THE WRECK ON THE ANDAMANS:

 BEING

 A NARRATIVE OF THE VERY REMARKABLE PRESERVATION, AND ULTIMATE DELIVERANCE, OF THE SOLDIERS AND SEAMEN, WHO FORMED THE SHIPS' COMPANIES OF THE RUNNYMEDE AND BRITON TROOP-SHIPS, BOTH WRECKED ON THE MORNING OF THE 12TH OF NOVEMBER, 1844, UPON ONE OF THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS, IN THE BAY OF BENGAL. 

 _TAKEN FROM AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS_

 BY

 JOSEPH DARVALL, Esq. 

 _At the request of_ CAPT. CHARLES INGRAM, AND CAPT. HENRY JOHN HALL, _Owners of the Runnymede. _

 "The dangers of the sea, All the cares and all the fears, When the stormy winds do blow. "

 (_Song. _)

 LONDON: PELHAM RICHARDSON, 23, CORNHILL. 1845. 

PELHAM RICHARDSON, PRINTER, 23, CORNHILL. 

PREFACE. 

The Author, owing to circumstances, has had access to authenticdocuments and facts, relating to one of the most remarkable shipwreckswhich have ever happened, that of the troop-ships Runnymede andBriton, on the morning of the 12th of November, 1844, upon one of theAndaman Islands. 

In reading these, it struck him forcibly, that the circumstances, ifthrown into the shape of a narrative, would form not only aninteresting publication, but would serve as a monument of the coolintrepidity and judicious presence of mind of British officers, soldiers, and seamen, in a time of remarkable trial. 

They also tend to illustrate in a very striking manner the correctnessof the classic and poetical description of the "dangers of the sea, "contained in that passage of Scripture, which the Author has oftenobserved to be listened to with great interest, when read in itscourse, in the churches of our seaports, and which, on that account, he makes no apology for quoting in a work, not professedly religious. 

"They that go down to the sea in ships, and occupy their business ingreat waters; these men see the works of the Lord, and his wonders inthe deep. For at his word the stormy wind ariseth, which lifteth upthe waves thereof. They are carried up to the heaven, and down againto the deep: their soul melteth away because of the trouble. They reelto and fro, and stagger like a drunken man: and are at their wits'end. So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, he delivereththem out of their distress. For he maketh the storm to cease: so thatthe waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they are atrest; and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be. "[A]

 [A] Psalm cvii. , v. 23-30, Com. Pr. Book. 

If this little work should answer the author's intention by provingentertaining as well as instructive, he will feel that he has beenrewarded for the pains he has taken in compiling it. 

 _Reading, _ _July, 1845. _

THE

WRECK ON THE ANDAMANS. 

THE DEPARTURE. 

 "O'er the smooth bosom of the faithless tides, Propelled by gentle gales, the vessel glides. "

 _Falconer. _

The gallant Barque the Runnymede, of 507 tons burthen, commanded byCaptain William Clement Doutty, an experienced seaman, and the propertyof Messrs. Hall & Co. And Ingram of Riches-court, Lime-street, London, being a remarkably staunch river-built vessel of the A 1 or first class, left Gravesend on the 20th of June, 1844, bound for Calcutta. She hadon board a general cargo and a crew of twenty-eight persons, includingofficers. She also carried out, on account of the Honourable East IndiaCompany, thirty-eight soldiers, with two women and one child, belongingto Her Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot, and also Captain Stapleton, Ensigns Venables, Du Vernett, and Purcell, and one hundred and fivesoldiers, ten women, and thirteen children, belonging to Her Majesty's50th Regiment of Foot. The whole of the military were under the commandof Captain Stapleton; the medical officer was Mr. Bell, the surgeon ofthe vessel. 

Every thing proceeded in the same manner as is usual on voyages in thesame course, till they arrived south of the Tropics. The only casualtythey met with was the death of William Bryant, a private of the 10th, on the 12th of July. He had suffered from sea-sickness ever since hisembarkation. His body was committed to the deep the same evening, withthe customary ceremonies. The principal amusements of the officers andcrew were fishing, shark-catching, booby and pigeon shooting, andplaying at backgammon. There were also on board the ship, booksprovided for the use of those who were disposed to read. The hour ofdinner was four o'clock. 

On arriving south of the Tropics, the wind, instead of backing tothe westward, blew almost constantly from the north-east andeast-north-east; and when it occasionally got to the westward ofnorth, it always fell light, contrary to the usual course; and so itcontinued until it got to the westward, and then it freshened. Inconsequence of the delay occasioned by this state of things, andthe near approach of the north-east monsoon, the captain, on the21st of October, resolved to call at Penang, for the purpose oftaking in an additional supply of water and other necessaries. Theyaccordingly steered their course thither. On the 24th they saw theIsland of Sumatra, bearing east-north-east about eight leagues. Onthe 26th, in the forenoon, they saw Pulo Rondo, bearingeast-south-east, and on the 29th, at half-past two o'clock in theafternoon, the ship anchored in safety off Fort Cornwallis, in theroads of Penang, or Pulo Penang, the word Pulo signifying an island. Penang is sometimes called Prince of Wales's Island. It is on thecoast of Queda. Its capital is George Town. The East-India Companyfirst formed a settlement here in 1786. 

At Penang they remained till Sunday, the 3d of November, busilyengaged in taking in sixty-one casks or about thirty tons of water, and other necessaries, and various articles of merchandize on accountof cargo. They found lying here Her Majesty's ship Dido, commanded bythe Honourable Captain Keppel. 

Immediately on the arrival of the Runnymede, Captain Doutty and Mr. Bell, together with Captain Stapleton and Ensign Du Vernett, went onshore, it being the duty of the latter to report themselves to theproper authorities. 

It was agreed, that after the parties had accomplished their business, they should meet at the best hotel in the place and dine together. This understanding led to the following entertaining incidents. Onlanding, the parties stepped into palanquin-carriages. The Captain andthe Doctor went one way, and their military friends, another. Afterfinishing their business, the Captain and his companion went in questof their friends, desiring the Malay boy, who had charge of theircarriage, to take them to the hotel. The lad replied, "I stand, " andoff they set. After a number of turns and windings, amongst mostbeautiful scenery, they arrived in front of a very well planned house, and were told by their conductor "this was house. " They thought itremarkable that a hotel should be in such a retired situation. However, upstairs they ran, and sure enough they found their militaryfriends there. 

