the top of the waves. Harmon was now power- 
 less ; and they found no difficulty in putting irons upon him 
 During the whole of this contest, his associates did not dare 
 to offer him the least assistance : on the contrary, each stood 
 silently apart, eyeing his neighbor with fear and distrust. 
 
 When Mr. Kelly returned to the cabin, he found that his 
 sister had fainted away through terror. Volatile salts, and the 
 assurance that all her future fears would be entirely ground- 
 less, had the effect of restoring her very speedily. * * * 
 
 On the morning of the 2.3d May, Charleston light-house 
 was descried from the mast-head. Not a remnant of apprehen- 
 sion lurked behind ; every pulse beat gladly ; anticipated joys 
 filled every bosom. It was not long before the revenue cutter, 
 from which floats the stripes and the stars, was seen bounding 
 over the billows towards the Gold Hunter. She was soon 
 along side, and, after an interchange of salutations between 
 the vessels, the commander of the revenue cutter boarded the 
 ship. After many inquiries, Capt. Newton requested the 
 United States officer to step into the cabin, where he laid 
 open all the circumstances connected with the abortive con- 
 spiracy. 
 
 “ Capt. Morris,” said he, “ I shall be obliged to call on you 
 for assistance in bringing these men to punishment.” 
 
 “ Such as I can grant,” replied Capt. M., “ is at your ser- 
 vice ; but how shall we proceed 
 
 “ Put the men into irons, and then I consign them to youi 
 safe keeping.” 
 
182 
 
 FATE OF SEVEN SAILORS. 
 
 Thrse intentions were announced on deck ; and if ever con- 
 sternation and rueful dismay were depicted in human counte- 
 nances it was in the case of those who had entered into the 
 conspiracy, but who, till now, had supposed that all their plans 
 were enveloped in midnight secrecy. Manacles were put on 
 them all without difficulty, and they soon found themselves 
 securely lodged on board an United States vessel. 
 
 At the fall term of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, 
 four men were arraigned on an indictment of “ mutiny on the 
 high seas,” on board the ship Gold Hunter. The evidence 
 was so conclusive, that all the ingenuity of the prisoner’s 
 council, twist itself as it would, could effect nothing. The 
 jury found a verdict of guilty, without leaving their seats. 
 Harmon was sentenced to the penitentiary five years ; the 
 others four years each. Thus was a most dangerous induc- 
 tion frustrated. 
 
 FATE 0 ¥ SEVEN SAILORS, 
 
 WHO WERE LEFT ON THE ISLAND OF ST. MAURICE. 
 
 The Dutch who frequented the northern regions during the 
 more favorable season of the year, in pursuit of the whale- 
 fishery, became desirous of ascertaining the state of different 
 places while winter prevailed. Various opinions were enter- 
 tained concerning this subject, and astronomers wished to 
 have their sentiments regarding certain natural phenomena, 
 either realized or controverted. Besides, a more important 
 object was concealed under these ostensible reasons, namely, 
 whether the establishment of permanent colonies in the most 
 remote parts of Greenland was practicable. A proposal was 
 therefore promulgated through the Greenland fleet, for seven 
 seamen to offer to remain a winter in St. Maurice’s Island, and 
 also for other seven to winter in Spitzbergen. We arc not 
 
FATE OF SEVEN SAILORS. 
 
 183 
 
 acquainted with the inducements held forth ; but it is probable 
 that little hesitation ensued, for we find a party prepared to 
 winter at the different places specified, nearly about the 
 same period. 
 
 Seven of the stoutest and ablest men of the fleet having ac- 
 cordingly agreed to be left behind, their comrades sailed from 
 St. Maurice’s Isle on the 26th of August 1633. 
 
 Tlie people, two days afterwards, shared half a pound of 
 tobacco, to which they restricted themselves as a weekly al- 
 lowance. At this time there was no night, and the heat of the 
 sun so powerful through the day, that they pulled off their 
 shirts, and sported on the side of a hill near their abode. Great 
 abundance of sea-gulls frequented the island, and the seamen 
 made a constant practice of seeking for vegetables growing 
 there for sallad. 
 
 Towards the end of September, the weather began to be 
 tempestuous, and in the earlier part of October, their huts 
 were so much shaken by violent storms of wind, that their 
 nightly rest was interrupted ; but they did not resort to firing 
 until the 9th of that month. About a week subsequent, two 
 whales were cast ashore, and the seamen immediately endea- 
 vored to kill them with harpoons, lances, and cutlasses, but 
 the tide flowing enabled them to escape. 
 
 As winter advanced, bears became so numerous, that the 
 people durst scarce venture abroad from their huts towards 
 night ; but in the day time some were occasionally killed, 
 which they roasted. Several of these animals were so strong, 
 however, that they would run off after being shot through. 
 A great many gulls were also seen on the sea-side which re- 
 tired every night to the mountains, their usual place of re- 
 treat 
 
 The first of January 1634, was ushered in with dark and 
 frosty weather ; the seamen, after wishing each other a happy 
 new year, and good success in their enterprize, went to 
 prayers. Two bears approached very near their huts, but 
 the darkness of the day, and the depth of the snow, rendered 
 t impossible to take them ; not long afterwards the seamen 
 were more successful, and, having shot one, dragged it into 
 a hut, where they skinned it. From the 1st of February 
 these animals became very shy, and were seldom seen. 
 
 In the month of JMarch all the people were attacked by 
 scurvy, owing to the scarcity of fresh provisions, and their 
 spirits sunk with the progress of the disease ; only two were 
 in health on the 3d of April, while the rest were extremely 
 
184 
 
 FATE OF SEVEN SAILORS. 
 
 ill. Two pullets were at their request killed for them, no 
 more being left ; and as their appetites were pretty good, the 
 others entertained hopes of their convalescence. The whole 
 seldom left their hut to examine the appearance of the sea, or 
 the surrounding country ; but, on the loth, they observed 
 four whales in a neighboring bay. 
 
 The clerk was now very ill, and died on the 16th, where- 
 upon the surviving mariners invoked Heaven to have mercy 
 on his soul, and also on themselves, for they suffered severe- 
 ly. No fresh provisions whatever were left, and they daily 
 grew worse, partly from want of necessary articles, and partly 
 from the excessive cold. Even when in health they could 
 scarce keep themselves in heat by exercise ; and when sick, 
 and unable to stir from their huts, that remedy was at an 
 end. Disease made rapid progress among these unfortunate 
 people, so that on the 23d not more than one individual could 
 give an account of the rest, which is done in these words of 
 his journal : “We are by this time reduced to a deplorable 
 
 state, none of my comrades being able to help himself, much 
 less another ; the whole burden, therefore, lies on my 
 shoulders, and I shall perform my duty as well as I am able, 
 so long as it pleases God to give me strength. I am just now 
 about to assist our commander out of his cabin ; he thinks it 
 will relieve his pain, for he is struggling with death. The 
 night is dark, and wind blowing from the south.” 
 
 Meantime the Dutch, who repaired in the summer season 
 to Greenland, became impatient to learn the fate of the seven 
 men left in the Isle of St. Maurice. Some of the seamen got 
 into a boat immediately on their arrival, on the 4th of .June 1634, 
 and hastened towards the huts. Yet, from none of the others 
 having come to the sea-side to welcome them, they presaged 
 nothing good ; and accordingly found that all the unfortunate 
 men had breathed their last. The first, as has been seen, ex- 
 pired on the 16th of April 1634, and his comrades, having put 
 his body in a coffin, deposited it in one of the huts. The re- 
 mainder were conjectured to have died about the beginning of 
 May, from a journal kept by them, expressing that, on the 
 27th of April, they had killed their dog for want of fresh pro- 
 visions, and from its termination on the last of this month. 
 
 Near one of the bodies stood some bread and cheese, on 
 which the mariner had perhaps subsisted immediately pre- 
 ceding his decease ; a box of ointment lay beside the cabin 
 of another, with which he had rubbed his teeth and joints, and 
 his arm was still e.\tended towards his mouth. A prayer- 
 
SEAMEN WINTERING IN SPITZBERGEN. 186 
 
 book, which he had been reading, also lay near him. Each 
 of the men was found in his own cabin. 
 
 The Commodore of the Greenland fleet having got this 
 melancholy intelligence, ordered the six bodies to be put into 
 coffins, and, along with the seventh, deposited beneath the 
 snow. Afterwards, when the earth thawed, they were remov- 
 ed, and interred, on St. John’s day, under a general discharge 
 of the cannon of the fleet. 
 
 SEAMEN WINTERING IN SPITZBERGEN. 
 
 On the 30th of August 1633, the Dutch fleet sailed from 
 North-Bay,- in Spitzbergen, leaving seven men behind, who 
 had agreed to winter there. Immediately, on departure of the 
 vessels, they began to collect a sufficient quantity of provisions 
 to serve their necessities until their comrades should return in 
 the subsequent year. Therefore, at different times, they 
 hunted rein-doer with success, and caught many sea-fowl ; 
 and also occasionally got herbs, which proved very salutary. 
 
 Excursions both by sea and land were frequently made 
 when the weather would permit ; and they endeavored to kill 
 whales and narwhals in the different bays on the east coast 
 of Spitzbergen. 
 
 The extreme cold of the climate was announced by the dis- 
 appearance of all the feathered tribe on the third of October, 
 and from that time it gradually augmented. On the 13th their 
 casks of beer were frozen three inches thick, and very soon 
 afterwards, though standing within eight feet of the fire, they 
 froze from top to bottom. The seamen had broke the ice on 
 the sea, and disposed a net for catching fish below it ; but the 
 rigour of the weather constantly increasing, the ice formed a 
 foot thick at the surface in the space of two hours. 
 
 From the excessive cold, they remained almost constantly 
 in bed, and, notwithstanding they had both a grate and a stove, 
 
186 
 
 SEAMEN WINTERING IN SPITZBERGEN. 
 
 ihej were sometimes obliged to rise and take violent exercise 
 to keep themselves in heat. 
 
 Beautiful phenomena appeared in the sky during winter, 
 consisting of the Aurora Borealis, of surprising splendour 
 and magnitude, and other meteors seeming to arise from the 
 icy mountains. 
 
 On the third of March the mariners had an encounter with 
 a monstrous bear, in which one of them very nearly perished. 
 The animal became furious from its wounds ; leaping airainst 
 a seaman, about to pierce it with his lance, it threw him down, 
 and, but for the opportune interposition of another, would have 
 torn him to pieces. 
 
 At length, after sutFering many hardships and privations the 
 mariners were gladdened with the sight of a boat rowing into 
 the bay, on the 27th of May 1634, announcing the return of 
 a Dutch Greenlandman, which anchored there the same 
 evening. 
 
 The Dutch, encouraged by the safety of this party, propos- 
 ed that other seven people, provided with all ncces^ries, 
 should pass the following ivinter in their place ; and, accord- 
 ingly, Andrew Johnson, Cornelius Thysse, Jerome Carcoen, 
 Tiebke Jellis, Nicolas Florison, Adrian Johnson, and Fettje 
 Otters, offered to remain. 
 
 The ffeet, therefore, sailed for Holland on the 11th of 
 September 1634, leaving these men behind. Numbers of 
 whales were in sight of Spitzbergen on the same day, which 
 the people made an unsuccessful attempt to catch. 
 
 Towards the end of November, scurvy beginning to appear 
 among them, they care.ffilly sought fur green herbs, but in 
 vain ; nor were they more fortunate in the pursuit of bears 
 and foxes for fresh provisions. However, they drank some 
 potions and took other antidotes against the disease, and then 
 set traps for foxes. 
 
 A bear being discovered on the 24th of .November, three of 
 the people eagerly proceeded to attack it, for their necessities 
 were daily becoming greater. The animal, rising to receive 
 them on its hind legs, was shot through the body, whereupon 
 it began to bleed and roar most hideously, and fiercely bit a 
 halbert. But, likely to be overpowered, it took to flight, and 
 was anxiously pursued by the people a long way, carrying 
 lanthorns, though unsuccessfully ; and they were all much 
 dispirited from the disappointment of fresh provision, which 
 they so much required. 
 
 On the 14th of January, Adrian Johnson died. The whole 
 
Appearance of the Aurora Borealis from the Island of East Spitzbergen— 18G. 
 

 
 
 
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 TTrt- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SEAMEN WINTERING IN SPITZBERGEN. 
 
 189 
 
 of the rest were extremely ill. Fettje Otter died next day, 
 and also Cornelius Thysse on the 17th, a man in 'Ahom his 
 comrades rested their chief hope next to God. 
 
 Notwithstanding the weakness of the survivors, who could 
 scarce support themselves on their legs, they contrived to 
 make three coffins for the deceased, and put their bodies into 
 them. 
 
 In the beginning of February they had the good fortune to 
 catch a fox, an incident which afforded them much satisfac- 
 tion ; but at that time disease had gone too far to admit tlieir 
 deriving material benefit from the flesh. Many bears, even 
 six or ten together were seen ; but the people had not strength 
 to manage their guns, nor, had it been otherwise, were they 
 able to pursue them. Now they were seized with excrucia- 
 ting pains about the loins and belly, which were aggravated by 
 cold. One spit blood, and another was afflicted with a bloody 
 flux ; yet Jerome Carcoen could still bring in fuel to keep up 
 the fires. 
 
 The sun had disappeared on the 20th of October, nor was 
 he seen again until the 24th of February, when the mariners 
 were so weak as to be constantly confined to their cabins. 
 Two days after, they ceased to be able to write, at that time 
 expressing themselves in a journal thus ; “ Four of us who 
 still survive, lie flat on the floor of our hut. We think we 
 could still eat, were there only one among us able to get fuel, 
 but none can move for pain ; our time is spent in constant 
 prayer, that God, in his mercy, would deliver us from this 
 misery ; we are ready whenever he pleases to call us. As- 
 suredly we cannot long survive without food or firing ; we are 
 unable to assist each other in our mutual afflictions, and each 
 must bear his own burden.” 
 
 The seamen of the Dutch fleet arriving at Spitzbergen, in 
 1635, hastened to inquire after the fate of their comrades; 
 and having found their hut all closed around as a protection 
 against wild beasts, they broke open the back door. A man 
 then entering, ran up stairs, where he di.«covered part of a 
 dead dog on the floor, laid there to dry, and quickly descend- 
 ing, trod on the carcass of another dog also dead. Thence 
 passing towards the front door, he stumbled in the dark over 
 several dead bodies, which, after the door was opened, were 
 seen lying together. Three were in coffins ; Nicholas Flori- 
 son and another, each in a cabin ; and the other two on some 
 sails covering the floor, tying with their knees drawn up to 
 their chins. Therefore the whole of these unfortunate people 
 had perished. 
 
190 
 
 A MAN OVERBOARD. 
 
 Coffins were prepared for the four bodies wanting them, 
 and all were buried under the snow, until the ground became 
 more penetrable, when they were deposited in the earth be- 
 side each other, and stones laid on their graves, to fweserve 
 them from the ravenous beasts of prey. 
 
 A MAN OVERBOARD. 
 
 Sailors are men of rough habits, but their feelings arc not 
 by anv means so coarse : if they possess little prudence or 
 worldly consideration, they are likewise very free from selfish- 
 ness ; generally speaking, too, they are much attached to one 
 another, and will make great sacrifices to their messmates or 
 shipmates when opportunites occur. 
 
 I remember once, when cruising off Terceira in the Endy- 
 mion, that a man fell overboard and was drowned. After the 
 usual confusion, and long search in vain, the boats were hoist 
 ed up, and the hands called to make sail. 1 was officer of the 
 forecastle and on looking about to see if all the men were at 
 their station, missed one of the foretop men. Just at that 
 moment I observed some one curled up, and apparently hid- 
 ing himself under the bow of the barge, between the boat and 
 the booms. ‘ Hillo !’ I said, ‘ who are vou ? Vhat are you 
 doing there, you skulker } Why are you not at your 
 station ?’ 
 
 ‘ I am not skulking,’ said the poor fellow, the furrows in 
 whose bronzed and weatherbeaten cheek were running down 
 with tears. The man we had just lost had been his messmate 
 and friend, he told me, for ten years. I begged his pardon, in 
 full sincerity, for having used such harsh words to him at such 
 a moment, and bid him go below to his birth for the rest of the 
 day — ‘ Never mind, sir, never mind,’ said the kind hearted 
 seamen, ‘it can’t be helped. You meant no harm, sir. I am 
 as well on deck as below. Bill’s gone sir, but I must do mv 
 
A MAN OVERBOARD. 
 
 191 
 
 duty.’ So saying, he drew the sleeve of his jacket twice or 
 thrice across his eyes, and mustering his grief vithin hia 
 breast, walked to his station as if nothing had happened. 
 
 In the same ship and nearly about the same time, the people 
 were bathing along side in a calm at sea. It is customary on 
 such occasions to spread a studding-sail on the water, by 
 means of lines from the fore and main yard arms, for the use 
 of those who either cannot swim, or who are not expert in this 
 art, so very important to all seafaring people. Half a dozen 
 of the ship’s boys were floundering about in the sails, and 
 sometimes even venturing beyond the leech rope. One of 
 the least of these urchins, but not the least courageous of their 
 'Dumber, when taunted by his more skilful companions with 
 being afraid, struck out boldly beyond the prescribed bounds 
 He had not gone much further than his own length, however, 
 along the surface of the fathomless sea, when his heart failed 
 him, poor little man; and along with his confidence away also 
 went his power of keeping his head above the water. So 
 down he sank rapidly, to the speechless horror of the other 
 boys, who of course, could lend the drowning child no help. 
 
 The captain of the forecastle, a tall, fine-looking, hard-a- 
 weather fellow, was standing on the shank of the sheet anchor 
 with his arms across, and his well varnished canvass hat 
 drawn so much over his eyes that it was diflicult to tell 
 whether he was awake or merely dozing in the sun, as he 
 leaned his back against the fore-topmast backstay. The sea- 
 men, however, had been attentively watching the young party 
 all the time, and rather fearing that mischief might ensue from 
 their rashness, he had grunted out a warning to them from 
 time to time, to which they paid no sort of attention. At last 
 he desisted, saying they might drown themselves if they had a 
 mind, for never a bit would he help them ; but no sooner did 
 the sinking figure of the adventurous little boy catch his eye, 
 than, diver fashion, he joined the palms of his hands over his 
 head, inverted his position in one instant, and urging himself 
 into swifter motion by a smart push with his feet against the 
 anchor, shot head foremost into the water. The poor lad sunk 
 so rapidly that he was at least a couple of fathoms under the sur- 
 face before he was arrested by the grip of the sailor, who soon 
 rose again, bearing the bewildered boy in- his hand, and call- 
 ing to the other youngsters to take better care of their com- 
 panion, chucked him right into the belly of the sail. The 
 fore-sheet was hanging in the calm, nearly into the water, and 
 by it the dripping seaman scrambled up again to his old birth 
 
192 
 
 AN escape through THE CABIN-WINDOWS. 
 
 on the anchor, shook himself like a great Newfoundland dcg^ 
 and then jumping on the deck, proceeded across the forecastle 
 to shift himseif. 
 
 At the top of the ladder he was stopped by the marine 
 officer, who had witnessed the whole transaction, as he sat 
 across the gangway hammocks, watching the swimmers, and 
 trying to get his own consent to undergo the labor of undress- 
 ing. Said the soldier to the sailor, “ That was very well done 
 of you, my man, and right well deserves a glass of grog. Say 
 so to the gun-room .steward as you pass ; and tell him it is my 
 orders to fill you out a stiff nor-wester.” The soldier’s offer 
 was kindly meant, but rather clumsily timed, at least so thought 
 Jack : for though he inclined his head in acknowledgment of 
 the attention, and instinctively touched his hat when spoken 
 to by an officer, he made no reply till out of the marine’s 
 hearing, when he laughed, or rather chuckled out to the 
 people near him, “ Does the good gentleman suppose I ’ll 
 take a glass of grog for saving a boy’s life.” 
 
 AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. 
 
 In the year 18 — , said Capt IM , I was bound, in a fine 
 
 stout ship of about four hundred tons burden, from the port of 
 
 P to l.iverpool. The ship had a valuable cargo on board 
 
 and about ninety thousand dollars in specie. I had been pre- 
 vented, by other urgent business, from giving much of my at- 
 tention to the vessel while loading and equipping for tlie 
 voyage, but w'as very particular in my directions to the chief 
 mate, in whom I had great confidence, he having sailed with 
 me some years, to .avoid entering, if possible, any but native 
 American seamen. When we were about to sail, he inform- 
 ed me that he had not been able to comply with my directions 
 entiiely in this particular ; but had shipped tw'o foreigners as 
 seamen, one a native of Guernsey, and the other a Frenchman 
 
AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS, 
 
 193 
 
 from Brittany. I was pleased, however, with the appearance 
 of the crew generally, and particularly with the foreigners. 
 They were both stout and able-bodied men, and were partic- 
 ularly alert and attentive to orders. 
 
 The passage commenced auspiciously and promised to be a 
 speedy one, as we took a fine steady westerly wind soon after 
 v/e lost soundings. To my great sorrow and uneasiness, I 
 soon discovered in the foreigners a change of conduct for the 
 worse. They became insolent to the mates and appeared to 
 be frequently under the excitement of liquor, and had evident- 
 ly acquired an undue influence with the rest of the men. 
 Their intemperance soon became intolerable, and as it was 
 evident that they had brought liquor on board with them, I 
 determined upon searching the forecastle and depriving them 
 of it. An order to this effect was given to the mates, and 
 they were directed to go about its execution mildly and firmly, 
 taking no arms with them as they seemed inclined to do, but 
 to give every chest, birth and locker in the forecastle a thor- 
 ough examination ; and bring aft to the cabin any spirits they 
 might find. 
 
 It was not without much anxiety that I sent them forward 
 upon this duty. I remained upon the quarter deck myself, 
 ready to go to their aid, should it be necessary. In a few 
 moments, a loud and angry dispute was succeeded by a sharp 
 scuffle around the forecastle companion-way. The steward, 
 at my call, handed my loaded pistols from the cabin, and with 
 them I hastened forward. The Frenchman had grappled the 
 second mate, who was a mere lad, by the throat, thrown him 
 across the heel of the bowsprit, and was apparently determin- 
 ed to strangle him to death. The chief mate was calling for 
 assistance from below, where he was struggling with the Guern- 
 sey man. The rest of the crew were indifferent spectators, 
 but rather encouraging the foreigners than otherwise. I pre- 
 sfeMtod a pistol at the head of the Frenchman, and ordered him 
 tf. 'S^ the second mate, which he instantly did. I then 
 xhe fore top, and the others, who were 
 /icur, into tne i........ op, none to come down under pain of death, 
 
 until ordered. The steward had by this time brought another 
 pair of pistols, with which I armed the second mate, directing 
 him to remain on deck ; and went below into the forecastle 
 myself. I found that the chief mate had been slightly wound- 
 ed in two places by the knife of his antagonist, who, however, 
 ceased to resist as I made my appearance, and we immediate- 
 ly secured him in irons. The search was now made, and a 
 VOL. II. 9 
 
194 
 
 AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. 
 
 quantity of liquor found and taken to ♦he cabin. The rest of 
 the men were then called down from the tops, and the French- 
 man was made the companion of his coadjutor’s confinement 
 I then expostulated, at some length, with the others upon their 
 improper and insubordinate conduct, and upon the readiness 
 with which they had suffered themselves to be drawn into such 
 courses by two rascally foreigners, and expressed hopes that 
 3 should have no r6?' ''0 for further complaint during the rest 
 ’.f the voyage. ^monstrance I thought had effect, as 
 
 ->'-y appeared contrite and promised amendment. They were 
 
 en dismissed, and order was restored. 
 
 The next day the foreigners strongly solicited pardon, with 
 the most solemn promises of future good conduct; aid as 
 the rest of tlie crew joined in their request, I ordered that 
 their irons should be taken off. For several days the duties 
 of the ship were performed to my entire satisfaction ; but I 
 could discover in the countenances of the foreigners, expres- 
 sions of deep and rancorous animosity to the chief mate, who 
 was a prompt, energetic seaman, requiring from the sailors, 
 at all times, ready and implicit obedience to his orders. 
 
 A week perhaps had passed over in this way, when one 
 night, in the mid watch, all hands were called to shorten sail. 
 Ordinarily upon occasions of this kind, the dutvwas conduct- 
 ed by the mate, but I now went upon deck mvseU’and gave 
 orders, sending him upon the forecastle, 'I'he nig', . was dark 
 and squally ; but the sea was not high, and the ship was run- 
 ning off about nine knots, with the wind upon the starboard 
 quarter. The weather being verv unpromising, the second 
 reef was taken in the fore and main topsails, the mizen hand- 
 ed and the fore and mizen top gallant yards sent down. This 
 done, one watch w’as permitted to go below, and I prepared to 
 betake myself to mv birth again, directing the mate, to whom 
 I wished to give some orders, should be sent to me. To my 
 utter astonishment and consternation, word was brought me, 
 after a short time, that he was no where to be found. 1 hast- 
 ened upon deck, ordered all hands np again, and questioned 
 every man in the ship upon the subject ; but they, with one 
 accord, declared that they had not seen the mate forward. 
 Lanterns were then brought, and every accessible part of the 
 vessel was ur.availingly setu'ched. I then, in the hearing of 
 the whole crew, declared my belief that he must have fallen 
 overboard by accident, again dismissed one watch below, and 
 repaired to the cabin, in a state of mental agitation impossible 
 to be described. For notwithstanding the opinion which I 
 
AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. 
 
 195 
 
 had expressed to the contrary, I could not but entertain strong 
 suspicions that the unfortunate man had met a violent 
 death. 
 
 The second mate was a protegee of mine ; and, as I have 
 before observed, was a very young man of not much expe- 
 rience as a seaman. I therefore felt that, under critical cir- 
 cumstances, my main support had fallen from me. It is need- 
 less to add, that a deep sense of forlornness and insecurity was 
 the result of these reflections. 
 
 My first step was to load and deposit in my state room all 
 the fire arms on board, amounting to several muskets and four 
 pairs of pistols. The steward was a faithful mulatto man, who 
 had sailed with me several voyages. To him I communicated 
 my suspicions, and directed him to be constantly on the alert : 
 and should any further difficulty with the crew occur, to re- 
 pair immediately to my state room and arm himself. His 
 usual birth was in the steerage, but I further directed that he 
 should, on the following morning, clear out and occupy one in 
 the cabin near my own. The second mate occupied a small 
 state room opening into the passage which led from the steer- 
 age to the cabin. I called him from the deck, gave him a pair 
 of loaded pistols, with orders to keep them in his birth ; and, 
 during his night watches on deck, never to go forward of the 
 main mast, but to continue as constantly as possible near the 
 cabin companion-way, and call me upon the slightest occasion. 
 After this, I laid down in my bed, ordering that I should be 
 called at four o’clock, for the morning watch. Only a few 
 minutes had elapsed, when I heard three or four knocks under 
 the counter of the ship, which is that part of the stern imme- 
 diately under the cabin windows. In a minute or two they 
 were distinctly repeated. I arose — opened the cabin window 
 and called. The mate answered ! — I gave him the end of a 
 rope to assist him up, and never shall I forget the flood of 
 gratitude which my delighted soul poured forth to that Being 
 who had restored him to me uninjured. His story was soon 
 told. He had gone forward upon being ordered by me, after 
 the calling of all hands and had barely reached the forecastle, 
 when he was seized by the two foreigners, and before he 
 could utter more than one cry, which was drowned in the 
 roaring of the winds and waves, was thrown over the bow. 
 He was a powerful man and an excellent swimmer. The top- 
 sails of the ship were clewed down to reef, and her way, of 
 course, considerably lessened — and in an instant, he found 
 the end of a rope, which was accidentally towing overboard, 
 
196 
 
 AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. 
 
 within his grasp, by which he dragged in the dead water or 
 eddy, that is created under the stern of a vessel while sailing, 
 particularly if she is full built and deeply laden, as was the 
 case with this. By a desperate effort, he caught one of the 
 rudder chains, which was very low, and drew himself by it 
 upon the step or jog of the rudder where he had sufficient pre- 
 sence of mind to remain without calling out, until the light had 
 ceased to shine through the cabin windows, when he con- 
 cluded that the search for him was over. He then made the 
 signal to me. 
 
 No being in the ship, but myself, was apprised of his safety, 
 for the gale had increased and completely drowned the sounds 
 of the knocking, opening the window, &c. before they could 
 reach the quarter deck ; and there was no one in the cabin but 
 ourselves, the steward having retired to his birth in the steer- 
 age. It was at once resolved that the second mate only 
 should be informed of his existence. He immediately betook 
 himself to a large vacant state room, and, for the remainder 
 of the passage, all his wants were attended to by me. Even 
 the steward was allowed to enter the cabin as rarely as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 Nothing of note occurred during the remainder of the voy- 
 age, which was prosperous. It seemed that the foreigners 
 had only been actuated by revenge in the violence they had 
 commit'»id ; for nothing further was attempted by them. In 
 due season we took a pilot in the channel, and, in a day or 
 two, entered the port of Liverpool. As soon as the proper ar- 
 rangements were made, we commenced warping the ship into 
 dock, and while engaged in this operation, the 3Iate appear- 
 ed on deck, went forward, and attended to his duties as usual! 
 A scene occurred which is beyond description : every feature 
 of it is as vivid in rny recollection as though it occurred but 
 yesterday, and will be to my latest breath. The warp drop- 
 ped from the paralysed hands of the horror-sticken sailors, and 
 had it not been taken up by some boatmen on board, I should 
 have been compelled to anchor again and procure assistance 
 from the shore. Not a word was uttered ; but the two guilty 
 wretches staggered to the mainmast, where they remained 
 petrified with horror, until the officer, who had been sent for, 
 approached to take them into custody. They then seemed in 
 a measure to be recalled to a sense of their appalling predica- 
 ment, and uttered the most piercing expressions of lamenta- 
 tion and despair. 
 
 They were soon tried, and upon the testimony of the mate 
 capitally convicted and executed. 
 
TOM cringle’s log. 
 
 197 
 
 TOM CRINGLE’S LOG. 
 
 We had refitted, and been four days at sea, on our voyage 
 to Jamaica, when the gun-room officers gave our mess a blow 
 out. 
 
 The increased motion and rushing of the vessel through 
 the water, the groaning of the masts, the howling of the gale, 
 and the frequent trampling of the watch on deck, were pro- 
 phetic of wet jackets to some of us; still, midshipman-like, we 
 were as happy as a good dinner and some wine could make us, 
 until the old gunner shoved his weather beaten phiz and bald 
 pate in at the door. “ Beg pardon Mr. Splinter, but if you 
 will spare Mr. Cringle on the forecastle an hour, until the 
 moon rises.” — (“Spare,” quotha, “ is his majesty’s officer a 
 joint stool?”) — •“ Why, Mr. Kennedy, why? here, man, take 
 a glass of grog.” “ I thank you sir.” “It is coming on a 
 roughish night, sir; the running ships should be crossing us 
 hereabouts; indeed, more than once I thought there was a 
 strange sail close aboard of us, the scud is flying so low, and 
 in such white flakes; and none of us have an eye like Mr 
 Cringle, unless it be John Crow, and he is all but frozen.” 
 “ Well, Tom, I suppose you will go ” — Anglice, from a first 
 lieutenant to a mid — 
 
 “Brush instanter.” 
 
 Having changed my uniform for shag trowsers, pea-jacket 
 and a south-west cap, I went forward and took my station, in 
 no pleasant humor, on the stowed jib, with my arm around 
 the stay. I had been half an hour there, the weather was 
 getting worse, the rain was beating in my face, and the spray 
 from the stern was splashing over me, as it roared through 
 the waste of sparkling and hissing waters. I turned my back 
 to the weather for a moment to press my hands on my strain- 
 ing eyes. When I opened them, I saw the gunner’s gaunt 
 and high-featured visage thrust anxiously forward: hi« nmfilo 
 
198 
 
 TOM cringle’s log. 
 
 ward Mr. Cringle — look there; what do your books say to 
 that?” 
 
 I looked forth, and saw at the extreme end of the jib-boom, 
 what I have read of, certainly, but never expected to see, 
 a pale, greenish, glow-worm colored flame, of the size and 
 shape of the frosted glass shade over the swinging lamp in 
 the gun-room. It drew out and flattened as the vessel pitch- 
 ed and rose again, and as she sheered about, it wavered 
 round the point that seemed to attract it, like a soap suds bub- 
 ble blown from a tobacco-pipe, before it is shaken info the 
 air; at the core it was comparatively bright, but faded into a 
 halo. It shed a baleful and ominous light on the surrounding 
 objects; the group of sailors on the forecastle looked like 
 spectres, and they shrunk together, and whispered when it be- 
 gan to roll slowly along the spar where the boatswain was sit- 
 ting at my feet. At this instant something slid down the' stay, 
 and a cold clammy hand passed around my neck. I was 
 within an ace of losing my hold and tumbling overboard. — • 
 “ Heaven have mercy on me what’s that?” “ It’s that sky- 
 larking son of a gun, Jem Sparkle’s monkey, sir. You Jem, 
 you’ll never rest till that brute is made shark’s bait of” But 
 Jacko vanished up the stay again, chuckling and grinning in 
 the ghastly radiance, as if he had been ‘the spirit of the 
 Lamp.’ The light was still there, but a cloud of mist, like a 
 burst of vapor from a steam boiler, came down upon the gale 
 and flew past, when it disappeared. I followed the white 
 mass as it sailed down the wind; it did not, as it appeared to 
 me, vanish in the darkness, but seemed to remain in sight to 
 leeward, as if checked by a sudden flaw; yet none of our 
 sails were taken aback. A thought flashed on me. I peer- 
 ed still more intensely into the night. I was not certain. — 
 “ A sail, broad on the lee bow.” The captain answered from 
 the quarter-deck — “ Thank you, JMr. Cringle. How shall 
 we steer?” “ Keep her away a couple of points, sir, steady.” 
 “ Steady,” sung the man at the helm; and a slow melancholy 
 cadence, although a familiar sound to me, now moaned 
 through the rushing wind, and smote upon my heart as if it 
 had been the wailing of a spirit. I turned to the boatswain, 
 who was now standing beside me, “ is that you or Davy steer- 
 ing, JMr. Nipper? if you had not been there bodily at my 
 side, I could have sworn that was your voice.” When the 
 gunner made the same remark, it started the poor fellow; he 
 tried to take it as a joke, but could not. “ There may be a 
 laced hammock with a shot in it, for some of us ere morning.” 
 
TOM cringle’s log. 
 
 199 
 
 At this moment, to my dismay, the object we were chasing 
 shortened, — gradually fell abeam of us, and finally disap- 
 peared. 
 
 “ The flying Dutchman.” “I can’t see her at all now.”— 
 “ She will be a fore and aft rigged vessel that has tacked, 
 sir.” And sure enough, after a few seconds, I saw the white 
 object lengthened and drew out again abaft our beam. “ The 
 chase has tacked, sir; put the helm down, or she will go to 
 windward of us.” We tacked also, and time it was we did 
 so, for the rising moon now showed us a large schooner with 
 a crowd of sail. We edged down on her, when finding her 
 mancEuvre detected, she Ijrailed up her flat sails and bore up 
 before the wind. This was our best point of sailing, and we 
 cracked on, the captain rubbing his hands — “ It’s my turn to 
 be the big un this time.” Although blowing a strong north- 
 rvester, it was now clear moonlight, and we hammered away 
 from our bow guns, but whenever a shot told amongst the 
 rigging, the injury was repaired as if by magic. It was evi- 
 dent we had repeatedly hulled her, from the glimmering white* 
 streaks across her counter and along her stern, occasioned by 
 the splintering of the timber, but it seezned to produce no 
 effect. 
 
 At length we drew well upon her quarter. She continued 
 all black hull and white sail, not a soul to be seen on deck, 
 except a dark object which we took for the man at the helm 
 “ What schooner is that?” No answer. “Heave to, or I’ll 
 sink you.” Still all silent. “Serjeant Armstrong, do you 
 think you can pick off that chap at the wheel?” The mari- 
 ner jumped on the forecastle, and levelled his piece, when a 
 musket-shot fi'om the schooner crushed through his skull, and 
 he fell dead. The old skipper’s blood was up. “Forecastle 
 there! Mr. Nipper, clap a canister of grape over the round 
 shot in the bow gun, give it to him.” “Ay, ay, sir!” gleeful- 
 ly rejoined the boatswain, foi-getting the augury, and every- 
 thing else, in the excitement of the moment. In a twinkling 
 the square foresail — topgallant — royal and studding-sail haul- 
 yards, were let go on board the schooner, as if to round to. 
 “Rake him, sir, or give him the stern. He has not surren- 
 dered. I know their game. Give him your broadside, sir, 
 or he is off to windward of you, like a shot. No, no, we have 
 him now; heave to Mr. Splinter, heave to!” We did so, and 
 that so suddenly, that the studding sail booms snapped like 
 pipe shanks short off by the irons. Notwithstanding, we had 
 shot two hundred yards to the leeward, before we could lay 
 our maintopsail to the mast. I ran to windward. The 
 
200 
 
 TOM cringle’s log. 
 
 schooner’s yards and rigging were now black with men, clus- 
 tering like bees swarming, her square sails were being close 
 furled, her fore and aft sails set, and away she was, dead to 
 windward of us. “ So much for undervaluing our American 
 friends,” grumbled Mr. Splinter. 
 
 We made all sail in chase, blazing away to little purpose; 
 we had no chance on a bowline, and when our ‘Amigo’ had 
 satisfied himself of his superiority by one or two short tacks, 
 he deliberately took a reef in his mainsail, hauled down his 
 flying jib and gaff-topsail, triced up the bunt of his foresail, 
 and fired his long thirty-two at us. The shot came in our 
 third aftermost port on the starboard side, and dismounted the 
 carronade, smashing the slide and wounding three men. The 
 second missed, and as it was madness to remain to be pepper- 
 ed, probably winged, whilst every one of ours fell short, we 
 reluctantly kept away on our course, having the gratification 
 of hearing a clear well blown bugle on board the schooner 
 play up “ Yankee Doodle.” As the brig fell off, our long gun 
 was run out to have a parting crack at her, when the third 
 and last shot from the schooner struck the sill of the midship 
 port, and made the white splinters fly from the solid oak like 
 bright silver sparks in the moonlight. A sharp, piercing cry 
 rose in the air — my soul identified that death-shriek with the 
 voice that I had heard, and I saw the man who was standing 
 with the lanyard of the lock in his hand drop heavily across 
 the breech, and discharge the gun in his fall. Thereupon a 
 blood-red glare shot up in the cold blue sky, as if a volcano 
 had burst forth from beneath the mighty deep, followed by a 
 roar, and a scattering crash, and a mingling of unearthly 
 cries and groans, and a concussion of the air and the .water as 
 if our whole broadside had been fired at once. — Then a soli- 
 tary splash here, and a dip there, and short sharp yells, and 
 low choking bubbling moans, as the hissing fragments of 
 the noble vessel we had seen, fell into the sea, and the last of 
 her gallant crew vanished forever beneath that pale broad 
 moon. We were alone; and once more all was dark, wild 
 and stormy. Fearfully had that ball sped fired by a dead 
 man’s hand. But what is it that clings, black and doubled, 
 across the fatal cannon, dripping and heavy, and choking the 
 scuppers with clotting gore, and swaying to ard fro with the 
 motion of the vessel, like a bloody fleece? “Who is it that 
 was hit at the gun there?” Mr. Nipper, the boatswain, sir, 
 the last shot has cut him in two.” 
 
LOSS OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 
 
 20 J 
 
 LOSS OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 
 
 ON A ROCK IN THE ARCHIPELAGO. 
 
 A misunderstanding having originated between the Court 
 of Great Britain, and the Ottoman Porte, a powerful squadron 
 was ordered to proceed to Constantinople, for the purpose of 
 enforcing compliance with rational propositions. The object, 
 however, proved abortive; and the expedition terminated in a 
 way which did not enhance the reputation of these islands in 
 the eyes of the Turks. 
 
 Sir Thomas Louis, commander of the squadron sent to the 
 Dardanelles, having charged Captain Palmer with dispatches 
 of the utmost importance for England, the Nautilus got un- 
 der weigh at daylight on the third of January 1807. A fresh 
 breeze from N. E. carried her rapidly out of the Hellespont, 
 passing the celebrated castles in the Dardanelles, which so 
 severely galled the British. Soon afterwards she passed 
 the island of Tenedos, off the north end of which, two ves- 
 sels of war were seen at anchor; they hoisted Turkish col- 
 ours, and in return the Nautilus showed those of Britain. — 
 In the course of this day, many of the other islands abound- 
 ing in the Greek Archipelago came in sight, and in the even- 
 ing the ship approached the island of Negropont, lying in 38 
 .30 north latitude, and 24 8 east longitude; but now the navi- 
 gation became more intrica‘e, from the increasing number of 
 islands, and from the narrow entrance between Negropont 
 and the island of Andros. 
 
 The wind still continued to blow fresh, and as night was ap- 
 proaching, with the appearance of being dark and squally, 
 the pilot, who was a Greek, wished to lie to until morning, 
 which was done accordingly; and at day-light the vessel 
 again proceeded. His course was shaped for the island of 
 Falconera, in a track which has been so elegantly described 
 by Falconer, in a poem as far surpassing the uncouth produc- 
 tions of modern times, as the Ionian temples surpassed those 
 flimsy structures contributing to render the fame of the origi- 
 nals eternal. This island, and that of Anti Milo, were made 
 VOL II. 9* 
 
202 
 
 LOSS OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 
 
 in the evening, the latter distant fourteen or sixteen miles 
 from the more extensive island of Milo, which could not then 
 be seen, from the thickness and haziness of the weather. 
 
 The pilot never having been beyond the present position of 
 the Nautilus, and declaring his ignorance of the further bear- 
 ings, now relinquished his charge, which was resumed by the 
 captain. All possible attention was paid to the navigation; 
 and Captain Palmer, after seeing Falconera so plainly, and 
 anxious to fulfil his mission with the greatest expedition, re- 
 solved to stand on during the night. He was confident of 
 clearing the Archipelago by morning, and himself pricked the 
 course from the chart which was to be steered by the vessel. 
 This he pointed out to his coxswain, George Smith, of whose 
 ability he entertained a high opinion. Then he ordered his 
 bed to be prepared, not having had his clothes off for the 
 three preceding nights, and having scarce had any sleep from 
 the time of leaving the Dardanelles. 
 
 A night of extreme darkness followed, with vivid lightning 
 constantly flashing in the horizon; but this circumstance serv- 
 ed to inspire the captain with a greater degree of confidence; 
 for being enabled by it to see so much further at intervals, he 
 thought, that should the ship approach any land, the danger 
 would be discovered in sufficient time to be avoided. 
 
