Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/47

1832.] when she unshipped her rudder, and in spite of all exertions, went to leeward upon the rocks, and became a wreck: the papers and stores were saved, and the latter were sufficient to serve four months; but calculating upon the uncertainty of escaping for a long time from these inhospitable shores, the men immediately took to the scanty allowance of 2lbs of biscuit each, with about 4lbs. of pork per week, for the whole nineteen men; two of whom had been brought from Prince Edward's Island, where they had been left by the captain of another ship. They used the flesh of Sea Elephants and of birds, to supply the deficiency in other food. They were wrecked on the 16th of 3rd mo. 1831. After being on the island about a month, they began to build their little vessel, which they named "The Liberty;" and in which fourteen of them sailed on the 12th of the 12th mo. Their sufferings made many of them thoughtful, and they kept up religious service on board. They made this voyage in the latitude of 44° S. and had plenty of wind. Three times they had heavy gales, but their little bark, which had one mast and was about twenty tons burden, rode so well over the billows, that they shipped no seas; but they had almost constantly to work the pumps. They reached Macquarie Harbour, on the west coast of this Island, when they had only 6lbs, of biscuit left. It was late when they arrived at the Penal Settlement, and the Commandant was in bed; the captain therefore remained till morning before seeing him, but was furnished with comfortable accommodation. When he awoke, and found himself in a house, he said it was long before he could realize his situation, or be sure that he was not dreaming. The Commandant treated this crew with great kindness, and a pious minister addressed them so movingly in the chapel, that the hardy sailor said, "There was hardly any body there that did not cry." They were furnished with a plentiful supply of provisions, and sailed from Macquarie Harbour on the 4th inst. and were favoured to arrive here in good health, after a voyage of about 3,500 miles. Five men whom they left on the island, were afraid to come in the Liberty; the provision and ammunition were therefore