They were congratulating them upon their good quarters, when a ladyappeared, to whom they were introduced as the lady of the commandant, whose house it was, and were speedily convinced of their mistake, which produced a hearty laugh. They then, by signs, tried to maketheir palanquin-boys comprehend that it was a hotel they wanted, andnot a private house. These said they understood "Master, " and awaythey all four went towards the town. At a short distance from this theboys stopped at another large building, which appeared more like ahotel than the former. They questioned the lads as to this house, whoreplied, "All right, " so they entered. They met an old gentleman, whorequested them to pass into an inner room, where he introduced them toCaptain Keppel, who received them most kindly. Their introducer provedto be Captain Quin, of Her Majesty's ship Minden, who was on his wayhome on sick leave in the Dido, and the mansion proved to be theAdmiralty-house. Captain Keppel, with great kindness, invited theparty to a ball and supper, to be given by him on the followingevening, to the inhabitants of Penang, previously to his sailing forEngland. 

On leaving the Admiralty-house, the party were directed to a placelittle better than a booth, and denominated by the natives apunch-house, a name given to all low taverns in India, but which wasdignified with the name of "The Albion Hotel. " In the onlysitting-room of this place they found the officers of the Dido atdinner. Of this meal they would have been disappointed, had not thosegentlemen kindly invited them to partake of their fare, whichconsisted principally of curries of various kinds. So poorly was theplace furnished that no two articles were alike; chairs, plates, dishes, glasses, knives and forks, were all odd ones, of differentcolours and sizes. The badness of this accommodation arises from thecircumstance that those who call at the island are hospitablyentertained, during their stay, at the houses of those residents towhom they happen to be introduced. For this reason a good hotel cannotbe supported. After the dinner, which went off with a good deal of funand mirth, some of the party "chartered ponies for a cruise" in theinterior of the island. Penang is remarkable for piebald ponies. 

The next evening the party from the Runnymede repaired to theadmiralty-house, pursuant to invitation, and were hospitably receivedby Captain Keppel and his officers. There they met the whole of therespectable inhabitants of the island, both civil and military, withtheir families. The rooms were handsomely decorated, and dancing waskept up with great spirit, enlivened by the harmonious strains ofCaptain Keppel's private band. This was succeeded, at midnight, by achampagne supper, which, for excellence, might have borne a comparisonwith any civic entertainment in London. Between three and four in themorning the ladies began to move off, and some of the youngsters, byway of further amusement, sat down to a second supper. At daylight theDido was apeak, under all sails, and by eight o'clock, was leadingdown the north channel with skysails set for Old England. Her captainand officers carried with them the good wishes of all they left behindat Penang. 

THE WRECK. 

 "The wind blew hard, the sea ran high, The dingy scud drove 'cross the sky, Down topsails, boys, the gale comes on, To strike top-gallant-yards they run. "

 _Dibdin. _

At 9 o'clock, A. M. , of Sunday, the 3d of November, 1844, theRunnymede weighed from Penang-roads with a light southerly wind, andmade sail through the north channel. At noon the wind came in fromseaward. At midnight, on Monday the 4th, she was abreast of the LaddaIslands, with a barque in company. On Friday, the 8th, the weather wasunsettled, with heavy rain. All the small sails were stored, and theroyal yards sent down. At noon the sun was obscured. Saturday, the9th, the breeze increased, with every appearance of bad weather. Tookin the top-gallant sails, and reefed the topsails, and took in the jiband spanker. At noon the sun was obscured. Sunday, 10th, the barometerfalling fast, with the gale increasing, close reefed the topsails. Atnoon heavy gusts. The courses were taken in and furled. At 6 thefore-topsail was taken in, and the ship hove-to under the main topsailand the main trysail. All the sails were re-secured, the top-gallantyards sent down, and everything prepared for the storm, which it wasevident was now approaching. At noon the sun was again obscured, thelatitude being, by log, 11° 6" north, and the longitude 96° 0" east. The wind now blew a hurricane. The barometer was 29°, and falling. Themain-topsail was taken in, and the ship left under the main topsailonly. At half-past three the fore and main top-gallant masts wereblown away. The wind was south, and so very severe that the maintrysail was blown to atoms, and the ship was lying-to under barepoles, and laying beautifully to the wind, with her helm amidship andperfectly tight. The hurricane was accompanied with a deluge of rain. At 4 P. M. The wind shifted to the south-east, and was blowing soterrifically that all the hatches were obliged to be battened down, the sea making a fair breach over the vessel. The starboard-quarterboat was washed away. About half-past 6 P. M. There was a lull, and itwas nearly calm, the wind backing to the south-west, and the seabecame comparatively quiet. The barometer having fallen as low as28° 45", the ship was kept away north by east, and the topsailsre-secured, portions of them having blown adrift. At 8 P. M. The windbegan to blow again, and within half an hour the hurricane was assevere as before. The larboard-quarter boat was torn from the davitsand blown across the poop, carrying away the binnacle and crushing thehencoops in its passage. At 9 P. M. , the hurricane still increasing, the foremast broke into three pieces, and carried away with it thejib-boom, the main and mizen topmasts, the starboard cathead, andmainyard, the main and mizen masts alone standing. At 10 P. M. Thewind and rain were so severe that the men could not hold on upon thepoop. The soldiers were engaged in baling the water out of theirquarters between decks, whither it had been forced down the hatches. In other respects the ship was quite tight and free from leak, provingherself to be a capital sea boat. The pumps being attended to drewout the water which was forced down the hatches, mast-coats, andtopside forwards. 

During the hurricane, numbers of land-birds were driven on board--acase not uncommon during storms--and an owl and a hawk were observedperched on the swinging table on the poop, without shewing any alarmat the presence of the ship's company. It was not noticed what becameof them. This circumstance tended to shew the intensity of the tempeston shore, which must have forced these birds out to sea, a distancenot much less than two hundred miles from any land. 

