by John Marshall

“ Nov. 29th. – From the peculiar situation of the ship I judged it necessary to lighten her, and commenced by landing some of the guns and other stores. At 3 p.m., the Sulphur’s yawl came alongside with a bower-anchor and cable, which was laid out to the southward, bent to one of our own hempen cables and passed through the rudder hole; brought it to the capstan and tried to heave off, when the cubic parted, and the ship forced herself toward a ledge of rocks about three feet above water. ”

“ The best-bower was instantly let go, and almost immediately parted; the sails were furled, top-gallant yards and masts got down on deck – let go the small-bower, to which the ship swung to the wind for a short time only, as the chain parted, and she again paid round with her head to Pulo-Carnac, and was driven close in shore. Sent the master away in the second gig, to sound round the ship, and report upon the best position for laying out an anchor; the boats were then hoisted out and lowered down; – the wind increasing made it necessary to strike the topmasts. ”

“ A party has been sent about 30 miles up the river cutting wood, to make good our defects: the people employed in getting the guns and stores from Carnac to Gardeu Island, and caulking the ship preparatory to being bore down, which, with the assistance of the Sulphur, I hope to be able to effect, having throughout experienced from Captain Dance, his officers, and crew, the greatest support and most zealous co-operation, which call for my strongest admiration and most cordial thanks. ”

“ The damage was found to be considerable, having broken all the pintles of the rudder, part of the main keel gone, larboard bow stove in below the water line, and part of the stem carried away, which caused the ship to leak so much, that nothing but the most unparalleled exertion on the part of the officers and crew, with the most resolute determination to save the ship, could have kept her free. ”

“ M‘Leod the master, and his supercargo, who were requested either to move the brig round, or send an anchor and cable, as at that moment we had neither, and had sustained much damage; intimating at the same time that Government would make a remuneration for any service rendered: – they left the ship, but never returned; and ultimately sailed from the place on the 30th of November. I particularly wish to mark the conduct of this man, it being so perfectly unlike the proceedings of an Englishman, In the situation in which we were placed. ”

“ Through the opposite port, led one of our hempen cables, shackled to the small-bower chain, the anchor of which was nearly astern; on this was clapped a runner and yard-tackle; – the stream-anchor which had been of necessity dropped among the rocks on the starboard quarter, the day before, was now turned to good account by leading its chain through the same port, and therewith guying the ship into the deepest water. Through the stern port on deck was the shroud hawser ”

“ At 4 a.m. hove up the small-bower. At 8; hove up the hempen bower, and commenced warping the ship towards Garden Island; left an officer with a party at Pulo-Carnac for the protection of the stores and provisions. Ship making three feet water an hour. At 7-30 p.m., anchored in Cockburn Sound, in 9 fathoms, veered to 28 fathoms, and moored ship with a kedge to the northward.
(Signed) ⁠“W. C. Jervoise, Captain.” ”

“ Most of the other fine fellows by whom he had been so ably and zealously assisted were then transferred to the Calcutta, and a fresh crew sent to the Success, composed of 100 soldiers belonging to H.M. 1st, or royal regiment, and a few blue jackets drafted from the different ships of the squadron. ”

“ It must be a pleasing reflection to the relatives of these young gentlemen, whose names I have the honor to lay before you, to hear that they have merited my warmest praise and admiration, for their spirited end undaunted exertions in the execution of the very arduous duties they had to perform, viz. ”