 The wind continued still increasing; and though the ship 
 carried but little sail, she went at the rate of nine miles an 
 hour, being assisted by a lofty following sea, which with the 
 brightness of the lightning, made the night particularly awful. 
 At half past two in the morning, high land was distinguished, 
 which, those who saw it supposed to be the island of Cerigot- 
 to, and thence thought all safe, and that every danger had 
 been left behind. The ship’s course was altered to pass the 
 island, and she continued on her course until half past four, 
 at the changing of the watch, when the man on the look-out 
 exclaimed, breakers ahead! and immediately the vessel struck 
 with a most tremendous crash. Such was the violence of the 
 shock, that people were thrown from their beds, and, on com- 
 ing upon deck, were obliged to cling to the cordage. All 
 was now confusion and alarm; the crew hurried on deck, 
 which they had scarce time to do when the ladders below gave 
 way, and indeed left many persons struggling in the water, 
 which already rushed into the under part of the ship. The 
 captain it appeared had not gone to bed, and immediately 
 came on deck when the Nautilus struck; there having exam- 
 med her situation, he immediately went round, accompanied 
 
Loss OP THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 
 
 203 
 
 by his second lieutenant, Mr. Nesbit, and endeavored to quiet 
 the apprehensions of the people. He then returned to his 
 cabin, and burnt his papers and private signals. Meantime 
 every sea lifted up the ship, and then dashed her with irresisti- 
 ble force on the rocks; and in a short time, the crew were 
 obliged to resort to the rigging, where they remained an hour, 
 e.Yposed to the surges incessantly breaking over them. There 
 they broke out into the most lamentable exclamations, fot 
 their parents, children and kindred, and the distresses they 
 themselves endured. The weather was so dark and hazy, 
 that the rocks could be seen only at a very small distance, 
 and in two minutes afterwards the ship had struck. 
 
 At this time the lightning had ceased, but the darkness of 
 the night was such, that the people could not see the length 
 of the ship from them; their only hope rested in the falling 
 of the main-mast, which they trusted would reach a small rock, 
 which w'as discovered very near them. Accordingly, about 
 half an hour before day-break, the main-mast gave way, provi- 
 dentially falling towards the rock, and by means of it they 
 were enabled to gain the land. 
 
 The struggles and confusion to w'hich this incident gave 
 birth, can better be conceived than described; some of the 
 crew were drowned, one man had his arm broke, and many 
 were cruelly lacerated; but Captain Palmer refused to quit 
 his station, while any individual remained on board; and not 
 until the whole of his people had gained the rock did he en- 
 deavor to save himself. At that time, in consequence of re- 
 maining by the wreck, he had received considerable personal 
 injury, and must infallibly have perished, had not some of 
 the seamen ventured through a tremendous sea to his assist- 
 ance. The boats were staved in pieces; several of the peo- 
 ple endeavored to haul in the jolly-boat, which they were in- 
 capable of accomplishing. 
 
 The hull of the vessel being interposed, sheltered the ship- 
 wrecked crew a long time from the beating of the surf; but as 
 she broke up, their situation became more perilous every mo- 
 ment, and they soon found that they should be obliged to 
 abandon the small portion of the rock, which they had reach 
 ed, and wade to another apparently somewhat larger. The 
 first lieutenant, by watching the breaking of the seas, had got 
 safely thither, and it was resolved by the rest to follow his ex- 
 ample. Scarce was this resolution formed, and attempted to 
 be put into execution, when the people encountered an im- 
 mense quantity of loose spars, which were immediately wash- 
 
204 
 
 LOSS OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 
 
 ed info the channel which they had to pass; but necessity 
 would admit of no alternative. Many in crossing between 
 the two rocks were severely wounded; and they suffered more 
 in this undertaking than in gaining the first rock from the 
 ship. The loss of their shoes was now felt in particular, for 
 the sharp rocks tore their feet in a dreadful manner, and the 
 legs of some were covered with blood. 
 
 Day-light beginning to appear, disclosed the horrors by 
 which those unfortunate men were surrounded. The sea was 
 covered with the wreck of their ill fated ship, many of their un- 
 happy comrades were seen floating away on spars and timbers; 
 and the dead and dying were mingled together without a 
 possibility of the survivors affording assistance to any that 
 might still be rescued. Two short hours had been produc- 
 tive of all this misery, the ship destroyed and her crew re- 
 duced to a situation of despair. Their wild and affrighted 
 looks indicated the sensations by which they were agitated; 
 but on being recalled to a sense of their real condition, they 
 saw that they had nothing left but resignation to the will of 
 heaven. 
 
 The shipwrecked mariners now discovered that they were 
 cast avvay on a coral rock almost level wdth the water, about 
 three or four hundred yards long, and two hundred broad. — 
 They were at least tw'elve miles from the nearest islands, 
 which were afterwards found to be those of Cerigotto and 
 Pera, on the north end of Candia, about thirty miles distant. 
 At this time it was reported, that a small boat, with several 
 men, had escaped; and although the fact was true, the uncer- 
 tainty of her fate induced those on the rock to confide in be- 
 ing relieved by any vessel accidentally passing in sight of a 
 signal of distress they had hoisted on a long pole; the neigh- 
 boring islands being too distant. 
 
 The weather had been extremely cold, and the day preced- 
 ing the shipwreck ice had lain on the deck; now, to resist its 
 inclemency, a fire was made, by means of a knife and a flint 
 preserved in the pocket of one of the sailors; and with much 
 difficulty, some damp powder, from a small barrel washed on 
 shore, w'as kindled. A kind of tent was next made, with 
 pieces of old canvass, boards, and such things as could be 
 got about the wreck, and the people were thus enabled to dry 
 the few clothes they had saved. But they passed a long and 
 comfortless night, though partly consoled with the hope of 
 their fire being descried in the dark, and taken for a signal of 
 distrejs. Nor was this hope altogether disappointed. 
 
toss OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR, 
 
 205 
 
 When the ship first struck, a small whale-boat was hang- 
 ing over the quarter, into which, an officer, George Smith 
 the coxswain, and nine men, immediately got, and, lowering 
 themselves into the water, happily escaped. After rowing 
 three or four leagues against a very high sea, and the wind 
 blowing hard, they reached the small island of Pera. This 
 proved to be scarce a mile in circuit, and containing nothing 
 but a few sheep and goats, belonging to the inhabitants of 
 Cerigo, w'ho come in the summer months to carry away their 
 young. They could find no fresh water, except a small resi- 
 due from rain in the hole of a rock, and that was barely suffi- 
 cient though most sparingly used. During the night, having 
 observed the fire above mentioned, the party began to con- 
 jecture that some of their shipmates might have been saved, 
 for until then they had deemed their destruction inevitable. — 
 The coxswain impressed with this opinion, proposed again 
 hazarding themselves in the boat for their relief, and, although 
 some feeble objections were offered against it, he continued 
 resolute to his purpose, and persuaded four others to accompa- 
 ny him. 
 
 About nine in the morning of Tuesday, the second day of 
 the shipwreck, the approach in the little whale-boat was de- 
 scried by those on the rock; all uttered an exclamation of joy, 
 and in return the surprise of ttie coxswain and his crew to 
 find so many of their shipmates still surviving is not to be de- 
 scribed. But the surf lan so high as to endanger the safety 
 of the boat, and several of the people imprudently endeavor- 
 ed to get into it. The coxswain tried to persuade Captain 
 Palmer to come to him, but he steadily refused, saying, “ No, 
 Smith, save your unfortunate shipmates, never mind me.” — • 
 After some little consultation, he desired him to take the 
 Greek piolot on board, and make the best of his way to Cer- 
 rigotto, where the pilot said there were some families of fish • 
 ermen, who doubtless would relieve their necessities. 
 
 But it appeared as if Heaven had ordained the destruction 
 of this unfortunate crew, for, soon after the boat departed, the 
 wind began to increase, and dark clouds gathering around, 
 excited among those remaining behind all their apprehensions 
 for a frightful storm. In a about two hours it commenced 
 with the greatest fury; the waves rose considerably, and soon 
 destroyed the fire. They nearly covered the rock, and com- 
 pelled the men to fly to the highest part for refuge, which was 
 the only one that could afford any shelter. There nearly 
 ninety people passed anight of the greatest horrors; and the 
 
206 
 
 LOSS OF TIIE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 
 
 only means of preventing themselves from being swept away 
 by the surf, which every moment broke over them, was by a 
 small rope fastened round the summit of the rock, and with 
 difficulty holding on by each other. 
 
 The fatigues which the people had previously undergone, 
 added to what they now endured, proved too overpowering to 
 many of their number; several became delirious; their strength 
 was e.xhausted, and they could hold on no longer. Their af- 
 flictions were still further aggravated by an apprehension that 
 the wind, veering more to the north, would raise the sea to 
 their present situation, in which case a single wave would 
 have swept them all into oblivion. 
 
 The hardships which the crew had already suffered were 
 sufficient to terminate existence, and many had met with de- 
 plorable accidents. One in particular, while crossing the 
 channel between the rocks at an unsuitable time, was dashed 
 against them so as to be nearly scalped, and e.xhibited a dread- 
 ful spectacle to his companions. He lingered out the night, 
 and next morning expired. I'he more fortunate survivors 
 were but ill prepared to meet the terrible effects of famine; 
 their strength enfeebled, their bodies unsheltered and aban- 
 doned by hope. Nor were they less alarmed for the fate of 
 their boat. The storm came on before she could have reach- 
 ed the intended island, and on her safety their own depended. 
 But the scene which daylight presented was still more deplora- 
 ble. The survivors belield the corpses of their departed ship- 
 mates, and some still in the agonies of death. They were 
 themselves altogether exhausted, from the sea ail night break- 
 ing over them, and the inclemency of the weather, which was 
 such, that many, among whom was the carpenter, perished 
 from excessive cold. 
 
 But this unfortunate crew had now to suffer a mortification, 
 and to witness an instance of inhumanity, which leaves an 
 eternal stain of infa.my on those who merit the reproach. — 
 Soon after day broke, they observed a vessel with all sail set, 
 coming down before the wind, steering directly for the rock. 
 They made every possible signal of distress which their fee- 
 ble condition admitted, nor without effect, for they were at 
 last seen by the vessel, which bore to and hoisted out her 
 boat. The joy which this occasioned may be easily conceiv- 
 ed, for nothing short of immediate relief was anticipated; and 
 they hastily made preparation for rafts to carry them through 
 the surf, confident that the boat was provided with whatever 
 might administer to their necessities. Approaching still near- 
 
LOSS OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 
 
 207 
 
 cr, she came within pistol-shot, full of men dressed in the 
 European fashion, who after having gazed at them a few 
 minutes, the person who steered, waved his hat to them and 
 then rowed off to his ship. The pain of the shipwrecked 
 people at this barbarous proceeding was acute, and heighten- 
 ed even more by beholding the stranger vessel employed the 
 whole day in taking up the floating remains of that less for- 
 tunate one which had so lately borne them. 
 
 Perhaps the abandoned wretches guilty of so unfeeling an 
 act may one day be disclosed, and it would surely excite lit- 
 tle compassion to learn that they suffered that retribution 
 which such inhuman conduct merits. That people dressed in 
 the habit of Englishmen, though belonging to a different na- 
 tion, could take advantage of misery instead of relieving it, 
 will scarce seem creditable at the present day, were not some 
 instances of a similar nature related elsewhere than in these 
 volumes. 
 
 After this cruel disappointment, and bestowing an anathe- 
 ma which the babarity of the strangers deserved, the thoughts 
 of the people were, during the remainder of the day, directed 
 towards the return of the boat; and being disappointed there 
 also, their dread that she had been lost was only further con- 
 firmed. They began to yield to despondency, and had the 
 gloomy prospect of certain death before them. Thirst then 
 became intolerable; and in spite of being warned against it 
 by instances of the terrific effects ensuing, some in desperation 
 resorted to salt water. Their companions had soon the grief 
 of learning what they would experience by following their ex- 
 ample; in a few hours raging madness followed, and nature 
 could struggle no longer. 
 
 Another awful night was to be passed, yet the weather be- 
 ing considerably more moderate, the sufferers entertained 
 hopes that it would be less disastrous than the one preceding; 
 and to preserve themselves from the cold, they crowded close 
 together and covered themselves with their few remaining 
 rags. But the ravings of their comrades who had drank salt 
 water were truly horrible; all endeavors to quiet them were 
 ineffectual, and the power of sleep lost its influence. In the 
 middle of the night they were unexpectedly hailed by the 
 crew of the whale-boat; but the only object of the people on 
 the rock was water; they cried out to their shipmates for it, 
 though in vain. Earthen vessels only could have been pro- 
 cured, and these would not bear being conveyed through the 
 surf The coxswain then ^aid they should be taken off the 
 
208 
 
 LOSS OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 
 
 rock by a fishing vessel in the morning, and with this assur- 
 ance they were forced to be content. It was some consola- 
 tion to know that the boat was safe, and that relief had so far 
 been obtained. 
 
 All the people anxiously expected morning, and, for the 
 first time since being on the rock, the sun cheered them with 
 its rays. Still the fourth morning came and no tidings either 
 of the boat or vessel. The anxiety of the people increased, 
 for inevitable death from famine, was staring them in the face 
 What were they to do for self-preservation.^ The misery 
 and hunger which they endured, were extreme; they were 
 not ignorant of the means whereby other unfortunate mari- 
 ners in the like situation had protracted life, yet they viewed 
 them with disgust. Still when they had no alternative, they 
 considered their urgent necessities and found them affording 
 some excuse. Offering prayers to Heaven for forgiveness of 
 the sinful act, they selected a young man who had died the 
 preceding night, and ventured to appease their hunger with 
 human flesh. 
 
 Whether the people were relieved is uncertain, for towards 
 evening death had made hasty strides among them, and many 
 brave men drooped under their hardships. Among these were 
 the captain and first lieutenant, two meritorious officers; and 
 the sullen silence now preserved by the survivors, shewed the 
 state of their interna! feelings. Captain Palmer was in the 
 26 th year of his age; amidst his endeavors to comfort those 
 under his command, his companions in misfortune, his person- 
 al injuries were borne with patience and resignation, and no 
 murmurs escaped his lips; his virtuous life whs prematurelv 
 closed by the overwhelming severities of the lamentable ca- 
 tastrophe he had shared. 
 
 During the course of another tedious night, many suggest- 
 ed the possibility of constructing a raft which might carry the 
 survivors to Cerigotto; and the wind being favorable, might 
 enable them to reach that island. At all events, attempting 
 this seemed preferable to remaining on the rock to expire of 
 hunger and thirst. Accordingly, at daylight thev prepared to 
 put their plan in execution. A number of the larger spars 
 were lashed together, and sanguine hopes of success enter- 
 tained. At length the moment of launching the raff: arrived, 
 but it was only to distress the people with new’ disappoint- 
 ments, for a few moments sufficed for the destruction of a 
 work on which the strongest of the party had been occupied 
 hours. Several from this une.^ected failure, became still 
 
LOSS OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 
 
 209 
 
 more desperate, and five resolved to trust themselves on a few 
 small spars slightly lashed together, and on which they had 
 scarce room to stand. Bidding their companions adieu, they 
 launched out into the sea, where they were speedily carried 
 away by unknown currents, and vanished forever from sight. 
 
 Towards the same afternoon, the people were again rejoiced 
 by the sight of the whale-boat, and the coxswain told them 
 that he had experienced great difficulty in prevailing on the 
 Greek fishermen of Cerigotto to venture in their boats, from 
 dread of the weather. Neither would they permit him to 
 take them unaccompanied by themselves; he regretted what 
 his comrades had endured, and his grief at not being able yet 
 to relieve them, but encouraged them with hopes, if the 
 weather remained fine, that next day the boats might come. 
 While the coxswain spoke this, twelve or fourteren men im- 
 prudently plunged from the rock into the sea, and very near- 
 ly reached the boat. Two indeed, got so far as to be taken 
 in, one was drowned and the rest providentially recovered 
 their former station. Those who thus escaped could not but 
 be envied by their companions, while they reproached the in- 
 discretion of the others, who, had they reached the boat, 
 would without all doubt have sunk her, and thus unwittingly 
 consigned the whole to irremediable destruction. 
 
 The people were wholly occupied in reflections on the pass- 
 ing incidents; but their weakness increased as the day elaps- 
 ed; one of the survivors describes himself as feeling the ap- 
 proach of annihilation, that his sight failed, and his senses be- 
 came confused; that his strength was exhausted, and his eyes 
 turned towards the setting sun, under the conviction that he 
 should never see it rise again. Yet on the morning he sur- 
 vived, and he was surprised that Providence willed it should 
 still be so, as several strong men had fallen in the course of 
 the night. While the remainder were contemplating their 
 forlorn condition, and judging this the last day of their lives, 
 the approach of the boats was unexpectedly announced. — 
 From the lowest ebb of despair, they were now elated with the 
 most extravagant joy ; and copious draughts of water, quickly 
 landed, refreshed their languid bodies. Never before did 
 they know the blessings which the single possession of water 
 could afford; it tasted more delicious than the finest wines. 
 
 Anxious preparations were made for immediate departure 
 from a place, which had been fatal to so many unhappy suffer- 
 ers. Of one hundred and twenty-two persons on board the 
 Nautilus when she struck, fifty-eight had perished. Eighteen 
 
210 
 
 LOSS OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR< 
 
 were drowned, it was supposed, at the moment of the catas- 
 trophe, and one in attempting to reach the boat, five were 
 lost on the small raft, and thirty-four died of famine. About 
 fifty now embarked in four fishing vessels, and landed the 
 same evening at the island of Cerigotto, making altogether 
 sixty-four individuals, including those who escaped in the 
 whale-boat. Six days had been passed on the rock, nor had 
 the people, during that time, received any assistance, except- 
 ing from the human flesh of which they had participated. 
 
 The survivors landed at a small creek in the island of Ceri- 
 gotto, after which they had to go to a considerable distance 
 before reaching the dwellings of their friends. Their first 
 care was to send for the master’s mate, who had escaped to 
 the island of Pori, and had been left behind when the whale- 
 boat came down to the rock. Pie and his companions had 
 exhausted all the fresh water, but lived on the sheep and 
 goats, which they caught among the rocks, and had drank 
 their blood. There they had remained in a state of great 
 uncertainty concerning the fate of those who had left them in 
 the boat. 
 
 Though the Greeks could not aid the seamen in the care of 
 their wounds, they treated them with great care and hospi- 
 tality; but medical assistance being important, from the pain 
 the sufferers endured, and having nothing to bind up their 
 wounds but shirts which they tore into bandages, they were 
 eager to reach Cerigo. The island of Cerigotto, where 
 they had landed, was a dependency on the other, about fif- 
 teen miles long, ten broad, and of a barren and unproductive 
 soil, with little cultivation. Twelve or fourteen families of 
 Greek fishermen dwelt upon it, as the pilot had said, who 
 were in a state of extreme poverty. Their houses, or rather 
 huts, consisting of one or two rooms on the same floor, were, 
 in general, built against the side of a rock; the walls compos- 
 ed of clay and straw, and the roof supported by a tree in the 
 centre of the dwelling. Their food was a coarse kind of 
 bread, formed of boiled pease and flour, which was made into 
 a kind of paste for the strangers, with once or twice a bit of 
 kid; and that was all which they could expect from their de- 
 liverers. But they made a liquor from corn, which having an 
 agreeable flavour, and being a strong spirit, was drank with 
 avidity by the sailors. 
 
 Cerigo was about twenty-five miles distant, and there, it 
 was also said, an English consul resided. Eleven days 
 elapsed, however, before the crew could leave Cerigotto, from 
 
LOSS OF THE NAUTILUS SLOOP OF WAR. 211 
 
 the difficulty of persuading the Greeks to adventure to sea, 
 in their frail barks, during tempestuous weather. The wind 
 at last proving fair, with a smooth sea, they bade a grateful 
 adieu to the families of their deliverers, who were tenderly af- 
 fected by their distresses, and shed tears of regret when they 
 departed. In six or eight hours, they reached Cerigo, where 
 they were received with open arms. Immediately on arrival, 
 they were met by the English vice-consul, Signor Manuel 
 Caluci, a native of the island, who devoted his house, bed, 
 credit and whole attention to their service; and the survivors 
 unite in declaring their inability to express the obligations un- 
 der which he laid them. The governor, commandant, bishop 
 and principal people, all shewed equal hospitality, care and 
 friendship, and exerted themselves to render the time agreea- 
 ble; insomuch that it was with no little regret that these ship- 
 wrecked mariners thought of forsaking the island. 
 
 After the people had remained three weeks at Cerigo, they 
 learnt that a Russian ship of war lay at anchor off the Morea, 
 about twelve leagues distant, being driven in by bad weather, 
 and immediately sent letters to her commanding officer, nar- 
 rating their misfortunes and soliciting a passage to Corfu. — 
 The master of the NautiluS'determining to make the most of 
 the opportunity, took a boat to reach the Russian vessel; but 
 he was at first so unfortunate as to be blown on the rocks in 
 a heavy gale of wind, where he nearly perished, and the boat 
 was staved in pieces. However, he luckily got to the ship, 
 and after some difficulty, succeeded in procuring the desired 
 passage for himself and his companions to Corfu. Her com- 
 mander, to accommodate them, came down to Cerigo, and 
 anchored at a small port called St. Nicholas, at the eastern 
 extremity ot the island. The English embarked on the 5th, 
 but, owing to contrary winds, did not sail until the 15th of 
 February, when they bade farewell to their friends. They 
 next touched at Zante, another small island, abounding in 
 currants and olives, the oil from the latter of which consti- 
 tutes the chief riches of the people. After remaining there 
 four days, they sailed for Corfu, where they arrived on the 
 2d of March 1807, nearly two months after the date of their 
 shipwreck. 
 
212 
 
 WRECK OP A SLAVE SHIP. 
 
 WRECK OF A SLAVE SHIP. 
 
 The following extract of a letter from Philadelphia, dated 
 November 11th, 1762, gives an account of the melancholy 
 disaster that befel the Phoenix, Capt. M’Gacher, in lat. 37 
 deg. N. and Lon. 72 deg. \V. from London, bound to Potomac, 
 in Maryland, from the coast of Africa, with 332 slaves on 
 board. 
 
 “ On Wednesday the 20th of October 1762, at six o’clock 
 in the evening, came on a most violent gale of wind at south, 
 with thunder and lightning, the sea running very high, when 
 the ship sprung a leak, and we were obliged to lie-to under 
 bare poles, the water gained on us with both pumps constantly 
 working. 10 P. M. endeavored to put the ship before the 
 wind to no purpose. At twelve the sand ballast having chok- 
 ed our pumps, and there being seven feet water in the hold, 
 all the Casks afloat, and the ballast shifted to leeward, cut away 
 the rigging of the main and mizen masts, both of which went in- 
 stantly close by the deck, and immediately after the foremast 
 was carried away about twenty feet above. Hove overboard 
 all our guns, upon which the ship righted a little. We were 
 then under a necessity of letting all our slaves out of irons, to 
 assist in pumping and baling. 
 
 “ Thursday morning being moderate, having gained about 
 three feet on the ship, we found every cask in the hold stove 
 to pieces, so that we only saved a barrel of flour, 10 lbs. of 
 bread, twenty-five gallons of wine, beer, and shrub, and twenty- 
 five gallons of spirits. The seamen and slaves were employ- 
 ed all this day in pumping and baling ; the pumps were fre- 
 quently choked, and brought up great quantities of sand. We 
 were obliged to hoist one of the pumps up, and put it down the 
 quarter deck hatchway. A ship this day bore down upon us, 
 and, though very near, and we making every signal of distress, 
 she would not speak to us. 
 
 “ On Friday, the men slaves being very sullen and unruly, 
 having had no sustenance of any kind for forty-eight hours, 
 except a dram, we put one half of the strongest of them in 
 irons. 
 
THK WRECK'D SEAiMEN. 
 
 213 
 
 “ On Saturday and Sunday, all hands night and day could 
 scarce keep the ship clear, and were constantly under arms. 
 
 “ On Monday morning, many of the slaves had got out of 
 irons, and were attempting to break up the gratings ; and the 
 seamen not daring to go down in the hold to clear the pumps, 
 we were obliged, for the preservation of our own lives, to kill 
 fifty of the ringleaders and stoutest of them. 
 
 “ It is impossible to describe the misery the poor slaves under- 
 went, having had no fresh water for five days. Their dismal 
 cries and shrieks, and most frightful looks, added a great deal 
 to our misfortunes ; four of them were found dead, and one 
 drowned herself in the hold. This evening the water gained 
 )n us, and three seamen dropped down with fatigue and thirst, 
 which could not be quenched, though wine, rum, and shrub 
 were given them alternately. On Thursday morning the ship 
 had gained, during the night, above a foot of water, and the 
 seamen quite worn out, and many of them in despair. About 
 ten in the forenoon we saw a sail ; about two she discovered 
 us, and bore down ; at five spoke to us, being the King George, 
 of Londonderry, James Mackay, master; he immediately pro- 
 mised to take us on board, and hoisted out his yawl, it then 
 blowing very fresh. The gale increasing, prevented him from 
 saving any thing but the white people’s lives, not even any of 
 our clothes, or one slave, the boat being scarcely able to live 
 in the sea the last trip she made. Capt. Mackay and some 
 gentlemen, passengers he had on board, treated us with kind- 
 ness and humanity.’ 
 
 THE WRECKED SEAMEN. 
 
 The annexed thrilling sketch is extracted from the “ Life ot 
 a Sailor, by a Captain in the British Navy.” It relates to 
 the exposures of the crew of the IMagpie, who had taken to 
 the boat, after their shipwreck on the coast of Cuba. The 
 boat was unset: — the storm continues: — 
 
214 
 
 THE wreck’d seamen. 
 
 “ Even in this moment of peril, the discipline of the navy 
 assumed its command. At the order from the lieutenant for 
 the men on the keel to relinquish their position they instantly 
 obeyed, the boat was turned over and once more the expedient 
 was tried — but quite in vain; for no sooner had the two men 
 begun to bail with a couple of hats, and the safety of the 
 crew to appear within the bounds of probability, than one 
 man declared he saw the fin of a shark. IVo language can 
 convey an idea of the panic which seized the struggling sea- 
 men; a shark is at all times an object of horror to a sailor; and 
 those who have seen the destructive jaws of this voracious 
 fish, and their immense and almost incredible power — their 
 love of blood and their bold daring to obtain it, alone can 
 form an idea of the sensations produced in a swimmer by the cry 
 of “ a shark! a shark!’’ Every man now struggled to obtain 
 a moment’s safety. Well they knew that one drop of blood 
 would have been scented by the everlasting pilot-fish, the jack- 
 alls of the shark; and that their destruction was inevitable, if 
 one only of these monsters should discover this rich repast, 
 or be led to its food by the little rapid hunter of its prey. — 
 All discipline was now unavailing, the boat again turned keel 
 up; one man only gained his security to be pushed from it by 
 others and thus their strength begun to fail from long continu- 
 ed exertion. However, as tlie enemy so much dreaded did 
 not make its appearance. Smith once more urged them to en- 
 deavor to save themselves by the only means left, that of the 
 boat; but as he knew tliat he would- only increase their alarm 
 by endeavoring to persude them that sharks did not abound in 
 these parts, he used the wisest plan of desiring those who 
 held on by the gun-wale, to keep splashing in the water with 
 their legs, in order to frighten the monsters at which they 
 were so alarmed. Once more had hope began to dawn: — 
 the boat was clear to her thwarts, and four men were in her 
 hard at work; a little forbearance and a little obedience, and 
 they were safe. At this moment, when those in the water 
 urged their messmates in the boat to continue bailing with un- 
 remitted exertion, a noise was heard close to them, and about 
 fifteen sharks came right in amongst them. The panic was 
 ten times more dreadful than before; the boat was again up- 
 set by the simultaneous endeavor to escape the danger; and 
 the twenty-two sailors were again devoted to destruction. — 
 At first the sharks did not seem inclined to seize their prey, 
 but swam in amongst the men, playing in the water, some- 
 times leaping about and rubbing against their victims. This 
 
THE wreck’d seamen. 
 
 215 
 
 was of short duration, a loud shriek from one of the men an- 
 nounced his sudden pain; a shark had seized him by the lejf, 
 and severed it entirely from the body. No sooner had the 
 blood been tasted than the long dreaded attack took place; an- 
 other and another shriek proclaimed a loss of limbs; some 
 were torn from the boat to which they vainly endeavored to 
 cling; some, it was supposed, sunk from fear alone; all were 
 in dreadful peril. Mr. Smith, even now, when of all horrible 
 deaths the most horrible seemed to await him, gave his orders 
 with clearness and coolness; and to the everlasting honor of 
 the poor departed crew be it known, they were obeyed; again 
 the boat was righted, and again two mon were in her. In- 
 credible as it may appear, still, however, it is true, that the 
 voice of the officer was heard amidst the danger; and the 
 survivors, actually as before, clung to the gun-wale, and kept 
 the boat upright. Mr. Smith himself held to the stern, and 
 cheered and applauded Iiis men. The sharks had tasted the 
 blood, and were not to be driven from tlieir feast; in one short 
 moment, w'hen Mr. Smith ceased splashing as he looked into 
 the boat to watch the progress, a shark seized both legs, and 
 bit them off just above the knees. Human nature was not 
 strong enough to bear the immense pain without a groan; 
 but Mr. Smith endeavored to conceal the misfortune, nature, 
 true to herself, resisted the endeavor, and the groan was 
 deep and audible. The crew had long respected their gallant 
 commander; they knew his worth and his courage: — on hear- 
 ing him express his pain, and seeing him relinquish his hold 
 to sink, two of the men grasped their dying officer, and placed 
 him in the stern sheets. Even now in almost insupportable 
 agony, that gallant fellow forgot his own sufferings, and 
 thought only on rescuing the remaining few from the untimely 
 grave which awaited them; he told them again of their only 
 hope, deplored their perilous state, and concluded with these 
 words; “ if any of you survive this fatal night, and return to 
 Jamaica, tell the admiral (Sir Lawrence Halstead) that I was 
 in search of the pirate when this lamentable occurrence took 
 place, tell him I hope I have always done my duty, and that I — ” 
 Here the endeavor of some of the men to get into the boat 
 gave her a heel on one side; the men who were supporting 
 poor Smith relinquished him fora moment, and he rolled over- 
 board and was drowned. His last bubbling cry was soon lost 
 amidst the shrieks of his former companions, he sunk to rise 
 no more. 
 
 At eight o’clock in the evening the Magpie was upset ; it 
 
216 
 
 THE wreck’d seamen. 
 
 was calculated by the two survivors, that their companions had 
 all died by nine. The sharks seemed satisfied for the moment, 
 and they, with gallant hearts, resolved to profit by the precious 
 time in order to save themselves; they righted the boat, and 
 one getting over the bows, and the other over the stern, they 
 found themselves although nearly exhausted, yet alive, and in 
 comparative security, they began the work of bailing, and 
 soon lightened the boat sufficiently not to be easily upset, 
 when both set down to rest. The return of the sharks was a 
 signal for their return to labor. The voracious monsters en- 
 deavored to upset the boat; they swam by its side in seeming 
 anxiety for their prey , but after waiting sometime, they separat- 
 ed; the two rescued seamen, found themselves free from their 
 insatiable enemies, and, by the blessing of God, saved. — 
 Tired as they were, they continued their labor until the boat 
 was nearly dry, when both lay down to rest, the one forward, 
 and the other aft; so completely had fear operated on their 
 minds, that they did not dare even to move, dreading that an 
 incautious step might have capsized the boat. They soon, in 
 spite of the horrors they had witnessed, fell into a sound 
 sleep, and day had dawned before they awoke to horrible re- 
 flections, and apparently worse dangers. The sun rose cleat 
 and unclouded; the cool calm of the night was followed by 
 the sultry calm of the morning, and heat, hunger, thirst and 
 fatigue, seemed to settle on the unfortunate men, recued by 
 Providence and their own exertions ffiom the jaws of a horri- 
 ble death. They awoke and looked at each other, the very 
 gaze of despair was appalling; far as the eye could reach, no 
 object could be descerned; the bright haze of the morning 
 added to the strong refraction of light; one smooth, intermi- 
 nable plain, one endless ocean, one cloudless sky and one 
 burning sun, were all they -had to gaze upon. The boat lay 
 like the ark, in a world, alone! They had no oar, no mast 
 and no sail, nothing but the bare planks aiffi themselves, with- 
 out provisions or water, food or raiment. They lay upon the 
 calm ocean, hopeless, friendless and miserable. It was a 
 time of intense anxiety, their eyes rested upon each other in 
 silent pity, not unniixed with fear. Each knew the dreadful 
 alternative to which nature would urge them. The cannibal 
 was already in their looks, and fearful would have been the 
 first attack on either side, for they were both brave and stout 
 men, and equals in strength and courage. 
 
 It now being about half past six in the morning, the sun 
 was begining to prove its burning power, the sea was as 
 
THE wreck’d seamen. 
 
 217 
 
 smooth as a looking glass, and saving now and then, the slight 
 cat’s paw of air, which ruffled the face of the water for a 
 few yards, all was calm and hushed. In vain they strained 
 their eyes, in vain they turned from side to side to escape the 
 burning rays of the sun; they could not sleep, for now anxie- 
 ty and fear kept both vigilant and on their guard; they dared 
 not to court sleep, for that might have been the last of mortal 
 repose. Once they nearly quarrelled, but fortunately the bet- 
 ter feelings of humanity overcame the bitterness of despair. 
 The foremost man had long complained of thirst, and had 
 frequently dipped his hand into the water, and sucked the fluid; 
 this was hastily done, for all the horrors of the night were 
 still before them, and not unfrequently the sharp fin of a 
 shark was seen not very far from the boat. In the midst ',i 
 the excruciating torments of thirst, heightened by the salt wa- 
 ter, and the irritable temper of the bowman, as he stamped 
 his impatient feet against the bottom boards, and tore his hair 
 with unfeeling indifference, he suddenly stopped the expres- 
 sion of rage and called out — “ a sail!” 
 
 Whilst they stood watching in silence the approach of the 
 brig, which slowly made her way through the water, and at 
 the very instant that they were assuring each other that they 
 were seen, and that the vessel was purposely steered on the 
 course she was keeping, to reach them, the whole fabric of 
 hope was destroyed in a second; the brig kept away about 
 three points, and began to make more sail. Then was it an 
 awful moment; their countenances saddened as they looked 
 at each other; for in vain they hailed, in vain they threw their 
 jackets in the air; it was evident they had never been seen, 
 and that the brig was steering her proper course. 
 
 The time was slipping away, and if once they got abaft the 
 beam of the brig, every second would lessen the chance of 
 being seen, besides, the sea breeze might come down, and 
 then she would be far, away, and beyond all hope in a quarter 
 of an hour. Now wms it, that the man who had been so loud- 
 ly lamenting his fate, seemed suddenly inspired with fresh 
 hope and courage, he looked attentively at the brig, then at 
 his companion, and said “ by heaven I’ll do it, or we are lost!” 
 “ Do what?” said his shipmate. “ Though,” said the first man, 
 “ it is no trifle to do, after what we have seen and known; yet 
 I will try, for if she passes us, what can we do? I tell you 
 Jack, I’ll swim to her, if I get safe to her, you are saved, if 
 not, why I shall die without adding, perhaps, murder to my 
 crimes.” “ What! jump overboard, and leave me all alone!’ 
 VOL. II. 10 
 
218 
 
 THE WEECk’d seamen. 
 
 replied his companion, “ look, look at that shark, which has 
 followed us all night, why it is only waiting for you to get in- 
 to the water to swallow you, as it did perhaps half of our 
 messmates; no, no, wait, do wait, perhaps another vessel may 
 come, besides, I cannot swim half the distance, and I should 
 be afraid to remain behind, think, Toni, only think of the 
 sharks and of last night.” 
 
 He jumped overboard with as much calmness as if he was 
 bathing in security. JVo sooner had he began to strike out in 
 the direction he intended, than his companion turned towards 
 the sharks. The first had disappeared, and it was evident 
 they had heard the splash, and would soon follow their prey. 
 It is hard to say who suffered the most anxiety. The one left 
 in the boat cheered his companion, looked at the brig, and 
 kept waving his jacket, then turned to watch the sharks; his 
 horror may be imagined when he saw three of these terrific 
 monsters sw'im past the boat, exactly in the direction of his 
 companion; he splashed his jacket in the water to scare them 
 away, but they seemed quite aware of the impotency of the 
 attack, and lazily pursued their course. The man swam well 
 and strongly. There was no doubt he would pass within 
 hail of the brig, provided the sharks did not interfere, and he, 
 knowing that they would not be long in following him, kept 
 kicking in the water and splashing as he swam. There is no 
 fish more cowardly, and yet more desperately savage than a 
 shark. I have seen one harpooned twice, with a hook in his 
 jaws, and come again to a fresh bait, yet will they suffer them- 
 selves to be scared by the smallest noise, and hardly ever take 
 their prey without it is quite still. Generally speaking, any 
 place surrounded by rocks where the surf breaks, although 
 there maybe no passage for a ship, will be secure from sharks. 
 It was not until a great distance had been accomplished, that 
 the swimmer became apprized of his danger, and saw by his 
 side one of the terrific creatures; still however, he bravely 
 swam and kicked, his mind was made up for the worst, and he 
 had little hope of success. In the meantime the breeze had 
 gradually freshened, and the brig passed with greater velocity 
 through the water; every stitch of canvas was spread. To 
 the poor swimmer the sails seemed bursting with the breeze, 
 and as he used his utmost endeavor to propel himself so as to 
 cut off the vessel, the spray appeared to dash from the bow 
 and the brig to fly through the sea. He was now close 
 enough to hope his voice might be heard; but he hailed and 
 liailed in vain, not a soul was to be seen on deck; the man 
 
ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 219 
 
 who steered was too intent upon his avocation to listen to the 
 call of mercy. The brig passed, and the swimmer was every 
 second getting further in the distance, every hope was gone, 
 not a ray ot that bright divinity remained; the fatigue had 
 nearly exhausted him, and the sharks only waited for the first 
 quiet moment to swallow their victim. It was in vain he 
 thought of returning towards the boat, for he never could 
 have reached her, and his companion had no means of assist- 
 ing him. In the act of offering up his last prayer ere he 
 made un his mind to float and be eaten, he saw a man looking 
 over the quarter of the brig; he raised both his hands, he 
 jumped himself up in the water, and by the singularity of his 
 motions, fortunately attracted notice. A telescope soon made 
 clear the object; the brig was hove to, a boat sent, and the 
 man saved. The attention of the crew was then awakened 
 to the Magpie’s boat; she was soon alongside, and thus through 
 the bold exertions of as gallant a fellow as ever breathed, both 
 were rescued from their perilous situation. 
 
 ADVENTURES OF THILIP ASHTON, 
 
 WHO, AFTER ESCAPING FROM PIRATES, LIVED SIXTEEN MONTHS 
 IN SOLITUDE O.N A DESOLATE ISLAND. 
 
 On Friday the 15th of .June 1722, after being out some 
 time in a schooner with four men and a hoy, off Cape Sable, 
 I stood in for Port Rossaway, designing to lie there all Sun- 
 day. Having arrived about four in the afternoon, we saw, 
 among other vessels which had reached the port before us, a 
 brigantine supposed to be inward bound from the West Indies. 
 After remaining three or four hours at anchor, a boat from the 
 brigantine came alongside, with four hands, who leapt on 
 deck, and suddenly drawing out pistols, and brandishing cut- 
 lasses, demanded the surrender both of ourselves and our 
 vessel. All remonstrance was vain ; nor indeed, had we 
 known who they were before boarding us, could we have 
 made any effectual resistance, being only five men and 
 
220 
 
 ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 a boy, and were thus under the necessity of submitting at dis- 
 cretion. We were not single in misfortune, as thirteen or 
 fourteen fishing-vessels were in like manner surprised the 
 same evening. 
 
 When carried on board the brigantine, I found myself in 
 the hands of Ned Low, an infamous pirate, whose vessel had 
 two great guns, four swivels, and about forty-two men. I was 
 strongly urged to sign the articles of agreement among the 
 pirates, and to join their number, which I steadily refused, 
 and suffered much bad usage in consequence. At length 
 being conducted, along with five of the prisoners, to the 
 quarter-deck. Low came up to us with pistols in his hand, and 
 loudly demanded, “ Are any of you married men ?” This un- 
 expected question, added to the sight of the pistols, struck us 
 all speechless ; we were alarmed lest there was some secret 
 meaning in his words, and that he would proceed to extrem- 
 ities, therefore none could reply. Tn a violent passion he 
 cocked a pistol, and clapping it to my head, cried out, “ \ ou 
 dog, why don’t you answer ?” swearing vehemently at the 
 same time that he would shoot me through the head. I was 
 sufficiently terrified by his threats and fierceness, but rather 
 than lose my life in so trifling a matter, I ventured to pro- 
 nounce, as loud as I durst speak, that I was not married. 
 Hereupon he seemed to be somewhat pacified, and turned 
 away. 
 
 It appeared that IjOw was resolved to take no married men 
 whatever, which often seemed surprising to me until I had 
 been a considerable time with him. But his own wife had 
 died lately before he became a pirate ; and he had a young 
 child at Boston, for whom he entertained ^uch tenderness, on 
 every lucid interval from drinking and reveOing, that, on men- 
 tioning it, I have seen him sit down aitik weep plentifullv. 
 Th us I concluded, that his reason for taking only single men, 
 was probably, that they might have no tids, such as wives and 
 children, to divert them from his service, and render them de- 
 sirous of returning home. 
 
 The pirates finding force of no avail in compelling us to 
 join them, began to use persuasion instead of it. They tried 
 to flatter me into compliance, by setting before me the share 
 I should have in their spoils, and the riches which I should 
 become master of ; and all the time eagerly importuned me 
 to drink along with them. But I still continued to resist 
 their proposals, whereupon Low, with equal fury as before, 
 threatened to shoot me through the head j and though I ear- 
 
ADVENTURES OP PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 221 
 
 nestly entreated my release, he and his people wrote my name, 
 and that of my companions, in their books. 
 
 On the 19th of June, the pirates changed the privateer, as 
 they called their vessel, and went into a new schooner be- 
 longing to Marblehead, which they had captured. They then 
 put all the prisoners, whom they designed sending home, on 
 board of the brigantine, and sent her to Boston, which induc- 
 ed me to make another unsuccessful attempt for liberty ; but 
 though I fell on my knees to Low, he refused to let me go : 
 thus I saw the brigantine depart, with the whole captives, ex- 
 cepting myself and seven more. 
 
 Very short time before she departed, I had nearly effected 
 my escape ; for a dog belonging to Low being accidentally 
 left on shore, he ordered some hands into a boat to bring it off. 
 Thereupon two young men, captives, both belonging to Mar- 
 blehead, readily leapt into the boat, and I considering, that if 
 I could once get on shore, means might be found of effecting 
 my escape, endeavored to go along with them. But the 
 quarter-master, called Russell, catching hold of my shoulder, 
 drew me back. As the young men did not return, bethought 
 I was privy to their plot, and, with the most outrageous oaths, 
 snapped his pistol, on my denying all knowledge of it. The 
 pistol missing fire, however, only served to enrage him the 
 more : he snapped it three times again, and as often it missed 
 fire ; on which he held it overboard, and then it went off. Rus- 
 sel on this drew his cutlass, and was about to attack me in 
 the utmost fury, when I leapt down into the hold and saved 
 myself. 
 