_Monday, 11th. _--The hurricane was equally severe, the windsouth-east, and the barometer as low as 28° 0". The gusts were soterrific, mixed with drift and rain, that none of the people couldstand on the deck. Advantage was therefore taken of the lulls to drawthe ship out, and clear away the wreck of the masts. As the starboardbower-anchor was hanging only by the shank-painter, and its stock, which was of iron, was working into the ship's side, the chain-cablewas unshackled, and the anchor was cut away from the bows. At noon, latitude, per log, 11° 6" north longitude 95° 20" east, the barometerapparently rose a little. No observations had been able to be madesince the 7th. The hurricane was equally severe in gusts, and the shipperfectly unmanageable from her crippled state, but rode all the timelike a sea-bird on the waves, notwithstanding the sea was apparentlyrunning from every point of the compass. The crew observed a largebarque ahead of them which had lost its topmast and mainyard. Theyfeared at first that she would not go clear of them. Happily, however, she drifted past ahead of them. This vessel afterwards provedto have been the Briton, of which we shall presently have occasion tospeak. They also saw a brig to leeward, totally dismasted. From herappearance it was judged that she must soon have foundered, and everysoul on board perished. At 4 in the afternoon the barometer fell to27° 70", and Cummin's mineral sympiesometer left the index. 

The hurricane was now most terrific; the part of the poop to leewardand the cabin-doors and the skylights were literally torn away, andevery moment they expected the poop itself to be carried off. None butthose who have witnessed so awful a tempest at sea could form an ideaof the weight and destructive power of the wind, crushing and beatingevery thing to pieces, as if it had been done with a heavy metallicbody. At 8 P. M. The soldiers and sailors could not stand at thepumps, but were obliged to bale out the water from between decks. 

_Tuesday, the 12th. _--At the turn of the day the hurricane stillcontinued, and the rudder was gone. At 1 A. M. They felt the shipstrike, and gave themselves up for lost, expecting every moment to beengulphed in the depths of the ocean. 

But it pleased Him, whom the winds and the sea obey, "Who plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm, "

to decree otherwise, and, at the moment of impending destruction, theship and all her inmates were saved. 

After a short time, it was discovered that the ship was thrown on areef of rocks, and had bilged; and although the water entered herthrough the holes which the rocks had made, and filled her up to thelower beams, yet that it soon smothered, and, the bilge pieces keepingher upright, she lay comparatively quiet. But being fearful that shemight beat over the reef into deep water, they let go the larboardbower-anchor, and shortly afterwards found the water leaving her. After this all hands fell asleep, being exhausted with fatigue andhardship. Captain Doutty and the military gentlemen were in CaptainStapleton's cabin, which was the only one habitable. Captain Douttyfelt too anxious to rest long, but lay watching whilst all was still, except the beating of the waves and the rain on the poop. He then wentout in front of the poop. He could discern nothing but the surfbreaking heavily on and around his unfortunate vessel. He then laydown again, wishing earnestly for the break of day. 

THE DELIVERANCE. 

 "The night is gone, and o'er the sea, The morning sun shines peacefully; Again 'tis calm, again 'tis still, Noiseless as gentle summer's rill. "

 _Anon. _

At length the morning broke, which was to introduce the ship'scompany, just rescued from a watery grave, to a new era in theirexistence. With the daybreak the hurricane also began to break, and, though it rained heavily, the barometer rose rapidly until it stood at29° 45". The captain then beheld, to his great joy, the loom, orland-mark of the shore, to leeward, rising like a black belt, abovethe breakers. The land was an island, off the east coast of the GreatAndaman, in latitude 12° 1" north, and longitude about 93° 14" east. The Andaman Islands, which are about eight in number, and covered withtrees, form a group at the entrance of the Bay of Bengal, and are near750 miles from the Sand Heads at Calcutta, and twelve degrees from theEquator. That on which the vessel was driven was in point of latitudeabout the centre, and may be easily known by a remarkable hillsomewhat resembling a puritan's hat, and being placed in a hollow ofthe land, with much higher hills, both on the north and south of it. The anchorage is good, and a ship may be sheltered from all points. 

 [Illustration: Hullmandel & Walton Lithographers. No. 1. THE POSITION OF THE SHIPS, AT DAYBREAK, MORNING, 12TH. NOVEMBER]

About 60 years ago an attempt was made on the part of the East-IndiaCompany to form a settlement on the Andaman Islands for theconvenience of shipping. Their first settlement was called PortChatham, on the South Andaman. But, after about a year or two, itwas removed thence, on account of its unhealthiness, to the NorthAndaman, where it was named Port Cornwallis, after Admiral Cornwallis, who recommended the removal, and not long after that was finallybroken up, and the islands abandoned. 

The ship being nearly dry aft, on the weather clearing, her crew, totheir great astonishment, beheld, about a quarter of a mile inside ofthem, high amongst the trees, in a swamp of mangroves, whither she hadforced herself a passage, a large barque, with troops on board. [B] Inconsequence of this discovery, Ensign Du Vernett was, as soon aspossible, lowered with ropes from the Runnymede's stern, with twelvesoldiers, to communicate with the barque. At 7 A. M. , the tide rising, orders were given to the men to prepare to land at next low water, and, if possible, get something cooked, as, during the hurricane, nofires could be kept in the ship, and, consequently, the crew andtroops had not had anything but biscuit and a glass of spirits duringthe storm. At half-past 3 o'clock P. M. The tide having fallensufficiently to enable the people to wade on shore, Ensign Du Vernettreturned on board and reported the vessel he had visited to be "TheBriton" from Sydney, bound to Calcutta, and which had sailed from theformer place, in company with the ships Royal Saxon, Loyds, andEnmore, on the 12th of August, 1844, having on board Her Majesty's80th regiment, 1000 strong, under the command of Lieut. -col. Baker. The companies two, three, and six were on board the Briton, under theorders of Major, afterwards Lieut. -col. Bunbury, and consisted of 311soldiers, including 12 serjeants and 4 drummers, 34 women, 51children, and the following officers, namely, Captains Best, Sayers, and Montgomery; Lieutenants Leslie and Freeman; Ensigns Hunter andColeman; and Assistant-surgeon Gammie, medical officer in charge. TheBriton was commanded by Captain Alexander Hall. She had a crew of 34, was a vessel of 776 tons, A 1, and was ascertained to be the samebarque which had drifted a-head of the Runnymede in the storm, havingparted with all her companions, which afterwards arrived safely attheir destination. The Briton was so short of provisions, that twelvemen were obliged to be satisfied with the ordinary allowance of four. 

