August 1788 to February 1789
Appearance of the scurvy--The boats land at one of the Pelew
Islands--Account of the Natives who were seen, and conjectures concerning
them--Distresses--The Friendship cleared and sunk--Miserable condition of
the Alexander when she reached Batavia.--Conclusion.
10 August 1788
Hitherto no difficulties had been encountered but such as necessarily
attend the exploring of new coasts, wherein the anxiety is fully
compensated by the satisfaction of becoming a discoverer: but a dreadful
scourge now hung over our navigators, the severity of which cannot easily
be conceived, even by those who have been placed in similar scenes, so
much did it exceed in degree every thing of the same kind that has been
usually experienced. It was about this time, the 10th of August, that the
scurvy began to make its appearance, which, for want of the proper
remedies, increased to a malignity that was destructive of many lives,
rendered it necessary to sacrifice one of the ships, and finally reduced
the consolidated crews of both in the remaining transport to such a state
of weakness, that without immediate assistance they must have perished
even in port, or would have been driven adrift again, from total
inability to take the necessary steps for their own preservation.
13 August 1788
On the thirteenth of August, five seamen of the Alexander were already on
the sick list, complaining of pains in the legs and breast, with their gums
so swelled, and their teeth so loose that they could not without
difficulty eat even flour or rice. The weather was now very variable,
often sultry, at other times squally, with occasional showers. The ships
were probably at no great distance from some land, as birds were
frequently seen in great numbers; and on the 16th the Friendship made the
signal for seeing land, but it could not be descried from the Alexander.
Sharks were also caught with the hook, and now and then some floating
wood and vegetables were observed. On this day the two transports passed
the equator. On the 24th, Lieutenant Shortland found by observation, that
a current had set the ship to the west north-west or north-west by west
of her account, at the rate of eleven miles a day since the 13th, when
the last lunar observation had been taken.
The scurvy gained ground rapidly in the Alexander, notwithstanding the
precautions of smoking the ship, washing with vinegar, and distributing
porter, spruce-beer, and wine among the seamen. On the 2d of September
six men and a boy, on the 5th eight, and on the 8th ten, were disabled by
it from performing any duty. An increase of this kind, in the midst of
all the efforts that could be made to counteract the malignity of the
disorder, gave but too certain a prognostic of the ravages it was
afterwards to make.
10 September 1788
About noon on the 10th of September, the looming of land was discerned to
the westward, which an hour after was clearly perceived, bearing west
north-west, at the distance of six leagues. As the ships were then in
latitude about 6° 49' north, and longitude 135° 25' east, it is evident
that this must have been one of the Pelew Islands, lately so much
celebrated for their hospitable reception of Captain Wilson and his crew.
As the account of that voyage was not then published, and Lieutenant
Shortland had no charts with him that noticed these islands, he concluded
that he was among the most southern of the New Carolines; but finding his
longitude, from accurate observation, to be more westerly than the
situation of those islands, he conceived their longitude to be laid down
in the charts erroneously.
11 September 1788
At six in the morning, September 11th, a small island not seen before,
bore west south-west, distant five leagues; and the wind coming round
to the south south-west, Lieutenant Shortland bore away for the passage
between the two islands. At nine, having entered the passage, he
founded and found thirteen fathoms, with a fine sandy bottom, and a
strong current setting through very rapidly. Many cocoa-palms were
seen on the shore, and excited an earnest expectation of procuring
effectual refreshment for the sick: a boat from each of the ships was
therefore manned and sent out. While the boats were sounding a-head, many
Indians approached in their canoes, and by signs invited our people to
shore, giving them to understand that they might be supplied with cocoa
nuts and many other things; but when they attempted to land at a place
which had the appearance of a Morai or burying-place, they would not
suffer it, insisting that they should proceed further one way or the
other. In the mean time many persons of both sexes swam off from shore,
holding up bamboos* full of water, which they imagined the ships to want.