 Off St. Michael’s the pirates took a large Portuguese pink, 
 laden with wheat, coming out of the road ; and being a good 
 sailor, and carrying 14 guns, transferred their company into 
 her. It afterwards became necessary to careen her, whence 
 they made three islands, called Triangles, lying about 40 
 leagues to the eastward of Surinam. 
 
 In heaving down the pink. Low had ordered so many men 
 to the shrouds and yards, that the ports, by her heeling, got 
 under water, and the sea rushing in, she overset ; he and tlie 
 doctor were then in the cabin, and as soon as he observed the 
 water gushing in, he leaped out of the stern port, while the 
 doctor attempted to follow him. But the violence of the sea 
 repulsed the latter, and he was forced back into the cabin. 
 Low, however, contrived to thrust his arm into the port, and 
 dragging him out, saved his life. Meanwhile, the vessel com- 
 
222 
 
 ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 pletely overset. Her keel turned out of the water ; but as the 
 hull filled, she sunk, in the depth of about six fathoms. 
 
 The yard-arms striking the ground, forced the masts some- 
 what above the water ; as the ship overset, the people got 
 from the shrouds and yards, upon the hull, and as the hull 
 went down, they again resorted to the rigging, rising a little 
 out of the sea. 
 
 Being an indifferent swimmer, I was reduced to great ex- 
 tremity ; for, along with other light lads, I had been sent up 
 to the main-top-gallant yard ; and the people of a boat, who 
 were now occupied in preserving the men refusing to take me 
 in, I was compelled to attempt reaching the buoy. This I 
 luckily accomplished, and as it was large secured myself there 
 until the boat approached. I once more requested the people 
 to take me in, but they still refused, as the boat was full. I 
 was uncertain whether they designed leaving me to perish in 
 this situation ; however, the boat being deeply laden, made 
 way very slowly, and one of my comrades, captured at the 
 same time with myself, calling to me to forsake the buoy and 
 swim towards her, I assented, and reaching the boat, he drew 
 me on board. Two men, John Bell, and Zana Gourdon, 
 were lost in the pink. 
 
 Though the schooner in company was very near at hand, 
 her people were employed mending their sails under an awn- 
 ing, and knew nothing of the accident until the boat full of 
 men, got alongside. 
 
 The pirates having thus lost their principal vessel, and the 
 greatest part of their provisions and water, were reduced to 
 great extremities for want of the latter. They were unable to 
 get a supply at the Triangles, nor on account of calms and 
 currents, could they make the island of Tobago. Thus they 
 were forced to stand for Grenada, which they reached, after 
 being on short allowance for sixteen days together 
 
 Grenada was a French settlement, and Low, on arriving, 
 after having sent all his men, except a sufficient number to 
 manoeuvre the vessel, below, said he was from Barbadoes ; 
 that he had lost the water on board, and was obliged to put in 
 here for a supply. 
 
 The people entertained no suspicion of his being a pirate, 
 but afterwards supposing him a smuggler, thought it a good 
 opportunity to make a prize of his vessel. jVext day, there- 
 fore, they equipped a large sloop of 70 tons, and four guns, 
 with about 30 hands, as sufficient for the capture, and came 
 alongside, while Low was quite unsuspicious of their design. 
 
ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 223 
 
 But this being evidently betrayed by their number and actions^ 
 he quickly called 90 men on deck, and, having 8 guns mount- 
 ed, the French sloop became an easy prey. 
 
 Provided with these two vessels, the pirates cruised about 
 in the West Indies, taking seven or eight prizes, and at length 
 arrived at the island of Santa Cruz, where they captured two 
 more. While lying there. Low thought he stood in need of a 
 medicine chest, and, in order to procure one, sent four French' 
 men, in a vessel he had taken, to St. Thomas’s, about twelve 
 leagues distant, with money to purchase it ; promising them 
 liberty, and the return of all their vessels, for the service. 
 But he declared at the same time, if it proved otherwise, 
 he would kill the rest of the men, and burn the vessels. In 
 little more than twenty-four hours, the Frenchmen returned 
 with the object of their mission, and Low punctually perform- 
 ed his promise by restoring the vessels. 
 
 Having sailed for the Spanish American settlements, the 
 pirates descried two large ships, about half way between Car- 
 thagena and Portobello, which proved to be the Mermaid, an 
 English man-of-war, and a Guineaman. They approached in 
 chase until discovering the man-of-war’s great range of teeth, 
 when they immediately put about, and made the best of their 
 way off. The man-of-war then commenced the pursuit, and 
 gained upon them apace, and I confess that my terrors were 
 now equal to any that I had previously suffered ; for I con- 
 cluded that we should certainly be taken, and that I should no 
 less certainly be hanged for company’s sake ; so true are the 
 words of Solomon, “ A companion of fools shall be destroyed.” 
 But the two pirate vessels finding themselves outsailed, sepa- 
 rated, and Farrington Spriggs, who commanded the schooner 
 in which I was, stood in for the shore. The Mermaid observ- 
 ing the sloop with Low himself to be the larger of the two, 
 crowded all sail, and continued gaining still more, indeed un- 
 til her shot flew over ; but one of the sloop’s crew shewed Low 
 a shoal, which he could pass, and in the pursuit the man-of- 
 war grounded. Thus the pirates escaped hanging on this 
 occasion. 
 
 Spriggs and one of his chosen companions dreading the 
 consequences of being captured , and brought to justice, laid 
 their pistols beside them in the interval, and pledging a mu- 
 tual oath in a bumpei of liquor, swore, if they saw no possibil- 
 ity of escape, to set foot to foot, and blow out each other’s 
 brains. But standing towards the shore, they made Pickeroon 
 Bay, and escaped the danger. 
 
224 
 
 ADVENTURES OP PHILIP ASHTOJf. 
 
 Next we repaired to a small island called Utilla, about 
 seven or eight leagues to leeward ot the island of Roatan, in 
 the Bay of Honduras, where the bottom of the schooner was 
 cleaned. There were now twenty-two persons on board, and 
 eight of us engaged in a plot to overpower our masters, and 
 make our escape. Spriggs proposed sailing for New England, 
 in quest of provisions, and to increase his company ; and we 
 intended on approaching the coast, when the rest had indul- 
 ged freely in liquor, and fallen sound asleep, to secure them 
 under the hatches, and then deliver ourselves up to govern- 
 ment. 
 
 Although our plot was carried on with all possible privacy, 
 Spriggs had somehow or other got intelligence of it ; and 
 having fallen in with Low on the voyage, went on board his 
 ship to make a furious declaration against us. But Low made 
 little account of his information, otherwise it might have been 
 fatal to most of our number. Spriggs, however, returned 
 raging to the schooner, exclaiming, that four of us should go 
 forward to be shot, and to me in particular he said, “ You dog 
 Ashton, you deserve to be hanged up at the yard-arm for de- 
 signing to cut us off. ’ I replied, “ that I had no intention of 
 injuring any man on board ; but I should be glad if they would 
 allow me to go away quietly.” At length this flame was 
 quenched, and, through the goodness of God, I escaped de- 
 struction. 
 
 Roatan harbour, as all about the Bay of Honduras, is full 
 of small islands, which pass under the general name of Keys ; 
 and having got in here, Low, with some of his chief men, 
 landed on a small island, which they called Port Royal Key. 
 There they erected huts, and continued carousing, drinking, 
 and firing, while the different vessels, of wliich they now had 
 possession, were repairing. 
 
 On Saturday the 9th of INlarch 172.3, the cooper, with si.x 
 hands, in the long-boat, was going ashore for water ; and com- 
 ing alongside of the schooner, I requested to be of the party. 
 Seeing him hesitate, I urged that I had never hitherto been 
 ashore, and thought it hard to be so closely confined, when 
 every one besides had the liberty of landing as there was oc- 
 casion. Low had before told me, on requesting to be sent 
 away in some of the captured vessels which he dismissed, that 
 I should go home when he did, and swore that I should never 
 previously set my foot on land. But now I considered, if I 
 could possibly once get on terra firma, though in ever such 
 bad circumstances, I should account it a happy deliverance, 
 and resolved never to embark again. 
 
ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 225 
 
 The cooper at length took me into the long-boat, while Low, 
 and his chief people, were on a different island from Roatan, 
 where the watering place lay ; my only clothing was an Osna- 
 burgh frock and trowsers, a milled cap, but neither shirt, 
 shoes, stockings, nor any thing else. 
 
 When we first landed, I was very active in assisting to get 
 the casks out of the boat, and in rolling them to the watering- 
 place. Then taking a hearty draught of water, I strolled 
 along the beach, picking up stones and shells ; but on reach- 
 ing the distance of a musket-shot from the party, I began to 
 withdraw towards the skirts of the woods. In answer to a 
 question by the cooper of whither I was going ? I replied, 
 “ for cocoa nuts, as some cocoa trees were just before me 
 and as soon as I was out of sight of my companions, I took to 
 my heels, running as fast as the thickness of the bushes and 
 my naked feet would admit. Notwithstanding I had got a 
 considerable way into the woods, I was still so near as to hear 
 the voices of the party if they spoke loud, and I lay close in a 
 thicket where I knew they could not find me. 
 
 After my comrades had filled their casks, and were about to 
 depart, the cooper called on me to accompany them ; how- 
 ever, I lay snug in the thicket, and gave him no answer, 
 though his words were plain enough. At length, after hal- 
 looing loudly, I could hear them say to one another, “ The 
 dog is lost in the woods, and cannot find the way out again 
 then they hallooed once more, and cried “ he has run away 
 and wont come to us and the cooper observed, that, had he 
 known my intention, he would not have brought me ashore. 
 Satisfied of their inability to find me among the trees and 
 bushes, the cooper at last, to show his kindness, exclaimed, 
 “ If you do not come away presently, I shall go off and leave 
 you alone.” Nothing, however, could induce me to discover 
 myself ; and my comrades seeing it vain to wait any longer, 
 put off without me. 
 
 Thus I was left on a desolate island, destitute of all help, 
 and remote from the track of navigators ; but compared with 
 the state and society I had quitted, I considered the wilder- 
 ness hospitable, and the solitude interesting. 
 
 When I thought the whole were gone, I emerged from my 
 thicket, and came down to a small run of water, about a mile 
 from the place where our casks were filled, and there sat 
 down to observe the proceedings of the pirates. To my great 
 joy, in five days their vessels sailed, and I saw the schooner 
 part from them to shape a different course. 
 
 VOL. II. 10 * 
 
226 
 
 ADTENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTOH. 
 
 I then began to reflect on myself and my present condition 
 I was on an island which I had no means of leaving ; I knew 
 of no human being within many miles ; my clothing was 
 scanty, and it was impossible to procure a supply. I was al- 
 together destitute of provision, nor could tell how my life was 
 to be supported. This melancholy prospect drew a copious 
 flood of tears from my eyes ; but as it had pleased God to 
 grant rny wishes in being liberated from those whose occupa- 
 tion was devising mischief against their neighbors, I resolved 
 to account every hardship light. Yet Low would never suffer 
 his men to work on the Sabbath, which was more devoted to 
 play ; and I have even seen some of them sit down to read in 
 a good book. 
 
 In order to ascertain how I was to live in time to come, I be- 
 gan to range over the island, which proved ten or eleven 
 leagues long, and lay in about 16 deg. north latitude. But I 
 soon found that my only companions would be the beasts of 
 the earth, and fowls of the air ; for there were no indications 
 of any habitations on the island, though every now and then I 
 found some shreds of earthen ware scattered in a lime walk, 
 said by some to be the remains of Indians formerly dwelling 
 here. 
 
 The island was well watered, full of high hills and deep 
 vallies. Numerous fruit trees, such as figs, vines, and cocoa- 
 nuts are found in the latter ; and I found a kind larger than 
 an orange, oval-shaped, of a brownish color v.ithout, and red 
 within. Though many of these had fallen under the trees, I 
 could not venture to take them, until I saw the wild hogs feed- 
 ing with safety, and then 1 found them very delicious fruit. 
 
 Stores of provisions abounded here, though I could avail my- 
 self of nothing but the fruit ; for I had no knife or iron imple- 
 ment, either to cut up a tortoise on turning it, or weapons 
 wherewith to kill animals ; nor had I any means of making a 
 fire to cook my capture, even if I were successful. 
 
 Sometimes I entertained thoughts of digging pits, and cover- 
 ing them over with small branches of trees, for the purpose of 
 taking hogs or deer ; but I wanted a shovel and every sub- 
 stitute for the purpose, and I was soon convinced that my 
 hands were in sufficient to make a cavity deep enough to retain 
 what should fall into it. Thus I was forced to rest satisfied 
 with fruit, which was to be esteemed very good provision for 
 any one in my condition. 
 
 In process of time, while poking among the sand with a stick, 
 in quest of tortoise eggs, which I had heard were laid in the 
 
ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 227 
 
 sand, part of one came up adhering to it ; and, on removing 
 the sand, I found nearly an hundred and fifty, which had not 
 lain long enough to spoil. Therefore, taking some, I ate them, 
 and strung others on a strip of palmeto, which being hung up 
 in the sun, became thick and somewhat hard ; so that they 
 were more palatable. After all, they were not very savoury 
 food, though one, who had nothing but what fell from the trees, 
 behoved to be content. Tortoises lay their eggs in the sand, 
 in holes about a foot or a foot and a half deep, and smooth the 
 surface over them, so that there is no discovering where they 
 lie. According to the best of my observation, the young are 
 hatched in eighteen or twenty days, and then immediately take 
 to the water. 
 
 Many serpents are on this and the adjacent islands ; one, 
 about twelve or fourteen feet long, is as large as a man’s waist, 
 but not poisonous. When lying at length, they look like 
 old trunks of trees, covered with short moss, though they 
 usually assume a circular position. The first time I saw one 
 of these serpents, I had approached very near before discover- 
 ing it to be a living creature ; it opened its mouth wide 
 enough to have received a hat, and breathed on me. A small 
 black fly creates such annoyance, that even if a person pos- 
 sessed ever so many comforts, his life would be oppressive to 
 him, unless for the possibility of retiring to some small quay, 
 destitute of wood and bushes, where multitudes are dispersed 
 by the wind. 
 
 To this place then was I confined during nine months, with- 
 out seeing a human being. One day after another was lin- 
 gered out, I know not how, void of occupation or amusement, 
 except collecting food, rambling from hill to hill, and from 
 island to island, and gazing on sky and water. Although my 
 mind was occupied by many regrets, I had the reflection that 
 I was lawfully employed when taken, so that I had no hand in 
 bringing misery on myself: I was also comforted to think that 
 I had the approbation and consent of my parents in going to 
 sea, and trusted that it would please God, in his own time and 
 manner, to provide for my return to my father’s house. There- 
 fore, I resolved to submit patiently to my misfortune. 
 
 It was my daily practice to ramble from one part of the isl- 
 and to another, though I had a more special home near the 
 water-side. Here I built a hut to defend me against the heat 
 of the sun by day, and the heavy dews by night. Taking 
 some of the best branches which I could find fallen from the 
 trees, I contrived to fix them against a low hanging bough, by 
 
228 
 
 ADVENTURES OP PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 fastening them together with split palmeto leaves ; next I 
 covered the whole with some of the largest and most suitable 
 leaves that I could get. Many of these huts were construct- 
 ed by me, generally near the beach, with the open part, front- 
 ing the sea, to have the better look out, and the advantage of 
 the sea-breeze, which both the heat and the vermin re- 
 quired. 
 
 But the insects were so troublesome, that I thought of en- 
 deavoring to get over to some of the adjacent keys, in hopes 
 of enjoying rest. However, I was, as already said, a very 
 indifferent swimmer ; I had no canoe, nor any means of mak- 
 ing one. At length, having got a piece of bamboo, which is 
 hollow like a reed, and light as cork, I ventured, after fre- 
 quent trials with it under my breast and arms, to put off for a 
 small key about a gun-shot distant, which I reached in 
 safety. 
 
 My new place of refuge was only about three or four hun- 
 dred feet in circuit, lying very low, and clear of woods and 
 brush ; from exposure to the wind, it was quite free of ver- 
 min, and I seemed to have got into a new world, where I lived 
 infinitely more at ease. Hither I retired, therefore, when the 
 heat of the day rendered the insect tribe most obnoxious ; yet 
 I was obliged to be much on Roatan, to procure food and 
 water, and at night on account of my hut. 
 
 When swimming back and forward between the two islands, 
 I used to bind my frock and trowsers about my head, and, if 
 I could have carried over wood and leaves, whereof to make 
 a hut, with equal facility, I should have passed more of my 
 time on the smaller one. 
 
 Yet these excursions were not unattended with danger. 
 Once, I remember, when, passing from the larger island, the 
 bamboo, before I was aware, slipped from under me ; and tlie 
 tide, or current, set down so strong, that it was with great dif- 
 ficulty I could reach the shore. At another time, when swim- 
 ming over to the small island, a shovel-nosed shark, which, as 
 well as alligators, abound in those seas, struck me in the thigh, 
 just as my foot could reach the bottom, and grounded itself, 
 from the shallowness of the water, as I suppose, so that its 
 mouth could not get round towards me. The blow I felt some 
 hours after making the shore. By repeated practice, I at 
 length became a pretty dexterous swimmer, and amused 
 myself by passing from one island to another, among the 
 keys. 
 
 I sufl^ered very much from being barefoot j so many deep 
 
ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 229 
 
 wounds were made in my feet from traversing the woods, where 
 tlie ground was covered with sticks and stones, and on the hot 
 beach, over sharp broken shells, that I was scarce able to 
 walk at all. Often, when treading with all possible caution, a 
 stone or shell on the beach, or a pointed stick in the woods, 
 would penetrate the old wound, and the extreme anguish 
 would strike me down as suddenly as if I had been shot. 
 Then I would remain, for hours together, with tears gushing 
 from my eyes, from the acuteness of the pain. I could travel 
 no more than absolute necessity compelled me, in quest of sub- 
 sistence ; and I have sat, my back leaning against a tree, look- 
 ing out for a vessel during a complete day. 
 
 Once, while faint from such injuries, as well as smarting 
 under the pain of them, a wild boar rushed towards me. I 
 knew not what to do, for I had not strength to resist his at- 
 tack ; therefore, as he drew nearer, I caught (he bough of a 
 tree, and suspended myself by means of it. The boar tore 
 away part of my ragged trowsers with his tusks, and then left 
 me. This, I think, was the only time that I was attacked by 
 any wild beast, and I considered myself to have had a very 
 great deliverance. 
 
 As my weakness continued to increase, I often fell to the 
 ground insensible, and then, as also when I laid myself to 
 sleep, I thought I should never awake again, or rise in life 
 Under this affliction I first lost count of the days of the week ; 
 I could not distinguish Sunday, and, as my illness became 
 more aggravated, I became ignorant of the month also. 
 
 All this time I had no healing balsam for my feet, nor any 
 cordial to revive my drooping spirits. My utmost efforts could 
 only now and then procure some figs and grapes. Neither had 
 I fire ; for, though I had heard of a way to procure it by rub- 
 bing two sticks together, my attempts in this respect, con- 
 tinued until I was tired, proved abortive. The rains having 
 come on, attended with chill winds, I suffered exceedingly. 
 
 While passing nine months in this lonely, melancholy, and 
 irksome condition, my thoughts would sometimes wander to 
 my parents ; and I reflected, that, notwithstanding it would 
 be consolatory to myself if they knew where I was, it might 
 be distressing to them. The nearer my prospect of death, 
 which I often expected, the greater my penitence became. 
 
 Sometime in November 1723, I descried a small canoe ap- 
 proaching with a single man ; but the sight excited little emo- 
 tion. I kept my seat on the beach, thinking I could not ex- 
 pect a friend, and knowing that I had no enemy to fear, nor 
 
230 
 
 ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON, 
 
 was I capable of resisting one. As the man approached, he 
 betrayed many signs of surprise ; he called me to him, and I 
 told him he might safely venture ashore, for I was alone, and 
 almost expiring. Coming close up, he knew not what to make 
 of me ; my garb and countenance seemed so singular, that he 
 looked wild with astonishment. He started back a little, and 
 surveyed me more thoroughly ; but, recovering himself again, 
 came forward, and, taking me by the hand, expressed his sat- 
 isfaction at seeing me. 
 
 This stranger proved to be a native of North Britain ; he 
 was well advanced in years, of a grave and venerable aspect, 
 and of a reserved temper. His name I never knew, he did 
 not disclose it, and I had not inquired during the period of our 
 acquaintance. But he informed me he had lived twenty-two 
 years with the Spaniards who now threatened to burn him, 
 though I know not for what crime ; therefore he had fled 
 hither as a sanctuary, bringing his dog, gun, and ammunition, 
 as also a small quantity of pork, along with him. He design- 
 ed spending the remainder of his days on the island, where he 
 could support himself by hunting. 
 
 I experienced much kindness from the stranger ; he was 
 always ready to perform any civil offices, and assist me in 
 whatever he could, though he spoke little : and he gave me a 
 share of his pork. 
 
 On the third day after his arrival, he said he would make 
 an excursion in his canoe among the neighboring islands, for 
 the purpose of killing wild-hogs and deer, and wished me to 
 accompany him. Though my spirits were somewhat recruit- 
 ed by his society, the benefit of the fire, which I now eii^oyed, 
 and dressed provisions, my weakness and the soreness of my 
 feet, precluded me; therefore he set out alone, saying he 
 would return in a few hours. The sky was serene, and there 
 was no prospect of any danger during a short excursion, see- 
 ing he had come nearly twelve leagues in safety in his canoe. 
 But, when he had been absent about an hour, a violent gust 
 of wind and rain arose, in which he probably perished, as I 
 never heard of him more. 
 
 Thus, after having the pleasure of a companion almost 
 three days, I was as unexpectedly reduced to my former lone 
 ly state, as I had been relieved from it. Yet through the 
 goodness of God, I was myself preserved from having been 
 unable to accompany him; and I was left in better circum- 
 stances than those in which he had found me, for now 1 had 
 about five pounds of pork, a knife, a bottle of gunpowder, to- 
 
ADVENTURES OF THIUP ASHTON. 
 
 231 
 
 bacco, tongs and flint, by which means my life could be ren- 
 dered more comfortable. I was enabled to have fire, extreme- 
 ly requisite at this time, being the rainy months of winter. I 
 could cut up a tortoise, and have a delicate broiled meal. — 
 Thus, by the help of the fire, and dressed provisions, through 
 the blessings of God, T began to recover strength, though the 
 soreness of my feet remained. But I had, besides, the ad- 
 vantage of being able now and then to catch a dish of cray- 
 fish, which, when roasted, proved good eating. To accom- 
 plish this I made up a small bundle of old broken sticks, near- 
 ly resembling pitch-pine, or candle-wood, and .having lighted 
 one end, waded with it in my hand, up to the waist in water. 
 The cray-fish, attracted by the light, would crawl to my feet, 
 and lie directly under it, when, by means of a forked stick, I 
 could toss them ashore. 
 
 Between two and three months after the time of losing my 
 companion, I found a small canoe, while ranging along the 
 shore. The sight of it revived my regret for his loss, for I 
 judged that it had been his canoe; and, from being washed up 
 here, a certain proof of his having been lost in the tempest. 
 But, on examining it more closely, I satisfied myself that it 
 was one which I had never seen before. 
 
 Master of this little vessel, I began to think myself admiral 
 of the neighboring seas, as well as sole possessor and chief 
 commander of the islands. Profiting by its use, I could 
 transport myself to the places of retreat more conveniently 
 than by my former expedient of swimming. 
 
 In process of time, I projected an excursion to some of the 
 larger and more distant islands, partly to learn how they were 
 stored or inhabited, and partly for the sake of amusement. — 
 Laying in a small stock of figs and grapes, therefore, as also 
 some tortoise to eat, and carrying my implements for fire, I 
 put off to steer for the island of Bornacco, which is about 
 four or five leagues long, and situated five or six from Roa- 
 tan. 
 
 In the course of the voyage, observing a sloop at the east 
 end of the island, I made the best of my way to the west, de- 
 signing to travel down by land, both because a point of rocks 
 ran far into the sea, beyond which I did not care to venture 
 in the car.oe, as was necessary to come a-head of the sloop, 
 and because I wished to ascertain something concerning her 
 people before I was discovered. Even in my worst circum- 
 stances, I never could brook the thoughts of returning on 
 board of any piratical vessel, and resolved rather to live and 
 
232 
 
 ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 die in my present situation. Hauling up the canoe, and mak 
 ing it fast as well as I was able, I set out on the journey. - 
 My feet were yet in such a state, that two days, and the best 
 part of two nights were occupied in it. Sometimes the woods 
 and bushes were so thick that it was necessary to crawl halt 
 a mile together on my hands and knees, which rendered my 
 progress very slow. 
 
 When within a mile or two of the place where I supposed 
 the sloop might be, I made for the w'ater side, and approach- 
 ed the sea gradually, that I might not too soon disclose my- 
 self to view; however, on reaching the beach, there was no 
 appearance of the sloop, whence 1 judged that she had sailed 
 during the time spent by me in travelling. 
 
 Being much fatigued with the journey, I rested myself 
 against the stump of a tree, with niy face towards the sea, 
 where sleep overpowered me. But I bad not slumbered long 
 before I was suddenly awakened by the noise of firing. — 
 Starting up in affright, I saw nine periaguas, cr large canoes, 
 full of men, firing upon me from the sea; whence I soon 
 turned about and ran among the bushes as fast as my sore 
 feet would allow, while the men, who were Spaniards, cried 
 after me, “ O Englishman, we will give you good quarter.” 
 However, my astonishment was so great, and I was so sud- 
 denly roused from my sleep, that I had no self-command to 
 listen to their offers of quarter, which, it may be, at another 
 time, in my cooler moments, I might have done. Thus I 
 made into the woods, and the strangers continued firing after 
 me, to the number of 130 bullets at least, niary of which cut 
 small twigs off the bushes close by my side. Having gained 
 an extensive thicket beyond reach of the shot, I lay close sev- 
 eral hours, until observing, by the sound of their oars, that 
 the Spaniards were departing, I crept out. 1 saw the sloop 
 under English colors sailing away with the canoes in tow, 
 which induced me to suppose she was an English vessel 
 which had been at the Bay of Honduras, and taken there by 
 the Spaniards. 
 
 IVext day I returned to the tree, where I had been so near- 
 ly surprised, and was astonished to find six or seven shot in 
 the trunk, within a foot or less of my head. Yet through the 
 wonderful goodness of God, though having been as a mark to 
 shoot at, I was preserved. 
 
 After this I travelled to recover my canoe at ths western 
 end of the island, which I reached in three days, but suffer- 
 ing severely from the soreness of my feet, and the scantiness 
 
ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 23S 
 
 of provisions. This island is not so plentifully stored as 
 R.oatan, so that during the five or six days of my residence, I 
 had difficulty in procuring subsistence; and the insects were, 
 besides, infinitely more numerous and harassing than at my 
 old habitation. These circumstances deterred me from furth- 
 er exploring the island; and having reached the canoe very 
 tired and exhausted, I put off for Roatan, which was a roy- 
 al palace to me, compared'with Bonacco, and arrived at night 
 in safety. 
 
 Here I lived, if it may be called living, alone for about 
 seven months, after losing my North British companion. — 
 My time was spent in the usual manner, hunting for food, and 
 ranging among the islands. 
 
 Some time in June 1724, while on the small quay, whither 
 I often retreated to be free from the annoyance of insects, I 
 saw two canoes making for the harbor. Approaching nearer, 
 they observed the smoke of a fire which I had kindled, and at 
 a loss to know what it meant, they hesitated on advancing. — 
 What I had experienced at Bonacco, was still fresh in my own 
 memory, and loth to run the risk of such another firing, I 
 withdrew to my canoe, lying behind the quay, not above 100 
 yards distant, and immediately rowed over to Roatan. There 
 I had places of safety against an enemy, and sufficient ac- 
 commodation for any ordinary number of friends. 
 
 The people in the canoes observed me cross the sea to 
 Roatan, the passage not exceeding a gun-shot over; and be- 
 ing as much afraid of pirates as I was of Spaniards, approach- 
 ed very cautiously towards the shore. I then came down to 
 the beach, shewing myself openly; for their conduct led me 
 to think that they could not be pirates, and I resolved before 
 being exposed to the danger of their shot, to inquire who they 
 were. If they proved such as I did not like, I could easily 
 retire. Bu^ before I spoke, they, as full of apprehension as I 
 could be, lay on their oars, and demanded who I was, and 
 from whence I came? to which I replied, “ that 1 was an 
 Englishman, and had run away from pirates.” On this they 
 drew somewhat nearer, inquiring who was there besides my- 
 self? when I assured them, in return, that I was alone. Next, 
 according to my original purpose, having put similar questions 
 to them, they said they had come from the Bay of Honduras; 
 their words encouraged me to bid them row ashore, which 
 they accordingly did, though at some distance, and one man 
 landed, whom I advanced to meet. But he started back at 
 the sight of a poor ragged, wild, forlorn, miserable object so 
 
234 
 
 ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 near him. Collecting himself, however, he took me by the 
 hand, and we began embracing each other, he from surprise 
 and wonder, and I from a sort of ecstacy of joy. When this 
 was over, he took me in his arms, and carried me down to the 
 canoes, when all his comrades were struck with astonishment 
 at my appearance; but they gladly received me, and 1 ex- 
 perienced great tenderness from them. 
 
 I gave the strangers a brief account of my escape from 
 Low, and my lonely residence for sixteen months, all except- 
 ing three days, the hardships I had suffered, and the dangers 
 to which 1 had been exposed. They stood amazed at the re- 
 cital; they wondered I was alive, and expressed much satis- 
 faction at being able to relieve me. Observing me very weak 
 and depressed, they gave me about a spoonful of rum to re- 
 cruit my fainting spirits; but even this small quantity, from 
 my long disuse of strong liquors, threw me into violent agita- 
 tion, and produced a kind of stupor, which at last ended in 
 privation of sense. Some of the party perceiving a state of 
 insensibility come on, would have administered more rum, 
 which those better skilled among them prevented; and after 
 lying a short time in a fit, I revived. 
 
 Then I ascertained, that the strangers were eighteen in 
 number, the chief of them named John Hope, an old man, 
 called Father Hope, by his companions, and John Ford, and 
 all belonging to the Bay of Hondurus. The cause of their 
 coming hither, was an alarm for an attack from the sea, by 
 the Spaniards, while the Indians should make a descent by 
 land, and cut off the Bay; thus they had fled for safety. On 
 a former occasion, tlie two persons above named, had for the 
 like reason, taken shelter among these i.«lands, and lived four 
 years at a time on a small one, named Barbarat, about two 
 leagues from Roatan. There they had two plantations, as 
 they called them; and now they brought two barrels of flour, 
 with other provisions, fire-arms, dogs for hunting and nets for 
 tortoises; and also an Indian woman to dress their provisions. 
 Their principal residence was a small key, about a quarter of 
 a mile round, lying near to Barbarat, and named by them 
 the Castle of Comfort, chiefly because it was low and clear 
 of woods and bushes, so that the free circulation of wind 
 could drive away the pestiferous musquitoes and other insects. 
 From hence they sent to the surrounding islands for wood, 
 water and materials to build two houses, such as they were, 
 for shelter. 
 
 I now had the prospect of a much more agreeable life than 
 
ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 235 
 
 what I had spent during the sixteen months past; for, besides 
 having company, the strangers treated me with a great deal 
 of civility in their way; they clothed me, and gave me a 
 large wrapping gown as a defence against the nightly dews, 
 until their houses were erected; and there was plenty of pro- 
 visions. Yet after all, they were bad society; and as to their 
 common conversation, there was but little difference between 
 them and pirates. However, it did not appear that they were 
 now engaged in any such evil design as rendered it unlawful to 
 join them, or be found in their company. 
 
 In process of time, and with the assistance afforded by my 
 compj.nions, I gathered so much strength as sometimes to be 
 able to hunt along with them. The islands abounded with 
 wild hogs, deer and tortoise; and different ones were visited 
 in quest of game. This was brought home, where, instead 
 of being immediately consumed, it was hung up to dry in 
 smoke, so as to be a ready supply at all times. 
 
 I now considered myself beyond the reach of danger from 
 an enemy, for, independent of supposing that nothing could 
 bring any one here, I was surrounded by a number of men 
 with arms constantly in their hands. Yet, at the very time 
 that I thought myself most secure, I was very nearly again 
 falling into the hands of pirates. 
 
 Six or seven months after the strangers joined me, three of 
 them, along with myself, took a four oared canoe, for the pur- 
 pose of hunting and killing tortoise on Bonacco. During 
 our absence the rest repaired their canoes, am’ prepared to go 
 over to the Bay of Honduras, to examine how matters stood 
 there, and bring off their remaining effects, in case it were 
 dangerous to return. But before they had departed, we were 
 on our voyage homewards, having a full load of pork and tor- 
 toise, as our object v/as successfully accomplished. While 
 entering the mouth of the harbor, in a moonlight evening, we 
 saw a great fash, and heard a report much louder than that of 
 a musket, proceed from a large periagua, which we observed 
 near the Castle of Comfort. This put us in extreme conster- 
 nation, and we knew not what to consider; but in a minute 
 we heard a volley from eighteen or twenty small arms, dis- 
 charged towards the shore, and also some returned from it. — 
 Satisfied that an enemy, either Spaniards or pirates, was at- 
 tacking our people, and being intercepted from them by peri- 
 aguas lying between us and the shore, we thought the safest 
 plan was trying to escape. Therefore, taking down our little 
 mast and sail, that they might not betray us, we rowed out of 
 
236 
 
 ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 the harbor as fast as possible, towards an island about a mile 
 and a half distant, to retreat undiscovered. But the enemy 
 either having seen us before lowering our sail, or neard the 
 noise of the oars, followed with all speed, in an eight or ten 
 oared periagua. Observing her approach, and fast gaining 
 cn us, we rowed with all our might to make the nearest shore. 
 However, she was at length enabled to discharge a swivel, 
 the shot from which passed over our canoe. Nevertheless, 
 Ave contrived to reach the shore before being completely with- 
 in the range of small arms, which our pursuers discharged on 
 us while landing. 
 
 They were now near enough to cry aloud that they were 
 pirates, and not Spaniards, and that Ave need not dread them, 
 as Ave should get good quarter; thence supposing that Ave 
 should be the easier induced to surrender. Yet nothing could 
 have been said to discourage me more from putting myself in 
 their poAver; I had the utmost dread of a pirate, and my origi- 
 nal aversion Avas now enhanced, by the apprehension of being 
 sacrificed for my former desertion. Thus, concluding to 
 keep as clear of them as I could, and the Honduras Bay men 
 having no great inclination to do otherwise, Ave made the best 
 of our Avay to the Avoods. Our pursuers carried off the ca- 
 noe, with all its contents, resolving, if Ave Avould not go to 
 them, to deprive us, as far as possible, of all means of sub- 
 sistence Avhere Ave Avere. But it gave me, Avho had knoAvn 
 both Avant and solitude, little concern, noAv that I had compa- 
 ny, and there Avere arms among us to procure provision, and 
 also fire AvhereAvith to dress it. 
 
 Our assailants Avere some men belonging to Spriggs, my 
 former commander, Avho had throAvn off his allegiance to Loaa-, 
 and set up for himself at the head of a gang of pirates, Avith 
 a good ship of tAventy-four guns, and a sloop of tAvelve, both 
 presently lying in Roatan harbor. He had put in for fresh 
 Avater, and to refit, at the place Avhere I first escaped; and, 
 having; discovered my companions at the small island of their 
 retreat, sent a periagua full of men to take them. According- 
 ly they carried all ashore, as also a child and an Indian avo- 
 man; the last of Avhom they shamefully abused. They kill- 
 ed a man after landing, and throAving him into one of the ca- 
 noes containing tar, set it on fire, and burnt his body in it. — 
 Then they carried the people on board of their vessels, Avhere 
 they were barbarously treated. One of them turned pirate, 
 hoAvever, and told the others that John Hope had hid many 
 things in the AVoods; therefore, they beat him unmercifully to 
 
ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 237 
 
 make him disclose his treasure, which they carried off with 
 them. 
 
 After tlie pirates had kept these people five days on board 
 of their vessels, they gave them a flat of five or six tons to 
 carry them to the Bay of Hondurus, but no kind of provision 
 for the voyage; and further, before dismissal, compelled them 
 to swear that they would not come near me and my party, who 
 had escaped to another island. 
 
 While the vessels rode in the harbor, we kept a good look 
 out, but were exposed to some difficulties, from not daring to 
 kindle a fire to dress our victuals, lest our residence should be 
 betrayed. Thus we lived for five days on raw provisions. — 
 As soon as they sailed, however, Hope, little regarding the 
 oath extorted from him, came and informed us of what had 
 passed; and I could not, for my own part, be sufficiently grate- 
 ful to Providence for escaping the hands of the pirates, who 
 would have put me to a cruel death. 
 
 Hope and all his people, except John Symonds, now resolv- 
 ed to make their way to the Bay. Symonds, who had a ne- 
 gro, wished to remain some time for the purpose of trading 
 with the Jamaica-men on the main. But thinking my best 
 chance of getting to New England was from the Bay of Hon- 
 durus, I requested Hope to take me with him. The old man, 
 though he would gladly have done so, advanced many objec- 
 tions, such as the insufficiency of the flat to carry so many 
 men seventy leagues; that they had no provision for the pas- 
 sage, which niight be tedious, and the flat was, besides ill cal- 
 culated to stand the sea; as also, that it was uncertain how 
 matters might turn out at the Bay; thus he thought it better 
 for me to remain; yet rather than I should be in solitude, he 
 would take me in. 
 
 Symonds, on the other hand, urged me to stay and bear 
 him company, and gave several reasons why I should more 
 likely obtain a passage from the Jamaica-men to New Eng- 
 land, than by the Bay of Hondurus. As this seemed a fairer 
 prospect of reaching my home, which I was extremely anx- 
 ious to do, I assented; and, having thanked Hope and his 
 companions for their civilities, I took leave of them, and they 
 departed. 
 
 Symonds was provided with a canoe, fire-arms and two 
 dogs, in addition to his negro, by which means he felt confi- 
 dent of being able to provide all that was necessary for our 
 sub^'istance. We spent two or three months after the usual 
 me r r, ranging from island to island, but the prevalence of 
 
238 
 
 ADVENTURES OF PHILIP ASHTON. 
 
 the winter rains precluded us from obtaining more game than 
 we required. 
 
 When the season for the Jamaica traders approached, Sy- 
 monds proposed repairing to some other island to obtain a 
 quantity of tortoise-shell which he could exchange for clothes 
 and shoes; and, being successful in this respect, we next pro- 
 ceeded to Bonacco, which lies nearer the main, that we might 
 thence take a favorable opportunity to run over. 
 
 Having been a short time at Bonacco, a furious tempest 
 arose, and continued for three days, when we saw several 
 vessels standing in for the harbor. The largest of them anchor- 
 ed at a great distance, but a brigantine came over the shoals 
 opposite to the watering place, and sent her boat ashore with 
 casks. Recognizing tliree people who were in the boat, by 
 their dress and appearance, for Englishmen, I concluded they 
 were friends, and shewed myself openly on the beach before 
 them. They ceased rowing immediately on observing me, 
 and, after answering their inquiries of who I was, I put the 
 same questions, saying they might come ashore with safety. 
 They did go, and a iiappy meeting it was for me. 
 
 I now found that the vessels were a fleet under convoy of 
 the Diamond man-of-war, bound for Jamaica; but many ships 
 had parted company in the storm. The Diamond had sent in 
 the brigantine to get water here, as the sickness of her crew 
 had occasioned a great consumption of that necessary ar- 
 ticle. 
 
 Symonds, who had kept at a distance, lest the three men 
 might hesitate to come ashore, at length approached to parti- 
 cipate in my joy, though at the same time, testifying consider- 
 able reluctance at the prospect of my leaving him. The 
 brigantine was commanded by Captain Dove, with whom I 
 was acquainted, and she belonged to Salem, within three 
 miles of my father’s house. Captain Dove not only treated 
 me with great civility, and engaged to give me a passage home, 
 but took me into pay, having lost a seaman, whose place he 
 wanted me to supply. Next day, the Diamond having sent 
 her long-boat with casks for water, they were filled; and after 
 taking leave of Symonds, who shed tears at parting, I was 
 carried on board of the brigantine. 
 
 We sailed along with the Diamond, which was bound for 
 Jamaica, on the latter end of March 17 -.5, and kept company 
 until the first of April. By the providence of Heaven we 
 passed safely through the Gulf of Florida, and reached Salem 
 Harbor on the first of May, two years, ten months and fifteen 
 
EXPLOSION OF THE AMPHION. 
 
 239 
 
 days after I was first taken by pirates; and two years, and 
 two months, after making my escape from them on Roacan 
 island. That same evening I went to my father’s house, 
 where I was received as one risen from the dead. 
 
 EXPLOSION OF HIS B. MAJESTY’S SHIP 
 AMPHION. 
 
 The Amphion frigate, Captain Israel Pellow, after having 
 cruised some time in the North Seas, had at length received 
 an order to join the squadron of frigates commanded by Sir 
 Edward Pellow. She was on her passage, when a hard gale 
 of wind occasioning some injury to the fore-mast, obliged her 
 to put back into Plymouth, off which place she then was. — 
 She accordingly came into the sound, anchored there on the 
 19th, and went up into harbor the next morning. 
 
 On the 22d, at about half past four P. M. a violent shock, 
 as of an earthquake, was felt at Stone-house, and extended 
 as far off as the Royal hospital and the town of Plymouth. — 
 The sky towards the Dock appeared red, like the effect of a 
 fire; for near a quarter of an hour the cause of this appear- 
 ance could not be ascertained, though the streets were crowd- 
 ed with people running difterent ways in the utmost conster- 
 nation. 
 
 When the alarm and confusion had somewhat subsided, it 
 first began to be known that the shock had been occasioned 
 by the explosion of the Amphion. Several bodies and man- 
 gled remains were picked up by the boats in Hamoaze; and 
 their alacrity on this occasion was particularly remarked and 
 highly commended. The few who remained alive of the 
 crew were conveyed, in a mangled state, to the Royal Hos- 
 pital. As the frigate was originally manned from Plymouth, 
 the friends and relations of her unfortunate ship’s company. 
 