 [B] The roots of these trees support their stems some feet above the ground, and diverge in every direction, so as to produce an almost impenetrable thicket. The trees do not rise more than twelve feet high. They grow in marshy places, generally within the influx of the Indian Ocean, and where the tide can readily wash their stems. 

By dusk, all hands, including soldiers, women, and children, had leftthe wreck of the Runnymede, and were accommodated on board the Briton. They were received by Captain Hall, Colonel Bunbury, and the officersof the 80th, with the greatest kindness, although they were enduringvery great privations themselves. The crew of the Briton weredelighted to hear of there being a fair stock of stores on board theRunnymede, particularly as regarded biscuit and flour, which, ifmoderate weather continued, would be landed for the benefit of bothships' companies. 

In the morning after the wreck, a seaman of the Runnymede lost hislife by the following piece of disobedience and fool-hardy temerity. Captain Doutty was sitting in Captain Stapleton's cabin, consultingwith the military officers as to the best mode of getting the womenand children on shore, when it was perceived that one of the seamenhad placed himself by the cabin windows, apparently dressed for aswim. Captain Doutty enquired what brought him there: he instantlyreplied, "We are all alike now. " Captain Doutty told him he wasmistaken if he thought so, for that whilst two planks of the ship heldtogether, he was determined to keep the command, and ordered him toleave the cabin. As he appeared unwilling to go, the chief officer wasdesired to send him forward. Being called accordingly, he refused, with an oath, to go, and immediately threw himself from the cabinwindow, and swam towards the shore, which he never reached, as thereceding waves kept him out until he was exhausted, and the ship'scompany saw him sink without being able to assist him. This man's fatehad the effect of keeping the others quiet until the water had fallensufficiently to enable them to wade through it to the shore. After thelanding Colonel Bunbury took the chief command of all parties. 

We shall now find it most convenient to ourselves, as well asentertaining to our readers, to continue our narrative in the shape ofa journal, only noticing those days on which any circumstances worthrecording occurred. 

_Wednesday, 13th. _--At daybreak, nearly low water, all hands returnedon board and commenced getting up provisions for landing. All more orless damaged. 

The Briton had lost all her boats, and the Runnymede's long boat wasthe only one they had, and that was badly stove, so that the waterhad run through her, and thereby prevented her being washed off thedeck by the waves: and she eventually became the means, by God'sblessing, of obtaining that assistance which saved the sufferers fromperishing on a desert island. 

The carpenters, therefore, of both ships were ordered to report howlong a time it would take to put this boat into a state fit to proceedto sea to seek assistance. They reported eight days. After a personalcommunication, Captains Doutty and Hall received from Captain Sayers, of the 80th regt. The following order, putting their ships' crewsunder martial law, which was twice read to each crew. 

 _Troop Ship "_Briton_, "_ _12th Nov. 1844. _

 Dear Sir, In consequence of the wreck of the troop ships "Briton" and "Runnymede, " Major Bunbury calls on Captains Hall and Doutty to explain to the crews of their respective ships that they are from this moment under military law, and feeling it to be most essential for the well-being of the service that the strictest order and discipline be preserved by every one under his command, declares it to be his determination to punish, with the utmost severity, any act of insubordination and drunkenness. 

 By Order, H. T. Sayers, _Capt. 80th Regt. _ _To Capt. Doutty. _

This day were landed from the Runnymede at low water, 37 bags and 6half-bags of biscuit, 3 and a half bags of flour, and 9 baskets ofplums. In consequence of information that the crew of the Runnymedemeant to help themselves to the beer which formed part of the cargo, and had laid a plan to plunder the ship, they were in the evening allordered on board the Briton. The only persons who remained on boardthe Runnymede were Captain Doutty and his officers, and a few steadysoldiers of the 50th, and watches were regularly kept throughout thenight. 

There appears to be a very prevalent opinion amongst common sailorsand private soldiers, that when a vessel is wrecked, all controul overprivate property is from that moment lost too, and that it is notstealing to lay hands on all they can take. Numerous instances of thiskind took place on the present occasion. And this crime, as well asthat of drunkenness, were scarcely checked by severe corporealpunishment. Some of the men attempted thefts at the risk of theirlives; and, in one instance, a cask of bottled beer having been landedtoo late to be got into store, was placed, by a serjeant's tent, incare of a sentry, whose musket was known to be loaded with ball. During the night two fellows attempted to get at it, and beingdiscovered were fired at, which so alarmed them, that one of them, inhis hurry to escape, fell into a mangrove swamp, which caused him somuch pain that he was easily captured. He proved to be a man of badcharacter. 

_Thursday, 14th. _--Weather moderate, wind east, barometer 29° 55". Thecrew employed this day landing stores, cleansing the decks from theaccumulated filth and rubbish. The carpenters employed on the longboat. The stores landed were 3 baskets of sugar, 2 barrels of flour, 7 tierces and 1 barrel of salt provisions, 1 cask of vinegar, 1puncheon of arrack, 2 cases of bottled fruits, 2 boxes of pickles, 6barrels of pale ale, and 1 cask of sherry. The soldiers were employedon shore clearing the ground of trees, many having been thrown down bythe hurricane, some of them very large, and apparently of the growthof a century. They were also employed in erecting tents and makingroads and bridges. The tents were made of the sails of both ships, andthe flags or camp-colours used to distinguish the companies, wereMarryat's signals, also from the ships. 

_Friday, 15th. _--Wind east and moderate. Weather fine. Continuedlanding provisions consisting of soap, preserved potatoes, biscuit, flour, sugar, dholl or split peas, rice, pale ale, port wine, andsherry. Finished the long boat's bottom, turned her up, and commencedraising her two streaks. Employed drying damaged provisions. Waterdiscovered in the island; and a number of crabs, prawns, and othershell fish picked up at low water. Several indications of other wreckswere seen, but exploring parties had not yet straggled far from theencampment. 

