by C. H. Layman
But if that unfortunate Captain never returns to his country, let us do so much justice to his character to declare that he was a gentleman possessed of many virtues; he was an excellent seaman himself, and loved a seaman; as for personal bravery, no man had a larger share of it. Even when a prisoner he preserved the dignity of a commander; no misfortunes could dispirit or deject him, and fear was a weakness he was entirely a stranger to. The loss of the ship was the loss of him; he knew how to govern while he was a commander on board; but when things were brought to confusion and disorder, he thought to establish his command ashore by his courage, and to suppress the least insult on his authority on the first occasion. An instance of this was seen on the Boatswain’s first appearing ashore. Shooting Mr Cozens, and treating him in the manner he did after his confinement, was highly resented by the people, who soon got the power in their own hands, the officers only had the name, and they were often compelled, for the preservation of their lives, to comply sometimes with the most unreasonable demands. And it is a miracle, amidst the wildness and distraction of the people, that there was no more bloodshed.
At eleven in the forenoon the whole body of people embarked, to the number of eighty-one souls: fifty-nine on board the long-boat, on board the cutter twelve, and in the barge ten. At noon we got under sail, the wind at NW by W. The Captain, Surgeon, and Mr Hamilton being on the shore-side we gave them three cheers, which they returned.
In spite of this allegedly cheerful parting, the Gunner was extremely concerned about how his behaviour would be seen back home. Whatever the circumstances, the inescapable facts were that the Captain had been tied up and his command removed from him under the direction of his own officers and petty officers, and then abandoned on one of the most inhospitable places on earth. There was no defence to be had from the fact that the ship was a wreck. While the ship’s company could perhaps claim that, because their pay ceased when a ship was lost, they were no longer subject to naval discipline, no such flimsy justification was available to an officer or a petty officer. The Gunner, a sea-lawyer if ever there was one, would be acutely aware of this. He therefore wrote a clever defence of their actions in his journal, and most of the officers signed it:
These are to certify the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, &c. that we, whose names are under-mentioned do beg leave to acquaint your Lordships, that Captain David Cheap, our late commander in His Majesty’s ship Wager, having publicly declared that he will never go off this spot, at his own request desires to be left behind. But Captain Pemberton of His Majesty’s land forces, having confined him a prisoner for the death of Mr Henry Cozens midshipman, with Lieutenant Hamilton for breaking his confinement, did insist on delivering them up on the beach to the charge of Lieutenant Baynes; but he, with his officers and people, consulting the ill consequences that might attend carrying two prisoners off in so small a vessel, and for so long and tedious a passage as we are likely to have, and that they might have opportunities of acting such things in secret as may prove destructive to the whole body; and also in regard to the chief article of life, as the greatest part of the people must be obliged, at every place we stop, to go on shore in search of provisions, and there being now no less than eighty-one souls in this small vessel, which we hope to be delivered in; we therefore, to prevent any difficulties to be added to the unforeseen we have to encounter with, think proper to agree, and in order to prevent murder, to comply with Captain David Cheap’s request: the Surgeon also begs leave to be left with him. Dated on board the Speedwell[35] long-boat in Cheap’s Bay, this 14th day of October, 1741.
(Signed)
Robert Baynes, Lieutenant
Thomas Clark, Master
John King, Boatswain
John Bulkeley, Gunner
John Cummins, Carpenter
Robert Elliot, Surgeon’s Mate
John Jones, Master’s Mate
John Snow, ditto
Captain Pemberton, of His Majesty’s land forces
Vincent Oakley, Surgeon of ditto
Chapter 8
Extreme hunger in the long-boat
Long-boat Speedwell, at sea, October 1741. The company in the long-boat sets off for the Straits of Magellan. They encounter many difficulties, above all extreme hunger. Eleven men are put ashore at their request, never to be heard of again. Nine men starve to death on board.