Mr. Sinclair, the Master of the Alexander, being in the boat, brought the
following account of this expedition. "Finding I could not make them
understand that I wanted cocoa-nuts, and not water, I was resolved to
land, and therefore put on shore as soon as I found a convenient place,
amidst a concourse of between three and four hundred people. I
immediately fixed upon an old man, (whom, from an ornament of bone upon
his arm, I concluded to be a chief) and made him a present of some nails
and beads, which were accepted with evident pleasure, and immediately
conciliated his friendship. This was a fortunate step, as he afterwards
often showed his authority by checking the most insolent of his people
when they pressed forward and endeavoured to steal whatever they could
seize. One seaman holding his cutlass rather carelessly had it snatched
from him, and the thief had so well watched his opportunity, that he was
almost out of sight before he was distinguished. Notwithstanding the
offers of the natives in the canoes, I could not procure above thirty
cocoanuts, and those green; whether it was that the people did not
comprehend my signs, or that they were not inclined to carry on the
traffic. These islanders were well limbed men, moderately tall, with long
hair: many of them chewed the betel nut, and these were all furnished
with a small hollow stick, apparently of ebony, out of which they struck
a kind of powder like lime* Their arms were a lance, and a kind of adze
hung over the shoulder; some men carrying one, and others two. These
adzes were of iron, and evidently of European manufacture. As the place
where we landed was very rocky and unpleasant for walking, when I found
myself unsuccessful in the chief object for which I was sent out, I
returned as expeditiously as I could. In return for my presents, the old
chief gave one to me which was not equally acceptable. It was a mixture
of fish, yams, and many other things, the odour of which, probably from
the staleness of the composition, was very far from being agreeable. When
we first landed, many of the natives repeated the word, Englees, as if to
enquire whether we were of that nation, but when they understood that we
were they shook their heads and said, Espagnol: possibly, therefore, the
discovery of our nation might prevent them from being as courteous on
shore as they had been in their canoes."
[* Bamboos were the only water vessels in the Pelew Islands. See Wilson,
chap. xxv. p. 312.]
[* This was the Chinam, or coral, burnt to lime, always used with the
betel. See Wilson's Account, p. 27. The Areca is the nut, the leaves only
of betel are used. These are produced by different plants.]
From some of the above circumstances it is undeniably evident that these
people have had intercourse with Europeans, and probably with the
Spaniards; and from the aversion which they expressed to the English, it
seems not an unfair conjecture that this island might perhaps be
Artingall, where our countrymen had distinguished themselves five years
before by the assistance they gave to a hostile state*: but if so, their
knowledge of the Spaniards must have been posterior to the departure of
the English, who from the narrative must have been the first Europeans
seen there. Had the adventures of the Antelope's crew been then made
known to the world, Lieutenant Shortland would with joy have presented
himself before the beneficent Abba Thulle; and probably by obtaining a
stock of fresh provisions and vegetables might have preserved the lives
of many of his companions, and prevented the sufferings of the rest; but
he was not fortunate enough to know that so propitious a retreat was
within so small a distance.
[* It might, perhaps, be thought by some readers, that if this had been
the case they would now have endeavoured to take revenge, but we find
from Captain Wilson's narrative, that all animosity was dropped as soon
as peace had been established with the inhabitants of Pelew. See that
work, Chap. xvi. p. 192.]
23 September 1788
His people were doomed to find their distresses augmented instead of
diminished. Towards the latter end of September, agues and intermittent
fevers began to prevail among them; the proportion of those disabled by
the scurvy was constantly great, some deaths had happened, and the few
men who still had health enough to carry them with difficulty through the
necessary duty, were subject to the swelling of the legs, and harrassed
by violent pains in the breast. Hitherto the Friendship had been much
more happily circumstanced. On the 23d of September she was spoken to,
and had then only one man disabled by the scurvy: but this advantage was
of short duration, and the more rapid increase of the malady made a fatal
compensation for the greater delay of its commencement.