_Saturday, 16th. _--More provisions were landed this day. In theevening, large fires were seen on the island to the north, and asseveral muskets were discharged on shore away from the camp, and thepeople fancied they saw natives, they were hailed and a volley ofmusketry discharged, so no more of them were seen. But double watcheswere set at night with loaded arms. 

 [Illustration: Hullmandel & Walton Lithographers. No. 2. THE ENCAMPMENT. ]

_Sunday, 17th. _--This day no business was done, except by thecarpenters, whose work was of the utmost importance to the savingthe lives of upwards of 630 persons, with a scanty stock ofprovisions. Divine service was performed on board the Briton byCaptain Sayers of the 80th in presence of the seamen and the troops, who were regularly paraded for church, and the forms of prayer andthanksgiving to the Almighty for the preservation of the people'slives were read. Seven natives made their appearance on the shore tothe southward. Some of them tried to surround two sailors who weregathering shell fish, but the sailors were too nimble for them. Anofficer with a small armed party went in pursuit, but as soon as thesavages saw them they put off from the shore in a canoe, leaving theirfire, and close to it a piece of drift wood and some fish bones. Andat night again some of the natives attempted to approach theRunnymede, but on being fired at they took themselves off. Thenatives appeared to be quite naked and black, and of a robust frame, with perfectly straight hair. This day also a spring of fresh waterwas discovered. The commander sent out detachment orders regulatingthe issue of rations and spirits to the troops, and complimentingCaptains Doutty and Hall and their crews, and also the militaryofficers and soldiers, on their conduct during the hurricane, and alsoregretting that the natives should have been fired at, as much benefitmight arise from a conciliatory course, and much mischief from anopposite one; and ordering that for the purpose of preventing anyrencontre in future between them and the military who might bestraggling too far from camp, a roll call should take place every twohours, as well in the camp as on board the Briton. 

_Monday, 18th. _--Fine weather. Fatigue parties employed on shoreclearing the ground and erecting tents. The carpenters at work on thelong-boat; her bottom and topsides finished, and a portion of herbeams and ceiling placed. The crew engaged repairing her sails and incutting air-holes between decks in the Runnymede for ventilation. Onshore a court-martial sat for the purpose of trying men for stealingand drunkenness. By an order issued this day Ensign Hunter of the 80thwas appointed to act as Adjutant. The Runnymede was made into ahospital ship under the care of Dr. Gammie, whilst Mr. Bell gave hismedical attendance on shore to those whom it was not deemed necessaryto send to the hospital; and the Briton was to be considered as astore-ship whence the provisions were to be issued daily, under thesuperintendence of Ensign Venables. The remainder of the troops werealso ordered to disembark and encamp, the position of the Briton in astagnant swamp of half salt, half fresh water, with mangrove treescrushed under it, being considered prejudicial to the health of themen. 

_Tuesday, 19th. _--The carpenters employed laying the deck of thelong-boat. Crew landing beer casks, but many of them burst whilstbeing carried ashore from being so long under water, and the strawthey were packed in consequently heating. The sick were transferredfrom the Briton to the Runnymede. This afternoon the soldiers wereparaded for the first time since the wreck. Their appearance, owing totheir distressed situation, was somewhat similar to that of Falstaff'sragged regiment. 

_Wednesday, 20th. _--Five soldiers were corporeally punished, bysentence of court-martial, for stealing and insubordination. Thetroops left the Briton according to order. Most of the officerscommenced erecting tents for themselves. 

_Thursday, 21st. _--The carpenters completed the deck of the long-boat. Four of the soldiers straggled a short distance to the south of theencampment in search of shell fish. They were attacked by a party ofnatives, who speared the whole of them, two of them dangerously, oneof whom had three spears sticking in him. They were carried on boardthe Runnymede. A strong party was sent in pursuit of the evil doersbut could not meet with them. Shortly after the return of the party, Captain Doutty saw fourteen of the natives issue from the jungle armedwith their fishing-spears and apparently quite unconcerned, but thetide being up and having no boat, our people could not get at them. Itwas, however, deemed necessary to place advanced picquets round thecamp, and a four-pounder was placed on the top-gallant forecastle andanother on the poop of the Runnymede, in order to keep the natives offif they should prove aggressive. There appeared to be no chance ofreceiving any assistance from them. The island appeared to be whollyunproductive, neither fruit nor vegetables having been discovered, butseveral wild hogs were seen. 

_Friday, 22d. _--The carpenters employed putting a false keel to longboat and caulking her. Landed 46 casks of beer, also some preservedsalmon and cheese. A board of survey assembled on board the Briton toexamine the stores saved, and to report as to the rations to beissued, calculated for forty days. The court recommended the followingscale for alternate days, namely, First day, 1/2 lb. Bread, 1/2 lb. Beef, 1/2 gill of spirits, 1/12 oz. Of tea, 1/2 oz. Of sugar. 

Second day, 1/3 lb. Flour, 1/3 lb. Pork, 1/4 pint peas, 1/4 oz. Coffee, 1/2 oz. Sugar, 1/2 gill spirits, and this even would only last36 days, that is, till 27th December. By this time, too, the coast fortwo miles round the island was cleared of shell fish. This day aprivate of the 80th regiment died in hospital of dysentery, mostlikely caused by the water, which had a disagreeable vegetable taste. 

_Saturday, 23d. _--More beer landed from the Runnymede, also a case ofclaret. These were now issued in lieu of spirits. This day the nativescame close to the camp. A few soldiers were sent to parley with them, and took two red shell jackets, which were left on a bush as presentsfor them. They only trampled on them, and at a given signal sent avolley of spears at the soldiers in return, two only taking effect. Two armed soldiers who had been concealed, then appearing, the nativesset up a yell and ran to the bush, leaving part of a bow and a bundleof arrows behind them. They appeared very treacherous. They seemedalso to understand the effect of fire-arms, running away the momentthey saw any. 

_Sunday, 24th. _--Divine service was performed on board the Briton. Thecoast was strewed in every direction with pieces of wreck. In theevening part of a chest of drawers and the top of a washhand-standwere found. These probably had floated from some vessel that hadfoundered. 