From the account of John Young, Cooper
For several days we encountered everything that was most terrible. The furious waves frequently threatened to overwhelm us; the rocks often menaced immediate destruction; and the prospect of that horridest tormentor, Famine, was continually before our eyes. All these impending evils were still enhanced by the indolent listless temper of some among us, who were through fatigue and despair become regardless of life, and could scarcely be moved to do anything towards even their own preservation; or by the inquietude and turbulence of others who were ready to mutiny, though they had hardly room to breathe, if their brutal demands were not instantly satisfied. Add to this, that being so closely penned up, the steams of our bodies and filthy wet apparel infected the air about us to such a degree that it was almost intolerable, and enough to cause a pestilence.
We made very little progress in our voyage for several days. Our opportunities of getting at all out to sea were but rare. We were generally in the evenings obliged to shelter in some bay or creek, where now and then the intemperateness of the weather confined us many hours beyond our inclination. And we were oftentimes delayed by the necessity of going on shore in quest of food, such as shellfish, wild fowl, and the like.
On Tuesday 3rd November 1741 the cutter was parted from us. This disagreeable incident was in great measure owing to the obstinacy of those on board her. She had the misfortune of splitting her square sail in the morning, on which we offered to take her in tow, but those in her refused it. They would in no respect follow direction or conduct themselves according to our advice. Notwithstanding this obstinacy, whereby they justly forfeited any concern of ours for their safety, yet we followed them, desiring to afford them all the succour and assistance in our power, till we thereby ran ourselves into the utmost peril. Indeed we gave not over till they disappeared. Our losing them after all this was extremely vexatious; partly through an apprehension of so many of our companions perishing, when we had undergone such pains and hazards for their preservation; and partly because our own condition was thereby rendered much worse, having nothing left us now to go ashore in, though the most urgent occasion required.
On Friday the 6th instant we got sight of the cutter again. This was an event that gave us in the Speedwell abundance of joy. But our pleasure, alas, was of very short duration; for having when the night came on made her fast astern of us, with only two men in her (one of which left her at 11 o’clock and came into the long-boat), about two in the morning she broke loose, having one James Stewart in her, and was soon out of our sight for ever. The poor fellow that was on board cried out to us when she loosened, and we did all we could to recover the boat and save him. But our efforts were ineffectual, so that most probably she was staved among the rocks, and he went to the bottom.
On Sunday following the people were importunate for a distribution of provisions, though it was four days before the appointed time. No representation of the unhappy effect that might attend such a proceeding could prevail with them to forbear. No sooner was this unreasonable demand satisfied (for they would be refused nothing they set on) but several of them offered another, far more surprising. That was, to be put ashore, with the allowance only of a few necessaries that we could spare them, and which would be their share in case a partition was to be now made. When some of us enquired the cause of this odd motion, those who started it answered, “that they were not without hopes of meeting with the cutter, in which, if that happened, they would go back northward. Or if they were not so fortunate as to find her, they should have means for some way of maki
ng a canoe that might serve their intention. And upon the whole, they thought they could not run a greater risk or be in a worse situation anyhow, than at present.” We did all we could by arguing to divert their purpose, but they were not to be dissuaded. So, as they persisted, we hauled close on shore and landed them. They were eleven who thus left us. We furnished them with all they could in conscience ask, and they on their part signed an instrument that we drew up, certifying the Lords of the Admiralty, “that their parting from us and staying behind was absolutely their own choice, and that we had done the most which could be fairly required in their behalf.”
Indeed the conduct of these folks, all things considered, was not so unaccountable as it seemed to us at first sight. Our condition in the Speedwell was the miserablest imaginable, as I have already described. We could scarcely breathe for want of space, and were perishing through scarcity of food. So that if their attempts failed they would hardly be accommodated worse in any situation than that wherein they left us; whereas if they succeeded anyhow in their hopes they had a probability of mending their circumstances; and who, that may be better and cannot be worse, is blameable for taking a course leading to such an issue?