240 
 
 EXPLOSION OF THE AMPHION 
 
 mostly lived in the neighborhood. It is dreadful to relate 
 what a scene took place — arms, legs and lifeless trunks, man- 
 gled and disfigured by gunpowder, were collected and deposit- 
 ed at the hospital, having been brought in sacks to be owned. 
 Bodies still living, some with the loss of limbs, others having 
 expired as they were being conveyed thither; men, women 
 and children, whose sons, husbands and fathers were among 
 the unhappy number, flocking round the gates, intreating ad- 
 mitance. D uring the first evening nothing was ascertained 
 concerning the cause of this event, though numerous reports 
 were instantly circulated. The few survivors, who, by the 
 following day, had, in some degree regained the use of their 
 senses, could not give the least account. One man who was 
 brought alive to the Royal Hospital, died before night, anoth- 
 er before the following morning; the boatswain and one of 
 the sailors appeared likely, with great care, to do well. — 
 Three or four men who were at work in the tops, were blown 
 up with them and falling into the water, were picked up with 
 very little hurt. These, with the two before mentioned, and 
 one of the sailors’ wives, were supposed to be the only survi- 
 vors, besides the captain and two of the lieutenants. 
 
 The following particulars were, however, collected from 
 the examination of several persons before Sir Richard Kini;, 
 the port-admiral, and the information procured from those, 
 who saw the explosion from the Dock. 
 
 The first person known to have observed any thing was a 
 young midshipman in the Cambridge guard-snip, lying not 
 far distant from the place where the A:<nphion blew up; who 
 having a great desire to observe everything relative to a pro- 
 fession into which he had just entered, was looking through a 
 glass at the Irigate, as she lay along side of the sheer-hulk, 
 and was taking in her bowsprit. She was lashed to the hulk; 
 and the Yarmouth, an old receiving ship, was lying on the op- 
 posite side, quite close to her, and both within a few yards of 
 the Dock-yard jetty. The midshipman said, that the Amphi- 
 on suddenly appeared to rise altc.gether upright from the sur- 
 face of the water, until he nearly saw her keel; the explosion 
 then succeeded; the masts seemed to be forced up into the 
 air, and the hull instantly to sink. All this passed in the- 
 space of two minutes. 
 
 The man who stood at the Dock-yard stairs, said, that the 
 first he heard of it was a kind of hissing noise, and then fol- 
 lowed the explosion, when he beheld the masts blown up into 
 tire air. It was very strongly reported that several windows 
 
EXPLOSION OF THE AMPIIION. 
 
 241 
 
 were broken in the Dock by the explosion, and that in the 
 Dock-yard much mischief was done by the Amphion’s guns 
 going off when she blew up; but though the shock was feh 
 as far off as Plymouth, and at Stone-house, enough to shake 
 the windows, yet it is a wonderful and miraculous fact, that 
 surrounded as she was in the harbor, with ships close along 
 side of the jetty, and lashed to another vessel, no damage was 
 done to any thing but herself It is dreadful to reflect, tha 
 owing to their intention of putting to sea the next day, there 
 were nearly one hundred men, women and children, more 
 than her compliment on board, taking leave of their friends 
 besides the company who were at two dinners given in the 
 ship, one of which was by the captain. 
 
 Captain Israel Pellow, and Captain William Swaffleld, of 
 his Majesty’s ship Overyssel, who was at dinner with him and 
 the first lieutenant, were drinking their wine; when the first 
 explosion threw them off their seats, and struck them against 
 the Carlings of the upper deck, so as to stun them. Captain 
 Pellow, however, had sufficient presence of mind to fly to the 
 cabin windows, and seeing the two hawsers, one slack in the 
 bit and the other taut, threw himself with an amazing leap, 
 which he afterwards said, nothing but his sense of danger 
 could have enabled him to take, upon the latter, and by that 
 means saved himself from the general destruction, though his 
 face had been badly cut against the callings, when he was 
 thrown from his seat. The first lieutenant saved himself in 
 the same manner, by jumping out of the window, and by be- 
 ing also a remarkable good swimmer; but Captain Swaffield, 
 being, as it was supposed, more stunned, did not escape. — 
 His body was found on the twenty-second of October, with 
 his skull fractured, appearing to have been crushed between 
 the sides of two vessels. 
 
 The centinel at the cabin door happened to be looking at 
 his watch; how he escaped no one can tell, not even himself. 
 He was, however, brought on shore, and but little hurt; the 
 first thing he felt was, that his watch was dashed out of his 
 hands, after which he was no longer sensible of what happen- 
 ed to him. The boatswain was standing on the cat-head, the 
 bowsprit had been stepped for three hours; the gammoning 
 and every thing on; and he was directing the men in rigging 
 out the jib-boom, when suddenly he felt himself driven up- 
 wards and fell into the sea. He then perceived that he wa» 
 entangled in the rigging, and had some trouble to get clear; 
 wken being taken up by a boat belonging to one of the uijeeu / 
 VOL. II. 11 / 
 
242 
 
 EXPLOSION OF THE AMPHION. 
 
 of war, they found that his arm was broken. One of the sur- 
 viving seamen declared to an officer of rank, that he was 
 preserved in the following truly astonishing manner : — He 
 was below at the time the Amphion blew up, and went to the 
 bottom of the ship, he recollected that he had a knife in his 
 pocket, and taking it out, cut his way through the companion 
 of the gun-room, which was already shattered with the ex- 
 plosion; then letting himself up to the surface of the water, 
 he swam unhurt to the shore. He shewed his knife to the of- 
 ficer, and declared he had been under water full five minutes. 
 
 It was likewise said, that one of the sailors’ wives had a 
 young child in her arms; the fright of the shock made her 
 take such fast hold of it, that though the upper part of her 
 body alone remained, the child was found alive locked fast in 
 her arms, and likely to do well. 
 
 Mr. Spry, an auctioneer, who had long lived in great re- 
 spectability at Dock, with his son and god-son, had gone on 
 board to visit a friend, and were all lost. 
 
 About half an hour before the frigate blew up, one of her 
 lieutenants, and Lieutenant Campbell of the marines and 
 some of the men got into the boat at the dock-yard stairs, 
 and went off to the ship. Lieutenant Campbell had some 
 business to transact at the JMarine barracks in the morning, 
 and continuing there some time, was engaged by the officers 
 to stay to dinner and spend the evening with them. Some 
 persons, however, who had, in the interval, come from the 
 Amphion, informed Ifieutenant Campbell that there were 
 some letters on board for him. As they were some which he 
 was e.xtrcmely an.xious to receive, he left the barracks about 
 half an hour before dinner to fetch them, intending to return 
 immediately; but while he was on board the ship blew up. — 
 He was a young man universally respected and lamented by 
 the corps, as rvell as by all who knew him. One of the lieu- 
 tenants who lost his life was the only support of an aged 
 mother and sister, who, at his death, had neither friend nor 
 relation left to comfort and protect them. The number of 
 people who were afterwards daily seen at Dock, in deep 
 mourning for their lost relatives, was truly melancholy. 
 
 Captain Fellow was taken up by the boats and carried to 
 Commissioner Fanshaw’s house in the dock-yard, verv weak 
 with the e.xertions he had made, and so shocked with the dis- 
 tressing cause of then), that he at first appeared scarcely to 
 know where he was, or to be sensible of his situation. In 
 the coiuse of a day or two, when be was a little recovered, 
 
EXPLOSION OF THE AMPHION. 
 
 243 
 
 he was removed to the house of a friend, Dr. Hawker of 
 Plymouth. 
 
 Sir Richard King had given a public dinner in honor of the 
 coronation. Captain Charles Rowley, of the Unite frigate, 
 calling in the morning, was engaged to stay, and excused 
 himself from dining, as he had previously intended, on board 
 the Amphion. 
 
 Captain Darby of the Bellerophon, was also to have dined 
 with Captain Pellow, and had come round in his boat from 
 Cawsand Bay; but having to transact some business con- 
 cerning the ship with Sir Richard King, it detained him half 
 an hour longer at Stone-house than he expected. He had 
 just gone down to the beach and was stepping into the boat to 
 proceed up to Harmoaze, when he heard the fatal explosion. 
 Captain Swaffield was to have sailed the ne.xt day, so that the 
 difference of twenty-four hours would have saved that much 
 lamented and truly valuable officer. His brother Mr. J. 
 Swaffield, of the Pay-Office, being asked to the same dinner, 
 had set off with him from Stone-house, but before he had 
 reached Dock a person came after him upon business, which 
 obliged him to return, and thus saved him from sharing his 
 brother’s untimely fate. 
 
 Many conjectures were formed concerning the cause of this 
 catastrophe. Some conceived it to be owing to neglect, as the 
 men were employed in drawing the guns, and contrary to rule, 
 had not extinguished all the fires, though the dinners were over. 
 This, however, the first lieutentant declared to be impossible, 
 as they could not be drawing the guns, the key of the maga- 
 zine hanging, to his certain knowledge, in his cabin at the 
 time. Some of the men likewise declared that the guns were 
 drawn in the Sound before they came up Harmoaze. It was 
 also insinuated, that it was done intentionally, as several of 
 the bodies were afterwards found without clothes, as if they 
 had prepared to jump overboard before the ship could hare 
 time to blow up. As no mutiny had ever appeared in the 
 ship, it seems unlikely that such a desperate plot should have 
 been formed, without any one who survived having the least 
 knowledge of it. It is, besides, a well known fact, that in al- 
 most every case of shipwreck where there is a chance of 
 plunder, there are wretches so destitute of the common feel- 
 ings of humanity as to hover round the scene of horror, in 
 hopes, by stripping the bodies of the dead, and seizing what- 
 ever they can lay their hands on, to benefit themselves. 
 
 It was the fore magazine which took fire; had it been the 
 
244 
 
 EXPLOSION OF THE AMPHION 
 
 after one, much more damage must have ensued. The mo- 
 ment the explosion was heard, Sir JRichard King arose from 
 dinner, and went in his boat on board the hulk, where the 
 sight he beheld was dreadful; the deck covered with blood, 
 mangled limbs and entrails blackened with gunpowder, the 
 shreds of the Amphion’s pendant and rigging hanging about 
 her, and pieces of her shattered timbers strewed all around. 
 Some people at dinner in the Yarmouth, though at a very 
 small distance, declared that the report they heard did not ap- 
 pear to be louder than the firing of a cannon from the Cam- 
 bridge, which they imagined it to be, and had never risen from 
 dinner, till the confusion upon deck led them to think that 
 some accident had happened. 
 
 At low water, the next day, about a foot and a half of one 
 of the masts appeared above water; and for several days the 
 dock-yard men were employed in collecting the shattered 
 masts and yards, and dragging out what they could procure from 
 the wreck. On the twenty-ninth, part of the fore-chains was 
 hauled, shattered and splintered, also the head and cut-water. 
 
 On the 3d of October an attempt was made to raise the 
 Amphion, between the two frigates, the Castor and Iphigenia, 
 which were accordingly moored on each side of her; but noth- 
 ing could be got up, excepting a few pieces of the ship, one 
 or two of her guns, some of the men’s chests, chairs, and 
 part of the furniture of the cabin. Some bodies floated out 
 from between decks, and among the rest a midshipman’s. — 
 These, and all that could be found, were towed round by boats 
 through Stone-house bridge up to the Royal Hospital stairs, 
 to be interred in the burying ground. The sight for many 
 weeks was truly dreadful, the change of tide, washing out. 
 the putrid bodies, which were towed round by the boats when 
 they would scarcely hold together. 
 
 Bodies continued to be found so late as the 3.0th of Novem- 
 ber, when the Amphion having been dragged round to anoth- 
 er part of the dock-yard jetty to be broken up, the body of a 
 woman was washed out from between decks. A sack was al- 
 so dragged up, containing gunpowder, covered over at the top 
 with biscuit, and this in some measure, confimed an idea 
 which had before gained ground, that the gunner hac. been 
 stealing powder to sell, and had concealed what he could get 
 out by degrees in the above manner; a>id that, thinking him- 
 self safe on a day when every one was entertaining his friends 
 he had carelessly been among the gunpowder without taking 
 the necessary precautions. As he was said to have been seen 
 
LOSS OF H. B M SHIP LA TRIBUNE. 
 
 246 
 
 at Dock very much in liquor in the morning, it seems proba- 
 ble that this might have been the cause of a calamity as sud- 
 den as it was dreadful. 
 
 LOSS OF H. B. M. SHIP LA TRIBUNE, 
 
 OFF HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA. 
 
 La Tribune was one of the finest frigates in his Majesty’s 
 navy, mounted 44 guns, and had recently been taken from 
 the French by Captain Williams in the Unicorn frigate. — 
 She was commanded by Captain S. Barker, and on the 22d 
 of September, 1797, sailed from Torbay as convoy to the 
 Quebec and Newfoundland fleets. In latitude 49 14 and 
 longitude 17 22, she fell in and spoke with his Majesty’s ship 
 experiment, from Halifax; and lost sight of all her convoy on 
 the 10th of October, in latitude 74 16 and longitude 32 11. 
 
 About eight o’clock in the morning of the following Thurs- 
 day they came in sight of the harbor of Halifax, and approach- 
 ed it very fast, with an E. S. E. wind, when Captain Barker 
 proposed to the master to lay the ship to, till they could pro- 
 cure a pilot. The master replied that he had beat a 44 gun 
 ship into the harbor, that he had frequently been there, and 
 there was no occasion for a pilot, as the wind was favorable. 
 Confiding in these assurances. Captain Barker went into his 
 cabin, where he was employed in arranging some papers 
 which he intended to take on shore with him. In the mean 
 time the master, placing great dependance on the judgment 
 of a negro, named John Cosey, who had formerly belonged 
 to Halifax, took upon himself the pilotage of the ship. 
 
 By twelve o’clock the ship approached so near the Thrum 
 Cap shoals that the master became alarmed, and sent for Mr. 
 Galvin, master’s mate, who was sick below. On his coming 
 upon deck, he heard the man in the chains sing out, “ by the 
 
246 
 
 LOSS OF H. B. M. SUIF LA TRIBUNE. 
 
 mark five!” the black man forward at the same time crying 
 “steady!” Galvin got on one of the carronades to observe 
 the situation of the ship; the master ran in great agitation to 
 the wheel, and took it from the man who was steering, with 
 the intention of wearing the ship; but before this could be ef- 
 fected, or Galvin was able to give an opinion, she struck. — 
 Captain Barker immediately went on deck and reproached 
 the master with having lost the ship. Seeing Galvin like- 
 wise on deck, he addressed him and said “that, knowing he 
 had formerly sailed out of the harbor, he was surprised he 
 could stand by and see the master run the ship on shore, ” to 
 which Galvin replied “that he had not been on deck long 
 enough to give an opinion.” 
 
 Signals of distress were immediately made, and answered 
 by the military posts and ships in the harbor, from which, as 
 well as the dock-yard, boats immediately put off to the relief 
 of the Tribune. The military boats, and one of those from 
 the dock-yard, with IVIr. Rackum, boatswain of the ordinary, 
 reached the ship, but the wind was so much against the others, 
 that, in spite of all their e.xertions, they were unable to get 
 on board. The ship was immediately lightened by throwing 
 overboard alt her guns, excepting one retained for signals, 
 and every other heavy article, so that about half past eight 
 o’clock in the evening the ship began to heave, and at nine 
 got off the shoals. She had lost her rudder about three 
 hours before, and it was now found, on examination, that she 
 had seven feet water in the hold. The chain pumps were 
 immediately manned, and such exertions were made that they 
 seemed to gain on the leaks. By the advice of 3Ir. Rackum, 
 the captain ordered the best bower anchor to be let go, but 
 this did not bring her up. He then ordered the cable to be 
 cut; and the jib and fore top-mast stav—sail were hoisted to 
 steer by. During this interval a violent gale, which had como 
 on at S. E. kept increasing, and carrying the ship to the wes- 
 tern shore. The small bower anchor was soon afterwards let 
 go, at which time they found themselves in thirteen fathom of 
 water, and the mizen-mast was then cut away. 
 
 It was now ten o’clock, and as the water gained fast upon 
 them, the crew had but little hope left of saving either the 
 ship or their lives. At this critical period Lieutenant Camp- 
 bell quitted the ship, and Lieutenant North was taken into 
 the bout out of one of the ports. From the moment at which 
 the former left the vessel all hopes of safety had vanished; 
 the ship was sinking fast, the storm was increasing with re- 
 
LOSS OF H. B. M SHIP LA TRIBUNE. 
 
 247 
 
 doubled violence, and the rocky shore which they were ap- 
 proaching, resounded witli the tremendous noise of the rolling 
 billows, presented nothing to those who might survive the 
 loss of the ship but the expectation of a more painful death, 
 by being dashed against precipices, which, even in the calm- 
 est day, it is impossible to ascend. Dunlap, one of the sur- 
 vivors, declared, that about half past ten, as nearly as he 
 could conjecture, one of the men who had been below, came 
 to him on the forecastle, and told him it was all over. A few 
 minutes afterwards the ship took a lurch, like a boat nearly 
 filled with water and going down; on which Dunlap immedi- 
 ately began to ascend the fore-shrouds, and at the same mo- 
 ment casting his eyes towards the quarter-deck, he saw Cap- 
 tain Barker standing by the gangway, and looking into the 
 water, and directly afterwards he heard him call for the jolly- 
 boat. He then saw the lieutenant of marines running to- 
 wards the taffrel, to look, as he supposed, for the jolly-boat, 
 which had been previously let down with men in her; but the 
 ship instantly took a second lurch and sunk to the bottom, af- 
 ter which neither the captain nor any of the other officers 
 were again seen. 
 
 The scene, before sufficiently distressing, now became pe- 
 culiarly awful. More than 240 men, besides several women 
 and children, were lloating on the waves, making the last ef- 
 fort to preserve life. Dunlap, who has been already men- 
 tioned, gained the fore-top. Mr. Galvin, the master’s mate, 
 with incredible difficulty, got into the main-top. He was be- 
 low when the ship sunk, directing the men at the chain-pump, 
 but was washed up the hatchway, thrown into the waist and 
 from thence into the water, and his feet, as he plunged, 
 struck against a rock On ascending he swam to gain the 
 rnain-shrouds, when three men suddenly seized hold of him. 
 He now gave himself up for lost; but to disengage himself 
 from them he made a dive into the water, which caused them 
 to quit their grasp. On rising again he swam to the shrouds, 
 and having reached the main-top, seated himself on an arm 
 chest which was lashed to the mast. 
 
 From the observations of Galvin in the main-top, and Dun- 
 lap in the fore-top, it appears that nearly one hundred per- 
 sons were hanging a considerable time to the shrouds, the 
 tops and other parts of the wreck. From the length of the 
 night, and the severity of the storm, nature, however, became 
 exhausted, and during the whole night they kept dropping off 
 and disappeared. The cries and groans of the unhappy suf- 
 
248 
 
 LOSS OF H. E. M . SHIP LA TRIBUNE. 
 
 ferers, from the bruises many of them had received, and their 
 hopes of deliverance beginning to fail, were continued through 
 the night, but as morning approached, in consequence of the 
 few who then survived, they became extremely feeble. 
 
 About twelve o’clock the main-mast gave way; at that time 
 there were on the main-top and shrouds about forty persons. 
 By the fall of the mast the whole of these unhappy wretches 
 were again plunged into the water, and ten only regained the 
 top, which rested on the main-yard, and the whole remained 
 fast to the ship by some of the rigging. Of the ten who thus 
 reached the top, four only were alive when morning appeared. 
 Ten were at that time, alive on the fore-top, but three were 
 so exhausted, and so helpless, that they were washed away 
 before any relief arrived; three others perished, and thus only 
 four were, at last, left alive on the fore-top. 
 
 The place where the ship went down was barely three times 
 her length to the southward of the entrance into Herring 
 Cove. The inhabitants came down in the night to the point 
 opposite to which the ship sunk, kept up large fires, and were 
 so near as to converse with the people on the wreck. 
 
 The first exertion that was made for their relief was by a 
 boy thirteen years old, from Herring Cove, who ventured off 
 in a small skiff by himself about eleven o’clock the next day. 
 This youth, with great labor and extreme risk to himself, 
 boldly approached the wreck, and backed in his little boat so 
 near to the fore-top as to take off two of the men, for the 
 boat could not with safety hold any more. And here a trait 
 of generous magnanimity was exhibited, which ought not to 
 pass unnoticed. Dunlap and another man, named IMonro, had 
 throughout this disastrous night, preserved their strength and 
 spirits in a greater degree than their unfortunate companions, 
 who they endeavored to cheer and encourage when they found 
 their spirits sinking. Upon the arrival of the boat these two 
 might have stepped into it, and thus have terminated their 
 own sufferings; for their two companions, though alive, were 
 unable to stir; they lay exhausted on the top, wishing not to 
 be disturbed, and seemed desirous to perish in that situation. 
 These generous fellows hesitated not a moment to remain 
 themselves on the wreck, and to save their unfortunate com- 
 panions against their will. They lifted them up, and with 
 the greatest exertion placed them in the boat, the ma.xly boy 
 rowed them triumphantly to the Cove, and immediately had 
 them conveyed to a comfortable habitation. After shaming, 
 by his example, older persons, who had larger boats, he again 
 
LOSS OF H, B. M. SHIP LA TRIBUNE. 
 
 249 
 
 out off with his skiff, but with all his efforts he could not then 
 approach the wreck. His example, however, was soon fol- 
 lowed by four of the crew who had escaped in the Tribune’s 
 jolly-boat, and by some of the boats in the Cove. With their 
 joint exertions, the eight men were pre.«erved, and these with_ 
 the four who had saved themselves in the jolly-boat, were the 
 whole of the survivors of this fine ship’s company. 
 
 A circumstance occurred in which that cool thoughtless- 
 ness of danger, which so often distinguishes our British tars, 
 was displayed in such a striking manner, that it would be in- 
 excusable to omit it. Daniel Monro, had, as we have already 
 seen, gained the_ fore-top. He suddenly disappeared, and it 
 was concluded that he had been washed away like many oth- 
 ers. After being absent from the top about two hours, he, to 
 the surprise of Dunlap, who was likewise on the fore-top, 
 raised his head through the lubber-hole, Dunlap inquiring 
 where he had been, be told him he had been cruising for a 
 better birth; that after swimming about the wreck for a con- 
 siderable time, he had returned to the fore-shrouds, and crawl- 
 ing in on the catharpins, had actually been sleeping there more 
 than an hour, and appeared greatly refreshed. 
 
 VOL. 11 11 * 
 
260 
 
 BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 
 
 BURNING OF THE PRINCE, 
 
 A FRENCH EAST INDIAMAN. 
 
 On the 19th of February 1752, a French East Indiaman, 
 called the Prince, sailed from Port L’Orient on a voyage out- 
 ward bound. But soon afterwards, a sudden shift of wind 
 drove her on a sand bank, where she was exposed to immirient 
 danger, and heeled so much that the moutiis of the guns lay 
 in the sea. By lightening the ship, however, accompanied by 
 incessant and laborious exertions, she floated with the rise of 
 the tide, and, being again carried into port, was completely 
 unloaded, and underwent a thorough repair. 
 
 The voyage was resumed on the 10th of June, with a fa- 
 vorable wind, and tor several weeks, seemed to promise ev- 
 e'y success that could be desired. 
 
 While in south latitude 8 30, and in 5 west longitude from 
 Paris, M. de la Fond, one of the lieutenants of the ship, was, 
 just at the moment of this observation, informed by' a seaman, 
 that smoke was issuing from the main hatchway. The first 
 
BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 
 
 251 
 
 lieutenant, who had the keys of the hold, immediately order- 
 ed every hatchway to be opened to ascertain the truth. 
 
 But the fact was too soon verified, and, while the captain 
 hastened on deck from the great cabin, where he sat at din- 
 ner, Lieutanant de la Fond ordered some sails to be dipped 
 in the sea, and the hatches to be covered with them in order 
 to prevent the access of air, and thus stifle the fire. He had 
 even intended, as a more effectual measure, to let in the water 
 between decks to the depth of a foot, but clouds of smoke is- 
 sued from the crevices of the hatchways, and the flames gain- 
 ed more and more by degrees. 
 
 Meantime the captain ordered sixty or eighty soldiers un- 
 der arms, to restrain any disorder and confusion which might 
 probably ensue; and in this he was supported by their com- 
 mander, M. de la Touche, who exhibited uncommon fortitude 
 on the occasion. 
 
 Every one was now employed in procuring water; all the 
 buckets were filled, the pumps plied, and pipes introduced 
 from them to the hold. But the rapid progress of the flames 
 baffled the exertions to subdue them, and augmented the gen- 
 eral consternation. 
 
 The yawl lying in the way of the people, was hoisted out 
 by order of the captain, and the boatswain, along with three 
 others took possession of it. Wanting oars, they were sup- 
 plied with some by three men who leaped overboard. Those 
 in the ship, however, desired them to return, but they exclaim- 
 ed, that they wanted a rudder, and desired a rope to be thrown 
 out. However, the progress of the flames soon shewing them 
 their only alternative for safety, they withdrew from the 
 ship, and she from the effect of a breeze springing up, pass- 
 ed by. 
 
 On board the utmost activity still prevailed, and the courage 
 of the people seemed to be augmented by the difficulty of es- 
 cape. The master boldly went down into the hold, but the 
 intense heat com.pclled him to return, and, had not a quantity 
 of water been dashed over him, he would have been severely 
 scorched. Immediately subsequent to this period, flames vio- 
 lently burst from the main hatchway. 
 
 At that time the captain ordered the boats to be got out, 
 while consternation enfeebled the most intrepid. The long- 
 boat had been secured at a certain height, and she was about 
 to be put over the ship’s side, when, unhappily, the fire run 
 up the main-mast, and caught the tackle; the boat fell down 
 
252 
 
 BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 
 
 on the guns, bottom upwards, and it was vain to think of get- 
 ting her righted. 
 
 At length it became too evident that the calamity was be- 
 yond the reach of human remedy; nothing but the mercy of 
 the Almighty could interpose; consternation was universally 
 disseminated among the people; nothing but sighs and groans 
 resounded through the vessel, and the very animals on board, 
 as if sensible of the impending danger, uttered the most dread- 
 ful cries. The certainty of perishing in either element was 
 anticipated by every human being here, and each raised his 
 heart and hands towards Heaven. 
 
 The chaplain, who was now on the quarter-deck, gave the 
 people general absolution for their sins, and then repaired to 
 the quarter-gallery to extend it yet further, to those miserable 
 wretches, who, in hopes of safety, had already committed 
 themselves to the waves. What a horrible spectacle! Self- 
 preservation was the only object; each was occupied in throw- 
 ing overboard whatever promised the most slender chance of 
 escape, yards, spars, hen-coops and everything occurring, was 
 seized in despair, and thus employed. 
 
 Dreadful confusion prevailed. Some leaped into the sea, 
 anticipating that death which was about to reach them; oth- 
 ers, more successful, swam to fragments of the wreck; while 
 the shrouds, yards and ropes, along the side of the vessel, 
 were covered with the crew crowding upon them, and hang- 
 ing there, as if hesitating which alternative of destruction to 
 choose, equally imminent and equally terrible. 
 
 A father was seen to snatch his son from the flames, fold 
 him to his breast, and, then throwing him into the sea, him- 
 self followed, where they perished in each other’s embrace. 
 
 Meantime Lieutenant Fond ordered the helm to be shifted. 
 The ship heeled to larboard, which afforded a temporarv 
 preservation, while the fire raged along the starboard from 
 stem to stern. 
 
 Lieutenant Fond had, until this moment, been engrossed by 
 nothing but adopting every means to preserve the ship; now, 
 however, the horrors of impending destruction were too con- 
 spicuously in view. His fortitude, notwithstanding, through 
 the goodness of Heaven, never forsook him; looking around, 
 he found himself alone on the deck, and he retired to the round- 
 house. There he met M. de la Touch, who regarded the ap- 
 proach of death with the same heroism which, in India, had 
 gained him celebrity. “ My brother and friend,” he cried. 
 
BURNING OF THE FRINGE. 
 
 253 
 
 “farewell.” — “Whither are you going?” asked Lieutenant 
 Fond. “ To comfort my friend, the captain,” he replied. 
 
 M. Morin, who commanded this unfortunate vessel, stood 
 overwhelmed with grief for the melancholy state of his female 
 relatives, passengers along with him. He had persuaded 
 them to commit themselves to the waves on hen-coops, while 
 some of the seamen, swimming with one hand, endeavored to 
 support them with the other. 
 
 The floating masts and yards were covered with men strug- 
 gling with the watery element, many of whom now perished 
 by balls discharged from the guns as heated by the fire, and 
 thus presenting a third means of destruction, augmenting the 
 horrors environing them. While anguish pierced the heart of 
 M. de la Fond, he withdrew his eyes from the sea; and a mo- 
 ment after, reaching the starboard gallery, he saw the flames 
 bursting with frightful noise through the windows of the 
 round-house and of the great cabin. The fire approached, 
 and was ready to consume him. Considering it vain to at- 
 tempt the further preservation of the ship, or the lives of his 
 fellow sufferers, he thought it his duty, in this dreadful condi- 
 tion, to save himself yet a few hours, that these might be de- 
 voted to Heaven. 
 
 Stripping off his clothes, he designed slipping down a yard, 
 one end of which dipped in the water; but it was so covered 
 with miserable beings, shrinking from death, that he tumbled 
 over them and fell into the sea. There a drowning soldier 
 caught hold of him. Lieutenant Fond made every exertion 
 to disengage himself, but in vain; he even allowed himself to 
 sink below the surface, yet he did not quit his grasp. Lieu- 
 tenant Fond plunged down a second time; still he was firmly 
 held by the man, who then was incapable of considering that 
 his death, instead of being of service, would rather hasten 
 his own. At last, after struggling a considerable time, and 
 swallowing a great quantity of water, the soldier’s strength 
 failed; and sensible that ]\I. da la Fond was sinking a third 
 time, he dreaded to be carried down along with him, and loosen- 
 ed his grasp, no sooner was this done, than M. de la Fond to 
 guard against a repetition, dived below the surface, and rose 
 at a distance from the ])lace. 
 
 Th is incident rendered him more cautious for the future; he 
 even avoided the dead bodies, now so numerous, that to make 
 a free passage, he was compelled to shove them aside with 
 one hand, while he kept himself floating with the other; for 
 
254 
 
 BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 
 
 he was impressed with the apprehension, that each was a per- 
 son wh j would seize him, and involve him in his own destruc- 
 tion. But strength beginning to fail, he was satisfied of the 
 necessity of some respite, when he fell in with part of the 
 ensign-staff. He put his arm through a noose of the rope to 
 secure it, and swam as well as he could; then perceiving a 
 yard at hand, he seized it by one end. However, beholding 
 a young man scarce able to support himself at the other ex- 
 tremity, he quickly abandoned so slight an aid, and one which 
 seemed incapable of contributing to his preservation. Next 
 the spritsail-y ard appeared in view, but covered with people, 
 among whom he durst not take a place without requesting 
 permission, which they cheerfully granted. Some were quite 
 naked, others in nothing except their shirts; the pity they ex- 
 pressed at the situation of M. de la Fond, and his sense of 
 their misfortunes, exposed his feelings to a severe trial. 
 
 Neither Captain Morin, nor M. de la Touche ever quitted 
 the ship, and were most probably overwhelmed in the catas- 
 trophe by which she was destroyed. But the most dismal 
 spectacle was exhibited on all sides; the main-mast, consum- 
 ed below, had been precipitated overboard, killing some in the 
 fall, and affording a temporary reception to others. ]\I. de la 
 Fond now observed it covered with people, driven about by 
 the waves; and at the same time, seeing two seamen buoyed 
 up by a hen-coop and some planks, desired them to swim to 
 him with the latter; they did so, accompanied by more of 
 their comrades, and each taking a plank, which were used for 
 oars, they and he paddled along upon the yard, until gaining 
 those who had secured themselves on the main-mast. So ma- 
 ny alternations only presented new spectacles of horror. 
 
 The chaplain was at this time on the mast, and from him 
 hi. dc la Fond received absolution; two young ladies were al- 
 so there, whose piety and resignation were truly con.solatory ; 
 they were the only survivors of six, their companions had 
 jierished in the flames or in the sea. Eighty persons had 
 found refuge on the main-mast, who, from the repeated dis- 
 charge of cannon from the ship, according to the progress of 
 the flames, were constantly exposed to destruction. The 
 chaplain, in this awful condition, by his discourse and exam- 
 ple, taught the duty of resignation, hi. de la Fond observ- 
 ing him lose his hold on the mast, and drop into the sea, lifted 
 him up. “ Let me go,” said he “ I am already half drowned, 
 and it is only protracting my sufferings.” — “ No, my friend,” 
 
BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 
 
 2,55 
 
 the lieutenant replied, “ when my strength is exhausted, not 
 till then, we will perish together;” and in his pious presence 
 he calmly awaited death. After remaining here three hours, 
 he beheld one of the ladies fall from the mast and perish. — 
 She was too remote to receive any assistance from him. 
 
 But when least in expectation of it, he saw the yawl doss 
 at hand, at five in the afternoon. He cried to the men that 
 he was their lieutenant, and requested to be allowed to parti- 
 cipate in their fate. His presence was too necessary for them 
 to refuse his solicitations, they needed a conductor who might 
 guide them to the land; thus they permitted him to come on 
 board, on condition that he should swim to the yawl. This 
 was a reasonable stipulation; it was to avoid approaching the 
 mast, else, the rest actuated by the same desire of self-preser- 
 vation, would soon have overloaded the little vessel, and all 
 would have been buried in a watery grave. M. de la Fond, 
 therefore, summoning up all his strength and courage, was so 
 happy as to reach the seamen. In a little time afterwards, 
 the pilot and master, whom he had left on the mast, followed 
 his example, and swimming towards the yawl were seen and 
 taken in. 
 
 The flames still continued raging in the vessel, and as the 
 yawl was still endangered by being within half a league of 
 her, she stood a little to windward. Not long subsequent to 
 this, the fire reached the magazine; and then to describe the 
 thundering explosion which ensued is impossible. A thick 
 cloud intercepted the light of the sun, and amidst the terrific 
 darkness nothing but pieces of flaming timber, projected aloft 
 into the air, could be seen, threatening to crush to atoms in 
 their fall, numbers of miserable wretches still struggling with 
 the agonies of death. Nor were the party in the yawl be- 
 yond the reach of hazard; it was not improbable that some of 
 the fiery fragments might come down upon them, and precipi- 
 tate their frail support to the bottom. Though the Almighty 
 preserved them from that shocking calamity, they were shock- 
 ed with the spectacle environing them. The vessel had now 
 disappeared; the sea, to a great distance, was covered with 
 pieces of the wreck, intermingled with the bodies of those 
 unhappy creatures who had perished by their fall. Some were 
 seen who had been choked, others mansled, half consumed 
 and still retaining life enough to be sensible of the accumu- 
 lated horrors overwhelming them. 
 
 Tho fortitude of M. de la Fond was still preserved, through 
 
256 
 
 BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 
 
 the favour of Heaven, and he proposed approaching the 
 wreck, to see whether any provisions or necessary articles 
 might be picked up. He and his companions being totally de- 
 void of every thing, were exposed to the hazard of a death 
 even more painful than that which the others had suffer- 
 ed, in perishing of famine. But finding several barrels, which 
 they hoped might contain something to relieve their necessi- 
 ties, they experienced great mortification, on ascertaining that 
 they were part of the powder that had been thrown overboard 
 during the conflagration of their unfortunate vessel. 
 
 As night approached, they providentially discovered a cask 
 of brandy, about fifteen pounds of salt pork, a piece of scar- 
 let cloth, twenty yards of linen, a dozen of pipe staves, and 
 a small quantity of cordage. When it became dark they 
 durst not venture to retain their present station until day-liitht 
 without being endangered by the wreck, from the fragments 
 of which they had not then been able to disengage themselves. 
 Therefore they rowed as quickly away as possible from among 
 them, and bent all their care to the management of the yawl. 
 
 The whole began to labor assiduously, and every article 
 which could be converted to use was employed; the lining of 
 the boat was tore up for the sake of the planks and nails; a 
 seaman luckily had two needles, and the linen afforded what- 
 ever thread was necessary; the piece of scarlet cloth was 
 substituted for a sail; an oar was erected for a mast, and a 
 plank served for a rudder. The equipment of the boat was soon 
 completed, notwithstanding the darkness of the night, at least 
 as well as circumstances would allow. Yet a great difficulty 
 remained, for wanting charts and instruments, and being near- 
 ly two hundred leagues from land, the party felt at a loss what 
 course to steer. Resigning themselves to the Almighty, they 
 offered up fervent prayers for his direction. 
 
 At length the sail was hoisted, and a favorable breeze soon 
 wafted ]M. de la Fond from amidst the bodies of his miserable 
 comrades. 
 
 Fight days and nights the adventurers advanced without 
 seeing land; naked and exposed to the scorching heat of the 
 sun by day, and to intense cold by night. But to relieve the 
 thirst which parched them, they availed themselves of a show- 
 er of rain, falling on the sixth, and tried to catch a little of it 
 in their mouths and with their hands. They sucked the sail, 
 which was wet with the rain, but from being previously drench- 
 ed with sea water, it imparted a bitterness to the fresh water 
 
BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 
 
 257 
 
 which it received. However, they did not complain, for had 
 the rain been heavier, it might have lulled the wind, in the 
 continuance of which they rested their hopes of safety. 
 
 In order to ascertain the proper course, the adventurers 
 paid daily observance to the rising and setting of the sun and 
 moon, and the position of the stars pointed out how they 
 should steer. All their sustenance in the meantime was a 
 small piece of pork once in twenty-four hours, and this they 
 were even obliged to relinquish on the fourth day, from the 
 heat and irritation it occasioned of their bodies. Their bev- 
 erage was a glass of brandy taken from time to time, but it in- 
 flamed their stomachs without assuaging the thirst that con- 
 sumed them. Abundance of flying fish were seen; the im- 
 possibility of catching any of which only augmented the pain 
 already endured, though ]M. de la Fond and his companions 
 tried to reconcile tliemselves to the scanty pittance that they 
 possessed. Yet the uncertainty of their destiny, the want 
 of subsistence, and the turbulance of the ocean, all contribu- 
 ted to deprive them of repose, which they so much required, 
 and almost plunged them in despair. Nothing but a feeble 
 ray of hope preserved them under their accumulated sufier- 
 ings. 
 
 The eight night was passed by M. de la Fond at the helm; 
 there he had remained above ten hours, after soliciting relief, 
 and at last sunk down under fatigue. His miserable compan- 
 ions were equally exhausted, and despair began to overwhelm 
 the whole. 
 
 At last when the united calamities of hunger, thirst, fatigue 
 and misery, predicted speedy annihilation, the dawn of Wed- 
 nesday, the 3d of August, shewed this unfortunate crew 
 the distant land. None but those w'ho have experienced the 
 like situation, can form any adequate idea of the change 
 which was produced. Their strength was renovated, and they 
 w'ere aroused to precautions against being drifted away by the 
 current. They reached the coast of Brazil, in latitude 6 
 south, and entered Tresson Bay. 
 
 The first object of M. de la Fond and his companions was 
 to return thanks for the gracious protection of Heaven; they 
 prostrated themselves on the ground, and then in the trans- 
 port of joy rolled among the sand. 
 
 They exhibited the most frightful appearance; nothing hu- 
 man characterized them, which did not announce their misfor- 
 tune in glaring colors. Some were quite naked; others ban 
 ■only shirts, rotten and torn to rags. M. de la Fond had fast- 
 
258 
 
 BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 
 
 ened a piece of the scarlet cloth about his waist, in order to 
 appear at the head of his companions. Though rescued from 
 imminent danger, they had still to contend with hunger and 
 thirst, and remained in ignorance whether they should meet 
 men endowed with humanity in that region. 
 
 While deliberating on the course they should follow, about 
 fifty Portuguese of the settlement, there established, advanced 
 and inquired the cause of their presence. Their misfortunes 
 were soon explained, and the recital of them proved a suffi- 
 cient claim for supplying their wants. Deeply affected by the 
 account now given, the Portuguese congratulated themselves 
 that it had fallen to their lot to relieve the .‘Strangers, and speedi- 
 ly led them to their dwellings. On tlie way the seamen were 
 rejoiced at the sight of a river, into which they threw them- 
 selves, plunging in the water, and drinking copious draughts 
 of it to allay their thirst. Afterwards frequent liathing prov- 
 ed one of the best restoratives of bealtii, to which they all re- 
 sorted. 
 
 The chief man of the place next came, and conducted IM. 
 de la Fond and his companions to his house, about a half a 
 league distant from the spot where they landed. He charita- 
 bly supplied them with linen shirts and trowsers, and boiled 
 some fish, the water of which was relished as delicious broth. 
 Though sleep was equally necessary as this frugal fare, the 
 survivors having learned that there was a church within half 
 a league, dedicated to St Michael, repaired thitlier to render 
 thanks to Heaven for their miraculrms preservation. The 
 badness of the road induced such fatigue as compelled them 
 to rest in the village where it stood, and there the narrative 
 of their misfortunes, added to the piety which they exhibited, 
 attracted the notice of the inhabitants, all of whom hastened 
 to minister something to their necessities. After remaining a 
 short interval they returned to their host, who at night kindly 
 contributed another repast of fish. Something more invigo- 
 rating, however, being required by people who had endured 
 so much, they purchased an ox for a quantity of the brandy 
 that had been saved from the wreck. 
 
 Paraibo was distant fifteen leagues, and they had to set out 
 barefoot, and with little chance of finding suitable provisions 
 on the journey. 
 
 Thus they smoke-dried their present store, and added a lit- 
 tle flour to it. In three days they began to march, and, un- 
 der an escort of three soldiers, advanced seven leagues the 
 first day, when they were hospitably received by a person. 
 
WRECK OF THE SCHOONER BETSEY. 
 
 259 
 
 and passed the night in his house. On the following evening, 
 a Serjeant and twenty-nine men arrived to conduct them to the 
 commandant of the fortress, who gave them a friendly recep- 
 tion, afforded them supplies, and provided a boat to carry them 
 to Paraibo. About midnight they reached the town, where a 
 Portuguese captain attended to present them to the governor, 
 from whom also they experienced the like attention. Being 
 anxious to reach Fernambuc, to take advantage of a Portu- 
 guese fleet, daily expected to sail for Europe, the governor, in 
 three days more, ordered a corporal to conduct the party thith- 
 er. But at this time M. de la Fond’s feet were so cruelly 
 wounded, he was scarce able to stand, and on that account 
 was supplied with a horse. In four days he arrived at Fer- 
 nambuc, where, from different naval and military officers, he 
 met with the utmost attention and consideration; he and all 
 his companions got a passage to Europe in the fleet. 
 
 M. de la Fond sailed on the 5th of October, and reached 
 Lisbon in safety on the 17th of December; thence he procur- 
 ed a passage to Morlaix, where having rested a few days to 
 recruit his strengtii, he repaired to Port L’Orient, with his 
 health greatly injured by the calamities he had suffered, and 
 reduced to a state of poverty, having after twenty-eight years 
 service, lost all he had in the world. 
 
 By this deplorable catastrophe, nearly three hundred per- 
 sons perished. 
 
