Chapter 1815.

Navigating the Lower Saint Lawrence in the 19th Century.


	cutter and was in great hopes she would be more successful, but she filled long before she reached the beach and the rope was obliged to be let go. By this time it was impossible to stand on the deck, the sea making a fair break over the ship, and the cabin being soon afloat. Destroyed all the bread which had been put there, and which was the only provisions we had to trust to. Being incapable from the complaints already mentioned of making any great exertion to save my life, and the crew which remained being quite in a state of insubordination, I got lowered down into the pinnace with as many men as she could carry, we also took a rope, and endeavoured to reach the shore with it, but the second sea which struck the boat upset her, and with great efforts and supported by two men through the surf, I gained the beach. The gig being now the only boat left onboard, was lowered from the stern into which the First and Second Lieutenants with eighteen men. This boat got onshore much better than any of the others. When she returned and succeeded in bringing about 20 more, when she attempted it again, but upset, however no lives were lost. The remainder onboard now seeing all hopes cut off, made most lamentable cries for assistance, but the gale still increasing with the most severe frost and snow, and the boats being all stove. No exertion from the shore could be attempted in their favor. Our situation on the beach was now truely deplorable, for the only place we had to stand upon was the base of a steep mountain and at high water obliged us to clear away the snow which was upwards of six feet deep, before we could keep ourselves dry from the surf. Our future prospects were also very gloomy, having no provisions on shore but a few pieces of raw pork which was picked up on the beach and melted snow for our drink, and the the weather at the same time so intensively cold that our clothes were froze quite stiff on our backs. About midnight on the first of May, the ship went (to) pieces, when the poor creatures upon the wreck, about forty in number, perished, except one man who was brought on shore next afternoon from a part of the forecastle. The weather by that time having greatly moderated. I feel it my duty to state to you the infamous conduct of the whole of the crew with a very few exceptions. From the time the ship struck, their behaviour was not the character of British seamen in general. They had neither principal nor humanity, for which some have severely suffered. Several have died from drunkenness. I enclose lists of the people drowned, the deserters and also those who remain, and have to request you will be pleased to move my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to make such example of any of the deserters which may be found, as they may deem proper. On the 4th, a Canadian fishing boat passing, I detained her, and received information from her that three transports were lying in Gaspé, having been froze up there during the winter. And having previously repaired the boats in the best manner we could, and with what provisions we could collect, I embarked the whole, which remained with us for that place, and arrived there on the 7th, after which we had to march nine miles over the ice to the vessels, where we remained seven days before a passage was open to us. I cannot here omit mentioning the very humane reception and kind assistance we received from the families of Messrs. Johnston, Boyle and O'Hara of Gaspé; the latter gentlemen being Collector of Customs at that place. I have left the three boats under his charge, being unable to take them with us. I also gave an order to Mr. Boyle to save the cables, anchors, &c., if possible and carry them to Quebec, for which he would be paid the customary salvage. The ice opening on the 17th, I got underweigh with the transports and arrived here this day. It is now a pleasant part of my duty to state that during the whole of our sufferings, every officer behaved in the most exemplary manner. My private loss has been very great, having saved nothing but the clothes on my back, and every officer being in the same situation. I trust you will therefore be pleased to move my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to take our case into their consideration.

To	I	have the honour to be,
Commodore Sir E.W.C.R. Owen,		Sir,
K.C.B. Commander-in-Chief,		your most humble servent,
&c, &c, &c, Canada		James Galloway,
		Commander.

PS
The greater part of Lt. General Sir George Murray's baggage with that of Captain Moroy's, his aide-camp, was lost and plundered by some of the crew who deserted.