27 September 1788-19 October 1788
On the 27th of September, about noon, the Alexander made the land of
Mindanao. It bore from west by north to north-west by west, distant
fourteen leagues. Part of it was remarkably high, and at this distance
appeared like a separate island, but on a nearer approach was found to be
all connected. On the 30th, about four in the afternoon, Hummock Island
bore west by south, half south, distant six or seven leagues. In all this
sea a strong current constantly set the ship considerably to the south of
her reckoning. On the third of October the wind fell suddenly, and the
Alexander being in great danger of driving with the current upon the
shore of Karkalang or Sanguir Island, was obliged to drop her anchor,
which happily brought her up in forty fathoms water. In the evening of the
17th, the Friendship actually struck upon a reef on the coast of Borneo,
when the Alexander immediately cast anchor, and sent a boat to her
assistance; but at day light the next morning it appeared that she also
lay so encompassed with sand-keys and shoals, that it was difficult to
discern how she had sailed into that situation, or what track she must
pursue to be extricated from it. The Friendship, however, fortunately got
off from the reef without sustaining any material damage: and in the
morning of the nineteenth a narrow channel was found, through which the
Alexander with difficulty sailed out of her dangerous station. Attempts
had been made to weigh anchor the preceding day, but the wind failing,
the force of the currents prevented it. The ships were at this time not
more than eight leagues from the coast of Borneo.
The scurvy had now brought both the crews to a most pitiable situation.
The Alexander had lost eight of her complement, and was reduced to two
men in a watch, only four seamen and two boys being at all fit for duty:
and though these were willing to do their best, and further encouraged by
the promise of double wages when they should arrive at Batavia, their
utmost exertions were inadequate to the necessities of the ship, which
they were hardly able to put about; nor could they have weighed even a
small anchor had the currents obliged them to bring to again. The
Friendship had only five men not disabled, and was by no means well
provided with provisions. In this melancholy state of both ships, the
western monsoon being expected soon to set in, it was indispensably
necessary to give up one for the sake of preserving the other. Upon this
subject the masters consulted, and after some time came to an agreement.
As the Friendship was the smaller vessel, and would be cleared more
easily than the Alexander, having fewer stores on board, Mr. Walton, her
master, consented that she should be evacuated and sunk, on condition
that he should be allowed half freight of the Alexander. In four days the
Friendship had her crew and stores transferred to the Alexander, after
which she was bored and turned adrift. The ships company thus made out
from both vessels was of no great strength, not amounting to half the
proper complement of the Alexander, nor was it more than, allowing for
the further ravages of disease, was absolutely necessary to work that
ship to Batavia.
The following list contains the whole number of persons now on board the
Alexander.
BELONGING TO THE ALEXANDER.
In Health.
Lieutenant Shortland, Commander.
Duncan Sinclair, Master.
W. A. Long, first Mate.
T. G. Shortland, second ditto.
John Winter, Seamen.
Ant. Hedley,
Edward Waters,
John Lewis,
Thomas Frazer, Boys.
John White
Sick.
Charles Clay, Seamen.
James Stockell,
Robert Ranson,
William Dixon, Boy.
FROM THE FRIENDSHIP.
Well.
Francis Walton, Master.
Robert Laurence, first Mate.
J. Walton, second Mate.
Robert Barnes, Boatswain.
William Hern, Steward.
William Bruce, Cook.
James Craven, Seamen.
William Allen
Sick.
John Philpot, Corp.
Corn. Du Heg, Seamen.
R. Smith,
Robert George,
Rich. Sandell,
John Morris,
Robert Cockran,
Lieutenant Collins, a passenger.
29 October 1788
On the 29th of October, at five in the morning, a land wind
springing up from the coast of Borneo, within six miles of which the
Alexander had lain at anchor, she got again under way, and at ten was
abreast of the point that forms the entrance into the harbour of
Pamanookan. At five in the afternoon Pulo Laoot bore from
south-south-west to south-west by south, distant twelve or fourteen
leagues; but the wind being now southerly, and the current strongly
against the vessel, she did not get round this island till November the
5th.
1 November 1788
Wine was constantly served in due proportions to the sick and well, but
neither that, nor any other remedy that could be tried amended the
condition of the people. Sickness continued to spread among them,
insomuch that in the beginning of November only one man besides the
officers was able to go aloft. A short alarm by no means added to the
comfort of their condition: on the first of this month four large boats,
three of which rowed eighteen oars, and the fourth not less than twelve
or fourteen, bore down upon the ship, apparently with hostile intentions.
When they approached within about a mile they lay to, as if to consult
with each other, and then continued to row and sail after the Alexander.