 WRECK OF THE SCHOONER BETSEY, 
 
 ON A REEF OF ROCKS. 
 
 The Betsey, a small schooner of about 75 tons burden, sail- 
 ed from Macao in China, for New South Wales, on the 10th 
 of November, 1805. Her compliment consisted of William 
 Brooks, commander, Edward Luttrell, mate, one Portuguese 
 
260 
 
 WRECK OF THE SCHOONER BETSE7. 
 
 seacunny, three Manilla and four Chinese Lascars. No in- 
 cident worthy of commemoration happened from the 10th to 
 20th of November. Next day, when the vessel was going at 
 the rate of seven knots and a half an hour, she struck on a 
 reef of rocks at half past two in the morning, while in north 
 latitude 9 48, and 1 14 14 east longitude. The boat was in- 
 stantly let down, and a small anchor sent astern, but on heav- 
 ing, the cable parted, and both were lost. The people next 
 endeavored to construct a raft of the water casks, but the 
 swell proved so great that they found it impossible to accom- 
 plish their purpose. At day-break they found that the vessel 
 had forged four or five miles on the reef, which they now dis- 
 covered extended nine or ten miles to the south, and four or 
 five east and west; and there were only tvyo feet water where 
 she lay. During three days and nights, the utmost exertions 
 were made to get her off without avail, and the crew had then 
 become so weakened that they could scarce be persuaded to 
 construct a raft. 
 
 The vessel now had bulged on the starboard side. But a 
 raft being made on the 24th, the people left her witli the jolly- 
 boat in company, and steered for Balambangan. Captain 
 Brooks, the mate, the gunner and two seacunnies were in the 
 latter, where their whole provision consisted of only a small 
 bag of biscuit; and on the raft were the Portuguese, four Chi- 
 nese and three Malays, but much better provided. 
 
 The boat and the raft parted company on the same day, as 
 a brisk gale arose from the westward, and the raft was never 
 heard of more; but it was conjectured to have probably drift- 
 ed on the island of Borneo, which then bore south-east. The 
 gale continued from the north-west until the 28th of the 
 month, accompanied by a mountainous sea, and then ceased. 
 By this time the fresh water taken into the boat was complete- 
 ly expended, and all the biscuit that remained was wet with salt 
 water. 
 
 On the 29th at day-break, land came in view, which was 
 supposed to be Balabac; the people were now nearly exhaust- 
 ed by rowing under a burning sun, and while a perfect calm 
 prevailed; and they were besides reduced to such extremity 
 as to drink their own urine. It blew so hard in the night that 
 they were obliged to bear up for Bangay, the north-west point 
 of which they discovered next morning at day-break. Going 
 ashore thev instantly made a search for fresh water, which 
 they soon 'ound, and considering what they had suffered from 
 thirst, it is no wonder that they drank to excess. While ramb- 
 
WRECK OP THE SCHOONER BETSEY, 
 
 261 
 
 ling into the woods in quest of fruit, two Malays met them, to 
 whom they made signs that they wanted food, and these being 
 understood, the Malays went away, and in the afternoon re- 
 turned with two cocoa-nuts and a few sweet potatoes, which 
 they gave in exchange for a silver spoon. 
 
 Night approaching, the people returned to their boat. — 
 Next morning five Malays made their appearance, bringing 
 some Indian corn and potatoes, which were exchanged for 
 spoons as before. These people pointed to Balambangan, and 
 endeavored to make the party comprehend that sometime ago 
 the English had abandoned the settlement. A new supply of 
 provision was promised next morning; therefore the party re- 
 tired with their little stock, and attended at the appointed time 
 to receive more. Eleven Malays then appeared on the beach; 
 but after a little conversation on landing, one of them threw 
 a spear at Captain Brooks, which penetrated his belly, anoth- 
 er made a cut at Mr. Lattrel, who parried it off with a cutlass, 
 and ran to the boat. Captain Brooks withdrew the spear 
 from his body, and also ran a short distance, but the inhuman 
 assassins followed him and cut off both his legs. The gunner 
 also was severely wounded, and reached the boat covered with 
 blood, while the party at the same time, saw the Malays strip- 
 ping the dead body of Captain Brooks; and in about fifteen 
 minutes afterwards the gunner expired 
 
 The survivors immediately made sail, and then examined 
 into the state of their provisions, which they found consisted 
 of ten cobs of Indian corn, three pumpkms, and two bottles 
 of water. Trusting to the mercy of Providence, they with 
 this, determined on shaping their course for the straits of 
 Malacca. 
 
 No particular occurrence happened in the course of the 
 voyage from the fourth to the fourteenth of December; fre- 
 quent showers had fortunately supplied them with fresh water, 
 but they were nearly exhausted by constant watching and 
 hunger. 
 
 On the 15th they fell in with a groupe of islands, in 3 of 
 north latitude, and about 100 degrees of east longitude, and 
 approached the shore. But being descried by two Malay 
 prows, they were immediately attacked, and one of the sea- 
 cunnies was run through with a spear and died instantly, 
 while the other was also wounded. Mr. Luttrel, the mate, 
 had a very narrow escape from a spear piercing through his 
 hat. The party being thus overpowerd, the Malays took pos- 
 session of their boat and immediately seized on all their prop- 
 
2(52 
 
 EARLY AMERICAN HEROISM. 
 
 erty, a sextant, their log-book, some plate and clothes. They 
 were themselves kept in a prow, without any covering, and 
 exposed to the scorching heat of the sun, with an allowance 
 of only a small quantity of sago during three days. After 
 that time they were carried ashore to the house of a rajah, on 
 an island called Sube, where they remained in a state of sla- 
 very, entirely naked, and subsisting on sago, until the 20th of 
 April. The Rajah sailed on that day in a prow for Rhio, 
 taking Mr. Luttrel and the two other survivors along with 
 him, and arrived there nearly famished, after a tedious pas- 
 sage of twenty-five days. 
 
 Here their distresses were alleviated by Mr. Koek of Ma- 
 lacca, who treated them in the kindest manner; and the ship 
 Kandree, commanded by Captain Williamson, arriving next 
 day, they obtained a passage in her for Malacca. 
 
 EARLY AMERICAN HEROISM. 
 
 During one of the former wars, between France and Eng- 
 land, in which the then Colonies bore an active part, a re- 
 spectable individual, a member of the society of Friends, of the 
 
 name of , commanded a fine ship which sailed from an 
 
 Eastern port, to a port in England. This vessel had a strong 
 and effective crew, but was totally unarmed. When near her 
 destined port, she was chased, and ultimately overhauled, by 
 a French vessel of war. Her commander used every en- 
 deavor to escape, but seeing from the superior sailing of the 
 Frenchman, that his capture was inevitable, he quietly retired 
 below : he was followed into the cabin by his cabin boy, a 
 youth of activity and enterprise, named Charles Wager ; he 
 asked his commander if nothing more could be done to save 
 the ship — his commander replied that it was impossible, that 
 every thing had been done that was practicable, there was 
 no escape for them, and they must submit to be captured. 
 Charles then returned upon deck and summoned the crew 
 around him — he stated iu a few words what was their 
 
EARLY AMERICAN HEROISM. 
 
 263 
 
 conclusion — then, with an elevation of mind, dictated by a 
 soul formed for enterprise and noble daring, he observed, “ if 
 you will place yourselves under rny command, and stand by 
 me, I have conceived a plan by which the ship may be rescu- 
 ed, and we in turn become the conquerors.” The sailors no 
 doubt feeling the ardor, and inspired by the courage of their 
 youthful and gallant leader, agreed to place themselves under 
 his command. His plan was communicated to them, and they 
 awaited with firmness, the moment to carry their enterprise 
 into effect. The suspense was of short duration, for the 
 Frenchman was quickly alongside, and grappled to the mer- 
 chant ship. As Charles had anticipated, the exhilarated con-» 
 querors, elated beyond measure, with the acquisition of so fine 
 a prize, poured into his vessel cheering and huzzaing ; and 
 not foreseeing any danger, they left but few men on board 
 their ship. Now was the moment for Charles, who, giving his 
 men the signal, sprang at their head on board the opposing 
 vessel, while some seized the arms which had been Hft in pro- 
 fusion on her deck, and with which they soon overpowered the 
 few men left on board ; the others, by a simultaneous move- 
 ment, relieved her from the grapplings which united the two 
 vessels. Our hero now having the command of the French ves- 
 sel, seized the helm, and placing her out of boarding distance, 
 hailed, with the voice of a conqueror, the discomfited crowd 
 of Frenchmen who W'ere left on board of the peaceful bark 
 he had just quitted, and summoned them to follow close in his 
 wake, or he would blow’ them out of water, (a threat they well 
 knew he was very capable of executing, as their guns were 
 loaded during the chase.) They sorrow’fully acquiesced with 
 his commands, while gallant Charles steered into port, fol- 
 lowed by his prize. The exploit excited universal applause 
 — the former master ofthe merchant vessel was examined by the 
 Admiralty, when he stated the whole of the enterprise as it oc- 
 curred, and declared that Charles Wager had planned and ef- 
 fected the gallant exploit, and that to him alone belonged the 
 honor and credit of the achievement. Charles was immedi- 
 ately transferred to the British navy, appointed a midshipman, 
 and his education carefully superintended. He soon after dis- 
 tinguished himself in action, and underwent a rapid promotion, 
 until at length he was created an Admiral, and know’n as Sir 
 Charles Wager. It is said that he always held in veneration 
 and esteem, that respectable and conscientious Friend, whose 
 cabin boy he had been, and transmitted yearly to his old 
 MASTER, as he termed him, a handsome present of Madeira, to 
 cheer his declining days. 
 
S64 
 
 tingal’s cave. 
 
 FINGAL’S CAVE. 
 
 The most magnificent of all known caverns, is that called 
 Fingal’s Cave, in the Isle of Staffa, on the western coast of 
 Scotland. Its length is 370 feet ; and the height at the en- 
 trance of the cave is 117 feet. 
 
 Thousands of majestic columns of basalts support a lofiy 
 roof, under which the sea rolls its waves, while the vastness 
 of the entrance allows the light of day to penetrate the va- 
 rious recesses of tiie cave. 
 
 The mind, says Mr. Pennant, can hardly form an idea more 
 magnificent than such a space, supported on each side by 
 ranges of columns, and roofed by the bottom of those which 
 have been broken off in order to form it, between the angles 
 of which a yellow stalagmatic matter has exuded, which serves 
 to define the angles precisely, and, at the same time, vary the 
 color with a great deal of elegance. To render it still more 
 agreeable, the whole is lighted from without, so that the far- 
 thest extremity is very plainly seen ; and the air within, beintr 
 agitated by the flux and reflux of the tides is perfectly whole- 
 some, and free from the damp vapors with which cavern? 
 generally abound. 
 
THE RAMILLIES 
 
THE LOSS OF THE RAMILLIES. 
 
 267 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE RAMILLIES. 
 
 IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. 
 
 Admiral (afterwards Lord) Graves having requested leave 
 to return to England in 1782, was appointed by Lord Rodney 
 to command the convoy sent home with the numerous fleet of 
 merchantmen from the West Indies in the month of July. — 
 He accordingly hoisted his flag on board the Ramillies of 74 
 guns, and sailed on the 25th from Blue Fields, having under 
 his orders the Canada and Centaur of 74 guns each, the Pal- 
 las frigate of 36 guns, and the following French ships, taken 
 by Lord Rodney and Sir Samuel Hood, out of the armament 
 commanded by the Count de Grasse, viz. the Ville de Paris, 
 of 1 10 guns; the Glorieux and Hector, of 74 guns each; the 
 Ardent, Caton and Jason, of 6 guns each. Those which 
 were originally British ships had been in so many actions, 
 and so long absent from England, as to have become extreme- 
 ly out of condition, while that of the prizes was still more de- 
 plorable, and the following authentic account of the various 
 disasters which attended this distressed convoy will be found 
 equally melancholy and interesting. 
 
 Soon after the fleet had sailed, the officers of the Ardent 
 united in signing such a representation of her miserable plight 
 as induced Admiral Graves to order her back to Port Royal; 
 and the Jason, by not putting to sea with the convoy, from 
 want of water, never joined him at all. 7'he rest proceeded, 
 and after those vessels that were bound for New York had 
 separated, the whole convoy was reduced to ninety-two or 
 three sail. 
 
 On the 8th of September the Caton springing a leak, made 
 such alarming complaints, that the Admiral directed her and 
 the Pallas, also become leaky, to bear away immediately, and 
 keep company together, making for Halifax, which then bore 
 North-North West and was but eighty-seven leagues dis- 
 tant. 
 
 The afternoon of the 16th of September shewing indica- 
 tions of a gale and foul weather from the south-east quarter. 
 
268 
 
 THE LOSS OP THE RAMILLIES. 
 
 every preparation was made on board the flag-ship for such 
 an event, not only on account of her own safety, but also as 
 an example to the rest of the fleet. The Admiral collected 
 the ships about six o’clock, and brought to under his main- 
 sail on the larboard tack, having all his other sails furled, and 
 his top-gallant yards and masts lowered down. 
 
 The wind soon increasing, blew strong from the E. S. E. 
 with a very heavy sea, and about three o’clock in the morn- 
 ing of the 17th flew suddenly round to the contrary point, 
 blowing most tremendously, and accompanied with rain, thun- 
 der and lightning: the Ramillies was taken by the lee, her 
 main-sail thrown back, her main-mast went by the board, and 
 mizen-mast half way up; the fore-top mast fell over the star- 
 board bow, the fore-yard broke in the slings, the tiller snap- 
 ped in two, and the rudder was nearly torn off. Thus was 
 ihis capital ship, from being in perfect order, reduced, within 
 a few minutes to a mere wreck, by the fury of the blast and 
 the violence of the sea, which acted in opposition to each 
 other. The ship was pooped, the cabin, where the Admiral 
 lay was flooded, his cot-bed jerked down by the violence of 
 the shock and the ship’s instantaneous revulsion, so that he 
 was obliged to pull on his boots half leg deep in water, with- 
 out any stockings, to huddle on his wet clothes, and repair 
 upon deck. On his first coming thither, he ordered two of 
 the lieutenants to examine into the state of the affairs below, 
 and to keep a sufficient number of people at the pumps, while 
 he himself and the captain kept the deck, to encourage the 
 men to clear away the wreck, which, by its constant swinging 
 backwards and forwards by every wave against the body of 
 the ship, had beaten off much of the copper from the starboard 
 side, and exposed the seams so much to the sea that the de- 
 cayed oakum washed out, and the whole frame became at 
 once exceedingly porous and leaky. 
 
 At dawn of day they perceived a large ship lying under 
 their lee, lying upon her side, water-logged, her hands at- 
 tempting to wear her by first cutting away the mizen-mast, 
 and then her main-mast; hoisting her ensign, with the union 
 downwards in order to draw the attention of the fleet; but to 
 no purpose, for no succour could be given, and she very soon 
 went down head fore-most, the fly of her ensign being the 
 last thing visible. This was the Dutton, formerly an East 
 Indiarnan, and then a store-ship, commanded by a lieutenant of 
 the navy, who in his agitation, leaped from her deck into the 
 sea; but, as might be expected, was very soon overwhelmed 
 
THE LOSS OF THE RAMILLIES. 
 
 269 
 
 by its billows. Twelve or thirteen of the crew contrived, 
 however, to slide off one of the boats, and running with the 
 wind, first endeavored to reach a large ship before them, 
 which, not being able to fetch, and afraid of filling if they at- 
 tempted to haul up for the purpose, they made up for another 
 ship more to the leeward, who fortunately descrying them, 
 threw a number of ropes, by the help of which these desper- 
 ate fellows scrambled up her sides, and fortunately saved their 
 lives. Out of ninety-four or five sail, seen the day before, 
 scarcely twenty could now be counted; of the ships of war, 
 there were discerned the Canada, half hull down upon the 
 lee-quarter, having her main-top-mast and mizen-mast gone, 
 the main-top damaged, the main-yard aloft, and the main-sail 
 furled; the Centaur was far to windward, without masts, bow- 
 sprit or rudder; and the Glorieux without foremast, bowsprit 
 or main-top-mast. Of these the two latter perished with all 
 their crews, excepting the captain of the Centaur, and a few 
 of his people, who contrived to slip off her stern into one of 
 the boats unnoticed, and thus escaped the fate of the rest of 
 the crew. 
 
 The Ville de Paris appeared to have received no injury, 
 and was commanded by a most experienced seaman, who had 
 made twenty-four voyages to and from the W est Indies, and 
 had, therefore, been pitched upon to lead the ship through the 
 Gulf; nevertheless, she was afterwards buried in the ocean 
 with all on board her, consisting of above eight hundred peo- 
 ple. Of the convoy, besides the Dutton, before mentioned, 
 and the British Queen, seven others were discovered without 
 mast or bowsprit; eighteen lost masts and several others had 
 foundered. 
 
 In the course of this day the Canada crossed upon and 
 passed the Ramillies; some of the trade attempted to follow 
 the Canada, but she ran at such a rate that they soon found 
 it to be in vain, and then returned towards the flag-ship; the 
 Ramillies had at this time six feet water in her hold, and the 
 pumps would not free her, the water having worked out the 
 oakum, and her beams amid-ship being almost drawn from 
 their clamps. 
 
 The admiral, therefore, gave orders for all the buckets to 
 be manned, and every officer to help towards freeing the ship; 
 the mizen-top-sail was set upon the fore-mast, the main-top- 
 gallant-sail on the stump of the mizen-mast, and the tiller 
 shipped. In this condition, by bearing away, she scudded on 
 at so good a rate that she held pace with some of the mer- 
 chantmen. 
 
270 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE RAMILLIES. 
 
 The day having been spent in bailing and pumping, without 
 materially gaining on the water, the captain in the name of 
 the officers, represented to the admiral the necessity of part- 
 ing with the guns for the relief of the ship, but he objected, 
 that there would then be left no protection for the convoy. — 
 At length, however, after great difficulty, he consented to 
 their disposing of the fore-castle and after-most quarter-deck 
 guns, together with some of the shot, and other articles of 
 very great weight. The ensuing night v/as employed in bail- 
 ing and endeavoring to make the pumps useful, tor the ballast 
 by getting into the w'ell, had choked and rendered them use- 
 less, and the chains had broken every time they were repair- 
 ed. The water had risen to seven feet in the hold The wind 
 from the westward drove a vast sea before it, and the ship be- 
 ing old, strained most violently. 
 
 On the morning of the 18th nothing could be seen of the 
 Canada, she having pushed on at her greatest speed for Eng- 
 land. The frame of the Ramillies having opened during the 
 night, the admiral was prevailed upon, by the renewed and 
 pressing remonstrances of the officers, although with great 
 reluctance, to let si.x of the forwardmost and four of the after- 
 most guns of the main-deck to be thrown overboard, together 
 with the remainder of those on the quarter-deck; and the ship 
 still continuing to open very much, he ordered tarred canvas 
 and hides to be nailed fore and aft from under the sills of the 
 ports on the main-deck under the fifth plank above, or within 
 the water-ways, and the crew, without orders did the same on 
 the lower deck. Her increasing complaints requiring still 
 more to be done, the admiral directed all the guns on the up- 
 per deck, the shot, both on that and the low’er deck, and va- 
 rious heavy stores to be thrown overboard; a leakage in the 
 light room of the grand magazine having almost filled the 
 ship forward, and there being eight feet water in the maga- 
 zine, every gentleman was compelled to take his turn at the 
 whips, or in handing the buckets. The ship was besides 
 frapped from the fore-mast to the main-mast. 
 
 Wotvvithstanding their utmost efforts the water still gained 
 on them the succeeding night, the wind blowing very hard, 
 with e.xtremely heavy squalls, a part of the orlop deck fell in- 
 to the hold; the ship herself seemed to work excessively, and 
 to settle forward. 
 
 On the morning of the 19th, under these very alarming 
 circumstances, the admiral commanded both the bower an- 
 chors to be cut away, all the junk to be flung overboard, one 
 
THE LOSS OF THE RAMILLIES. 
 
 271 
 
 sheet and one bower cable to be reduced to junk and served 
 the same way, together with every remaining ponderous store 
 that could be got at, and all the powder in the grand maga- 
 zine (it being damaged;) the cutter and pinnace to be broken 
 up and tossed overboard, the skidds having already worked off 
 the side; every soul on board was now employed in bailing. 
 One of the pumps was got up, but to no purpose, for the shot- 
 lockers being broken down, some of the shot, as well as the 
 ballast, had fallen into the well; and as the weather moderated 
 a little, every thing was made ready to heave the lower deck 
 guns into the sea, the admiral being anxious to leave nothing 
 undone for the relief of the ship. 
 
 When evening approached, there being twenty merchant 
 ships in sight, the officers united in beseeching him to go in- 
 to one of them, but this he positively refused to do, deeming 
 it, as he declared, unpardonable in a commander in chief to 
 desert his garrison in distress; that his living a few years 
 longer was of very little consequence, but that, by leaving 
 his ship at such a time, he should discourage and slacken the 
 exertions of the people, by setting a very bad example. The 
 wind lulling somewhat during the night, all hands bailed the 
 water, which, at this time, was six feet fore and aft. 
 
 On the morning of the 20th the admiral ordered the spare 
 and stream anchors to be cut away, and within the course of 
 the day ail the lower deck guns to be thrown overboard. — 
 When evening came, the spirits of the people in general, and 
 even of the most courageous, began to fail, and they openly 
 expressed the utmost despair, together with the most earnest 
 desire of quitting the ship, lest they should founder in her. — 
 The admiral hereupon advanced and told them, that he and 
 their officers had an equal regard for their own lives, and that 
 the officers had no intention of deserting either them or the 
 ship, that, for his part, he was determined to try one night 
 more in her, he, therefore, hoped and intreated they would do 
 60 too, for there was still room to imagine, that one fair day, 
 with a moderate sea, might enable them, by united exertions 
 to clear and secure the well against the encroaching ballast 
 which washed into it; that if this could be done, they might 
 be able to restore the chains to the pumps, and use them; and 
 that then hands enough might be spared to raise jury-masts, 
 with which they might carry the ship to Ireland; that her ap- 
 pearance alone, while she could swim, would be sufficient to 
 protect the remaining part of her convoy; above all, that as 
 every thing that could be thought of had now been done for 
 
272 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE RAMILLIES. 
 
 her relief, it would be but reasonable to wait the effect. Ho 
 concluded with assuring t.iein, that he would make the signal 
 directly for the trade to lie by them during the night, which he 
 doubted not they would comply with. 
 
 This temperate speech had the desired effect; the firmness 
 and confidence with which he spoke, and their reliance on 
 his seamanship and judgment, as well as his constant pres- 
 ence and attention to every accident, had a wonderful effect 
 upon them; they became pacified, and returned to their duty 
 and their labors. Since the first disaster, the admiral had, in 
 fact, scarcely ever quitted the deck; this they had all observ- 
 ed, together with his diligence in personally inspecting every 
 circumstance of distress. Knowing his skill and experience 
 they placed great confidence in them; and he instantly made, 
 according to his promise, a signal for all the merchantmen. 
 
 At this period, it must be confessed, there was great rea- 
 son for alarm, and but little for hope; for all the anchors and 
 guns, excepting one, together with every other matter of 
 weight, had been thrown overboard, and yet the ship did not 
 seem at all relieved. The strength of the people was, like- 
 wise, so nearly exhausted, having had no sleep since the first 
 fatal stroke, that o le half of the crew were ordered to bail 
 and the other to repose; so that, although the wind was much 
 abated, the water still gained upon them, in spite of all their 
 efforts, and the ship rolled and worked most prodigiously in a 
 most unquiet sea. 
 
 At three in the morning of the 2 1st, being the fourth night, 
 the well being quite broken in, the casks, ballast and remain- 
 ing shot, rushed together and destroyed the cylinders of the 
 pumps; the frame and carcase of the ship began to give way 
 in every part, and the whole crew exclaimed that it was im- 
 possible to keep her any longer above water. 
 
 In this extremity the admiral resolved within himself not to 
 lose a moment in removing the people whenever day-light 
 should arrive, but told the captain not to communicate any 
 more of his design than that he intended to remove the sick 
 and lame at day-break; and for this purpose he should call 
 on board all the boats of the merchantmen He, neverthe- 
 less, gave private orders to the captain, while this was doing, 
 to have all the bread brought upon the quarter-deck, with a 
 quantity of beef, pork and flour, to settle the best distribution 
 of the people according to the number of the trade ships that 
 should obey their signal, and to allow an officer to each di- 
 vision of them; to have the remaining boats launched, and as 
 
THE LOSS OF THE RAMILLtES. 
 
 273 
 
 soon as the sick were disposed of, to begin to remove the 
 whole of the crew, with the utmost despatch, but without risk- 
 ing too many in a boat. 
 
 Accordingly at dawn, the signal was made for the boats of 
 the merchantmen, but nobody suspected what was to follow, 
 until the bread was entirely removed and the sick gone. — 
 About six o’clock, the rest of the crew were permitted to go 
 off, and between nine and ten, there being nothing further to 
 direct and regulate, the admiral himself, after shaking hands 
 with every officer, and leaving his barge for their better ac- 
 commodation and transport, quitted forever the Ramillies, 
 which had then nine feet water in her hold. He went into a 
 small leaky boat, loaded with bread, out of which both him 
 and the surgeon who accompanied him were obliged to bail 
 the water all the way. He was in his boots, with his surtout 
 over his uniform, and his countenanee as calm and as compos- 
 ed as ever. He had, at going off, desired a cloak, a cask of 
 flour and a cask of water, but could get only the flour, and 
 he left behind all his stock, wines, furniture, books and charts, 
 which had cost him upwards of one thousand pounds, being 
 unwilling to employ even a single servant in saving or pack- 
 ing up what belonged to himself alone, in a time of such 
 general calamity, as to appear better in that respect than any 
 of the crew. 
 
 The admiral rowed for the Belle, Captain Forster, being 
 the first of the trade that had borne up to the Ramillies the 
 preceding night in her imminent distress, and by his anxious 
 humanity set such an example to his brother traders as had a 
 powerful influence upon them — an influence which was gen- 
 erally followed by sixteen others. 
 
 By three o’clock most of the crew were taken out, at which 
 time the Ramillies had thirteen feet water in her hold, and 
 was evidently foundering in every part, at half past four the 
 captain, and first and third lieutenants, left her, with every 
 soul excepting the fourth lieutenant, who staid behind only to 
 execute the admiral’s orders for setting fire to her wreck when 
 finally deserted. The carcase burned rapidly, and the flames 
 quickly reaching the powder, which was filled in the after 
 magazine, and had been lodged very high, in thirty-five 
 minutes the decks and upper works blew up with a horrid ex- 
 plosion and cloud of smoke, while the lower part of the hull 
 was precipitated to the bottom of the ocean. 
 
 At this time the adm.iral, in the Belle, stood for the wreck 
 to see his last orders executed, as well as to succour any boats 
 VOL. n 12* 
 
274 
 
 THE LOSS OF THE RAMILLIES^ 
 
 that might be too full of men, the swell of the sea being pro- 
 digious, although the weather had been moderate ever since 
 noon of the foregoing day. There were, however, at intervals, 
 some squalls, with threats of the weather soon becoming vio- 
 lent. It was not long before they were realized, for within 
 two hours after the last of the crew were put on board their 
 respective ships, the wind rose to a great height, and so con- 
 tinued, with intermission, for six or seven successive days, so 
 that no boat could, during that time, have lived in the water 
 On such a small interval depended the salvation of more than 
 six hundred lives! Indeed, during the four days immediately 
 preceding this catastrophe, it blew such a strong gale, and 
 such a heavy sea followed the Ramillies, that it was always 
 necessary to keep her with the wind upon her quarter, with 
 seldom more than the sprit-sail hoisted upon her foremast, and 
 at times with no sail at all, in which state she would run at 
 the rate of six miles an hour. Whenever the main-top-gal- 
 lant-sail was set on the stump of the mizen-mast she common- 
 ly griped too much, so as to render the steerage very difficult, 
 and yet this had been carried, whenever it could be, in order 
 to keep pace with the merchantmen, the slowest of which 
 went nearly as fast under their bare poles. 
 
 Even in running thus the Ramillies rolled prodigiously, and 
 as she grew lighter every day her motion became the more 
 uneasy, so that the men could scarcely stand to their work, or 
 keep their legs without something to lay hold by. There was 
 no such thing as real repose for them when sitting or lying 
 down upon deck, nor steadiness enough to eat or drink with 
 any security; no meat could be dressed, nor did any man or 
 officer go into bed. Until the afternoon of the 20th there was 
 no venturing to bring her to, even for a boat to come on 
 board; but, notwithstanding this desperate condition, when 
 some were hourly dropping through fatigue and want of sleep, 
 and the decks were covered with water, the whole of the crew 
 behaved with the utmost obedience, attention and sobrietv, 
 and remitted no possible exertion for the preservation of the 
 ship. 
 
 Upon their separation faking place, the officers, who were 
 distributed with portions of the crew among the Jamaica-mcn, 
 had orders respectively to deliver them to the first man of war 
 or tender they should meet with, and to acquaint the Secreta- 
 ry of the Admiralty, by the earliest opportunity, of their pro- 
 ceedings. A pendant was hoisted on board the Belle, by way 
 of distinction, that she might, if possible, lead the rest. Some 
 of tire trade kept with her, and others made the best of their 
 
THE LOSS OF THE RAMILLIES. 
 
 275 
 
 way, apprehensive lest they should soon fall short of provis- 
 ions, as they had so many more to feed. 
 
 The Silver Eel transport, which had sailed from Bluefields 
 with the invalids of Sir George Rodney’s fleet, and was under 
 the command of a lieutenant of the navy, had been ordered to 
 keep near the Ramillies. That ship was accordingly at hand 
 on the 21st of September, the day of her destruction, and in 
 consequence of several deaths on the passage had room 
 enough for the reception of all who were now ailing or maim- 
 ed, and was therefore charged with them, being properly fit- 
 ted for their accommodation. 
 
 The Silver Eel parted from the admiral in latitude 4248 N. 
 and longitude 45 19 W. after seeing the Ramillies demolish- 
 ed, and being ordered to make for the first port, ran into Fal- 
 mouth the 6th of October, on the afternoon of which day, one 
 of the trade ships, with a midshipman and sixteen of the crew 
 of the Ramillies, reached Plymouth Sound. Another of the 
 same convoy, having on board another part of the crew, with 
 the captain and first lieutenant, anchored in the same place be- 
 fore day-light the next morning. The Canada, however, hav- 
 ing exerted her utmost speed, had, prior to all these, on the 
 4ta of the same month got to Portsmouth, where she spread 
 the news of the dispersion of this miserable fleet, which be- 
 ing conveyed to France, her privateers immediately put to 
 sea in hopes of making prizes of them. Some of the Jamai- 
 ca-men, with part of the crew of the Ramillies, fell into their 
 hands; two of the West Indiamen were captured in sight of 
 the Belle, but she herself with the admiral and thirty-three of 
 his crew, arrived safe, though singly, on the lOlh of October 
 in Cork harbor, where was the Myrmidon frigate. The ad- 
 miral immediately hoisted his flag on board the latter, and 
 sailing with the first fair wind, arrived, on the 17th, in Plymouth 
 Sound, apparently in good health, but with a settled oppression 
 upon his breast, from having been so long and so dreadfully 
 exposed upon the deck of the Ramillies in the horrid night 
 when she was first overtaken by the storm; nor could he re- 
 move that complaint for upwards of six months. He brought 
 away with him nothing but a few of his private papers, the 
 rest of his effects having shared the same fate as his ship. 
 
 It was calculated that by the destruction of the fleet, up- 
 wards of twenty one thousand five hundred persons perished. 
 The loss of property has been estimated by the British Gov- 
 ernment to be upwards of £20,000,000. The gale, which 
 continued for six days, was the most tremendous one on re- 
 cord. 
 
279 
 
 PRESERVATION OF NINE SEAMEN 
 
 PRESERVATION OF NINE MEN, 
 
 IN A SMALL BOAT, SURROUNDED BY ISLANDS OF ICE. 
 
 We sailed from Plymouth under convoy of H. B. Majesty’s 
 ship St. Alban’s, and two other ships of war, together with a 
 fleet of merchantmen bound to the Mediteranean, having a 
 fresh gale at north-east. 
 
 The wind still continuing, we kept company with the fleet 
 until reaching 120 leagues to the westward; then judging our- 
 selves clear of privateers, we proceeded on our voyage. But 
 before gaining 300 leagues, on the 17th of March we came 
 up with an English built ship cf about 200 tons, carrying 
 twelve guns, and sailing under a jury main-mast. On our ap- 
 proach she hoisted English colors; and, on being hailed, told 
 us she belonged to London, and was now bound from Virginia 
 homewards, which seemed probable, as many tame fowl were 
 on board; and a red bird flew from her to us. 
 
 Our captain seeing the vessel disabled, desired her to bring 
 to; saying, if anything was wanted on board, we should hoist 
 out our boat and carry it thither; but this was obstinately re- 
 fused; the captain declared, that our boat should not approach, 
 and unless we kept further off, he would fire into us. This 
 induced suspicion on our i>art, wherefore we run up with the 
 vessel, and commanded her to bring to. On this she fired, 
 and engaged us from eleven in the morning until six in the 
 evening; then, being much damaged, she struck, and called 
 to us to save the lives of the crew. But this request came 
 too late, for the wind increasing, raised a great sea, which 
 forced our ship under a reefed main-sail, whence we could not 
 hoist out our boat, without endangering our own lives. How- 
 ever, by means of a light which she carried, we kept close to 
 her, intending to hoist the boat out when it became practica- 
 ble. But towards midnight her light became very low; and 
 by aloud cry, which was heard about one o’clock, we judged 
 that she foundered. 
 
 When the vessel struck she told us that she had fourteen 
 Frenchmen on board, whence we conjectured her to be an 
 
PRESERVATION OF NINE SEAMEN. 2^ 1 
 
 English Virginia-man taken by the French; and that she had 
 lost her main-mast in the engagement.. We followed her, 
 chasing and fighting, about thirty leagues; and when she 
 struck we were in 45 50 north latitude. 
 
 Our booty being thus lost, we made the best of our way to 
 Newfoundland, being bound thither on a fishing voyage. One 
 trouble, however, seldom comes alone, and so it happened to 
 us; for, on the 26th of March, we saw some shattered ice, 
 at four in the afternoon, which was supposed to be the har- 
 bor ice now broken up. We were now in 46 50 north latitude, 
 and conceived ourselves 50 leagues, though it afterwards 
 proved seventy, from the land. The wind being at east, the 
 top-sails were handed; and we stood northward, under our 
 courses, hoping to get clear of the ice before night. But find- 
 ing rather more than less, we tacked to the Southward, which 
 was found unproductive of any change. Therefore, for furth- 
 er security, the fore-sail was furled, and the ship brought to 
 under the mainsail, as night approached, and as there was a 
 dead wind, so that we could lie off on neither tack, we trusted 
 if we should fall in with the greater ice, to meet with the less 
 shocks. 
 
 About eight or nine o’clock, we discovered a field of ice, 
 of which we run foul, notwithstanding our exertions to keep 
 clear of it; and although we hung cables, coils of rope, hoops 
 and such things, over the ship to defend her, she struck so 
 hard, that at eleven she bilged, whence we had much difficul- 
 ty to keep her afloat till day-light, by two pumps going, and 
 bailing at three hatchways. 
 
 At the approach of day our men were much fatigued, the 
 water increased, and against noon the hold was half full. — 
 No one knew what to advise another, and all began to despair 
 of their lives: we continued pumping, though to little purpose, 
 and concluded, that if now were our appointed time, we must 
 submit patiently to it. 
 
 But amidst this disaster, it pleased God to put it into the 
 thoughts of some of us, that several might be preserved in 
 the boat, whence the captain was entreated to hoist her out, 
 and commit a few of us there. 
 
 The captain answered, that, although God could work won- 
 ders, it was improbable that so small a boat should preserve 
 us; that it was but living a few days longer in misery; and, 
 seeing God had cast this calamity to his lot, he was resolved 
 to take his chance and die with his men. 
 
 Nevertheless, being much importuned, he ordered the boat 
 
273 
 
 PRESF.RVATION OF NINE SEAMEN. 
 
 out, and William Saunders and five others in her; and, that 
 the men might not suspect their design, it was given out that 
 the boat should go ahead to tow the ship clear of tlie ice. — 
 How likely that was the reader may judge, there being but 
 one oar, all the rest were broken by defending the ship from 
 the ice. However, the purpose advanced. 
 
 The boat being out, and finding no effect produced in tow- 
 ing the ship, fell a-stern, intending to take in the captain and 
 as many as it could safely carry, while some were preparing 
 necessaries for a miserable voyage. A compass, and other 
 things ready, were conveyed into it. 
 
 The captain, doctor and several others, having got out at 
 the cabin windows and galleries, I, amongst the rest, endeav- 
 ored to escape at the gallery, intending likewise, if possible, 
 to get into the boat; but being discovered by the men, they 
 took small arms, and kept off the boat, resolving, as she could 
 not preserve all, that the whole should perish together. 
 
 This design being frustrated, every one, except myself and 
 William Langniead, got into the ship again; but we were so 
 low that we could not recover ourselves. No person coming 
 to relieve us, we were at length forced to let go our hold, and 
 trust to the mercy of those in the boat, who seeing us swim- 
 ming towards them, hove out a rope and took us in. 
 
 We were now eight in number in the boat; and, willing to 
 save our captain, lay hovering about the ship till night; but 
 the men persisting in their resolution, fired at the boat and 
 kept her off. We began to seek shelter as night approached; 
 and, having gone among the shattered ice, made our boat fast 
 to a small lump, and drove with it; and as we came foul of 
 great ice, we removed and made fast to another piece, and so 
 continued during the remainder of the night. 
 
 Looking around in the morning, the ship was seen about 
 three leagues to the eastward in the same position as we had 
 left her, whereon a consultation was held whether or not we 
 should return and make another attempt to save the captain, 
 and as many more as possible. This proposal, however, was 
 negatived, every one alleging that the men would either fire 
 on us, or inconsiderately crowd into the boat and sink her; 
 therefore, it was resolved to make the best of our way to the 
 shore. But I, considering how little it would tend to my hon- 
 or to save my life, and see my captain perish, endeavored to 
 persuade them that the ship still swam buoyant, that I hoped 
 the leak was stopped, and that we might proceed on our voy- 
 age; but this was unavai'.ing. When I saw myself unable to 
 
PRESERVATION OF NINE SEAMEN. 
 
 279 
 
 prevail thus, I desired them to row up and set me on that part 
 of the ice next the ship, whence I should walk to her, and die 
 with my commander. 
 
 This being unanimously agreed to, we rowed to the ice; 
 but when we reached it, I was loth to go out. However, on 
 calling the captain to us, Mr. John Maddick came first, and 
 after him the doctor and some others, which the captain per- 
 ceiving, came also. 
 
 The captain having left the ship, the multitude crowded so 
 eagerly after him that we had like to have spoiled all; but by 
 chance the boat was got off, with tw'enty-one people in hei: 
 and hanging to her sides. Some were forced to slip; others 
 perished on the ice, not being able to return to the ship, where 
 the rest were lost. 
 
 On the 25th of March we took a miserable farewell of our 
 distressed brethren, the heart of every one being so overload- 
 ed with his own misery as to have little room to pity another. 
 Next, on considering what course to follow, we resolved to 
 make for the shore. 
 
 Our only provision was a small barrel of flour, and a five 
 gallon rundlet of brandy, which had been thrown overboard, 
 and was taken up by us. We also took up an old chest, which 
 stood us in good stead, for having but one oar, and our ship’'s 
 handspikes, and a hatchet being by chance in the boat, we 
 could split the chest, and tiail it to the handspikes, which were 
 our oars. Nails we had only, by drawing them from different 
 parts of the boat; and the rest of the chest was used to kindle 
 a fire. It also happened that our main tarpauling, which had 
 been newly tarred, was put into the boat. Of it we made a 
 main-sail; and of an old piece of canvas, that had been a 
 sail to a yawl, w'e made a fore-sail. In this condition we 
 turned towards the shore, and observing the surrounding ice 
 lie north and south, we steered north, and in the morning 
 were clear of it. 
 
 Having now got into the ocean, and the wind being still 
 easterly, we hoisted our sail, and steered w'est-north-west 
 about fourteen leagues, when we fell in w'ith another field of 
 ice. Attempting to sail through it, w'e were enclosed by ma- 
 ny great islands, which drove so fast together, that w'e were 
 forced to haul up our boat on the ice, otherwise we should 
 have perished. 
 
 Here we lay eleven days without once seeing the sea. As 
 the ice was thick, we caught as many seals as we chose, for 
 they were in great abundance. Our fire hearth was made of 
 
280 
 
 PRESERVATION OF NINE SEAMEN. 
 
 the skin, and the fat melted so easily, that we could boil the 
 lean with it. 
 
 But by lying so long in this cold region, the men began to 
 complain of their feet; and our boat being too small to afford 
 room for all, there was always a hideous cry among us of hurt- 
 ing each other, though for this there was no remedy. We 
 kept watch six and six, both for the convenience of room, and 
 to guard against the ice breaking under our boat, which often 
 happened, and then it was necessary to launch, or carry her 
 to a place which we thought strong enough to bear her 
 weight. 
 
 In eleven days we saw the sea, and, with great difficulty, 
 got out the boat. "V\"e sailed about ten or twelve leagues 
 north-north-west as before, when we were again enclosed; 
 and this was repeated five several times. The last ice, how- 
 ever, was worse than any before, and although it was so thick 
 that we could not force the boat through it, yet it was not so 
 solid as to bear the weight of a man; therefore, notwithstand- 
 ing we daily saw enough of seals, we could take none of 
 them. 
 
 It fortunately happened, that when we parted from the hard 
 ice, we had seven seals in store, and one that we took dead, 
 which was consumed without consulting how it had died. 
 
 We were next reduced to short allowance, having only one 
 among us to serve two days, which, with about three ounces 
 of flour, mixed with water, and boiled in the fat of the seal, 
 was all our provision. At length we were obliged to share 
 both feet and skin, each of us allowing a little fat to make a 
 fire. But being constrained to eat the whole, skin and bone 
 also, scarcely boiled, injured our stomachs so much, that some 
 of our number died, and I myself suffered severely. 
 
 On getting clear of the loose ice, if the wind was so ad- 
 verse as to prevent our rowing, we made fast the boat to an 
 island of ice until better weather. Although this sheltered 
 us, we were often in great danger, from the islands driving 
 foul of us, so that it was wonderful we escaped. 
 
 We drank the ice mixed with brandy; and our provisions, 
 with good management, lasted until our coming ashore, for it 
 pleased God to save some of us by taking others to himseif. 
 Our companions began to die two or three in a day, until we 
 were at last reduced to nine. 
 
