by John Marshall

“ Sir,– Under the most poignant feelings of grief and distress, it is my melancholy duty to communicate to you the total loss of H.M.S. Thetis, on Cape Frio, last night about 8 o’clock, with every thing belonging to her; the officers, crew, and myself barely escaping with our lives, by being landed through the surf up a precipitous rough rock, which some of the crew had been so fortunate as to reach by jumping upon the first point she struck against. ”

“ I am just landed, and am anxious to give you as early knowledge of this sad catastrophe as I can, in order to obtain relief for the officers and crew, who, from their cut feet and bruises, are unable to undertake a journey to Rio Janeiro. I trust you will make every allowance for this hurried statement, the causes being more unaccountable than any thing I have ever met with in the whole course of my naval experience; as, from all the precautionary measures taken, nothing but the strongest current, and the thick hazy weather, with hard rain, can possibly be offered in extenuation. ”