Four days after this separation the Gunner and a few others went ashore in hope of getting some provisions. Here they met two of the native savages, whose sole attendant was a mangy dog. You know it is a proverb, that hunger will break through stone walls; no wonder then if it prevailed on Mr Bulkeley and his comrades to violate a commandment, as it did on this occasion. For they could not refrain from coveting somewhat of these poor Indians; and what think you that was, but the nasty scabby animal I have now mentioned, their faithful dog that bore them company.
In short, their eyes and their appetites were so moved with this sweet creature that they forced it, in a manner, from its owners; who did not quit their dear domestic without great reluctance, notwithstanding one of the sailors presented one of them with a pair of trousers in exchange for it. No sooner had our folks gotten it into their hands, than it was slain, dressed, and sacrificed to Comus, the god of good cheer. It was greedily devoured as a delicious feast; and it might well be relished, when it was accompanied with a full measure of the very best sauce – as hunger is accounted.
But I must give these adventurers due praise. They were not satisfied with regaling themselves only in this little expedition, for they brought off shore with them an abundance of fine mussels, which were distributed among us to our great relief and pleasure.
Next morning being Friday 13th November most of us went ashore fishing. One of us killed a large seal, which we thought excellent food, though in a time of less necessity it would have been too coarse for our stomachs.
Such hits as these were but rare, and very far from affording supplies sufficiently extensive. They were neither frequent enough, nor when they happened did they answer in any competent measure the cravings of such a number. All we could anyhow get was too little to prevent several of us being famished. Hunger had by degrees got such an ascendance as obliged many to part with everything they had for the appeasing it. On Sunday the 15th a sort of traffic in this way was carried on among us: those who were in greatest distress bartering their silver buckles, or anything that would pass, for flour. This precious commodity was rated early in the day at twelve shillings the pound only, but soon rose to a guinea.
In the afternoon of the next day George Bateman, a youth of 16 years old, died, a mere skeleton, purely for want of victuals. Two days after Thomas Capel, son of the late Lieutenant Capel, aged but 12 years, underwent the same miserable fate. The guardian of this poor child was aboard, who had of his money above 20 guineas, besides a watch and a silver cup. The poor hapless creature, with prayers and tears, beseeched him to deliver up this small inheritance that he might purchase somewhat to save his life; but the vile savage told him that he must keep what he had of his in hand to buy clothes and other pretty things for him in Brazil. Alas, replied the dying victim (for he was in truth sacrificed to the cruelty and avarice of this vulture), “I shall never see Brazil. I am even now starving, starved almost to death. Therefore for Christ’s sake have compassion on me and give me only the silver cup, to procure me a little food, that I may be relieved from my insufferable torture. A morsel of victuals is of more worth to me than all the apparel in the world.” But his tears and solicitations to that obdurate man were in vain. Heaven only heard, and succoured him by putting a period to his breath.
Those who have never witnessed these dismal scenes can hardly imagine how anyone should be so inhuman as to see their fellow creatures languishing in the most doleful manner, and administer them no relief. But hunger is destitute of all compassion. Each man’s calamity is so great that it absorbs all his pity and concern, which cannot but centre in himself. Such was our miserable case at that time, when every one of us was on the verge of this wretched orphan’s condition, and so could not part with a morsel to prolong his life without the utmost danger of finishing his own. Nay, we may even believe the fellow who was possessed of his effects withheld them merely through a principle of self-preservation and as a resource for his own extreme necessities.
Beside the afore-mentioned, there perished by famine within the compass of a few days Peter Delroy, our barber; Thomas Thorpe, Thomas Woodhead, John Turner, Marines; and Sergeant Ringall.
It was remarkable of these people that some hours before they expired they became delirious. In this state they would joke, laugh immoderately, and play ridiculous pranks, as if they were really merry; in which temper they died. Those of us that survived had almost ground to envy the deceased, who were thereby freed from the horrid circumstances under which we groaned, tortured with hunger and thirst, catching at the most nauseous things that could any way appease the rage of these cruel appetites, and an abhorrence even to ourselves by reason of stench and vermin. Was not death in such a case a release or deliverance?