 [Illustration: Hullmandel & Walton Lithographers. No. 3. DEPARTURE OF THE "HOPE" IN SEARCH OF ASSISTANCE. ]

_Monday, 25th. _--Moderate breeze. The long boat, being finished, waslaunched from the deck of the Runnymede at 11 o'clock, amidst thehearty cheers of all hands. She was named "The Hope. " Her mast wasthen stepped and fitted, and an ample supply of provisions, water, andother necessaries put on board her. At half-past five, P. M. , she setsail in charge of Captain Hall, of the Briton, with Mr. Skelton, chiefofficer of the Runnymede, and the boatswain and five seamen. Lieutenant Leslie, of the 80th, went in her as bearer of despatches. The course proposed, at the suggestion of Captain Doutty, was, to getinto the track of ships proceeding to and from the Straits of Malacca;and then, being guided by the winds and other circumstances, either tocross to Moulmein, or go on to Calcutta. 

_Tuesday, 26th. _--Weather moderate. The Hope not in sight at daybreak. The carpenters landed to make preparations for building another boat. Parties out getting shell-fish. Some trepang, beech-le-mer, or seaslug, was brought to Captain Doutty, which he attempted to cure bycleansing, parboiling, and drying in the sun. This is reckoned a greatluxury by the Chinese, and is sold in their markets. It abounds inthe vicinity of coral reefs. 

Captains Stapleton, Montgomery, and Best, in the evening, saw a wildhog, between which and the bush they got unperceived. They each had ashot at him, as he ran past them, and being wounded in the head, heran staggering amongst the fallen timber. A little spaniel dog, calledBilly, of the King Charles's breed, which happened to be with theparty, seized the hog by the ear. At the same time a soldier ran up todespatch the animal with a large stick, and not observing the dog inthe dusk, he accidentally struck him an unlucky blow on the head, andkilled him. Poor Billy's fate was universally regretted in the camp, where he was a general favourite. The hog weighed 80 lbs. , had largetusks, and his hide was half-an-inch thick. The meat was hard andtough, but still was acceptable as a change. Some natives who werenear the spot where the hog was killed, on hearing the shots, lefttheir fire with a yell, and fled into the bush. 

_Thursday, 28th. _--Working parties clearing and deepening the wells, which were beginning to fail. Several of the officers left the Briton, their tents being completed. There were many beautiful shells ofvarious kinds found upon the beach. It was amusing to see such as aregenerally made use of as mantel-piece ornaments, teeming with life, and running about in every direction. A few fish were caught in netsoutside the Runnymede, quantities of small ones being driven intoshoal water by the large ones, which prey upon them. 

_Friday, 29th. _--The soldiers were employed burning a road to thewells, the fallen trees being so interwoven that it was not possibleto cut one. The carpenters were cutting a keel for the boat. The crewfishing and making nets. This evening there was a cry that a ship'slight was seen in the offing, which produced a considerable sensationfor the moment; but it turned out to be only Sirius rising. 

_Saturday, 30th. _--General parade for muster. The keel for theintended boat brought in from the bush where it had been cut. Acarpenter, four sawyers, and a blacksmith from the 80th were orderedto assist in building the new boat. 

_Sunday, 1st December. _--Divine service was performed. The guard onboard the Runnymede was now formed by convalescent soldiers, being oneserjeant and six privates of the 80th. The natives made very largefires both to the northward and southward. 

_Monday, 2d. _--Bellows were finished for the forge, with thepioneers' aprons for sides, and part of a gun-barrel for the pipe. Thetiller of the Briton's rudder was used for an anvil, and nails weremade out of the copper bolts from her stern posts. A sailor's canoe, which was nearly finished, took fire, and both her gunwales were burntdown. 

_Tuesday, 3d. _--Regular morning parades on the beach at 7 A. M. Commenced this day, the guards mounting immediately afterwards. Thebugle was sounded regularly, as in garrison, at daybreak, for parade, for meals, and for bed at 8 P. M. The road still in progress ofburning. This, together with the tent-fires and those of the picquets, had a very brilliant effect. Two officers went in search of water, andfound a running stream under the hills, about a mile from the camp, which was very difficult to reach, from the denseness of the jungle. 

_Wednesday, 4th. _--A couple of punts have been made out of rattans, covered with tarred canvas, and the canoe had plank sides put to it, in lieu of the gunwales, which were burnt. There were some thunder andlightning in the evening, and heavy rain, which caused the tents toleak, they having been made of old canvas. 

_Thursday, 5th. _--A bag of damaged pepper sent on shore from theRunnymede for the soldiers to eat with the shell fish. An oyster beddiscovered. A tree on fire, mistaken for a steamer's light. 

_Friday, 6th. _--The carpenters commenced planking the boat. Severalmen were sent to the hospital with fever and head complaints. An orderwas issued, prohibiting the soldiers bathing or otherwise exposingthemselves in the heat of the sun. 

_Saturday, 7th. _--The canoe was launched, and answered better than wasexpected. Nearly the whole of the fallen trees on the island laytowards the south-west, so that the hurricane must have come from theE. N. E. Or N. E. 

_Sunday, 8th. _--Divine service as usual. The canoe brought in a cargoof fine oysters from the northward. The tracks of a number of hogswere seen. A soldier of the 80th died in hospital of brain fever. 

_Monday, 9th. _--The Runnymede got a spar over her quarter, lashed tothe mizen-mast, to shore her up, the heavy surf causing her to bumpmore than was agreeable. There was quite a fleet of canvas in the bayfishing and paddling about. 

_Tuesday, 10th. _--One of the fishing crews caught a large fish of thesnapper kind, of about 20 lbs. Weight. It was found to be coarse andhard when cooked. 

_Wednesday, 11th. _--The encampment looked quite gay, each tent havingits distinguishing flag, or number of the company, hoisted; those ofthe officers had also their signals flying. Captain Stapleton's hadthe number of his regiment, 50th. The bay from the Runnymede had avery pretty effect. 

_Thursday, 12th. _--Two turtles were seen upon the water. There wereonly sufficient provisions on hand to serve this month through. TheHope has been gone now sixteen days. 