 The feet of several who died were bit in such a manner by 
 the fr-ost, that, on stripping them, which was done to give the 
 clothes to the survivors, their toes came away with the stock- 
 
CAPTAIN Ross’s EXPEDITION. 
 
 281 
 
 ings. The last who died was the boatswain, who lived until 
 the day before we saw land. 
 
 Our compass was broke by the last field of ice through 
 which we passed, and soon after we lost our water bucket, 
 which was used for bailing. Our course was directed by the 
 sun in the day-time, and the stars by night. 
 
 Though many other accidents befel us, it pleased the Lore 
 to bring us safe to land, after passing twenty-eight days in 
 the boat. 
 
 On the 24th of April we arrived at Baccalew, and thence 
 repaired to the Bay of Verds, in Newfoundland, where we 
 found three men providing for a fishing voyage, who carried 
 us to their house, and gave us such things as they had. But 
 they being indifferently stored, and unable to maintain us, we 
 determined to go to St. John’s, notwithstanding some of us 
 were so much frost-bit, as to be obliged to be carried to the 
 boat. Before getting to Cape St. Francis, however, the wind 
 veered to the south-west, which compelled us to row all night. 
 In the morning we reached Portugal Cove, where to our un- 
 speakable joy, some men were found preparing for the sum- 
 mer’s 'fishing. They shewed us so much compassion as to 
 launch a boat, and tow us over to Belleisle, and there we were 
 courteously received. All w'ere so weak that we were car- 
 ried ashore on men’s shoulders; and we were besides so dis- 
 figured with hunger, cold and the oil of seals, that people 
 could hardly recognise us as men, except for the shape. At 
 Belleisle we remained ten days, when, being somewhat re- 
 cruited, we went to St. John’s. Thus, in all this extremity, 
 God miraculously preserved nine out of ninety-six that were 
 in the ship. 
 
 CAPTAIN ROSS’S EXPEDITION. 
 
 In the year 1818 the British Government fitted out two ex- 
 peditions to the North Pole. Captain Buchan, commanding 
 the Trent and the Dorothy was directed to attempt a passage 
 
28£ 
 
 CAPTAIN Ross’s EXPEDITION. 
 
 between Spitzberjren and Nova Zembla, over the Pole, into 
 the Pacific, and Captain Ross, commanding the Isabella and 
 the Alexander, to attempt the north-west passage from Davi’s 
 Straits and Baffin’s Bay, into the Frozen Ocean, and thence 
 into the Pacific. Ross reached 77 deg. 40 min. latitude, and 
 more accurately determined ihe situation of Baffin’s Bay, 
 which until then was believed to extend 10 deg. farther to the 
 east than it actually does. Although he sailed up Lancaster 
 Sound, he did not advance far enough to ascertain if it was 
 open, not having arrived there until October 1st. wlien danger 
 from the ice obliged him to quit the coast. Lieutenant Parry, 
 who had accompanied Captain Ross, was sent, in conjunction 
 with Captain I.yon, in the year 1819, on a second voyage into 
 Baffin’s Bay, an«l having penetrated as far as to gain the first 
 prize offered by Parliament (£5000) and having made the most 
 western point ever reached in the Polar seas, he was entrust- 
 ed with the direction of the Hecla and Fury, on a similar 
 expedition in 1821. These ships returned in October 1823, 
 without achieving the principal object for which they were dis- 
 patched. In 1824 Parry and Lyon were again sent out for 
 the discovery of a north-west passage, in the Hecla and Fu- 
 ry. After wintering in Prince Regent’s Bay, the ships sailed 
 southwardly, and, in consequence of storms and icebergs, it 
 became necessary to abandon the Fury, and with her crew 
 on board the Hecla, Captain Parry returned to Ensland in 
 October 1825. The Admiralty sent Parry, in the Hecla, in 
 1827, to reach, if possible, the North Pole. Having journey- 
 ed thirty-five days over the ice, beginning at 81 deg. 12 min. 
 15 sec. he was compelled to retrace his course. So far the 
 exertions of the Biitish Government. 
 
 Piqued by the real, or supposed neglect of government. 
 Captain Ross, in the spring of 1829, undertook an expedition 
 on his own resources, with the view of effecting a passage 
 into the Polar Sea, and to reach Behring’s Straits along the 
 northern coast of the American continent. The ship — the 
 
 Victory — was lost in the first year out, and Ross and his 
 crew had worn through the remaining time on board the wreck 
 of the Fury. When picked up in Lancaster Sound, they 
 were in four of the Fury’s boats, which they had “found un- 
 injured, and in the same condition, in which they had been 
 left.” 
 
 The following letter, addressed by the gallant Navigator to 
 the Admiralty, puts us in possession of all the adventures 
 and discoveries of this memorable expedition. 
 
CAPTAIN Ross’s EXPEDITION. 
 
 283 
 
 On board the Isabella, of Hull, ) 
 Baffin’s Pay, Sept. 1833. J 
 
 Sir, — Knowing how deeply my Lords Commissioners, c<f 
 the Admiralty are interested in the advancement of nautical 
 knowledge, and particularly in the improvement of geography, 
 I have to acquaint you, for the information of their liordships, 
 that the expedition, the main object of which is to solve, if 
 possible, the question of a north-west passage from the Pacif- 
 ic to the Atlartic Ocean, particularly by Prince Regent’s In- 
 let, and which sailed from England in May, 1829, notwith- 
 standing the loss of the fore-mast and other untoward circum- 
 stances, which obliged the vessel to refit in Greenland, reach- 
 ed the beach on which his Majesty’s late ship Fury’s stores 
 were landed, on the 13th of August. 
 
 We found the boats, provisions, ike. in excellent condition, 
 but no vestige of the wreck. After completing in fuel and 
 other necessaries, we sailed on the 14th, and on the following 
 morning rounded Cape Garry, where our new discoveries 
 commenced, and, keeping the western shore close on board, 
 ran down the coast in a S. W. and W. course, in from 10 to 
 20 fathoms, until we had passed the latitude of 72 north in 
 longitude 94 west; here we found a considerable inlet leading to 
 the westward, the examination of which occupied two days; 
 ac this place we were first seriously obstructed by ice, which 
 was now seen to extend from the south cape of the inlet, in a 
 solid mass, round by E. to E. N. E; owing to this circum- 
 stance, the shallowness of the water, the rapidity of the tides, 
 the tempestuous weather, the irregularity of the coast and the 
 numerous inlets and rocks for which it is remarkable, our 
 progress was no less dangerous than tedious, yet we succeed- 
 ed in penetrating below the latitude of 70 north, in longitude 
 92 west, where the land, after having carried us as far east 
 as 90, took a decidedly westerly direction, while land at the 
 distance of 40 miles to soutliward, was seen extending east 
 and west. At this extreme point our progress was arrested on 
 the 1st of October by an impenetrable barrier of ice. We, 
 however, found an excellent wintering port, which we named 
 Felix Harbor. 
 
 Early in January, 1830, we had the good fortune to estab- 
 lish a friendly intercourse with a most interesting consociation 
 of natives, who, being insulated by nature, had never before 
 communicated with strangers; from them we gradually obtain- 
 ed the important information that we had already seen the 
 continent of America, that about 40 miles to the S. W. there 
 were two great seas, one to the west, which was divided from 
 
284 
 
 CAPTAIN ROSs’s EXPEDITION. 
 
 that to the east by a narrow strait or neck of land. The ver- 
 r'ficatiun ol this intelligence either way, on which our future 
 operations so materially depended, devolved on Commander 
 Ross, who volunteered this service early in April, and accom- 
 panied by one of the mates, and guided by two of the natives, 
 proceeded to the spot, and found that, the north land was con- 
 nected to the south by two ridges of high land, 15 miles in 
 breadth, but, taking into account a chain of fresh water lakes, 
 which occupied the valleys between, the dry land which actual- 
 ly separates the two oceans is only five miles. This extraor- 
 dinary isthmus was subsequently visited by myself, when Com- 
 mander Ross proceeded minutely to survey the sea coast to 
 the Southward of the isthmus leading to the westward, which 
 he succeeded in tracing to the 99th degree, or to 150 miles of 
 Cape Turnagain of Franklin, to which point the land, after 
 leading him into the 70th degree of north latitude, ended di- 
 rectly; during the same journey he also surveyed 30 miles of 
 the adjacent coast, or that to the north of the isthmus, which, 
 by also taking a westerly direction, forming the termination of 
 the western sea into a gulf. The rest of this season was em- 
 ployed in tracing the sea coast south of the isthmus leading to 
 the eastward, which was done so as to leave no doubt that it 
 joined, as the natives had previously informed us, to Ockullee, 
 and the land forming Repulse Bay. It was also determinec 
 that there was no passage to the westward for 30 miles to the 
 northward of our position. 
 
 This summer, like that of 1818, was beautifully fine, but 
 extremely unfavorable for navigation, and our object being 
 now to try a more northern latitude, we waited with anxiety 
 for the disruption of the ice, but in vain, and our utmost en- 
 deavors did not succeed in retracing our steps more than Cur 
 mdes, and it was not until the middle of November that we 
 succeeded in cutting the vessel into a place of security, which 
 we named “ Sheriff’s Harbor.” I may here mention that we 
 named the newly discovered continent to the southward, 
 “ Boothia,” as also the isthmus, the peninsula to the north, 
 and the eastern sea, after my worthy friend, Felix Booth, Esq. 
 the truly ptitriotic citizen of London, who, in the most disin- 
 terested manner, enabled me to equip this expedition in su- 
 ])crior style. 
 
 The last winter was in temperature nearly equal to the mean 
 of what had been experienced on the four preceding voyages, 
 but the winters of 1830 and 1831 set in with a degree of vio- 
 lence hitherto beyond record — the thermometer sunk to 92 
 decrees below the freezing point, and the average of the year 
 
CAPTAIN ROSs’s EXPEDITION. 
 
 285 
 
 was 10 degrees below the preceding; but notwithstanding the 
 severity of the summer, we travelled across the country to 
 the west sea by a chain of lakes, 30 miles north of the isth- 
 mus, when Commander Ross succeeded in surveying 50 miles 
 more of the coast leading to the north-west, and by tracing 
 the shore to the northward of our position, it was also ful- 
 ly proved that there could be no passage below the 71st de- 
 gree. 
 
 This autumn we succeeded in getting the vessel only 14 
 miles to the northward, as we had not doubled the Eastern 
 Cape, all hope of saving the ship was at an end, and put quite 
 beyond possibility by another very severe winter; and having 
 only provisions to last us to the 1st of June, 1833, dispositions 
 were accordingly made to leave the ship in present port, which 
 (after her) was named Victory Harbor. Provisions and fuel 
 being carried forward in the spring, we left the ship on the 
 28th of IMay, 1832, for Fury Beach, being the only chance 
 left for saving our lives; owing to the very rugged nature of 
 the ice, we were obliged to keep either upon or close to the 
 land, making the circuit of every bay, thus increasing our dis- 
 tance of 200 miles by nearly one half; and it was not until 
 the 1st of July that we reached the beach, completely exhaust- 
 ed by hunger and fatigue. 
 
 A hut was speedily constructed, and the boats three of 
 which had been washed off the beach, but providentially driv- 
 en shore again, were repaired during this month; and the un- 
 usual heavy appearance of the ice afforded us no cheering 
 prospect until the 1st of August, when in three boats we reach- 
 ed the ill-fated spot where the Fury was first driven on shore, 
 and it was not until the 1st of September we reached Ijcopold 
 South Island, now established to be the N. E. point of Ameri- 
 ca in latitude 73 56, and longitude 90 w'est. From the sum- 
 mit of the lofty mountain on the promontory we could see 
 Prince Regent’s Inlet, Barrow’s Strait and Lancaster Sound, 
 which presented one impenetrable mass of ice, just as I had 
 seen it in 1818. Here we remained in a state of anxiety and 
 suspense, which maybe easier imagined than described. All 
 our attempts to push through were vain; at length being forced 
 by want of provisions and the approach of a very severe win- 
 ter, to return to Fury Beach, where alone there remained 
 wherewith to support life, there we arrived on the 7th of Oc- 
 tober, after a most fatiguing and laborious march, having been 
 obliged to leave our boats at Batty Bay. Our habitation, 
 which consisted of a frame of spars, 32 feet by 16, covered 
 
286 
 
 CAPTAIN Ross’s EXPEDITION. 
 
 ■with canvas, was, during the month of November enclosed, 
 and the roof covered with snow, from 4 to 7 feet thick, which 
 being saturated with water when the temperature was fifteen 
 degrees below zero, immediately took the consistency of ice, 
 and thus we actually became the inhabitants of an iceberg 
 during one of the most severe winters hitherto recorded; our 
 sufferings aggravated by want of bedding, clothing and ani- 
 mal food, need not be dwelt upon. Mr. C. Thomas, the car- 
 penter, was the only man who perished at this beach, but three 
 others, besides one who had lost his foot, were reduced to the 
 last stage of debility, and only thirteen of our number were 
 able to carry provisions in seven journies of 62 miles each to 
 Batty Bay. 
 
 We left Fury Beach on the 8th of July, carrying with us 
 three sick men, who were unable to walk, and in si.x days we 
 reached the boats, where the sick daily recovered. Although 
 the spring was mild, it was not until the 15th of August that 
 we had any cheering prospect. A gale from the westward 
 having suddenly opened a lane of water along shore, in two 
 days we reached our former position, and from the mountain 
 we had the satisfaction of seeing clear water across Prince 
 Regent’s Inlet, which we crossed on the 17th, and took shel- 
 ter from a storm twelve miles to the eastward of Cape York. 
 The ne.xt day, when the gale abated we crossed Admiralty In- 
 let, and were detained six days on the coast by a strong N. B. 
 wind. On the 25th we crossed Navy Board Inlet, and on the 
 following morning, to our inexpressible joy, we descried a 
 ship in the offing, becalmed, which proved to be the Isabella 
 of Hull, the same ship which I commanded in 1818. At noon 
 we reached her, wlien her enterprising commander, who had 
 in vain searched for us in Prince Regent’s Inlet, after giving 
 us tliree cheers, received us with every demonstration of kind- 
 ness and hospitality, which humanity could dictate. I ought 
 io mention also that Mr. Humphreys, by landing me at Pos- 
 session Bay, and subsequently on the west coast of Baffin’s 
 Bay, afforded me an excellent opportunity of concluding my 
 survey, and of verifying my former chart of that coast. 
 
 I have now the pleasing duty of calling the attention of 
 their lordships to the merit of Commander Ross, who rvas 
 second in the direction of this expedition. The labors of this 
 officer, who had the departments of astronomy, natural histo- 
 ry and surveying, will speak for themselves in language be- 
 yond the ability of my pen; but they will be duly appreciated 
 by their lordships and the learned bodies of which he 's a 
 
CAPTAIN Ross’s EXPEDITION. 
 
 28 ? 
 
 member, and who are already well acquainted with his ac- 
 quirements. 
 
 My steady and faithful friend, Mr. William Thom of the 
 royal navy, who was formerly with me in the Isabella, besides 
 his duty as third in command, took charge of the meteorologi- 
 cal journal, the distribution and economy of provisions, and to 
 his judicious plans and suggestions must be attributed the un- 
 common degree of health which our crew enjoyed; and as 
 iwo out of three who died in the four years and a half were 
 cut off early in the voyage, by diseases not peculiar to the 
 climate, only one man can be said to have perished. Mr. 
 M’Diarmid the surgeon, who had been several voyages to 
 these regions, did justice to the high recommendation I receiv- 
 ed of him; he was useful in every amputation and operation 
 which he performed, and wonderfully so in his treatment of 
 the sick; and I have no hesitation in adding, that he would be 
 an ornament to his Majesty’s service. 
 
 Commander Ross, Mr. Thom and myself, have, indeed, 
 been serving without pay; but in common with the crew have 
 lost our all, which I regret the more, because it puts it out of 
 my power adequately to remunerate my fellow sufferers, whose 
 case I cannot but recommend for their lordships’ consideration. 
 
 We h ave, however, the consolation, that results of this ex- 
 pedition have been conclusive, and to science highly impor- 
 tant, and may be briefly comprehended in the following words: 
 The discovery of the Gulf of Boothia, the continent and isth- 
 mus of Boothia Feli.x, and a vast number of islands, rivers 
 and lakes; the undeniable establishment that the north-east 
 point of America extends to the 74th degree of north latitude; 
 valuable observations of every kind, but particularly on the 
 magnet; and to crown all, have had the honor of placing the 
 illustrious name of our Most Gracious Sovereign William IV, 
 on the true position of the magnetic pole. 
 
 I cannot conclude this letter, sir, without acknowledging 
 the important advantages we obtained from the valuable pub- 
 lications of Sir Edward Parry and Sir .lohn Franklin, and 
 the communications kindly made to us by those distinguished 
 officers before our departare from F.ngland. But the glory 
 of this enterprise is entirely due to Him, whose divine favor 
 has been most especially manifested towards us, who guided 
 and directed all our steps, ivho mercifully provided, in what 
 we had deemed a calamity. His effectual means of our preser- 
 vation ; an.d who even after the devices and inventions of 
 
288 LOSS OF THE CATHARINE, VENUS AND PIEDMONT. 
 
 man had utterly failed, crowned our humble endeavors with 
 complete success. 
 
 I have, &.C. 
 
 JOHN ROSS, Captain, R. N. 
 
 To Captain the Hon. George Elliot, Stc. > 
 
 Secretary Admiralty. 5 
 
 LOSS OF THE CATHARINE, VENUS AND PIED- 
 MONT TRANSPORTS; AND THREE MERCHANT 
 SHIPS. 
 
 The miseries of war are in themselves great and terrible, 
 but the consequences which arise indirectly from it, though 
 seldom known and little adverted to, are no less deplorable. — 
 The destruction of the sword sometimes bears only an incon- 
 siderable proportion to the havoc of disease, and, in the pes- 
 tilential climates of the wostern colonies, entire regiments, 
 reared in succession, have as often fallen victinrs to their bane- 
 ful influence. 
 
 To prosecute the war with alracrity, it had been judged ex- 
 pedient to transport a strong body of troops on foreign ser- 
 vice, hut their departure was delayed by repeated adversities, 
 and at length the catastrophe which is about to be related en- 
 sued. 
 
 Oil the 15th of November 1795, the fleet, under convoy of 
 Admiral Christian’s squadron, sailed from St. Helens. A 
 more beatiful sight than it e.xhibited cannot be conceived; and 
 those who had nothing to lament in leaving their native coun- 
 try, enjoyed the spectacle as the most magnificent produced 
 by the art of man, and as that which the natives of this island 
 contemplate with mingled pride and pleasure. 
 
 Ne.\t day, the wind continuing favorable, carried the fieet 
 down channel; and as the Catharine transport came within 
 
LOSS OF THE CATHARINE, VENUS AND PIEDMONT. 289 
 
 si^ht of the isle of Perbeck, Lieutenant Jenner, an officer on 
 board, pointed out to another person, the rocks where the 
 Halsewell and so many unfortunate individuals had perished. 
 He and Cornet Burns had been unable to reach Southampton 
 until the Catharine had sailed, therefore they hired a boy to 
 overtake her, and on embarking at St. Helen’s the former ex- 
 pressed his satisfaction, in a letter to his mother, that he had 
 been so fortunate as to do so. 
 
 On Tuesday the 17th, the fleet was off Portland, standing 
 to the westward; but the wind shifting and blowing a strong 
 gale at south-south-west, tlie admiral, dubious whether they 
 could clear the channel, made a signal for putting into Tor- 
 bay, which some of the transports where then in sight of — • 
 Hosvever, they could not make the bay; the gale increased, 
 and a thick fog came on; therefore the admiral thought it ex- 
 pedient to alter his design, and about five in afternoon made 
 a signal for standing out to sea. Of the circumstances rela- 
 tive to the Catharine, a more detailed account has been pre- 
 served than respecting the other vessels of the fleet; and they 
 are preserved by a I'emale, with whose name we are unac- 
 quainted, in tliese words. 
 
 “The evening of the 17th was boisterous and threatening; 
 the master said he was apprehensive that we should have 
 bad weather ; and when I was desired to go on deck and look at 
 the appearance of the sky, I observed that it was troubled and 
 red, with great heavy clouds flying in all directions, and with 
 a sort of dull mist surrounding the moon. On repeating this 
 to the otlier passengers, two of whom had been at sea before, 
 they said we should certainly have a stormy night, and indeed 
 it proved so very tempestuous that no rest was to be obtained. 
 Nobody, however, seemed to think that there was any dan- 
 ger, though the fog was so thick that the master could see 
 nothing by which to direct his course; but he thought that he 
 had sufficient sea-room. 
 
 The latigue I had sufiered from the tossing of the ship, and 
 the violence with which she continued to roll, had kept me in 
 bed. It was about ten o’clock in the morning of the 18th, 
 when the mate looked down into the cabin and cried, “ save 
 yourselves if you can!” 
 
 The consternation and terror of that moment cannot be de- 
 scribed; I had on a loose dressing gown, and wrapping it 
 round me I went up, not quite on deck, but to the top of the 
 stairs, from whence 1 saw the sea break mountain high against 
 the shore. The passengers and soldiers seemed thunder- 
 VOL. II. 13 
 
290 LOSS OF THE CATHARINE, VENUS AND PlEDMOr"/. 
 
 struck by the sense of immediate and inevitable danger, and 
 the seamen, too conscious of the hopelessness of any exertion, 
 stood in speechless agony, certain of meeting in a few mo- 
 ments that destruction which now menaced them. 
 
 While I thus surveyed the scene around me in a kind of 
 dread which no words can figure, ]\Ir. Burns, an officer of 
 dragoons, who had come up in his shirt, called to j\Ir. Jen- 
 ner and Mr. Stains for his cloak; nobody, however, could at- 
 tend to any thing in such a moment but self-preservation. 
 
 Mr. Jenner, Mr. Stains and IMr Dodd the surgeon, now 
 passed me, their countenances sufficiently expressing their 
 sense of the situation in which we all were. 3Ir. Burns spoke 
 cheerfully to me; he bade me take good courage, and IMr. 
 Jenner observed, there was a good shore near, and all would 
 do well. 
 
 These gentlemen then went to the side of the ship, with 
 the intention, as I believe, of seeing whether it was possible 
 to get on shore. The master of the vessel alone remained 
 near the companion; when suddenly a tremendous wave broke 
 over the ship, and struck me with such violence, that 1 was 
 stunned for a moment, and, before being able to recover rnv- 
 self, the ship struck with a force so great as to throw me from 
 the stairs into the cabin, the master being thrown down near 
 me. At tlie same instant, the cabin, with a dreadful crash, 
 broke in upon us, and planks and beams threatened to bury 
 us in ruins. The master, however, soon recovered himself; 
 he left me to go again upon deck, and I saw him no more. 
 
 A sense of my condition lent me strength to disengage my- 
 self from the boards and fragments by which I was surround- 
 ed, and I once more got upon the stairs, 1 hardly know how\ 
 But what a scene did I behold 1 The masts were all King 
 across the shattered remains of the deck, and no living crea- 
 ture appeared on it; all was gone, though I knew not then that 
 they were gone forever. I looked forward to the shore, but 
 there I could see notliing except the dreadful surf that broke 
 against it, while, behind the ship, immense black waves rose 
 like tremendous ruins. I knew that they must overwhelm her, 
 and thought that there could be no escape for me. 
 
 Believing, then, that death vvas immediate and unavoidable, 
 my idea was to regain my bed in the cabin, and there, resign- 
 ing myself to the will of God, await the approaching moment. 
 However, I could not reach it, and for awhile was insensible; 
 then the violent striking and breaking up of the wreck again 
 roused me to recollection; I found myself near the cabin-win- 
 
LOSS OF THE CATHARINE, VENUS AND PIEDMONT. 291 
 
 dows, and the water was rising round me. It rapidly increas- 
 ed, and the horrors of drowning were present to my view; yet 
 do I remember seeing the furniture of the cabin floating about. 
 I sat almost enclosed by pieces of the wreck, and the water 
 now reached my breast. 
 
 The bruises I had received made every exertion extremely 
 difficult, and my loose gown was so entangled among the 
 beams and fragments of the ship, that I could not disengage 
 it. Still the desire of life, the hope of being welcomed on 
 shore, whither I thought my friends had escaped, and the re- 
 membrance of my child, all united in inspiring me with cou- 
 rage to attempt saving myself. I again tried to loosen my 
 gown, but found it impossible, and the wreck continued to 
 strike so violently, and the ruins to close so much more around 
 me, that I now expected to be crushed to death. 
 
 As the ship drifted higher on the stones, the water rather 
 lessened as the waves went back, but on their return, continu- 
 ed to cover me, and I once or twice lost my breath, and, for a 
 moment, my recollection. When I had power to think, the 
 principle of self preservation still urged me to exertion. 
 
 The cabin now broke more and more, and through a large 
 breach I saw the shore very near. Amidst the tumult of the 
 raging waves I had a glimpse of the people, who were gather- 
 ing up what the sea drove towards them; but I thought they 
 could not see me, and from them I despaired of assistance. — 
 Therefore I determined to make one effort to preserve my life. 
 I disengaged my arms from the dressing gown, and, finding 
 myself able to move, I quitted the wreck, and felt myself on 
 the ground. I attempted to run, but was too feeble to save 
 myself from a raging wave, which oveitook and overwhelmed 
 me. Then I believed myself gone; yet, half suffocated as I 
 was, I struggled very much, and I remember that I thought I 
 was very long dying. The wave left me; I breathed again, 
 and made another attempt to get higher upon the bank, but, 
 quite exhausted, I fell down and my senses forsook me. 
 
 By this time I was observed by some of the people on the 
 bank, and two men came to my assistance They lifted me 
 up; I once more recovered some faint recollection; and, as 
 they bore me along, I was sensible that one of them said the 
 sea would overtake us; that he must let me go and take care 
 of his own life. I only remember clinging to the other and 
 imploring him not to abandon me to the merciless waves. — 
 But I have a very confused idea of what passed, till I saw 
 the boat, into which I was to be put to cross the Fleet water; 
 
r 
 
 292 LOSS OF THE CATHARINE, VENUS AND PIEDMONT. 
 
 I had then just strength to say, “ For God’s sake do not take 
 me to sea again.’’ 
 
 I believe the apprehension of it, added to my other suf- 
 ferings tended to deprive me of all further sensibility, for I 
 have not the least recollection of any thing afterwards un- 
 til roused by the remedies applied to restore me in a farm- 
 house whither I was carried. There I heard a number of 
 women around me, who asked a great number of questions 
 which I was unable to answer. I remember hearing one say 
 I was a French woman; another say that I was a negro, and 
 indeed I was so bruised, and in such a disfigured condition, 
 that the conjectures of these people are not surprising. 
 
 hen recovering some degree of confused recollection, and 
 able to speak, I begged that they would allow me to go to bed. 
 This, however, I did not ask with any expectation of life, for 
 I was now in such a state of suffering, that my only wish was 
 to be allowed to lie down and die in peace. 
 
 Nothing could exceed the humanity of IMr. Abbot, the in- 
 habitant of Fleet farm-house, nor the compassionate attention 
 of his sister, Miss Abbot, who not only afforded me immedi- 
 ate assistance, but continued for some days to attend me with 
 such kindness and humanity, as I shall always remember with 
 the sincerest gratitude.” 
 
 The unfortunate sufferer who gives the preceding account, 
 was tended with great humanity by JMr. Bryer, while a wound 
 in her foot, and the dangerous bruises she had received, pre- 
 vented her from quitting tlie shelter she first found under the 
 roof of Mr. Abbot, at Fleet. As soon as she was in a con- 
 dition to be removed to Weymouth, iNIr. Bryer, a surgeon 
 there, received her into his own house, where ]\Irs. Bryer as- 
 sisted in administering to her recovery such benevolent offices 
 of consolation as her deplorable situation admitted. INIean- 
 time the gentlemen of the south battalion of the Gloucester 
 INlilitia, who had done every tiling possible towards the pres- 
 ervation of those who were the victims of the tempest, now 
 liberally contributed to alleviate the pecuniary distresses of 
 the survivors. None seemed to have so forcible a claim on 
 their pity as this forlorn and helpless stranger; and she alone, 
 of forty souls, except a single ship-boy, survived the wreck of 
 the Catharine. There perished, twelve seamen, two soldiers’ 
 wives, twenty -two dragoons and four officers. Lieutenant Stains, 
 Mr. Dodd of the hospital-staff. Lieutenant Jenner, the repre- 
 sentative of an ancient and respectable family in Gloucester- 
 shire, aged thirty-one and Cornet Burns, the son of an Ameri- 
 
LOSS OF THE CATHARINE, VENUS AND PIEDMONT. 293 
 
 can loyalist of considerable property, who was deprived of 
 every thing for his adherence to the British Government. — 
 Having no dependence but on the promises of government to 
 indemnify those who had suffered on that account he, after years 
 of distress and difficulty, obtained a cornetcy in the 26th regi- 
 ment of dragoons, then going to the West Indies, and was thus 
 lost in his twenty-fourth year. This officer had intended em- 
 barking in another transport, and had actually sent his horse 
 on board, when finding the Catharine more commodious, he 
 gave her the preference, while the other put back to Spithead 
 in safety. The mangled remains of Lieutenant Jenner were 
 two days afterwards found on the beach, and interred with 
 militarv honors. 
 
 But the Catharine was not the only vessel which suffered in 
 the tempest. Those who on shore had listened to it raging 
 on the preceding evening, could not avoid feeling the most 
 lively alarm for the consequences; and early on the morning 
 of the 18th of November, several pilots and other persons as- 
 sembled on the promontory called the Look-out at Weymouth. 
 Thence they too evidently discovered the distress and danger 
 of many of the transports. 
 
 Soon after, a lieutenant of the navy, residing at Weymouth, 
 applied to the major of a militia regiment, for a guard to be 
 sent to the Chisell Bank, as a large ship, supposed to be a 
 frigate, was on shore. This was immediately granted, and 
 the major himself marched along with a captain’s guard. 
 
 The violence of the wind was so great, that the party could 
 with difficulty reach the place of their destination. There 
 they found a large merchantman, the jEolus, laden with tim- 
 ber for government, on shore. Lieutenant Mason of the na- 
 vy, and his brother, a midshipman, perished in her, and a 
 number of men who would probably have been saved had they 
 understood the signals from shore. The men of Portland 
 who crowded down to the scene of desolation, meant to ex- 
 press, by throwing small pebbles at them, that they should re- 
 main on board, to make them hear was impossible, because 
 they foresaw the ship would drive high on the bank. Should 
 that be the case, they might soon leave her without hazard; 
 and accordingly those who continued on board were saved, 
 though many of them were dreadfully bruised. 
 
 Not far from the same place, the Golden Grove, another 
 merchantman, was stranded, and in her Dr. Stevens and Mr. 
 Burrows of St. Kitts, were lost. Lieutenant Colonel Ross, 
 who was also there, escaped on shore. These two vessels 
 
294 LOSS OF THE CATHARINE, VENUS AND PIEDMONT. 
 
 had struck against a part of the Passage-House, almost on 
 the same spot where a French frigate, the Zenobia, had gone 
 to pieces in 1763. 
 
 But the scene of distress was infinitely greater about four 
 miles to the westward, where, as already related, the Catha- 
 rine was wrecked. Along with her, nearly opposite to the 
 villages of Fleet and Chickerell, the Piedmont and Venus, 
 two transports, and soon after the Thomas, a merchantman, 
 shared the same fate. 
 
 One hundred and thirty-eight soldiers of the 63d regiment, 
 under the command of Captain Barcroft, were on board the 
 Piedmont; also Lieutenant Ash and Mr. Kelly, surgeon of 
 the same regiment. Of all these, only Serjeant Richardson, 
 eleven privates, and four seamen, survived the catastrophe; 
 all the rest perished. 
 
 Captain Barcroft’s life had passed in the service. While 
 yet a very young man, he served in America during the w-ar 
 between England and her colonies; and being then taken pris- 
 oner, was severely treated. On commencement of the war 
 which has so many years oesolated Europe, he raised a com- 
 pany in his native country, and served with it on the Conti- 
 nent during the campaign of 1794. Under a heavy fire of the 
 enemy, he was one of the last men who retreated with it along 
 a single plank, knee-deep in water, from the siege of iNime- 
 guen. In a few months after the disastrous retreat on the 
 Continent, in the winter 1794, he was ordered to the West 
 Indies, and, in the outset of his voyage, perished in the tem- 
 pest. 
 
 Of the few who reached the shore from the Piedmont, there 
 was scarce one who was not dreadfully bruised, and some had 
 their limbs broken. An unfortunate veteran of the 63d, though 
 his leg was shockingly fractured, had sufficient resolution to 
 creep for shelter under a fishing boat which lay inverted on 
 the further side of the bank. There his groans were unheard 
 until a young gentleman, Mr. Smith, a passenger in the 
 Thomas, who had himself been wrecked, and was now wand- 
 ering along the shore, discovered him. In this ship, the 
 Thomas, bound to Oporto, the master, Mr. Brown, his son, 
 and all the crew, except the mate, three seamen and Mr. 
 Smith, were lost. The last was on his way to Lisbon; but 
 his preservation was chiefly in consequence of his remaining 
 on board after all the rest had left the ship, or were washed 
 away by the waves. She had then drifted high on the bank, 
 when he leaped out of her and reached the ground. 
 
toss OP THE CATHARINE, VENCS AND PIEDMONT. 295 
 
 Though weak and encumbered by his wet clothes, he gain- 
 ed the opposite side of the bank, but on gazing on the dreary 
 beach around him, he considered himself cast away on an un- 
 inhabited coast. At length he observed a fishing-boat, and 
 approaching it, heard the groans of the unfortunate old soldier, 
 whom he attempted to relieve. But alone he found himself 
 unable to fulfil his intention, and it was a considerable time 
 before he observed any means of assistance near. At last, 
 perceiving a man at some distance, he hastened to him, eager- 
 ly inquiring whether a surgeon could be procured for a poor 
 creature with a broken limb, who lay under the boat. Proba- 
 bly the man showed little alacrity, for Mr. Smith found it 
 necessary to purchase his good offices by a gift of half a-guinea, 
 which he imagined would induce him to seek what was so 
 much required. But the man, pocketing the half-guinea with 
 the greatest composure, said he was a king’s officer, and must 
 see what bales of goods were driven on shore; then telling 
 Mr. Smith there was a ferry about four miles off, by which he 
 might get to Weymouth. The youth was thus disappointed of 
 his humane design, and the soldier died in that deplorable 
 condition before any other aid attained him. 
 
 In the Thomas, the vessel to which Mr. Smith belonged, he 
 witnessed scenes not less distressing. Mr. Brown, the mas- 
 ter of the vessel, was carried away by an immense wave just 
 as he was stripping off his clothes to endeavor to save himself. 
 His son exclaiming, “Oh my father, my father! my poor fath- 
 er!” instantly followed. The bodies of both were afterwards 
 found and interred at Wyke. 
 
 Of ninety-six persons on board the Venus, only Mr. John 
 Darley of the hospital staff, serjeant-major Hearne, twelve 
 soldiers, four seamen and a boy were saved. Mr. Darley es- 
 caped by throwing himself from the wreck at a moment when 
 it drifted high on the stones; he reached them without broken 
 limbs, but, overtaken by the furious sea, he was carried back, 
 not so far, how'ever, that he was incapable of regaining the 
 ground. Notwithstanding the weight of his clothes and his 
 exhausted state, he got to the top of the bank, but there the 
 power of farther exertion failed, and he fell. While lying in 
 this situation, trying to recover breath and strength, a great 
 many people from the neighboring villages passed him; they 
 had crossed the Fleet water in the hopes of sharing the 
 plunder of the vessels which the lower inhabitants of the coast 
 are too much accustomed to consider their right. 
 
 3Ir. Darley seems to have been so far from meeting with 
 
296 LOSS OP THE CATHARINE, VENUS AND PIEDMONT. 
 
 assistance from those who were plundering the dead, without 
 thinking of the living, that although he saw many boats pass- 
 ing and repassing the Fleet water, he found great difficulty 
 in procuring a passage for himself and two or three fellow-suf- 
 ferers who had nowjoined him. But having passed it he soon 
 met with Mr. Bryer, to whose active humanity all the suffer- 
 ers were eminently indebted. 
 
 Before the full extent of this dreadful calamity was known 
 at Weymouth, the officers of the South Gloucester INIilitia, 
 with equal humanity, were devising how they might best suc- 
 cour the survivors, and perform the last duties to the remains 
 of those who had perished. On the morning of the 19th of 
 November, one of them, accompanied by Mr. Bryer of Wey- 
 mouth, rode to the villages where those who had escaped from 
 the various wrecks had found a temporary shelter. In a house 
 at Chickerell, they found Serjeant Richardson and eleven pri- 
 vates of the 63d regiment; two of the latter had fractured 
 limbs, and almost all the rest either wounds or bruises. In 
 other houses the sufferers had been received, and were as com- 
 fortably accommodated as circumstances would admit. 
 
 The gentlemen then crossed the Fleet water to the beach, 
 and there, whatever idea was previously formed of it, the hor- 
 ror of the scene infinitely surpassed e.xpectation; no celebrat- 
 ed field of carnage ever presented, in proportion to its size, a 
 more awful sight than the Chisell Bank now exhibited. For 
 about two miles it was strewed with the dead bodies of men 
 and animals, with pieces of wreck and piles of plundered 
 goods, which groups of people were carrving away, regard- 
 less of the sight of drowned bodies that filled the new specta- 
 tors with sorrow and amazement. 
 
 On the mangled remains of the unfortunate victims, death 
 appeared in all its hideous forms. Either the sea or the peo- 
 ple who had first gone down to the shore, had stripped the 
 bodies of the clothes which the sufferers had wore at the fatal 
 moment. The remnants of the military stock; the wristbands, 
 or color of a shirt, or a piece of blue pantaloons, were all the 
 fragmants left behind. 
 
 The only means of distinguishing the officers was the dif- 
 ferent appearance of their hands from those of men accus- 
 tomed to hard labor; but some were known by the descrip- 
 tion given of them by their friends or by persons who were 
 in the vessels along with them. The remains of Captain 
 Barcroft were recognised by the honorable scars he had re- 
 ceived in the service of his country; and the friends and re- 
 
LOSS OF THE CATHARIXE, VENUS AND PIEDMONT. 297 
 
 lEtives of him, and several more, had the satisfaction of learn- 
 ing that their bodies were rescued from the sea, and interred 
 with military honors. 
 
 Early in the morning of the 20th of November, a lieutenant 
 of the militia regiment who had been appointed to superintend 
 the melancholy office of interment, repaired to the scene of 
 destruction. But from the necessary preliminaries of obtain- 
 ing the authority of a magistrate to remove the bodies, not 
 more than twenty-five were buried that day. The bodies of 
 Captain Barcroft, Lieutenant Sutherland, Cornet Graydon, 
 Lieutenant Ker and two women, were then selected to be put 
 into coffins. Next day, those of Lieutenant Jenner and Cor- 
 net Burns, being found, were distinguished in the like man- 
 ner. 
 
 The whole number of dead found on the beach, amounted 
 to two hundred and thirty-four; so that the duty of interment 
 was so heavy and fatiguing, that it was not until the twenty- 
 third that all the soldiers and sailors were deposited. Of these 
 there were two hundred and eight, and they were committed 
 to the earth as decently as circumstances would admit, in 
 graves dug on the Fleet side of the beach, beyond the reach 
 of the sea, where a pile of stones was raised on each, to 
 mark where they lay. Twelve coffins were sent to receive 
 the bodies of the women, but nine only being found, the su- 
 pernumerary ones were appointed ‘to receive the remains of 
 the officers. 
 
 Two waggons were next sent to the Fleet water to receive 
 the coffins, in which the shrouded bodies of seventeen officers 
 and nine women had been placed, and on the 24th were car- 
 ried to the church-yard at Wyke, preceded by a captain, sub- 
 altern and fifty men of the Glocester iVIilitia, and attended 
 by the young gentleman before mentioned, JMr. Smith as chief 
 mourner. The officers were interred in a large grave, north 
 of the church-tower, with military honors, and Lieutenant 
 Ker in a grave on the other side of the tower. The remains 
 of the nine women, which had been deposited in the church 
 during the ceremony, were next committed to the earth. 
 
 Two monuments have been erected in commemoration 
 of the unfortunate sufferers, the first bearing the following in- 
 scription : 
 
 To the memory of Captain Ambrose William Barcroft, 
 Lieutenant Harry Ash and JMr. Kelly, surgeon of the 63d 
 regiment of Light Infantry; of Lieutenant Stephen Jenner, of 
 the 6th West India regiment; liieutenant Stains of the 2d 
 VOL. If. 13* 
 
298 
 
 WRECK OF THE SHIP SIDNEY. 
 
 West India regiment and two hundred and fifteen soldiers and 
 seamen and nine women, who perished by shipwreck on Port- 
 land Beach, opposite the villages of Langton, Fleet and 
 Chickerell, on Wednesday the eighteenth day of November, 
 1795. 
 
 On the second monument is inscribed. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Major John Charles Ker, Milita- 
 ry Commandant of Hospitals in the Leeward Islands, and to 
 that of his son. Lieutenant James Ker, of the 40th regiment 
 of foot, who both departed this life on the 18th of November 
 1795, the first aged 40 and the latter 14 years. 
 
 The fate of both was truly deplorable, and is a melancholy 
 example of the uncertainty of human affairs. 
 
 They were embarked in the Venus transport, and left Ports- 
 mouth the 15th of November, with a fleet full of troops, des- 
 tined to the West Indies, under the command of General Sir 
 Ralph Abercrombe. 
 
 A storm having arisen on the 17th which lasted till the 
 next day, many of the ships were lost, and the Venus wreck- 
 ed on Portland Beach. 
 
 The major’s body could not be found, although it is possible 
 it may have been among the many others which were driven 
 ashore and buried in this church-yard. 
 
 His son’s corpse was ascertained, and lies interred under 
 this stone, which was raised by his brother, John William 
 Ker, Esq. 
 
 WRECK OF THE BRITISH SHIP SIDNEY. 
 
 ON A REEF OF ROCKS IN THE SOUTH SEa 
 
 The Sidney left Port Jackson, on the coast of New Hol- 
 .and, on the I2th of April, 1806, bound to Bengal. Intend- 
 ing to proceed through Dampier’s Straits, her course was di- 
 
WRECK OP THE SHIP SIDNET. 
 
 299 
 
 fected as nearly as possible in the track of Captain Hogan of 
 the Cornwallis, which, as laid down in the charts, appeared 
 a safe and easy passage. But, on the 20th of IMay, at one A. 
 M. we ran upon a most dangerous rock, or shoal in 3 20 south 
 latitude, and 146 50 east longitude, and as this reef is not 
 noticed in any map or chart, it appears that we were its un- 
 fortunate discoverers. 
 
 On Sunday 25 fathoms of water were found over the taffrail, 
 and six fathoms over the larboard gangway; only nine feet on 
 the starboard side, and 12 feet over the bows. One of the 
 boats was immediately got out, with a bower-anchor; but on 
 sounding, at the distance of ten fathoms from the ship, no 
 ground could be found with sixty fathoms of line. 
 