Chapter 9
Through the Straits of Magellan
Long-boat Speedwell, at sea, 24th November 1741. They continue the voyage, trying to find the entrance to the Straits of Magellan. There are doubts about their position, and 18 days are lost as they back-track – but find they were correct. There is some trading with the Indians, but food is extremely scarce and further deaths by starvation occur. They clear the Straits at last.
From the journal of John Bulkeley, Gunner
This morning, it being calm, rowed out; at eight o’clock had the supposed right Straits open, having a breeze at WNW, SE by E through the first reach, and SSE through the second. Then saw three islands, the largest of which lies on the north shore; and there is a passage about two miles broad between that and the islands to the southward. There is also another passage between that island and the north shore, of a mile and a half broad. Before you come to those islands there is a sound lying on the south shore. You can see no sea-passage until you come close up with the island, and then the imaginary Straits are not above two miles broad.
Steered away for the island SE about two leagues; then came into a narrow passage, not above a cable’s length[36] over, which put us all to a stand, doubting of any farther passage. The wind took us ahead, and the tide being spent, we put into a small cove and made fast. At seven in the evening, being calm, cast loose, being willing to see if there was any opening; but to our great misfortune found none; which very much surprised us. The Lieutenant is of opinion that we are in a lagoon to the northward of the Straits. This I cannot believe, and am positive, if ever there was such a place in the world as the Straits of Magellan, we are now in them and above thirty leagues up.[37] If he or any of the officers had given themselves the trouble of coming upon deck to have made proper remarks,[38] we had been free from all this perplexity, and by this time out of the Straits to the northward. There is not an officer aboard, except the Carpenter and myself, who will keep the deck a moment longer than his watch, or has any regard to a reckoning or anything else. It is agreed to go back again.
<
br /> Thursday the 26th, little wind; rowed out, got about five leagues down. This day we were in such want of provisions, that we were forced to cut up the seal-skin and broil it, notwithstanding it has lain about the deck for this fortnight.
Sunday 29th November. Hard gales from NW to SW with heavy rains. Great uneasiness among the people, many of them despairing of a deliverance, and crying aloud to serve provisions four days before the time. Finding no way to pacify them, we were obliged to serve them. We endeavoured to encourage and comfort them as much as lay in our power, and at length they seemed tolerably easy.
Tuesday 1st December 1741. Little wind, and fair weather; which is a kind of prodigy in those parts. In the morning put out of the cove, and got four leagues down. Then the wind took us ahead, and we put into another cove, where we got mussels and limpets. At four this afternoon saw an Indian canoe coming over from the north shore; they landed two of their men to leeward of the cove; they came opposite to us and viewed us; then went back, and came with the canoe within a cable’s length of our boat, but no nearer; so that we had no opportunity to truck with them.
Wednesday 2nd December. Little wind, with rain. At nine this morning rowed out, and got about a league farther down. The wind beginning to blow fresh, we put into another cove, and found plenty of shellfish, which kept up our spirits greatly; for it is enough to deject any thinking man, to see that the boat will not turn to windward; being of such length, and swimming so buoyant upon the water, that the wind, when close hauled, throws her quite to leeward. We have been seventeen days going seven or eight leagues to windward, which must make our passage very long and uncomfortable.
Friday the 4th. Little wind at S and fair. This morning rowed out; at ten got down, where we saw a smoke but no people. We saw a dog running along shore, and keeping company with the boat for above a mile. We then put in with a design to shoot him, but he soon disappointed us by taking into the woods. We put off again with a fine breeze, steering NW by W down the Straits. The Carpenter gave a guinea this day for a pound of flour, which he made into cakes and ate instantly. At six in the evening abreast of Cape Munday; at eight abreast of Cape Upright, being fair weather. Intend to keep under sail all night.