by John Marshall

“ The people began to break off from the pumps, and to secrete themselves, and could only be kept to their duty by threatening to have them thrown overboard. They were kept ignorant of the true state of the ship, until one of the carpenters stationed to sound the well, came up, and reported that the water was as high as the orlop-deck, and gaining above a foot every half hour. The officers could not possibly suppress this report; and many of the people, who were really unable to bear the fatigue any longer, immediately desponded, and gave themselves up to perish with the ship. ”

“ We did not dare, however, to take one drop more than the prescribed allowance: we therefore, through necessity, became philosophers, and submitted with becoming resolution to the exigencies of the moment. At seven we received our second measure of water, which being succeeded by the coldness of the night, administered greatly to our relief. At midnight it blew a fresh gale, with dark, cloudy, and remarkably cold weather. The launch was at this time brought under her main-sail only, and the weather continuing much the same, no alteration was made throughout the day. ”

“ The jolly-boat had put off from the ship without either provisions, water, compass, or quadrant, and rowed towards the launch in hopes of either getting relief from her, or the crew to be taken on board; but she had already fifteen people in her, which were as many as she could with safety carry; and the quantity of provisions was very inadequate to support such a number, who had 411 leagues to traverse in a boisterous ocean, without any means of relief. ”

“ On my going on board the Draak I found that she had been built for a sheer hulk, and converted into a guard-ship; she being extremely old, her masts and rigging very much cut, and the vessel altogether unfit for his Majesty’s service, determined me to destroy her. I therefore directed Captain Bolton to perform that duty, which he did effectually, by burning her. The service performed, we weighed and proceeded towards the Vlie Island, at which place we anchored on the 15th instant. ”

“ A part of those who had any strength left, seeing that their utmost efforts to save the ship were likely to be in vain, applied to the officers for the boats, which were promised to be got in readiness for them, and the boatswain was directly ordered to put the masts, sails, and compass in each. The cooper was also set to work to fill a few quarter-casks of water out of some of the butts on deck; and provisions and other necessaries were got up from the hold. ”

“ At ten, the water had increased to five feet. Since the first of their misfortunes, every officer and man had been employed; and it was impossible for them to hold out much longer in this laborious work. ”

“ The Guardian continued driving about, chiefly at the mercy of the wind and sea; though at times, in moderate weather, Lieutenant Riou was enabled to keep her head the course he wished to steer; and sometimes she was forced through the water at the rate of four knots an hour. ”

“ Lieutenant Riou therefore determined to divide the officers, seamen, convicts, &c. into two watches, to relieve alternately. At about half-past ten the first division went to the pumps; and each man was ordered a dram and other refreshments, which seemed to give them fresh spirits. At midnight the water had increased to six feet, and it was then blowing a very strong gale. At day-light on the 25th, a few hands were set about filling one of the lower studding-sails with oakum, which they found some difficulty to get under the ship’s bottom. ”

“ In order to afford a change of safety to as many as he could with propriety. They were fortunately all got into the water with very little damage; but the sea running so high it was with difficulty they were kept from being stove alongside. The launch being forced to drop on the quarter, to make room for the two cutters, was nearly drawn under the quarter and sunk, and at last obliged to cast adrift from the ship, with only seven or eight men on board, and without any provisions or water. ”

“ The loss of the enemy I have not as yet been able to ascertain; but two dead and three badly wounded were found on board her, and from the appearance of great quantities of blood, &c. covered with taupaulins, which Captain Bolton discovered, I am led to think it has been very considerable: indeed some of them confess that a number of wounded men [errata 2] were put into a boat and sent to Harlingen immediately upon the ship striking ”

“ I have given him the temporary command of the Batavian republican brig Gier, and shall send her round to the Texel as soon as possible. She mounts fourteen long Dutch 12-pounders, with a complement of eighty men. She is a most complete vessel, quite new, copper-bottomed, well found, and never yet at sea, and in every respect fit for his Majesty’s service, only wanting men. I mean to take four of her guns out, for the purpose of arming four schuyts to act hereabouts, either on the defensive or offensive. I have the honor to be, &c. ”

“ Somerville, the gunner, in the jolly-boat, which hung over the stern. This boat, on being lowered down, was drawn under and sunk. As soon as the launch had again rowed a little near to the ship, one of the people in her caught hold of a rope, until the cutters brought them provisions, &c. and veered to a good distance astern. A small quantity of biscuit, and an eighteen gallon cask of water, was then let down between the main and mizen chains into the small cutter. The purser then got into the main-chains, and from thence leaped into her; Mr. ”