 When she struck it must have been high water, for at that 
 time there was no appearance of any reef or breaker; but as 
 the water subsided, the shoal began to show itself, with a num- 
 ber of small black rocks. The ship had been striking very 
 hard, and began to yield forward. At three A. M. there were 
 six feet water in the hold, and increasing rapidly; at five the 
 vessel was setting aft, and her top sides parting from the floor- 
 heads. 
 
 Upon consultation with my officers, it was our unanimous 
 opinion, that the ship was gone beyond recovery, and that no 
 exertions could avail for her safety. We therefore employed 
 all hands in getting (he beats ready to receive the crew, who 
 were 108 in number. Eight bags of rice, six casks of water 
 and a small quantity of salted beef and pork, were put into 
 the long-boat as provisions for the whole; the number of the 
 people prevented us from taking a larger stock, as the three 
 boats were barely sufficient to receive us all with safety. 
 
 We remained with the Sidney until five P. M. on the twen- 
 ty-first of May, when there were three feet of water on the 
 orlop deck; therefore we now thought it full time to leave the 
 ship to her fate, and to seek our safety in the boats. Accord- 
 ingly, I embarked in the long-boat with Mr. Trounce, second 
 officer, and 74 Lascars; Mr. Robson and Mr. Halkart with 16 
 Lascars, were in the cutter, and the jolly-boat was allotted to 
 15 Dutch Malays, and one Seapoy. 
 
 Being desirous to ascertain the position of the reef, which 
 could be done by making the Admiralty Islands, our course was 
 shaped thither, steering north by east and half east. During 
 the night, it blew fresh, and the long-boat having made much 
 water, we were obliged to lighten her, by throwing a great 
 deal of lumber, and two casks of water, overboard. Tho 
 
300 
 
 WRECK OP THE SHIP SIDNEY. 
 
 three boats kept close in company, the long-boat having the 
 jolly-boat in tow. 
 
 Finding at day-light that the cutter sailed considerably bet- 
 ter, I directed Mr. Robson that the jolly-boat might be taken 
 in tow by her. But the wind increasing as the morning ad- 
 vanced, and a heavy swell rising, the jolly-boat, while in tow 
 by the cutter, sunk at ten o’clock, and all on board, to the 
 number of 16, perished. It was lamentable to witness the 
 fate of these unhappy men, and the more so, as it was not in 
 our power to render them the smallest assistance. 
 
 The Admiralty Islands were seen at noon of the 22d. bear- 
 ing N. N. E. three our four leagues distant, and as we had run 
 about fifty-eight miles in the boats, upon a N. by E. half E. 
 course, the situation of the shoal where the Sidney struck 
 was accurately ascertained, and will be found as above laid 
 down. 
 
 From the Admiralty Islands, we continued standing to 
 the westward, and on the twenty-fifth, made a small island, on 
 which, from its appearance, I was induced to land in quest of 
 a supply of water. Therefore Mr. Robson, myself, and 20 
 of our best hands, armed with heavy clubs, brought from 
 New Caledonia, (our fire-arms being rendered useless from 
 exposure to the rain) landed through a high surf, to the utmost 
 astonishment of the inhabitants. 
 
 As far as might be judged, they had never before seen peo- 
 ple of our complexion. The men were tall and well made, 
 wearing their hair plaited and raised above the head; they 
 had no resemblance to Malays or CafiVes; and excepting their 
 color, which was of a light copper, they had the form and 
 features of Europeans. They were entirely naked. We also 
 saw a number of women, who were well formed, and had mild 
 and pleasing features. 
 
 We were received on the beach by about twenty natives, 
 who immediately supplied each of us with a cocoa-nut. We 
 succeeded in making them understand that we wanted water, 
 on which they made signs for us to accompany them to the 
 interior of the island; on compliance, after walking about a 
 mile, they conducted us into a thick jungle, and, as their num- 
 ber was quickly increasing, I judged it imprudent to proceed 
 further. Thus returning to the beach, I was alarmed to find 
 that 150, or more, of the natives had assembled, armed with 
 spears eight or ten feet long. One of them, an old man of 
 venerable appearance, and who seemed to be their chief, ap- 
 proached, and threw his spear at my feet, expressing as I un- 
 
WRECK OP THE SHIP SIDNEY. 
 
 301 
 
 derstood, of his wish that we should part with our clubs in 
 like manner. Perceiving at this time that a crowd of women 
 had got hold of the stern-fast of the cutter, and were endeav- 
 oring to haul her on shore from the grapnel, we hastily tried 
 to gain the boat. The natives followed us closely; some of 
 them pointed their spears at us as we retreated, and some were 
 thrown, though happily without effect; and to us they seemed 
 to be very inexpert in the management of their weapons. — 
 On my getting into the water, three or four of the natives fol- 
 lowed me, threatening to throw their spears, and when I was 
 within reach of the boat, one of them made a thrust, which 
 was prevented from taking effect by Mr. Robson, w’ho warded 
 off the weapon. When we had got into the boat, and were put- 
 ting off, they threw, at least, 200 spears, none of which struck, 
 excepting one, which gave a severe wound to my cook, enter- 
 ing immediately above the jaw, and passing through his 
 mouth. 
 
 Having escaped this perilous adventure we pursued our 
 course, and got as far as Dampier’s Straits, in as favorable 
 circumstances as our situation could well admit. But the 
 Lascars, now being within reach of land, became impatient 
 to be put on shore. It was in vain that I exhorted them to 
 persevere; they would not listen to argument, and expressed 
 tneir wish rather to meet with immediate death on shore, than 
 to be starved to death in the boats. Yielding to their impor- 
 tunity, I at length determined to land them on the north-west 
 extremity of the island of Ceram, from whence they might 
 travel to Amboyna in two or three days. Being off that part 
 of the island on the ninth of June, Mr. Robson volunteered to 
 land a portion of the people in the cutter, to return to the 
 long-boat, and the cutter to be then given up to such further 
 portion of the crew as chose to join the party first landed. — 
 Accordingly he went ashore with the cutter, but to my great 
 mortification, after waiting two days, there was no appearance 
 of his return or of the cutter. 
 
 We concluded that the people had been detained either by 
 the Dutch or the natives. Yet as the remaining part of the 
 Lascars were desirous to be landed, we stood in with the long- 
 boat, and put them on shore near the point where we suppos- 
 ed the cutter to have landed her people. 
 
 Our number in the long-boat were now reduced to seven- 
 teen, consisting of Mr. Trounce, Mr. Halkart, myself and 14 
 Lascars and others. Our stock of provision was two bags of 
 rice and one gang cask of water, with which we conceived 
 
302 
 
 WRECK OF THE SHIP SIDNEY. 
 
 we might hold out until reaching Bencoolen, whither we de- 
 termined to make the best of our way. The allowance to 
 each man we fixed at one tea-cupful of rice and a pint of wa- 
 ter daily, but we soon found it necessary to make a considera- 
 ble reduction. 
 
 Proceeding through the straits of Bantam, we met in our 
 course several IMalay prows, none of which took notice of us 
 excepting one, which gave chase for a day, and would have 
 come up with us had we not got off under cover of a very 
 dark night. Continuing onwards, we passed through the 
 strait of Saypay, where we caught a large shark. Our spirits 
 were much elated by this valuable prize, which we lost no 
 time in getting on board; and having kindled a fire in the bot- 
 tom of the boat, it was roasted with all expedition. Such was 
 the keenness of our appetite, that although the shark must 
 have weighed 150 or 160 pounds, not a vestige of it remained 
 at the close of the day. But we were afflicted on the follow- 
 ing day with the most violent complaint of the stomach and 
 bowels, which reduced us exceedingly, and left us languid 
 and spiritless, insomuch that we now despaired of safety. 
 
 On the 2d of July I lost an old and faithful servant, who 
 died from want of sustenance; and on the fourth we made 
 Java head; at the same time catching two large boobies, 
 which afforded all hands a most precious and refreshing meal. 
 At midnight of the ninth, we came to off Pulo Penang, on 
 the west coat of Sumatra; but at day-light, when endeavoring 
 to weigh our anchor and run close in shore, we were so much 
 exhausted that our united strength proved insufficient to get it 
 
 "P- . . . 
 
 On a signal of distress being made, a sanpan with two Ma- 
 lays came off, and as I was the only person in the long-boat 
 who had sufficient strength to move, I accompanied them on 
 shore. However, I found myself so weak on landing that I 
 fell to the ground, and it was necessary to carry me to an ad- 
 jacent house. Such refreshments as could be procured were 
 immediately sent off to the long-boat, and we recruited so 
 rapidlv that in two days we found ourselves in a condition to 
 proceed on our vovnae. Having weighed anchoronthe I2th 
 of Julv, we set sai., aiid on the 19th arrived off the island of 
 Bencoolen. 
 
 Here I met wi:!i an old friend. Captain Chauvet of the 
 Perseverance, whose kinclness and humanity 1 shall ever re- 
 member and gialcfully acRnnwienge. On the day subsequent 
 to my arrival, I waited on Mr Parr the resident, from whom 
 I received every attention. 
 
LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 303 
 
 Leaving Bencoolen on the 17th of August, in the Perse- 
 verance, I arrived at Penang on the 27th, where I was agree- 
 ably surprized to meet my late chief mate Mr. Robson, who, 
 along with the Lascars, had landed at Ceram. They reached 
 Amboyna in safety, where they were received by the Dutch 
 governor, Mr. Cranstoun, with a humanity and benevolence 
 that reflect honor on his character. He supplied them with 
 whatever their wants required. Mr. Robson was accommodat- 
 ed at his own table, and, on leaving Amboyna, he furnished him 
 money for himself and his people, for the amount of which he 
 refused to take any receipt or acknowledgment. He also 
 gave hlr. Robson letters to the governor-general of Batavia, 
 recommending him to his kind offices. Such honorable con- 
 duct from the governor of a foreign country, and with which 
 we were at war, cannot be too widely promulgated. From 
 Amboyna, hlr. Robson embarked in the Pallas a Dutch fri- 
 gate, for Batavia, which on the passage thither was captured 
 by his Majesty’s ships Greyhound and Harriet, and brought 
 to Prince of Wales’s island. 
 
 From Penang 1 sailed to Bengal with the Paruna, Captain 
 Denison, and arrived safely in Calcutta in the beginning of 
 May, 1806. 
 
 LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM 
 1 R A. NS PORT. 
 
 The Duke William Transport, commanded bv Captain 
 Nicholls, was fitted out by him with ail possible e.xpedifion in 
 the year 1758, and lay at Spithead to receive orders, ^at 
 length he proceeded to Cork, under convoy of the York man- 
 of-war to take in soldiers for America, but just on approach- 
 ing the Irish coast, a thick fog came on whereby ho lost sight 
 of the ship, and as it began to blow hard that night and the 
 
304 
 
 LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 next day, he was obliged to bear away for Waterford. When 
 orf Credenhead, guns were fired for a pilot; none, however, 
 came off, and Captain Nicholls, being unacquainted with the 
 harbor, brought the ship up, though the sea ran very high. A 
 pilot at last came on board, but the transport broke from her 
 anchor, and on getting under sail, it was almost dark. After 
 running along for some time under the forc-top-sail, triple- 
 reefed, and scarce in sight of land. Captain Nicholls cast an- 
 chor; and next morning to his great surprise, found high 
 rocks so close astern, that he durst not veer away a cable. — 
 The sheet anchor had been let go in the night, and was the 
 chief means of preservation; the yards and topmasts were 
 now got down, a signal of distress hoisted, and many guns 
 fired. A boat then came from the windward, and a man in 
 her said, if Captain Nicholls would give him fifty pounds, he 
 would come on board, which being promised, he ascended the 
 stern ladder. But when he found the ship so near the rocks, 
 he declared that he would not remain on board for all the ship 
 was worth. However, Captain Nicholls told him, that having 
 come off as a pilot acquainted with the harbor, he should stay 
 and called to the people in the boat to hoist their sails, as he 
 was going to cut her adrift, which he did accordingly. IMean- 
 time the pilot was in the greatest confusion; but the captain 
 said it was in vain to complain, and if by cutting, or slipping 
 the cables, he could carry the ship to a place of safety, he 
 was ready to do it. The pilot replied, that he could neither 
 take charge of her, nor venture to carry her in, for he appre- 
 hended the ship would be on shore, and dashed to pieces 
 against the rocks, before she would veer; and if she did veer, 
 tliat a large French East Indiaman had been lost upon the 
 bar, which made the channel very narrow, and he did not 
 know the marks, so as to carry her clear of the wreck. The 
 ship now rode very hard, and it being Sunday a great many peo- 
 ple were ready on shore to plunder her, should she strike. Of 
 this Captain Nicholls entertained many apprehensions at low 
 water, as she pitched so much; but fortunately, as the weath- 
 er became more moderate, two English frigates wdiich lay in 
 the harbor, sent their boats to his assistance, and the custom- 
 house smack arriving, he escaped, though very narrowly, from 
 the threatened danger. 
 
 The Duke William soon afterw'ards proceeded to Cork to 
 receive soldiers, and sailed from thence with a fleet of trans- 
 ports to Halifax, w'here they arrived safe, and went to besieee 
 Louisbourg. After landing the troops, the transports, and 
 
LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLiAM TRANSPOR ' 
 
 305 
 
 some of the men of war, went into Gabarus Bay, where the 
 admiral allowed the captains of the former to land their men, 
 being sickly, on a small peninsula, which they engaged to de- 
 fend from the enemy. Four or five hundred people, there- 
 fore, immediately set to work, and cut a ditch, six feet wide 
 and four feet deep, quite across the peninsula, as a protection 
 against the Indians; they planted cannon, and also placed 
 several swivels on the stumps of trees cut down for the pur- 
 pose. Huts were next erected, gardens made, and the whole 
 ground cleared and converted into pleasant arbours, from se- 
 lecting portions of the shrubs and trees. 
 
 Here the captains of the transports remained some time, 
 during which the sick recovered surprisingly, and cures were 
 operated by a remarkable expedient, called a ground-sweat. 
 This was digging a hole in the ground, and, being put into it 
 naked, the earth was thrown over the patient up to the chin, 
 for a few minutes. At first the earth felt cold, but it quickly 
 brought on a gentle perspiration, which cured the disorder. — 
 No one person died who underwent such treatment. 
 
 On the reduction of Louisbourg, the island of St. John, 
 in the entrance of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, capitulated, 
 and the inhabitants were to be sent to France in the English 
 transports. They therefore left the peninsula, which the peo- 
 ple had entrenched, and, after much bad weather, in which 
 the Duke William parted her cable, and after a tedious pas- 
 sage, arrived at St. John’s; but not without the whole fleet 
 being in danger of shipwreck. A party of soldiers brought 
 the inhabitants down the country to the different transports, 
 and the Duke William, being the largest, the missionary 
 priest, who was the principal man there, was ordered to go 
 with Captain Nicholls. On his arrival, he requested permis- 
 sion for the other people who wished it, to come on board to 
 be married, and a great many marriages followed, from an idea 
 prevailing that all the single men would be made soldiers. 
 
 Nine transports sailed in company; Captain Wilson with 
 Lord Rollo and some soldiers, and Captain Moore also with 
 soldiers, under convoy of the Hind sloop of war; the rest be- 
 ing cartels, had no occasion for convoy. Captain Moore’s 
 vessel was lost going through the Gut of Canso, by striking 
 on a sunken rock, whence the soldiers whom she carried were 
 put on board Captain Wilson’s ship bound to Louisbourg, 
 Captain Moore, his son, mate and carpenter, took a passage 
 in the Duke William. 
 
 Contrary winds obliged the fleet to lie in the Gut of Can- 
 
306 
 
 LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 SO, where the French prisoners were permitted to go ashore 
 frequently, and remain there all night, making fires in a wood 
 to keep themselves warm, and some of them obtained muskets 
 from Captain Nicholls for shooting game, as they were not 
 afraid of meeting with the Indians. About three hours after 
 departing, one of them came running back, and begged, for 
 God’s sake, that the Captain would immediately return on 
 board with his people, as they had met with a party of In- 
 dians, who were coming down to scalp them. Captain A'ich- 
 olls, with the other masters and sailors, hastily went off, and 
 had scarce got on board when the Indians actually reached 
 the place that they had left. Thus they had a very narrow 
 escape of being murdered and scalped, had not the French 
 been faithful, and Providence interposed. 
 
 The fleet, in gaining the Gut of Canso, had been assailed 
 by dangers. During a fine night, some of the transports, 
 worked within the Gut, but Captain Nicholls, and Captain 
 Johnson of the Parnassus, cast anchor without it. 
 
 In the night a hard gale arose, and increased so much, that 
 the latter let go three anchors, yet the ship drove ashore and 
 was lost. Another ship, the Narcissus, also parted from her 
 anchors, and was obliged to run ashore, and most of the rest 
 suflCred damage. When the w’eather became somewhat mod- 
 erate, Captain Nicholls, found that all the French prisoners 
 on board the Parnassus, had gained the land, and had made 
 themselves large fires in the woods, on account of the cold 
 showery \veather which prevailed; and, on joining them there, 
 he told them, to their great joy, that he w'ould send boats to 
 carry them off. This he did next morning, and, finding it im- 
 possible to save the hull of the Parnassus, though another 
 ship was got off shore, every thing worth saving was taken 
 out of her, and in particular one of the pumps, which was 
 carried on board the Duke William to serve in case of emer- 
 gency. 
 
 On the 25th of November 1758, Captain Nicholls sailed 
 from the Bay of Canso, leading other si.x transports, with a 
 strong breeze at north-west. All the captains agreed to make 
 the best of their way to France, and not to go to Louisbourg, 
 as it was a bad time of the year to beat on that coast, and 
 then took leave of the agent who was bound thither. 
 
 The third day after being at sea, a storm blew in the night; 
 being dark with thick weather and sleet, the Duke IVilliam 
 parted company with three of the ships, and the storm still 
 continuing, in a day or two parted with the rest. Neverthe- 
 
LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 307 
 
 less the ship remained in good condition, and, though the sea 
 was mountains high, she went over it like a bird, and made 
 no water. On the 10th of December, Captain Nicholls saw 
 a sail, which proved to be one of the transports, the Violet, 
 Captain Sugget. On coming up he asked how all were on 
 board, to which Captain Sugget replied, “ In a terrible situa- 
 tion. He bad a great deal of water in the ship; her pumps 
 were choked, and he was much afraid that she would sink be- 
 fore morning.” Captain Nicholls begged him to keep up his 
 spirits, and said, that, if possible, he would stay by him and 
 spare him the pump he had got out of the Parnassus; he also 
 told him that, as the gale had continued so long, he hoped 
 that it would moderate after twelve o’clock. Unfortunately, 
 however, it rather increased, and, on changing the watch at 
 twelve, he found that he went fast a-head of the Violet, 
 whence, if he did not shorten sail, he would be out of sight 
 of her before morning. Captain Nicholls then consulted with 
 Captain Moore and the mate, on what was most proper to be 
 done, and all were unanimous, that the only means of saving 
 the people in the Violet, was to keep company with her until 
 the weather should moderate, and that the main-topsail should 
 be taken in. 
 
 Therefore, the main-topsail of the Duke William was taken 
 in, and three pumps got out to be ready in case of necessity. 
 The spare pump was forced down an after hatchway, and 
 shipped in an empty butt, of which the French had brought 
 several on board to wash in. Every thing was preparing, both 
 for pumping and bailing, should it be required, and the peo- 
 ple of the transport thought themselves secure against all 
 hazards; they now believed that the Violet gained on them, 
 and were glad to see her quite plain about four o’clock in the 
 afternoon. 
 
 On changing the watch they found the ship still tight and 
 going very well, the carpenter assuring Captain Nicholls that 
 there was no water to strike a pump. He, fatigued with walk- 
 ing the deck so long, designed going below to smoke a pipe 
 of tobacco to beguile time, and desired the mate to acquaint 
 him immediately should any alteration take place. 
 
 The board next the lower part of the pump had been driven 
 to see how much water was in the well; and every half hour, 
 when the ball was struck, the carpenter went down. As he 
 had hitherto found no water. Captain Nicholls felt quite com 
 fortable in his situation in particular, and, on going below, or 
 dered a little negro boy, whom he had as an apprentice, to ge< 
 him a pipe of tobacco. 
 
308 
 
 LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 Soon after filling and lighting his pipe, he was thrown from 
 his chair, while sitting in his state-room, by a blow that the 
 ship received from a terrible sea; on which he dispatched the 
 boy to ask Mr. Fox, the mate, whether any thing was wash- 
 ed over. Mr. Fox returned answer, that all was safe, and he 
 saw the Violet coming up fast. Captain JVicholls then being 
 greatly fatigued, thought he would endeavor to procure re- 
 freshment from a little sleep, and, without undressing, threw 
 himself on the side of his bed. But before his eyes were 
 closed, Mr. Fox came to inform him that the carpenter had 
 found the water above the kelson, and that the ship had cer- 
 tainly sprung a leak; he immediately rose and took the car- 
 penter down to the hold along with him, when, to his infinite 
 surprise, he heard the water roaring in dreadfully. On fur- 
 ther examination, he found that a butt had started, and the 
 more they endeavored to press any thing into it the more the 
 plank forsook the timber. Therefore they went on deck, to 
 encourage the people at the pumps, after making a mark with 
 chalk to ascertain how the water gained upon them. 
 
 Captain Nicholls, considering the case desperate, went to 
 all the Frenchmen’s cabins, begging them to rise; he said, 
 that, although their lives were not in danger, their assistance 
 was desired at the pumps, where it would be of the greatest 
 service. They got up accordingly, and cheerfully lent their aid. 
 By this time it was day-light, when, to the great surprise and 
 concern of the Duke William’s people, they saw the Violet 
 on her broadside at a little distance, the fore yard broke in 
 the slings, the fore-topsail set, and her crew endeavoring to 
 free her of the mizen-mast; probably she had just then broach- 
 ed to by the fore-yard giving way. A violent squall came 
 on, which lasted for ten minutes, and when it cleared up, they 
 discovered that the unfortunate ship had gone to the bottom, 
 with nearly four hundred souls. The stoutest was appalled 
 by the event, especially as their own fate seemed to be ap- 
 proaching. 
 
 All the tubs above mentioned were prepared, and gangways 
 made; the Frenchmen assisted, and also the women, who be- 
 haved with uncommon resolution. The hatches were then 
 opened, and as the water flowed fast into the hold, the tubs 
 being filled, were hauled up and emptied on the upper deck; 
 which, with three pumps constantly at work, and bailing out 
 of the gun-room scuttle, discharged a great quantity of water. 
 A seam would have done them little injury; but a butt’s end 
 was more than they could manage, though every method that 
 
LOSS OF THE DUKE WILIIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 309 
 
 could be deemed serviceable was tried. The spritsail was 
 quilted with oakum and flax, and one of the top-gallant sails 
 was prepared in the same manner, to see whether any thing 
 would sink into the leak, but all in vain. 
 
 In this dismal condition the transport continued three days; 
 notwithstanding all the exertions of the people, she was full 
 of water, and they expected her to sink every minute. They 
 had already got the whole liquor and provisions. The hold 
 now being full, and the ship swimming only by the decks from 
 the buoyancy of empty casks below, the people, about six 
 o’clock on the fourth morning, came to Captain Nicholls, de- 
 claring that they had done all that lay in their power, that the 
 ship was full of water, and that it was in vain to pump any 
 more. Captain Nicholls acknowledged the truth of what they 
 said; he told them that he could not desire them to do more, 
 that they had behaved like brave men, and must now trust in 
 Providence atone, as there was no expedient left for saving 
 their lives. 
 
 He then acquainted the priest with their situation; that ev- 
 ery method for saving the ship and the lives of the pet)ple 
 had been adopted, but that he expected the decks to blow up 
 every moment. The priest was stunned by the intelligence, 
 but answered, that he would immediately go and give his peo- 
 ple absolution for dying; “ which he did,” says Captain Nich- 
 olls; “ and I think a more melancholy scene cannot be sup- 
 posed than so many people, hearty, strong and in health, look- 
 ing at each other with tears in their eyes, bewailing their un- 
 happy condition. No fancy can picture the seeming distrac- 
 tion of the poor unhappy children clinging to their mothers, and 
 the wives hanging over their husbands, lamenting their mis- 
 erable fate: — Shocking situation! words cannot describe it.” 
 
 Captain Nicholls then called the men down the main-hatch- 
 way, along with him, to examine the leak in the hold. He 
 told them they must be content with their fate; and as they 
 were certain they had done their duty, they should submit to 
 Providence with |)ious resignation. He walked on deck with 
 Captain Moore, desiring him to devise any expedient to save 
 them from perishing. With tears in his eyes, Captain Moore 
 assured him that he knew of none, as all that could be thought 
 of had been used. Providence, in Captain Nicholls’ belief, 
 induced him to propose attempting to hoist out the boats, so 
 that if a ship should appear, their lives might be saved, as 
 the gale was more moderate. But to this proposal, Captain 
 Moore said it would be impossible, as every body would en- 
 
310 
 
 LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 deavor to get into them. Captain Xicholls, however, was of 
 a different opinion, observing, that, under ttieir severe trial, 
 the sailors had behaved with uncommon resolution, and were 
 very obedient to his commands, he flattered himself that they 
 would all continue so' and all were sensible, that in case the 
 ship broached to, the masts must be cut away, to prevent her 
 from oversetting; when it would be beyond their power to hoist 
 out the boats. He then called the mates, carpenters and men 
 and proposed to get out the boats, at the same time acquaint- 
 ing them that it was to save every soul on board if possible, 
 and declaring that if any person sliould be so rash as to insist 
 on going into them, besides those he should think proper, that 
 they should immediately be scuttled. But all solemnly main- 
 tained that his commands should be as implicitly obeyed as if 
 the ship had been in her former good condition; thus setting 
 an example which is rarely to be found. 
 
 Captain Nicholls then went to acquaint the chief prisoner 
 on board with what was about to be attempted. He was an 
 hundred and ten years old, the father of tlie whole island of 
 St John’s, and had a number of children, grand-children and 
 other relations, in the ship. His observation was, that he 
 was convinced Captain JSicholls would not do a bad action, 
 for, by experience, he had found how much care he had taken 
 of him and his friends, and likewise what endeavors had been 
 used to save the ship and their lives; therefore they were 
 ready to assist in any thing he should propose. Captain 
 jXicholls assured him that he would not forsake them, but run 
 an equal chance; this he thought the only means of saving 
 their lives, should it please Providence to send any ship to 
 their assistance, and it was their duty to use all means given 
 to them. 
 
 He next asked Mr. Fox and the carpenter whether they 
 were willing to venture in the long-boat, to which they boldly 
 answered in the afiirmative, as, whether they perished on the 
 spot, or a mile or two farther off, was a matter of very little 
 consequence, and as there was no prospect but death in re- 
 maining, they would willingly make the attempt. Captain 
 Moore, the carpenter and mate, also willingly agreed to his 
 proposal to go in the cutter. 
 
 The cutter was accordingly got over the side, and the ship 
 lying pretty quiet, they cut the tackles, when she dropt very 
 well into the water, and the penter brought her up. They 
 next went to work with the long-boat, and day-light naving 
 fairly come in, gave them great spirits, as they flattered them- 
 
LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 311 
 
 selves, should it please God Almighty to send a ship, it would 
 be in their power to save all their lives, the weather being 
 now much more moderate than before. 
 
 The mate and carpenter having cut the runners, the long- 
 boat fell into the water as well as the cutter had done, and a 
 proper penter being made fast, she brought up properly. 
 
 People were stationed at the main and fore-topmast heads 
 to look out for a sail, when to the unspeakable joy of all on 
 board, the man at the main-topmast cried out that he saw two 
 ships right astern making after the transport. Captain Nich- 
 olls having acquainted the priest, and the old gentleman, with 
 the good news, the latter took him in his aged arms, and wept 
 for joy. The captain ordered the ensign to be hoisted to the 
 main-topmast shrouds, and the guns to be got all clear for 
 firing. The weather was very hazy, and the ships not far dis- 
 tant when first discovered; whenever the transport hoisted her 
 signal of distress, they shewed English colors, and seemed to 
 be West Indiamen; of about three or four hundred tons. 
 
 Captain Nicholls continued loading and firing as fast as 
 possible, when he perceived the two ships speak with each 
 other, and setting their foresail and topsails, they hauled their 
 wind, and stood ofl’. Supposing that the size of his ship, and 
 her having so many men on board, added to its being the time 
 of war, might occasion distrust, he ordered the main-mast to 
 be cut away to undeceive them. People had been placed 
 in the shrouds to cut away in case of necessity; but one 
 of the shrouds not being properly cut, checked the main-mast 
 and made it fall right across tlie boats. On this Captain 
 Nicholls hastily run aft, and cut the penters of both the boats, 
 otherwise they would have been staved to pieces, and sunk 
 immediately. A dismal thing it was to cut away what could 
 be the only means of saving the people’s lives, and at the 
 same time see the ships so basely leave them. No words can 
 picture their distress; driven from the greatest joy to the ut- 
 most despair, death now appeared more dreadful. They had 
 only the foresail hanging in the brails; and the braces of 
 both penters being rendered useless by the fall of the main- 
 mast, and the yard dying backward and forward by the rolling 
 of the ship, rendered them apprehensive that she would instant- 
 ly overset. The ship ran from the boats, until they remained 
 just in sight; and finding they made no endeavor to join her, 
 though each was provided with oars, foremast and foresail, 
 Captain Nicholls consulted with the boatswain on what was 
 most proper to be done in their dangerous condition. He said 
 
S12 
 
 LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 that he thought they should bring the ship to at all events, 
 though he acknowledged it a dreadful alternative to hazard her 
 oversetting; the boatswain agreed that it was extremely dan- 
 gerous, as the vessel steered very well. However, Captain 
 Nicholls finding that the men in the boat did not attempt to 
 join him, called the people aft, and told them his resolution. 
 They said it was desperate, and so was their condition, but 
 they were ready to do whatever he thought best. But Cap- 
 tain Moore seemed to be quite against it. Captain JNicholls 
 then acquainted the old gentleman, the priest and the rest of 
 the people, who were pleased to say, let the consequence be 
 what it might, they should be satisfied, he had acted for the 
 best, and all were resigned to the consequences. 
 
 He therefore ordered men to every fore shroud, and one 
 with an axe to the fore-mast to cut it away should that measure 
 become indispensible. But his own situation he declares to 
 have been in the meantime dreadful; in reflecting that this al- 
 ternative, thougn in his judgment right, might be the means 
 of sending nearly four hundred souls to eternity. However, 
 the Almighty endowed him w'ith resolution to persevere, and 
 he gave orders to bring the ship to. In hauling out the miz- 
 en, which had been greatly chafed, it split; a new staysail 
 was then bent to bring the ship to, which had the desired ef- 
 fect after a considerable time, for a heavy sea striking on the 
 starboard quarter, excited an apprehension that it would be 
 necessary to cut away the mast. When the men in the yawl 
 saw the ship lying to for them, they got up their foremast, and 
 run on board, holding the sheets in their hands on account of 
 the wind; and as soon as they arrived some men were sent to 
 row to the assistance of the long-boat. They soon joined her, 
 got her foremast up, set the sail, as the cutter likewise did, 
 and to the great joy of all, reached the ship in safety. 
 
 Just as the boats came up, the people at the mast-head e.x- 
 claimed, “A sail! a sail!” and the captain thought it better 
 to let the ship lie, as by seeing the main-mast gone, it might 
 be known that she was in distress. The weather was hazy, 
 and he could see to no great distance, but the strange vessel 
 was soon near enough to perceive and hear his guns. She 
 had scarce hoisted her colors, which were Danish, when her 
 main-topsail sheet gave way; on observing which. Captain 
 IVicholls conceiving her main-topsail was to be clewed up. and 
 she would come to his assistance, immediately imparted the 
 good news to the priest and the rest. Poor deluded people, 
 they hugged him in their arras, calling him their friend and 
 
LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 313 
 
 preserver; but, alas! it was short lived joy, for as soon as the 
 Dane had knotted, or spliced her topsail sheet, she stood 
 away, and left them. “ What pen is able,” says Captain 
 IVicholls, “ to describe the despair that reigned in the ship!” 
 The poor unhappy people wringing their hands, cried out, 
 “that God had forsaken them.” 
 
 It was now about three in the afternoon; Captain Nicholls 
 wore the ship, which she bore very well, and steered tolera- 
 bly before the wind. 
 
 Towards half an hour afterwards, the old gentleman came 
 to him in tears, and taking him in his arms, said he came by 
 desire of the whole people to request that he and his men 
 would endeavor to save their lives in the boats, and as these 
 were insufficient to carry more, they would by no means be 
 accessary to their destruction; they were well convinced by 
 their whole conduct that they had done every thing in their 
 power for their preservation; but that God Almighty had or- 
 dained them to perish, though they trusted he and his men 
 would get safe on shore. Such gratitude for only doing a du- 
 ty in endeavoring to save the lives of the prisoners, as well 
 as their own, astonished Captain Nicholls; he replied, that 
 there was no hopes of life, and as all had embarked in the 
 same unhappy voyage, they should all take the same chance. 
 He thought that they ought to share the same fate. The old 
 gentleman said that should not be, and if he did not acquaint 
 his people with the offer he should have their lives to answer 
 fur. Accordingly the captain mentioned it to Captain Moore 
 and the people. They said that they would with the greatest 
 satisfaction remain, could any thing be devised for the preser- 
 vation of the others; but that being impossible, they would 
 not refuse to comply with their request. The people then 
 thanking them for their great kindness, with tears in the eyes 
 of all, hastened down the stern ladder. 
 
 As the boats ranged up by the sea under the ships counter, 
 those that went last cast themselves down, and were caught 
 by the men in the boat. Captain Nicholls told them, he trust- 
 ed to their honor that they would not leave him, as he was de- 
 termined not to quit the ship until it was dark, in hopes that 
 Providence would yet send something to their aid; the whole 
 assured him that he should not be deserted. 
 
 He had a little Norse boy on board, whom no entreaties 
 could persuade to enter the boat until he himself had done 
 so; but as it was growing dark, he insisted on the boy’s go- 
 ing, saying he would immediately follow him. The boy 
 VOL. II 14 
 
314 
 
 LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIA5I TRANSPORT. 
 
 obeyed, and got on the stern ladder, when a Frenchman whom 
 the dread of death induced to quit his wife and children un- 
 perceived, made over the taffrail and trod on the Norse boy’s 
 fingers. The boy screamed aloud, which led Captain Nich- 
 olls to believe that some person was in danger, and on repair- 
 ing to the place, followed by the old gentleman, they found 
 to their great surprise, that the man, who had a wife and chil- 
 dren on board, was attempting to get away and save himself. 
 The old gentleman calling him by liis name, said he was sorry 
 to find him base enough to desert his family. He seemed 
 ashamed of what he had dotie, and returned over the taffrail. 
 By this time, the people of the boat begged the captain to 
 come, as the blows she received from below the ship’s coun- 
 ter, were like to sink her. 
 
 Captain Nicholls seeing the priest stretching his arms over 
 the rails in great emotion, and apparently under strong appre- 
 hensions of death, asked him whether he was willing to take 
 his chance in the boat. He replied in the affirmative, if there 
 was room; and on learning that there was, he immediately 
 went and gave the people his benediction; and after saluting 
 the old gentleman, tucked up his conical robes and forsook 
 the vessel. Captain Nicholls saluted him likewise, and sever- 
 al others, and then left them praying for his safely. 
 
 When he entered the boat he bid the sailors cast her adrift; 
 it was very dark, and they had neither moon nor stars to di- 
 rect them. “ What a terrible situation!” he e.vclaims, “ we 
 were twenty-seven in the long-boat, and nine in the cutter, 
 without victuals or drink.” Uncertain of their distance from 
 the English coast, they agreed to keep as close as possible to 
 the ship. 
 
 It began to blow very fresh, with sleet and snow; the peo- 
 ple were fatigued to the uttermost, from working so long at 
 the pumps, and after sitting in the wet and cold, they began 
 to wish that they had staid in the ship and perished, as now 
 they might die a lingering death. Either alternative was aw- 
 ful. Destitute of provision, it was most probable that one 
 must be sacrificed by lot to keep the others alive; and their 
 dismal situation, in arousing the most horrible anticipations, 
 made them forbode the worst. 
 
 The boats now began to make water, yet the men refused 
 to bail them, they were in a state of such extreme weariness, 
 and not having slept for four nights, became regardless of 
 their fate. Captain Nicholls, nevertheless, prevailed on them 
 to free the long-boat of water. 
 
LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 315 
 
 Having a brisk gale, they soon run a long way from their 
 unfortunate ship, when to their great distress, it fell quite 
 calm at ten in the morning. This threw the people in despair, 
 their courage began to fail, and as they could not expect to 
 live so long as to make the land, death seemed again staring 
 them in the face. 
 
 Some time after this unlucky party forsook the ship, four 
 of the French prisoners let a small jolly-boat, which was still 
 remaining, overboard, with two small paddles, and swam to 
 her; and just as they left the vessel, her decks blew up with a 
 report like a gun. She sunk in the ocean, and three hundred 
 and sixty souls perished with her. 
 
 Captain Nicholls, at length observing the water colored, 
 asked whether they had any twine, on which one of them gave 
 him a ball from his pocket; they knocked the bolts off the 
 knees of the long-boat, wherewith to make a deep-sea lead, 
 and sounding with it were rejoiced to find only 45 fathom wa- 
 ter. But the people complaining greatly of hunger and thirst. 
 Captain Nicholls said he was sorry to acquaint them that he 
 had nothing for them to eat or drink, yet encouraged them to 
 bear up with manly resolution, as by their soundings they 
 were near Scilly, and he doubted not, if it cleared, that they 
 should see the land. 
 
 The little Norse boy, who had always kept close by the 
 caj .ain, now said that he had got some bread, and on taking 
 it from the bosom of his shirt, it proved to be like baker’s 
 dough; however, it wns bread, and very acceptable. The 
 whole might amount to about four pounds; and Captain Nich- 
 olls having put it into his hat, distributed it equally, calling 
 for those in the yawl to receive their share. But instead of 
 being a relief, it increased their troubles, for being wet and 
 clammy, it hung to the roof of their mouths, having nothing 
 to wash it down. ]\Ir. Fox had some allspice also, which was 
 of little service; having been cut in pieces, the people forced 
 it down their throats, which created some saliva, and by that 
 means it was swallowed. 
 
 About noon, a light air sprung up at south-west. Each 
 boat had a fore-mast, fore-sail and oars; but owing to the 
 boats having been foul of the main-mast, all the oars were 
 washed away except two from each. Captain Nicholls was 
 told, in answer to his inquiries concerning a noise among the 
 crew, that two seamen were disputing about a couple of blank- 
 ets, which one of them had brought from the ship. These 
 blankets he ordered to be thrown overboard, rather than they 
 
316 
 
 LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 should be suffered to breed any quarrel, as in their unhappy 
 condition it was no time to have disputes. But on reflection, 
 having desired that they should be brought to him, he thought 
 of converting them to use, by forming each into a main-sail. 
 Therefore, one oar was erected for a main-mast, and the oth- 
 er broke to the breadth of the blankets for a yard. The peo- 
 ple in the cutter observing what was done in the long-boat, 
 converted a hammock which they had on board into a main- 
 sail. 
 
 At four in the afternoon it cleared up, when the adventur- 
 ers descried a brig about two miles distant, to which Captain 
 Nicholls ordered the cutter to give chase, as it being lighter 
 than the long-boat, would sooner get up, and let her know 
 their distress. But the brig, seeing the boats after their 
 course, directly stood from them, owing, as Captain T^iicholls 
 supposed, to their odd appearance. For war then prevailing, 
 they were probably taken for the French lugsail-boats, that 
 used to frequent the lands off Scilly. The cutter, however, 
 gained fast on the brig, when, having got about half way, a 
 very thick fog came on, and neither the brig nor the cutter 
 were ajiain seen from the long-boat. 
 
 o o ^ ^ 
 
 Night fell, and the weather still continuing very foggy, the 
 people, almost dead for want of sleep, reposed themselves, 
 sitting half ivay in water, it being impossible for so n:anv to 
 find seats. Their captain, anxious for their lives and hisoan, 
 strove to keep his eyes open, though it was the fifth night 
 that he had taken no rest. About eleven o’clock, when every 
 one was asleep but the helmsman and himself, he thought 
 that he saw land. Yet he was determined not to call out 
 land until he should be sure that it was so. He squeezed his 
 eyelids together to let the water run out of his eyes, as he 
 found them very dim. 
 
 Again he thought he saw land very plain, and was convinc- 
 ed that he could not be deceived. By this time the man at 
 the helm had dropped asleep, and he took the tiller himself — 
 Some space longer elapsed before he would disturl) any body, 
 but at last ho awoke Captain Moore, telling him he thought 
 he saw land. Captain IMoore only answered that they should 
 never see land again. Captain Nicholls then awoke Air. 
 Fox, who had obtained a sound sleep, and seemed quite re- 
 freshed. He immediately cried out that they were near land 
 and close in w ith the breakers. Lucky it was that he had been 
 awakened, otherwise, Captain Nicholls, from being absolutely 
 unacquainted with them, was satisfied that all on board would 
 have perished. 
 
LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 317 
 
 At the word land every one awoke, and, with some difficul- 
 ty, the boat cleared the rocks. At first the precise part of 
 the English coast could not be ascertained, but, as it cleared 
 more and more every moment. Captain Nicholls, on looking 
 under the lee-leche of the blanket main-sail, discerned St. 
 IMichael’s Mount in Mount’s Bay. The boat would not fetch 
 the land near Penzance, and, as she had no oars, it was de- 
 termined to avoid steering round the Lizard and so for Fal- 
 mouth, but to run her boldly on shore, whatever place she 
 might chance to make. It was a fine night, and, after getting 
 round the point, the people found the water very smooth, 
 keeping the boat close to the wind, they made between Pen- 
 zance and the point. 
 
 Their joy at finding themselves in so favorable a situation, 
 is not to be conceived; it gave them new life and strength. — 
 Those who were forward, exclaimed that there were two rocka 
 ahead. Captain Nicholls hastened before, and his sight having 
 come well to him, he carried the boat between them without 
 touching ground, and in a little time ran her ashore on a san- 
 dy beach. 
 
 The seamen leapt into the water, and carried the priest and 
 the captain ashore. The former, kneeling down, made a short 
 prayer, and then coming to embrace Captain Nicholls, called 
 him his preserver, and said that he had rescued him from 
 death. 
 
 Leaving the boat as she lay, all made the best of their way 
 to the town of Penzance. But some of the people, with 
 sleeping wet, were so much benumbed, that they could scarce 
 get along; and captain Nicholls himself declares, that, from 
 the time of the ship’s springing a leak, until that hour, he had 
 had no sleep, and very little sustenance. However, having 
 fallen in with a run of fresh water on the road to Penzance, 
 all were revived by drinking heartily of it. 
 