Lieutenant Shortland hoisted English colours, which one of the boats
answered by hoisting Dutch, and another Portugueze colours. They
continued in chase till five in the afternoon, and it was imagined that
their design was to board and seize the ship in the night. During the
pursuit the little strength that could be raised was put in motion, all
were stationed at their quarters, and the carronades and great guns put
in order. When these preparations were made, Lieutenant Shortland
determined to show his own resolution, and to try that of his assailants,
by firing a shot in a direct line over them. This was done accordingly,
and fully answered the intention, for they immediately desisted from the
pursuit, and made hastily for the shore.
Had the Alexander been at this time a very few days sail more distant
from Batavia, she must inevitably have been lost, not from any stress of
weather, or danger of coasts or shoals, but merely from inability to
conduct her into port, as every man on board must have been totally
disabled.
17 November 1788
On the 17th of November only one man was fit for work, besides the
officers; a very little longer continuance would have reduced her to
the condition of floating at the mercy of winds and waves, without any
possibility of assisting, impeding, or directing her course. At six that
evening, the wind being too scanty to carry her into the roads of
Batavia, an effort was made by all indiscriminately who were able to
work, and anchor was cast between the islands of Leyden and Alkmara; soon
after a gun was fired, and a signal made for assistance. At two in the
afternoon on the 18th, as no assistance arrived, the still greater effort
of weighing anchor was tried, and the task performed with the utmost
difficulty; after which, standing in with the sea breeze, the ship came
again to anchor at five, in nine fathoms. The boat was now hoisted out,
and sent to beg assistance from the Dutch Commodore, the crew of the
Alexander being so much reduced as to be unable to furl their own sails.
A party was immediately sent to assist, and six of the Dutch seamen
remained on board all night, lest any blowing weather should come on.
Never, perhaps, did any ship arrive in port more helpless, without being
shattered by weather, from the mere effects of a dreadful and invincible
disorder.
19 November 1788-7 December 1788
At five in the morning of the 19th, the welcome sight appeared of a boat
from the Dutch Commodore, which he had humanely laded with refreshments.
She brought also a boatswain's mate and twelve seamen to assist in
refitting the ship for sea. The sick were sent on the 20th to the
hospital, where several of them died, being too far gone for any
accommodation or skill to recover. From the Bridgewater and Contractor
East Indiamen, which lay in the road when the Alexander arrived; and from
the Raymond, Asia, and Duke of Montrose, which came in a few days after;
with the assistance of a few men from the Dutch Commodore, a fresh crew
was at length made up, in which only four of the original seamen
remained, the rest being either dead, or not enough recovered to return
with the Alexander, when she sailed again on the 7th of December.
18 February 1789
The remaining part of the voyage was attended with few circumstances
worthy of notice, and was made in a track sufficiently known to all
navigators to permit us to dispense with a minute description of it. At
the Cape they met with Captain Hunter, in the Sirius, who, when the
Alexander arrived, on the 18th of February, 1789, had been in Table Bay
six weeks. From him Lieutenant Shortland learned that the Borrowdale and
the Prince of Wales transports, which had parted from him on the coast of
New South Wales, had returned by the southern passage, and had been heard
of from Rio de Janeiro. In Table Bay the Alexander remained at anchor
till the 16th of March, when she sailed again, and arrived off the Isle
of Wight on the 28th of May.
Thus concluded a voyage, the first part of which was enlivened and
rendered important by discoveries; the next involved in gloom through the
virulent attacks of distemper, and the frequent inroads of death. Much
was certainly performed, and very much was suffered, but from the whole
we are authorized to conclude, that the settlement of our countrymen on
the new southern continent, must powerfully tend to the improvement of
navigation, and the extension of geographical knowledge. Nor is it
necessary, that any ill-omened apprehensions should be excited by the
misfortunes of the Alexander and the Friendship. It may not happen again
that ships shall quit Port Jackson so ill prepared with antidotes against
the malignant poison of the scurvy: nor, if they should, is it by any
means certain that their visitation will be equally severe.
LATITUDES and LONGITUDES of CAPES, HEADLANDS, ISLANDS, and SHOALS,
according to the Track of the ALEXANDER, under the Directions of
Lieutenant JOHN SHORTLAND, Agent for Transports.
[Table not included in this ebook]