_Saturday, 14th. _--A party of officers of the 80th went to thenorthward on discovery, attended by the canoe. They crossed over tothe other island. Saw a wild beast in the bush of the panther kind. Found some bundles of pigs' heads, tied with cane, laid together inheaps, and stones suspended from the trees by rattan. They supposedthis to be some religious ceremony of the natives. They found aquantity of excellent oysters on the rocks. They made a fire, anddined off them. 

_Sunday, 15th. _--Divine service as usual. This was the 20th day afterthe departure of the Hope. The present amount of ration to be reducedone-half from to-morrow, which will be little better than starvation. Very little shell fish to be now found within miles of the camp. Abouteleven o'clock, A. M. , there were two smart shocks of an earthquake. The Briton shook so violently that all hands ran up from below, fearing that she would fall over. The last shock had scarcelysubsided, when the shout of a sail, a sail! issued from a look-outtree, on the right of the camp, upon which the people themselves hadestablished a watch, relieved every hour. The welcome cry quicklyresounded throughout the camp. The Runnymede immediately hoisted herensign and fired a gun, which was a pre-concerted signal. The campwas in great commotion, every one enquiring where the sail was, andstraining their eyes to catch a glimpse of the stranger. Within aquarter of an hour afterwards, she had rounded the point and wasvisible to all. At one o'clock, P. M. , she came to anchor abreast ofthe Runnymede, in 15 fathoms, the men cheering on shore, whilst theship saluted her with twelve guns. She proved to be the HonourableCompany's schooner, George Swinton, of 70 or 80 tons, from Mergui, with supplies of provisions for the sufferers, and the Hope towing ather stern. Our canoes went off, and brought on shore Mr. Michael, anensign of the 17th Madras Native Infantry, the bearer of despatchesfrom Mergui to the commanding officer, to whom he communicated thenews of the safe arrival of the Hope at that port, and of the welfareof her crew. They had reached Mergui in 11 days from the time ofleaving the island. They had suffered much from the heat of the sunand fatigue, because, having either foul or light winds, they wereobliged to row the greater part of the distance, and to give up allidea of going to Calcutta. Having made their report, they weresupplied with a lighter boat belonging to the American missionaries, in which they proceeded to Moulmein. The next day the commandingofficer at Mergui despatched the George Swinton, under the command ofCaptain Daniels, to the relief of the sufferers, bringing, amongstother things, six young buffaloes. The arrival of this vessel at theexact moment of need caused great rejoicings, and an extra half-poundof biscuit and glass of spirits were issued to each man to commemoratethe event. In the afternoon a soldier of the 80th was unfortunatelydrowned in the surf whilst bathing. On the arrival of the Swinton therations were increased, and comparative plenty was restored. 

_Wednesday, 18th. _--The Runnymede's mainmast was cut away, and she wasshored up with it to make her ride easily, being much shaken by thesurf. The Hope was brought on shore, and her deck and false keel takenoff, that she might be used for landing provisions and stores. A brigappeared in sight to the southward. The Runnymede made signals, butshe passed on without taking any notice. She was supposed to be acountry ship. 

_Friday, 20th. _--The island is putting on a spring-like appearance. Verdant spots are here and there to be seen, and the trees arebeginning to come into leaf. Even those which were thrown down by thehurricane are struggling for life with the few roots left in theground, and some of sixty feet high, without branch or top, have shotout small green twigs, forming a curious contrast with their scathedtrunks. Melons, limes, and other seeds, sown by the officers, nowcoming up. Two native canoes took up a position near the north island, and afterwards their people passed along the reef fishing. CaptainDoutty counted twenty-four persons on the reef, besides those left incare of the canoes. A soldier of the 50th died in hospital this day ofbrain fever. 

_Sunday, 22nd. _--Divine service as usual. The poop-awning of theBriton was blown away, and the cuddy filled with water. The weathervery rough. 

_Tuesday, 24th. _--The Swinton's jolly-boat was swamped in the surfwhilst taking off water-casks. The long-boat went to their assistance, and towed them alongside the schooner. The east end of the northisland was covered with natives in search of food; the poor creaturesseemed to depend entirely on shell-fish and sea-slug, picked off thereefs, for their subsistence, with occasionally a fish caught withtheir spears. During bad weather they must suffer much from hunger. 

_Wednesday, 25th. Christmas Day. _--The Swinton left for Moulmein. Mr. Michael returned in her with despatches. The Runnymede's dingyreturning from the schooner was capsized in consequence of Thompson, aseaman, falling on one side of her, when Edmund Hutter, a seaman, wasdrowned, means of resuscitation proving of no avail. Divine servicewas performed on board the Briton. The tents of the 80th looked verygay, being decorated with green boughs in honour of the day. There wasno roast beef, but very good plum-puddings were made without sugar. 

_Thursday, 26th. _--Flies and musquitoes came in myriads; they werevery troublesome; there were none till now; the hurricane must haveswept them away. Very beautiful periodical flowers appeared. Alsosnakes; several have been killed in camp. A young pig was shot by aserjeant; the mother and the rest of the family escaped. 

_Friday, 27th. _--A wicker-work pot was made to catch fish in deepwater. A tablet was engraven on the rock, near the burial-ground, withthe names of the soldiers who had died on the island. At night largefires were made round the camp to burn out and keep off themusquitoes. 

_Saturday, 28th. _--At 7 A. M. A sloop-of-war brig, the Pilot, CaptainJervis, with two schooner gun-boats in convoy, appeared. The latterran into the anchorage, and the former went round the islands insearch of other vessels. Sent our boat on board one of the former andlanded the officer, Mr. White, of the Company's Marine, who statedthat transports were at hand to relieve the sufferers; also that therest of the 80th regiment had arrived safely at Calcutta. The newsix-oared boat named "The Andaman" was launched at noon; she wentthrough the surf beautifully. The Pilot sent her cutter round withLieut. Leslie, and also some fresh meat and vegetables. 

_Sunday, 29th. _--At noon the Ayrshire, of 250 tons, arrived fromMoulmein, being one of three ships taken up by the Government there toconvey the sufferers away from the island; the other two were calledthe Agnes Lee and the Elizabeth Ainslie. Capt. Jervis and three of hisofficers dined on the island. 