 The party, reaching the town about three in the morning, 
 made up to a tavern where they saw a light, and, as it had 
 been a market day, the mistress of the house was still up. — 
 When Captain Nicholls entered by the door, which was not 
 locked, she was undressing, with her back to a fire, the light 
 he had seen, and being greatly alarmed, screamed, “IMurder! 
 thieves!” 
 
 The appearance of twenty-seven people at such an unsea- 
 sonable hour, was certainly enough to create apprehension, 
 especially from the condition which they were in. But the 
 captain endeavoring to pacify her, requested she would call 
 
318 
 
 LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 her husband or servants, as they were shipwrecked men, and 
 give them some refreshment. The landlord soon came, and, 
 having provided provisions, the people got into as many beds 
 as were there, while the rest of them slept on the floor by the 
 side of the fire. 
 
 Next morning the captain, accompanied by the priest, went 
 to the Mayor of the town to make a protest before a notary, 
 and to see if he could get credit, as both he and the people 
 were in want of every necessary, and it was many miles to 
 Ijondon. The Mayor received him kindly, but told him that 
 he was no merchant, and that he never supplied people in the 
 condition that he was in, with money, but if he pleased, he 
 would send a servant with him to ]\Ir. Charles Langford, a 
 merchant who generally supplied the masters of vessels in dis- 
 tress with necessaries. ]\Ir. Langford received Captain Nich- 
 olls politely, but, in answer to his request for credit, said, that 
 he had made a resolution not to supply with credit any man 
 to whom he was an entire stranger, as he had been deceived 
 by one very lately; and, though his might have been a large 
 ship, to judge by the boat which was come on shore, he, the 
 captain, might not be concerned in her, and, as he should 
 want a great deal of money, he should beg to be excused — 
 Captain Nicholls answered, that he was partly owner of the 
 ship, and Mr. Ijangford might be certain that his bills were 
 duly honored. However, he said he could not do it. 
 
 Captain Nicholls, grievously disappointed, returned to the 
 inn, where several tradesmen had arrived to furnish the peo- 
 ple with clothes and other necessaries. He told the latter he 
 could get no credit, but that they must travel on as far as 
 Exeter, w'here he was sure of obtaining relief, which was very 
 unwelcome news, as most of the people wanted shoes. The 
 captain next requested the landlord of the inn to get them 
 some breakfast, but he desired to be excused, and wished to 
 know if the captain could get no credit, how he was to be 
 ])aid. Captain jNicholls was quite at a loss how to act; being 
 denied both credit and victuals, he thought that he would pawn 
 or sell his ring, watch, buckles and buttons. Accordingly, re- 
 turnino' to ]NIr. Langford, he begged he would give him what 
 he thought proper for these things. He tookthe ring from his 
 finger, the watch from his jiocket, and, with tears in his eyes, 
 was going to take the buckles from his shoes, when iMr. Lang- 
 ford prevented him, saying he should have credit for as much 
 as he pleased, for he believed him to be an honest man, and 
 saw that his people’s distress touched him more, if possible, 
 
LOSS OF THE DUKE WILLIAM TRANSPORT. 
 
 319 
 
 than his own misfortunes. He then gave what money the 
 captain required. 
 
 D uring these transactions, the second mate and the eight 
 men belonging to the cutter arrived. They said it was so 
 very thick they could not come up with the brig which they 
 were in pursuit of, and that, seeing the Lands-End when it 
 cleared, they got ashore. As nobody would buy the cutter, 
 they had left her, and had inquired the way to Penzance, 
 where, being in great distress, they rejoiced to meet their 
 comrades. 
 
 Captain Nicholls went to the inn and discharged what was 
 owing; on account of the unkindness which he had experienc- 
 ed, he resolved to stay no longer, and repaired to another 
 house to breakfast. He next procured the necessaries want- 
 ed by his people, and then went with his mates to make a pro- 
 test. But, not choosing that the declaration should proceed 
 from his own mouth, ]\Ir. Langford’s son acted as interpreter 
 to the French priest, who was to make it. The priest accord- 
 ingly made a strong and full affidavit, that Captain Nicholls 
 and his people had tried every means to keep the ship above 
 water; that they had used the French all the time they were 
 on board, with the greatest kindness and humanity, and that 
 Captain Nicholls had parted from them with the greatest re- 
 luctance, and even at their own desire went into the boat, af- 
 ter all liopes of life were gone. 
 
 Having remained another day at Penzance to refresh the 
 people, and getting credit for what was wanted. Captain Nich- 
 olls, Captain Moore and the officers set out in a carriage for 
 Exeter, while the people, who had got a pass from the Mayor, 
 walked on foot. At Redruth, a town in Cornwall, there were 
 many French officers on parole, as also an English Commis- 
 sary. Captain Nicholls accompanied the priest to the latter 
 in quest of a pass to Falmouth, that he might embark in the 
 first cartel for France; and here took leave of him. 
 
 Captain Nicholls having reached London, was under the 
 necessity of being examined at the Admiralty and Navy Of- 
 fice, about the loss of the people and the ship, she being a 
 transport in the service of government. The Lords of the 
 Admiralty and Commissioners of the Navy told him that he 
 might say more than any man living, as he had brought ashore 
 with him the first man of France, a priest, of course an ene- 
 my to both their religion and country; if his behaviour had 
 not been good, he would not have attempted it; but at the 
 same time, they acknowledged that without such a proof, they 
 
320 
 
 COMMODORE BARNEY. 
 
 could not have believed, but finding all hopes gone, he and 
 his people got away by some stratagem. They would pay 
 they said to the hour that the ship foundered, and were very 
 sorry that they could do no more. 
 
 The four Frenchmen above mentioned, who had left the 
 transport in the little boat subsequent to the departure of Cap- 
 tain Nicholls and his men, got into Falmouth within two days. 
 
 So ended this dreadful and unfortunate voyage, with the 
 loss of a fine ship and three hundred and si.xty souls. 
 
 COMMODORE BARNEY. 
 
 No old Triton who has passed his calms under the bows of 
 the long-boat could say of Joshua Barney that he came into 
 a master’s berth through the cabin windows. He began at 
 the rudiments, and well he understood the science. All his pre- 
 dilections were for the sea. 
 
 Having deserted the counting room, young Barney, at the 
 age of twelve, was placed for nautical instruction in a pilot- 
 boat at Baltimore, till he was apprenticed to his brother-in-law. 
 At tlie age of fourteen, he was appointed second mate, with 
 the approbation of the owners, and Irefore he was si.xteen he 
 was called upon to take charge of his ship at sea, in which the 
 master had died. This was on a voyage to iSice. The ship 
 was in such a state that it was barely possible to make Gibral- 
 tar, where for necessary repairs he pledged her for £700, to 
 be repaid by the consignee at Nice, who however declined, 
 and called in the aid of the Governor to compel Barney to de- 
 liver the cargo, which he had refused to do. He was inrpris- 
 oned, but set at large on some intimation that he would do as 
 desired, but when he came on board, he struck his flag, and 
 removed his crew, choosing to consider his vessel as captured. 
 He then set cut for JMilan, to solicit the aid of the British 
 Ambassador there, in which he succeeded so well that the au- 
 
COMMODORE BARNEY 
 
 S21 
 
 thorlties of Nice met him on his return to apologize for their 
 conduct. The assignee paid the bond, and Barney sailed 
 for Alicant, where his vessel was detained for the use of the 
 great armada, then fitting out against Algiers, the fate of 
 which was a total and shameful defeat. On his return home, 
 his employer was so well satisfied with his conduct, that he 
 became his firm friend ever after. 
 
 He soon offered himself as second in command on board 
 the sloop Hornet, of ten guns, one of two vessels then pre- 
 paring for a cruize under Commodore Hopkins, for this was 
 in the early part of the revolution. The sloop fell in with a 
 British tender, which she might have captured, but for the 
 timidity of the American captain. The tender, mistaking her 
 enemy, ran alongside and exposed herself to much danger. — 
 Barney stood by one of the guns as the enemy came near, 
 and was about to apply the match, when the bold commander 
 commanded him to desist. Barney, whose spirit revolted at 
 such a cause, threw his match-stick at the captain, with such 
 force that the iron point stuck in the door of the round-house. 
 This, in a youth not seventeen, urged well for the pugnacity 
 of the man. At the end of this cruise, he volunteered on 
 board the schooner Wasp, in which he soon had a brush with 
 the Roebuck and another frigate, and with the aid of some 
 galleys in which he had a command, the enemy was forced to 
 retreat, with more loss than honor. Barney for his good con- 
 duct in this affair, was appointed to the command of the sloop 
 Sachem, with the commission of lieutenant before he was 
 seventeen. 
 
 Before the cruise, however, Captain Robinson took com- 
 mand of the Sachem, which soon had an action with a letter- 
 of-marque of superior force and numbers. It was well con- 
 tested, and nearly half the crew of the brig were killed or 
 wounded. In about two hours the letter-of-marque struck. — 
 The captors secured a valuable prize, in a cargo of rum, and 
 also a magnificent turtle intended as a present to Lord North, 
 whose name was marked on the shell. This acceptable West 
 Indian, Lieutenant Barney presented to a better man than it 
 had been designed for, for he gave it to the Hon. R. Morris. 
 On the return of the Sachem, both officers were transferred to 
 a fine brig of fourteen guns, the Andrew Doria, which forth- 
 with captured the Racehorse, of twelve guns and a picked 
 crew. This vessel was of the Royal Navy, and had been de- 
 tached by the Admiral purposely to take the Doria. 
 
 On this voyage a snow was captured, in which the Lieuten- 
 
 VOL. II, 14* 
 
322 
 
 COMMODORE BARNEY. 
 
 ant went as prize master, making up the crew partly of 
 the prisoners. Being hard by an enemy’s sliip, he discovered 
 signs of mutiny ^.r.ong his crew, and shot the ringleader in 
 the shoulder; a proceeding that offered so little encourage- 
 ment to his comrades, that they obeyed orders, and made sail, 
 but it was too late to escape. The purser of the frigate which 
 captured him, was on a subsequent occasion, so much excited 
 as to strike Barneys, who knocked him down, and went further 
 in his resentment than fair fighting pertnits, for he kicked him 
 down the gangway. The commander obliged the purser to 
 apologize to Barney Having been captured in the Virginia 
 frigate, which ran aground at the Capes, and was deserted by 
 her commander, Barney, with five hundred other prisoners, 
 was sent round, in the St. Albans frigate, to New V^ork. As 
 the prisoners were double in number to the crew, Barney, 
 formed a plan of taking the ship, which was defeated or pre- 
 vented by the treachery of a Frenchman. 
 
 Barney was a prisoner at New York, for five months, after 
 which he took the command of a schooner of two guns, and 
 eight men, with a cargo of tobacco for St. Eu.statia, for he 
 was better pleased to do a little tlian to do nothing. He was 
 however, taken, after a running fight, by boarding, by a pri- 
 vateer of four large guns and sixty men. His next cruise 
 was with his friend Kobinson, in a private ship of ten guns 
 and thirty-five men, in which they encountered the British 
 privateer Rosebud of sixteen guns and one hundred and twen- 
 ty men. On the return, a letter-of-niarque of sixteen guns 
 and seventy men was captured. The Lieutenant had now 
 prize money enough to be converted, on his return, into a 
 large bundle of continental bills, which he stowed away in a 
 chaise box, on taking a journey, but w hich he could not find 
 when he arrived at his destination. He kept his own secret, 
 however, and “ w’ent to sea again,” second in couimand of 
 the United States’ ship Saratoga, of Sixteen rine-pounders. 
 The first prize was a ship of twelve guns, captured after an 
 action of a few minutes. 
 
 On the ne.xt day, the Saratoga hoisted English colors, and 
 came along side a ship which had t\vo brigs in company^ then 
 running up the American ensign, she poured in a broadside, 
 while Lieutenant Barney, with fifty men, boarded the enemy. 
 The immediate result was, the conquest of a ship of thirty- 
 two guns and ninety men. The two brigs, one of fourteen 
 and the other of four guns, w’ere also captured. The divi- 
 sion of prize money w'ould have made the officers rich, but no 
 
COMMODORE BARNEY. 
 
 323 
 
 division took place, for all but the Saratoga were captured by 
 a seventy-four and several frigates. Lieutenant Barney was 
 furnished with bed and board, on deck, and with him, bed and 
 board were synonymous terms, but he was allowed to choose 
 the softest plank he could find. In England he was con- 
 fined in prison, from which he escaped, and, after various 
 adventures, arrived at Beverly, Massachusetts, and, as soon 
 as he landed, was offered the command of a privateer of twen- 
 ty guns On his arrival at Philadelphia, he accepted the com- 
 mand of one of several vessels, cruising against the enemies’ 
 barges, and the refugee boats, that infested the Delaware Riv- 
 er and Bay. His ship was the Hyder Ally, a small vessel of 
 sixteen six pounders. As a superior vessel of the enemy was 
 approaching, Barney directed his steersman to interpret his 
 commands by the rule of contraries. 
 
 When the enemy was ranging alongside, Barney cried out, 
 “ Hard a-port.” The helmsman clapt his helm the other way, 
 and the enemy’s jib-boom caught in the fore rigging, and held 
 her in a position to be raked, and never was the operation of 
 raking more suddenly or effectually performed. The British 
 flag came down in less than half an hour, and the captors 
 made little delay for compliments, for a frigate from the ene- 
 my was rapidly approaching. The prize was the General 
 Marie, of the Royal Navy, with twenty nine pounders, and 
 one hundred and thirty-six men; nearly double the force and 
 metal of the captors. After the peace. Commodore Barney 
 made a partial settlement in Kentucky, and became a favorite 
 with the old hunters of that pleasant land. He was appoint- 
 ed Clerk of the District Court of Maryland, and also an auc- 
 tioneer. He also engaged in commerce, when his business 
 led him to Cape Francois during the insurrection, and where 
 he armed his crew, and fought his way, to carry off some spe- 
 cie which he had secreted in barrels of coffee. 
 
 On his return he was captured by a pirate, which called her- 
 self an English privateer. Barney, however, was a bad pris- 
 oner, and with a couple of his hands rose upon the bucca- 
 neers and captured their ship. In this situation it was no time 
 for Argus himself to sleep, with more than an eye at a time. 
 The Commodore slept only by day in an armed chair on deck, 
 with his sword between his legs, and pistols in his belt, while 
 his cook and boatswain, well armed, stood the watch at his side. 
 On another occasion, he was captured in the West Indies, by 
 an English frigate, where he received the usual British cour- 
 tesies, and he was tried in Jamaica for piracy, &.c. It is need- 
 
324 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 less 10 say that, though in an enemy’s country, he was acquit- 
 ted by acclamation. This accusation originated with the com- 
 mander of the frigate, who, however, prudently kept out of 
 sight; though an officer in the same frigate, expressed at a 
 Coffee House, a desire to meet Barney, without knowing that 
 he was present, that he might have an opportunity to settle 
 accounts with the rascal. The rascal bestowed upon the of- 
 ficer the compliments that were usual on such an occasion, 
 and tweaked that part of his head that is so prominent in an 
 elephant. 
 
 We cannot follow the Commodore through his subsequent 
 fortunes and adventures. In France he received the hug fra- 
 ternal of the President of the Convention, and the commis- 
 sion of Captain of the highest grade in the Navy. He fit- 
 ted out several vessels of his own to harrass the British trade, 
 in which he was very successful. He received the command 
 of two frigates, which were almost wrecked in a storm, though 
 he succeeded in saving them. In the last war, his services 
 are more immediately in our memories. 
 
 NAVAI. BATTLES 
 
 OF THE UNITED STATES 
 
 The depradations committed on American commerece in 
 the Mediterranean, by the piratical corsairs of the Barbary 
 powers, induced Congress, in 1794, to authorize the formation 
 of a naval force for its protection. Four ships of forty-four 
 guns each and two of thirty-six were ordered to be built. — 
 Captain Thomas Truxton was one of the first six captains ap- 
 pointed by the President, at the organization of the naval es- 
 tablishment, in 1794. He was appointed to the command of 
 the Constellation of thirty-six guns, and ordered to protect 
 the commerce of the United States in the West Indies, from 
 
NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 325 
 
 the ravages of the French. On the ninth of February, 1799, 
 he captured the French frigate Insurgente, of which twenty- 
 nine of the crew were killed and forty-four wounded. The 
 Constellation had but one man killed and two wounded. 
 
 In 1800, the Constellation engaged with the French frigate 
 Vengeance of fifty-four guns, near Guadaloupe; but owing to 
 the darkness of the night the latter escaped, after having thrice 
 struck her colors and lost one hundred and sixty men in the 
 engagement. 
 
 The same year, the United States frigate Boston captured 
 the French national corvette Le Berceau. 
 
 In the month of August, 1801, Captain Sterrett of the 
 United States schooner Enterprize, of twelve guns and nine- 
 ty men, fell in, off Malta, with a Tripolitan cruiser of fourteen 
 guns and eighty-five men. In this action the Tripolitans 
 thrice hauled down her colors, and thrice perfidiously renew- 
 ed the conflict. Fifty of her men were killed and wounded. 
 The Enterprize did not loose a man. 
 
 Captain Sterrett’s instructions not permitting him to make 
 a prize of the cruiser, he ordered her crew to throw overboard 
 all their guns and powder, and to go and tell their country- 
 men the treatment they might expect from a nation, determin- 
 ed to pay tribute only in powder and ball. On her arrival at 
 Tripoli, so great was the terror produced, that the sailors 
 abandoned the cruisers then fitting out, and not a man could 
 be procured to navigate them. 
 
 The Tripolitan cruisers continuing to harrass the vessels of 
 the United States, Congress determined in 1803, to fit out a 
 fleet that should chastise their insolence. The squadron con- 
 sisted of the Constitution, 44 guns; the Philadelphia, 44; the 
 Argus, 18; the Siren, 16; the Nautilus, 16; the Vixen, 16; and 
 the Enterprize, 14. Commodore Preble was appointed to 
 the command of this squadron, in May 1803, and on the 13th 
 of August, sailed in the Constitution for the Mediterranean. 
 Having adjusted the difficulties which had sprung up with the 
 emperor of Morocco, he turned his whole attention to Tripoli. 
 T he season was, however, too far advanced for active opera- 
 tions. 
 
 On the 31st of October, the Philadelphia, being, at nine 
 o’clock in the morning, about five leagues to the westward of 
 Tripoli, discovered a sail in shore, standing before the wind 
 to the eastward. The Philadelphia immediately gave chase. 
 The sail hoisted Tripolitan colors, and continued her course 
 near the shore. The Philadelphia opened a fire upon her, 
 
526 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 and continued it, till half past eleven; when, being in seven 
 fathoms water, and finding her fire could not prevent the ves- 
 sel entering Tripoli, she gave up the pursuit. In beating off, 
 she ran on a rock, not laid down in any chart, distant four 
 and a half miles from the town. A boat was immediately 
 lowered to sound. The greatest depth of water was found 
 to be astern. In order to back her off, all sails were laid 
 aback; the top-gallant-sails loosened; three anchors thrown 
 away from the bows; the water in the hold started; and all 
 the guns thrown overboard, excepting a few abaft to defend 
 the ship against the attacks of the Tripolitan gun-boats, then 
 firing at her. All this, however, proved ineflectual; as did 
 also the attempt to lighten her forward by cutting away her 
 foremast. The Philadelphia had already withstood the attack 
 of the numerous gun-boats for four hours, when a large rein- 
 forcement coming out of Tripoli, and being herself deprived 
 of every means of resistance and defence she was forced to 
 strike, about sunset. The Tripolitans immediately took pos- 
 session of her, and made prisoners of the officers and men, 
 in number, three hundred. Forty-eight hours afterwards, the 
 wind blowing in shore, the Tripolitans got the frigate oil', and 
 towed her into the harbor. 
 
 On the 14th of December, Commodore Preble sailed from 
 Malta, in company with the Enterprize, commanded by Lieu- 
 tenant Stephen Decater. When the latter was informed of 
 the loss of the Philadelphia, he immediately formed a plan of 
 recapturing and destroying her, which he proposed to Com- 
 modore Preble. At first the commodore thought the project- 
 ed enterprize too hazardous; but at length granted his con- 
 sent. Lieutenant Decater then selected for the enterprise the 
 ketch Intrepid, lately captured by him. This vessel he mann- 
 ed with seventy volunteers, chiefly of his own crew; and on 
 the 3d of February sailed from Syracuse, accompanied by 
 the brig Siren, lieutenant Stewart. 
 
 After a tempestuous passage of fifteen days, tbe two vessels 
 arrived off the harbor of Tripoli, towards the close of day. — 
 It was determined that at ten o’clock in the evening the Intre- 
 pid should enter the harbor, accompanied by the boats of the 
 Siren. But a change of wind had separated the two vessels 
 six or eight miles As delay might prove fatal, Lieutenant 
 Decater entered the harbor alone about eight o’clock. The 
 Philadelphia lay within half gun shot of the Bashaw’s castle 
 and principal battery. On her starboard quarter lay two Tri- 
 politan cruisers within two cables length; and on the starboard 
 
NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 327 
 
 bow a number of gunboats within half gun shot. All her 
 guns were mounted and loaded. Three hours were, in conse- 
 quence of the lightness of the wind, consumed in passing 
 three miles, when being within two hundred yards of the Phila- 
 delphia, they were hailed from her, and ordered to anchor on 
 peril of being fired into. The pilot on board the Intrepid was 
 ordered to reply, that all their anchors were lost. The Ameri- 
 cans had advanced within fifty yards of the frigate, when the 
 wind died away into a calm. Lieutenant Decater ordered a 
 rope to be taken out and fastened to the fore-chains of the 
 frigate, which was done, and the Intrepid warped alongside. 
 It was not till then the Tripolitans suspected them to be an 
 enemy; and their confusion in consequence was great. As 
 soon as the vessels were sufficiently near. Lieutenant Deca- 
 ter sprang on board the frigate, and was followed by midship- 
 man Morris. It was a minute before the remainder of the 
 crew succeeded in mounting after them. But the Turks, 
 crowded together on the quarter deck, were in too great con- 
 sternation to take advantage of this delay. As soon as a suf- 
 ficient number of Americans gained the deck they rushed up- 
 on the Tripolitans, who were soon overpowered; and about 
 twenty of them were killed. 
 
 After taking possession of the ship, a firing commenced from 
 the Tripolitan batteries and castle, and from two cruisers near 
 the ship; a number of launches were also seen rowing about 
 in the harbor; whereupon Lieutenant Decater resolved to re- 
 main in the frigate, for there he would be enabled to make the 
 best defence. But perceiving that the launches kept at a dis- 
 tance, he ordered the frigate to be set on fire, which was im- 
 mediately done, and so effectually, that with difficulty was the 
 Intrepid preserved. A favorable breeze at this moment 
 sprung up, which soon carried them out of the harbor. None 
 of the Americans were killed, and only four wounded. For 
 this heroic achievmcnt Lieutenant Decater was promoted to 
 the rank of post captain. His commission was dated on the 
 lay he destroyed the Philadelphia. 
 
 After the destruction of the Philadelphia frigate, commo- 
 dore Preble was, during the spring and early part of the sum- 
 mer, employed in keeping up the blockade of the harbor of 
 Tripoli, in preparing for an attack upon the town and in cruis- 
 ing. A prize that had been taken was put in commission, and 
 called the Scourge. A loan of six gun-boats and two bomb- 
 vessel-3, completely fitted for service, was obtained from the 
 king of Naples. Permission was also given to take twelve or 
 
328 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 fifteen Neapolitans on board each boat, to serve under the 
 American flag. 
 
 With this addition to his force, the commodore on the 21st 
 of July, joined the vessels off Tripoli. The number of men 
 engaged in the service amounted to one thousand and sixty. 
 
 On the Tripolitan castle and batteries, one hundred and 
 fifteen guns were mounted, fifty-five of which were pieces of 
 heavy ordnance, the others long eighteen and twelve pounders. 
 In the harbor were nineteen gun-boats carrying each a long 
 brass eighteen or twenty-four pounder in the bow, and two 
 howitzers abaft; also two schooners of eight guns each, a 
 brig of ten and two galleys of four guns each. In addition 
 to the ordinary Turkish garrison, and the crews of the armed 
 vessels, estimated at three thousand, upwards of twenty thou- 
 sand Arabs had been assembled for the defence of the city. 
 
 The weather prevented the squadron from approaching the 
 city until the twenty-eighth, when it anchored within two 
 miles and a half of the fortifications; but the wind suddenly 
 shifting, and increasing to a gale, the commodore was com- 
 pelled to return. On the 3d of August, he again approached 
 to within two or three miles of the batteries. Having observ- 
 ed that several of the enemy’s boats were stationed without 
 the reef of rocks, covering the entrance, he made signal for 
 the squadron to come within speaking distance, to communi- 
 cate to the several commanders his intention of attacking the 
 shipping and batteries. The gun-boats and bomb-ketches 
 were immediately manned and prepared for action. The for- 
 mer were arranged in two divisions of three each. At half 
 past one the squadron stood in for the batteries. At two, the 
 gun-boats were cast off. At half past two, signal was made 
 for the bomb-ketches and gun-boats to advance and attack. — 
 At three quarters past two, the signal was given for a general 
 action. It commenced by the bomb-ketches throwing shells 
 into the town. A tremendous fire immediately commenced 
 from the enemy’s batteries and vessels, of at least two hun- 
 dred guns. It was immediately returned by the American 
 squadron, now within musket shot of the principal batteries. 
 
 At this moment. Captain Decater, with the three gun-boats 
 under his command, attacked the enemy’s eastern division, 
 consisting of nine gun-boats. He was soon in the midst of 
 them. The fire of the cannon and musketry was immediate- 
 ly changed to a desperate attack with bayonet, spear and 
 sabre. Captain Decater having grappled a Tripolitan boat, 
 
NAVAL BATTLES OP THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 329 
 
 and boarded her with only fifteen Americans, in ten minutes 
 her decks were cleared and she was captured. Three Ameri- 
 cans were wounded. At this moment captain Decater v/as 
 informed that the gun-boat commanded by his brother, had 
 engaged and captured a boat belonging to the enemy; but 
 that his brother, as he stepped on board was treacherously 
 shot by the Tripolitan commander, who made off with his boat. 
 Captain Decater immediately pursued the murderer, who was 
 retreating within the lines; having succeeded in coming along- 
 side, he boarded with only eleven men. A doubtful contest of 
 twenty minutes ensued. Decater immediately attacked the 
 Tripolitan commander, who was armed with a spear and cut- 
 lass. In parrying the Turk’s spear, Decater broke his sword 
 close to the hilt, and received a slight wound in the right arm 
 and breast; but having seized the spear he closed; and, after 
 a violent struggle, both fell, Decater uppermost. The Turk 
 then drew a dagger from his belt, but Decater caught his arm, 
 drew a pistol from his pocket and shot him. While they were 
 struggling, the crew of both vessels rushed to the assistance 
 of their commanders. And so desperate had the contest 
 around them been, that it was with difficulty that Decater ex- 
 tricated himself from the killed and wounded that had fallen 
 around him. 
 
 In this affair an American manifested the most heroic cou- 
 rage and attachment to his commander. Decater, in the 
 struggle, was attacked in the rear by a Tripolitan, who had 
 aimed a blow at his head, which must have proved fatal, had 
 not this generous minded tar, then dangerously wounded and 
 deprived of the use of both his hands, rushed between him 
 and the sabre, the stroke of which he received in his head 
 whereby the scull was fractured. This hero, however surviv- 
 ed, and afterwards received a pension from his grateful coun- 
 try. All the Americans but four were wounded. Captain 
 Decater brought both of his prizes safe to the American 
 squadron. 
 
 Two successive attacks were afterwards made upon Tripo- 
 li; and the batteries effectually silenced. The humiliation of 
 Ihis barbarous power was of advantage to all nations. — 
 The Pope made a public declaration, that, “ the United States, 
 though in their infancy, had, in this affair, done more to hum- 
 ble the anti-christian barbarians on that coast, than all the 
 European States had done for a long series of time.” Sir 
 Alexander Ball, a distinguished commander in the British 
 navy, addressed his congratulations to Commodore Preble. 
 
330 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 After the junction of the two squadrons, Commodore Preble 
 obtained leave to return home. This he did with the greater 
 pleasure, as it would give the command of a frigate to Cap- 
 tain Decater. 
 
 On his return to the United States, he was received and 
 treated every where with that distinguished attention, which 
 he had so fully merited. Congress voted him their thanks, 
 and requested the President to present him with an emblemati 
 cal medal. 
 
 Our limits will only allow us to glance briefly at a few of 
 the remaining victories of the American navy. A formal 
 declaration of war against Great Britain was passed by Con- 
 gress on the 18th of June, 1812. On the 19th of August, 
 the memorable capture of the British frigate Guerriere by 
 the Constitution under Captain Hull, took place. On the 19th 
 of October the British sloop of war Frolic was taken by the 
 Wasp, commanded by Captain Jacob Jones; before the lat- 
 ter could escape, however, with her prize, being in a very 
 disabled state, she was captured by the British seventy-four, 
 Poictiers. On the 25th of October, the United States under 
 Commodore Decater, fell in with and captured, off the Wes- 
 tern Isles, the British frigate Wacedonian, mounting forty- 
 nine guns and carrying three hundred and six men. The 
 JMacedonian had one hundred and six men killed and wound- 
 ed. The United States five killed and seven wounded. The 
 Victory of the Constitution over the Java, followed ne.xt, and 
 was succeeded by that of the Hornet, commanded by Captain 
 Lawrence, over the Peacock. The loss of this bra\e officer 
 in the subsequent engagement between the Chesapeake and 
 Shannon, was generally lamented by his countrymen. 
 
 On the first of September, 1813, the British brig Boxer of 14 
 guns, w'as captured by the United .States brig Enterprise, 
 commanded by Lieutenant William Burrows, who fell in the 
 ensasement. AVe must close our notice of American naval 
 history, by a brief sketch of some of the most interesting crui- 
 ses and engagements. 
 
 CKUISE OF THE W'ASF. 
 
 On the first of IMay, 1814, the United States sloop of war 
 Wasp, of eighteen guns and one hundred and seventy-four 
 men, Captain Blakely, commander, sailed from Portsmouth, 
 IV. H. on a cruise, and on the 23th of June, in latitude 48 36 
 longitude 11 15, after having made several captures, she fell 
 
NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 331 
 
 m with, engaged, and after an action of nineteen minutes, 
 captured his Britanic Majesty’s sloop of war Reindeer, Wil- 
 iiam Manners, Esq. commander. The Reindeer mounted si.\- 
 teen twenty-four pound carronades,two long si.x or nine pound- 
 ers, and a shifting twelve pound carronade, with a complement 
 on board of one hundred and eighteen men. She was literal- 
 ly cut to pieces in a line with her ports; her upper works, 
 boats and spare spars were one complete wreck, and a breeze 
 springing up the next day after the action, her fore-mast went 
 by the board; when the prisoners having been taken on board 
 the Wasp, she was set on fire and soon blew up. 
 
 The loss on board the Reindeer was twenty-three killed and 
 forty-two wounded, her captain being among the former. On 
 board the Wasp five were killed and twenty-one wounded. — 
 More than one half of the wounded enemy were, in conse- 
 quence of the severity and extent of their wounds, put on 
 board a Portuguese brig and sent to England. The loss of 
 the Americans, although not so severe as that of the British, 
 was owing, in a degree, to the proximity of the two vessels 
 during the action, and the extreme smoothness of the sea, but 
 chiefly in repelling boarders. 
 
 On the 8th of July, the Wasp put into L’Orient, France, 
 after capturing an additional number of prizes, where she re- 
 mained until the 27th of August, when she again sailed on a 
 cruise. On the 1st of September she fell in with the British 
 sloop of war Avon, of twenty guns, commanded by Captain 
 Abuthnot, and after an action of forty-five minutes, compelled 
 her to surrender, her crew being nearly all killed and wound- 
 ed. The guns were then ordered to be secured, and a boat 
 lowered from the Wasp in order to take possession of the 
 prize. In the act of lowering the boat, a second enemy’s ves- 
 sel was discovered astern and standing towards the Wasp. — 
 Captain Blakely immediately ordered his crew to their quar- 
 ters, prepared every thing for action, and awaited her coming 
 up. In a few minutes after, two additional sail were discover- 
 ed bearing down upon the Wasp. Captain Blakely stood off" 
 with the expectation of drawing the first from its companions; 
 but in this he was disappointed. She continued to approach 
 until she came close to the stern of the Wasp, when she haul- 
 ed by the wind, fired her broadside, (which injured the Wasp 
 but trifling,) and retraced her steps to join her consorts. — 
 Captain Blakely was now necessitated to abandon the Avon, 
 which had by this time become a total wreck, and which soon 
 after sunk, the surviving part of her crew having barely time 
 to escape to the other vessels 
 
332 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 On board of the Avon forty were killed and sixty wounded. 
 The loss sustained by the Wasp was two killed and one 
 wounded. 
 
 The Wasp aftewards continued her cruise, making great 
 havoc among the English merchant vessels and privateers, 
 destroying an immense amount of the enemies property. — 
 From the 1st of May until the 20th of September, she had 
 captured fifteen vessels, most of which she destroyed. 
 
 HORNET AND PENGUIN. 
 
 On the 2.3d of March, 1815, as the Hornet, commanded by 
 Captain Biddle, was about to anchor off the north end of the 
 island of Tristan d’Acuna, a sail was seen to the southward; 
 which, at forty minutes past one, hoisted English colors, and 
 fired a gun. The Hornet immediately luffed to, hoisted an en- 
 sign, and gave the enemy a broadside. A quick and well di- 
 rected fire was kept up from the Hornet, the enemy gradually 
 drifting nearer, with an intention, as Captain Biddle supposed, 
 to board. The enemy’s bowsprit came in between the main 
 and mizen rigging on the starboard side of the Hornet, giving 
 him an opportunity to board, if he had wished but no attempt 
 was made. There was a considerable swell, and as the sea lift- 
 ed the Hornet ahead, the enemy’s bowsprit carried away her 
 mizen shrouds, stern davits, and spanker boom, and hung up- 
 on her larboard quarter. At this moment an officer called out 
 that they had surrendered. Captain Biddle directed the ma- 
 rines. to stop firing, and, while asking if they had surrendered, 
 received a wound in the neck. The enemy just then got 
 clear of the Hornet; and his foremast and bowsprit being botli 
 gone, and perceiving preparations to give him another broad- 
 side, he again called out that he had surrendered. It was 
 with great difficulty that Captain Biddle could restrain his 
 crew from firing into him again, as it was certain that he had 
 fired into the Hornet after having surrendered. 
 
 From the firing of the first gun to the last time the enemy 
 cried out that he had surrendered, was exactly twenty-two 
 minutes. The vessel proved to be the British brig Penguin, 
 of twenty guns, a remarkable fine vessel of her class, and one 
 hundred and thirty-two men, twelve of them supernumeraries 
 from the IMedway seventy-four, received on board in conse- 
 quence of their being ordered to cruise for the privateer 
 Young Wasp. 
 
 The Penguin had fourteen killed and twenty-eight wound- 
 
NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 333 
 
 ed. Among the killed was Captain Dickenson, who fell at 
 the close of the action. As she was completely riddled. 
 so crippled as to be incapable of being secured, and being at 
 a great distance from the United States, Captain Biddle or 
 dered her to be scuttled and sunk. 
 
 The Hornet did not receive a single round shot in her hull, 
 and though much cut in her sails and rigging was soon made 
 ready for further service. Her loss was one killed and elev- 
 en wounded. 
 
 ALGERINE WAR. 
 
 Immediately after the ratification of peace with Great Bri- 
 tain, in February 1815, Congress, in consequence of the hos- 
 tile conduct of the regency of Algiers, declared war against 
 that power. A squadron was immediately fitted out, under the 
 command of Commodore Decater, consisting of the Guerriere, 
 Constellation and Macedonian frigates, the Ontario and Eper- 
 vier sloops of war, and the schooners Spark, Spitfire, Torch 
 and Flambeau. Another squadron, under Commodore Bain- 
 bridge, was soon to follow this armament, on the arrival of 
 which, it was understood. Commodore Decater would return 
 to the United States in a single vessel, leaving the command 
 of the whole combined force to Commodore Bainbridge. 
 
 The force under Commodore Decater rendezvoused at New 
 York, from which port they sailed the 20th day of May, 1815, 
 and arrived in the Bay of Gibraltar in twenty-five days, after 
 having previously communicated with Cadiz and Tangier. In 
 the passage, the Spitfire, Torch, Firefly and Ontario, separated 
 different times from the squadron in gales, but all joined again 
 at Gibraltar, with the exception of the Firefly, which sprung 
 her masts, and put back to NewYoi'k to refit. Having learn- 
 ed at Gibraltar that the Algerine squadron, which had been 
 out into the Atlantic, had undoubtedly passed up the straits, 
 and that information of the arrival of the American force had 
 been sent to Algiers by persons in Gibraltar, Commodore De- 
 cater determined to proceed without delay up the JMediterra- 
 nean, in the hope of intercepting the enemy before he could 
 return to Algiers, or gain a neutral port. 
 
 On the 17th of June, off Cape de Gatt, he fell in with and 
 captured the Algerine frigate Mazouda, in a running fight of 
 twenty-five minutes. After two broadsides the Algerines ran 
 below The Guerriere had four men wounded by musketry, 
 the Algerines had about thirty killed, according to the state- 
 
334 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UJflTED STATES. 
 
 merit of the prisoners, who amounted to four hundred and six. 
 In this affair, the famous Algerine admiral or Rais, Hammida, 
 who had long been the terror of this sea, was cut in two by a 
 cannon shot. 
 
 On the i9th of June, off Cape Palos, the squadron fell in 
 with and captured an Algerine brig of twenty-two guns. The 
 brig was chased close to the shore, where she was followed 
 by the Epervier, Spark, Torch and Spitfire, to whom she sur- 
 rendered, after losing twenty-three men. No Americans were 
 either killed or wounded. The captured brig, with most of 
 the prisoners on board, was sent into Carthagena. From 
 Cape Palos, the American squadron proceeded to Algiers, 
 where it arrived the 28th of June. 
 
 The treaty which Commodore Decatcr finally succeeded in 
 negotiating with the Dey, was highly favorable. The princi- 
 paTarticles were, that no tribute under any pretext or in any 
 form whatever, should ever be required by Algiers from the 
 United States of America, that all Americans in slavery should 
 be given up without ransom, that compensation should be 
 made for American vessels captured, or property seized or 
 detained at Algiers, that the persons and property of Ameri- 
 can citizens found on board an enemy’s vessel should be sa- 
 cred, that vessels of either party putting into port should be 
 supplied with provisions at market price, and if necessary to 
 be repaired, should land their cargoes without paying duty, 
 that if a vessel belonging to either party should be cast on 
 shore, she should not be given up to plunder, or if attacked 
 by an enemy within cannon shot of a fort, should be protect- 
 ed, and no enemy be permitted to follow her when she went 
 to sea within twenty-four hours. In general, the rights of 
 Americans on the ocean and land, were fully provided for in 
 every instance, and it was particularly stipulated that all citi- 
 zens of the United States taken in war, should be treated as 
 prisoners of war are treated by other nations, and not as 
 slaves, but held subject to an exchange without ransom. Af- 
 ter concluding this treaty, so highly honorable and advanta- 
 geous to this country, the commissioners gave up the captured 
 frigate and brig, to their former owners. 
 
 Commodore Decater despatched Captain Lewis in the 
 Epervier, bearing the treaty to the United States, and leaving 
 ]\lr. Shaler at Algiers, as consul-general to the Barbary states, 
 proceeded with the rest of the squadron to Tunis, with the 
 exception of two schooners under Captain Gamble, sent to 
 convoy the Algerine vessels home from Carthagena. Having 
 
NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 335 
 
 obtained from the bashaw of Tunis a full restoration in money, 
 for certain outrages which had been sustained by American 
 citizens, the squadron proceeded to Tripoli, where Commo- 
 dore Decater made a similar demand for a similar violation of 
 the treaty subsisting between the United States and the ba- 
 shaw, who had permitted two American vessels to be taken 
 from under the guns of his castle by a British sloop of war, 
 and refused protection to an American cruiser lying within his 
 jurisdiction. Restitution of the full value of these vessels 
 was demanded, and the money, amounting to twenty-five thou- 
 sand dollars, paid by the bashaw into the hands of the Ameri- 
 can consul. After the conclusion of this affair, the American 
 consular flag, which Mr. Jones, the consul, had struck, in 
 consequence of the violation of neutrality above mentioned, 
 was hoisted in the presence of the foreign agents, and saluted 
 from the castle with thirty-one guns. In addition to the satis- 
 faction thus obtained, for unprovoked aggressions, the com- 
 modore had the pleasure of obtaining the release of ten cap- 
 tives, two Danes and eight Neapolitans, the latter of whom 
 he landed at Messina. 
 
 After touching at Messina and Naples, the squadron sailed 
 for Carthagena on the 3 1st of August, where Commodore De- 
 cater was in expectation of meeting the relief squadron, un- 
 der Commodore Bainbridge. On joining that officer at Gib- 
 raltar, he relinquished his command, and sailed in the Guer- 
 riere for the United States, where he arrived on the 12th of 
 November, 1815. 
 
 Every thing being done previous to the arrival of the sec- 
 ond division of the squadron, under Commodore Bainbridge, 
 that gallant officer had no opportunity of distinguishing him- 
 self. Pursuant to his instructions he exhibited this additional 
 force before Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, where they were 
 somewhat surprised at the appearance of the Independence 
 seventy-four. Commodore Bainbridge sailed from Gibraltar 
 thirty-six hours before the Guerriere, and arrived at Boston 
 the 15th of November 
 
SSB 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE OCEAH 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE OCEAN. 
 
 Likeness of Heaven' 
 
 Agent of powe?; 
 
 Man is thy victim, 
 
 Sliip wreck thy dower! 
 
 Spices and jewels 
 From valley and sea, 
 
 Armies and banners. 
 
 Are buried in thee! 
 
 What are the riches 
 Of INIexico’s mines. 
 
 To the wealth that far down 
 In thy deep waters shine? 
 
 The proud navies that cover 
 The conquering west — 
 
 Thou fling’st them to death 
 With one heave of thy breast. 
 
 From the high hills that view 
 Thy wreck making shore. 
 When the bride of the mariner 
 Shrieks at thy roar. 
 
 When like lambs in the tempest 
 Or mews in the blast. 
 
 On thy ridge broken billows 
 The canvas is cast — • 
 
 How humbling to one. 
 
 With a heart and a soul, 
 
 To look on thy greatness 
 And list to its roll; 
 
 To think how that heart 
 In cold ashes shall bo. 
 
 While the voice of Eternity 
 Rises from thee? 
 
 END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. 
 

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