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Sir,
I have greatly to lament it has fallen to my lot to acquaint
you for the information of my Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty
of the loss of His Majesty's ship Penelope under my command on the
night of the 30th April last in a thick snow storm about three or
four leagues to the eastward of Magdalen River, coast of Lower
Canada.
As all public documents relative to the ship were lost with
her, I deem it necessary to give you a short detail of our passage
from Portsmouth.
We sailed from Spithead on the 31st March and got soundings on
the banks of Newfoundland in seventeen days. The weather
exceedingly thick with great quantities of ice. I judged it
improper to run for the land till it cleared up, the wind being
southeast about the 24th. We made the Island of Miquilon where we
encountered a very heavy gale of wind from the northwest which
split our topsails. Next day, we made Scattary but got surrounded
with ice where we remained stuck fast for upwards of ten hours. On
getting clear, we entered the gulph. Weather moderate and clear.
Vessel between Magdalen and Bird Brion Islands, sounding from 7 to
12 fathoms. On the 29th, made the land about Cape Rozier, wind from
the northward. On the 30th, moderate and cloudy weather. At noon,
stood to the eastward. Ship broke off about 3 points when we tacked
and stood in for the land. Lying west & northwest by west. At
sunset, the Master and First Lieutenant set the extremities of
which placed us about 3 or 4 leagues off shore. At eight, sounded
and had seventy one fathoms. The ship then broke off to west by
north, when I ordered to go round the ship and impress on the minds
of the people stationed forward, the great necessity of a good
look-out. At the same time, told him on no account to leave the
deck, the First Lieutenant having the watch till eight. Had just
been released when I sent for him into the
cabin, and pointed to him on the chart our supposed situation.
Observing to him at the same time how fortunate we would be in
getting up to Cape Chat in the morning. The line also at the
moment, was passed forward for another cast of the lead when we
felt the ship take the ground, then not going more than four knots.
I cannot discribe my feelings at that moment, for having for a
long time been almost deprived of my eyesight by night, and much
afflicted with rheumatic pains with other complaints. I was unable
to judge correctly the extent of our dangers. However, the helm was
immediately put down, and the sails thrown aback. A boat was then
hoisted out to sound and found 2 1/2 fathoms forward and about 3
1/2 fathoms aft, having 6 fathoms a little on the starboard
quarter. Got all the boats out, and the stream anchor and cable
with part of the messenger bent on to it. Stoved in the pinnace,
and with great difficulty, on account of the strong
current setting to leeward, towed by the other boats out in that
direction, and the anchor dropt in 5 1/2 fathoms. And heaving
round, we found the anchor came home which continued doing so until
more than half of the cable was in, when it held fast, but all our
strength was insufficient to move her. I then ordered the anchors
to be cut from the bows and the guns thrown overboard, which was
immediately done, but all in vain, for the weather, which had
remained pretty moderate since the ship struck, now came on to blow
a perfect gale, which continued to increase with great violence,
and the ship also began to strike very hard. Employed getting
topmasts over the side to shore the ship up, but from the violent
motion, the lashings soon gave way. At daylight, still blowing hard
and snowing as thick as ever, and no prospect being left of saving
the ship. Provisions were ordered to be got up, but too late, as
the water was by this time over the orlop
deck, and soon over the lower deck. About 20 bags of bread were got
up to the cabin but that was soon wet also. The masts about this
time were cut away to ease the ship if possible. They fell inshore
and about a cable length from the beach.
Thinking it might be of great utility if we could get a rope
made fast on the shore, the master was dispatched in the cutter
with a small hawser for that purpose, but on getting into the surf,
the boat was stove, and the crew with difficulty got on shore; the
sea breaking over three ridges of rocks. In that situation, with
very little prospect of saving our lives, the purser was sent in
the lifeboat to whom I entrusted the public Dispatches, being very
anxious if possible to save them. Captain Moray, aidecamp to Lt.
General Sir George Murray, went in the same boat and had charge of
the military dispatches. A smaller line was also put unto the boat
but on reaching the surf, met with a similar fate as the other, and
the above officers reached the beach with the dispatches tied round
their necks. I then sent another
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