_Monday, 30th. _--The first division of the 80th regiment commencedembarking on board the Ayrshire. At 3 P. M. The Elizabeth Ainsliearrived for the remaining portion of the 80th, and anchored near theRunnymede. 

 [Illustration: Hullmandel & Walton Lithographers. No. 4. THE DELIVERANCE. ]

_Tuesday, 31st. _--The Pilot came round from the northward, andbrought up in front of the camp. Commenced embarking the heavy storeson board the Elizabeth Ainslie. At 4 P. M. The Ayrshire sailed withthe first division of the 80th regiment. 

1845. 

_Wednesday, 1st January. _--The second division of the 80th regimentembarked in the Elizabeth Ainslie, as also Captain Doutty and the crewof the Runnymede. The officers dined on board the Pilot. There werenumerous native fires on both islands. 

_Thursday, 2nd. _--The Elizabeth Ainslie sailed. The natives collectedin great numbers on both islands. The gun-boat's gig, manned byLascars, whilst pulling along the reef, was pursued by five canoes. The brig-of-war's cutter went to her assistance, when the canoespulled back to the reef and made off. The 50th detachment strengthenedtheir camp-guard and posted extra sentinels. 

_Friday, 3rd. _--The transport Agnes Lee arrived from Moulmein. Theinvalid soldiers, women, and children, and heavy baggage were embarkedin the course of the day. At night the natives came round the camp ingreat numbers; there were fires in every direction. A picquet was sentout to drive them back; the picquet fired at a party moving in rear ofthe tents, who fled, and extinguished their fires in a mostextraordinary manner, the whole, except a few scattered embers, disappearing almost as if by magic. The brig of war despatched twoboats to pull along shore in front of the camp, and afterwards firedtwo shots and a shell amongst a large body of natives gathered round afire a short distance to the left of the Briton. They took themselvesoff and did not appear again that night. 

_Saturday, 4th. _--The remainder of the detachment of the 50thembarked in the Agnes Lee. At night the natives again assembling inand around the camp, the marines of the Pilot were landed to protectthe wrecks. Several shots were fired during the night. 

_Sunday, 5th. _--The last detachment of the wrecked troops, after asojourn of 55 days, sailed this day for Calcutta in the Agnes Lee, andbid adieu to this inhospitable island, in words very different fromthose of the poet, who sang

 "Isle of beauty, fare thee well. "

The voyage was most prosperous, the several ships having arrived attheir destination within a few days of each other. The only place ofnote they passed on the voyage being Barren Island; they had a fullview of its volcano, which is a cone thrown up from a valley. It wasthen in partial action, and was ejecting volumes of smoke as theypassed it. 

_Monday, 13th. _--Latitude, by observation, 20° 59" north. A comet hasbeen seen for the last ten or twelve nights, in the south-west, aboutequal to a star of the second magnitude, with a tail of about 8 or 10degrees. 

The detachments of the 10th and 50th regiments, on arriving atCalcutta, proceeded on to Chinsmah by steam, and the detachment of the80th landed at Calcutta, and took up their quarters in Fort William. 

CONCLUSION. 

Thus terminated one of the most remarkable shipwrecks upon record, remarkable in all its circumstances, when we consider the coincidenceof two ships, each carrying troops, each sailing from a differentquarter of the globe, both bound to the same port, and both thrownupon the same island, in one night, within half a mile of each other, and the Runnymede possessing stores and necessaries which the Britonstood in need of, and without which her company would, in allprobability, have perished: and each having the means of defenceagainst a race of savages, reputed to be cannibals, and so proverbialfor their ferocity, that they are greatly dreaded by the seamen of thecountry ships, by whom they are called Wild Men of the Woods, and who, but for the fire-arms they had, would have destroyed the whole of theparty. 

But a still more remarkable fact is the extreme healthiness, undernumerous hardships and privations, of a company of upwards of sixhundred and thirty individuals, many of them women and children, in aclimate so unhealthy, that, in time past, it was obliged to beabandoned by those who sought to settle in it. But here, in a sojournof 55 days, besides those who died by accidents, only three men, onewoman, and two or three children perished. And this to the greatsurprise of those who came to their rescue, and so fully expected tofind disease prevalent, that they took with them a surgeon, a stock ofmedicines, and a quantity of comforts for the use of the sick andconvalescent. These favourable circumstances may be attributed, withpropriety, to the almost miraculous interposition of the Almighty, whovouchsafed to bless in an especial manner the prudence, goodseamanship, and cool intrepidity of the captains and officers of theships, and those under their care, whilst at sea: and afterwards, whenon shore, the judgment, skill, and good management of Lieut. -colonelBunbury and the military and other officers, as well as the steadydiscipline of all who were under their command. These all in theirseveral stations have done great honour to their country, as well asmuch credit to the respective services in which they were employed. 

We must also remark upon the very sound state of the hull of theRunnymede, which had not the slightest leak in her during the whole ofa most appalling tempest. The only water she made was that which camein from the dashing of the waves. 

We may also learn one important lesson from the perseverance of thecrew of the Runnymede. That is, never to abandon any good undertakingon account of difficulties. Some unlooked-for circumstance may ariseto crown our endeavours with success. The crew of the Runnymede hadlost every thing but hope, when deliverance came to them unexpectedly. 

We would conclude with one question to the benevolent and religious;to those who desire to promote the civilization of the heathen. Cannothing be done to christianize the ferocious tribes of the Andamans?Let it be remembered what the New Zealand cannibals and the wildbushmen of South Africa were before missionaries went amongst them, compared with what they now are; and then let endeavours be made useof, in reliance upon heaven's blessing, to bring these poor creaturesout of the lowest state of darkness and degradation into one ofChristianity and happiness. 

THE END. 

PELHAM RICHARDSON, PRINTER, 23, CORNHILL. 

Transcriber's Note

This book contains archaic and variable spelling, which is preservedas printed. Minor punctuation errors have been repaired, andhyphenation has been made consistent. 

The frontispiece illustration (No. 3) has been moved to its appropriateplace in the text. 

Page 30 has a reference to the ship Loyds. This may be a printer errorfor Lloyds, but has been preserved as printed. 

Page 36--repective amended to respective--"... To explain to the crewsof their respective ships ... "