Chapter 2
In the morning after the wreck, a seaman of the Runnymede lost his life by the following piece of disobedience and fool-hardy temerity. Captain Doutty was sitting in Captain Stapleton's cabin, consulting with the military officers as to the best mode of getting the women and children on shore, when it was perceived that one of the seamen had placed himself by the cabin windows, apparently dressed for a swim. Captain Doutty enquired what brought him there: he instantly replied, "We are all alike now." Captain Doutty told him he was mistaken if he thought so, for that whilst two planks of the ship held together, he was determined to keep the command, and ordered him to leave the cabin. As he appeared unwilling to go, the chief officer was desired to send him forward. Being called accordingly, he refused, with an oath, to go, and immediately threw himself from the cabin window, and swam towards the shore, which he never reached, as the receding waves kept him out until he was exhausted, and the ship's company saw him sink without being able to assist him. This man's fate had the effect of keeping the others quiet until the water had fallen sufficiently to enable them to wade through it to the shore. After the landing Colonel Bunbury took the chief command of all parties.
We shall now find it most convenient to ourselves, as well as entertaining to our readers, to continue our narrative in the shape of a journal, only noticing those days on which any circumstances worth recording occurred.
_Wednesday, 13th._--At daybreak, nearly low water, all hands returned on board and commenced getting up provisions for landing. All more or less damaged.
The Briton had lost all her boats, and the Runnymede's long boat was the only one they had, and that was badly stove, so that the water had run through her, and thereby prevented her being washed off the deck by the waves: and she eventually became the means, by God's blessing, of obtaining that assistance which saved the sufferers from perishing on a desert island.
The carpenters, therefore, of both ships were ordered to report how long a time it would take to put this boat into a state fit to proceed to sea to seek assistance. They reported eight days. After a personal communication, Captains Doutty and Hall received from Captain Sayers, of the 80th regt. the following order, putting their ships' crews under 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 6 half-bags of biscuit, 3 and a half bags of flour, and 9 baskets of plums. In consequence of information that the crew of the Runnymede meant 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 all ordered on board the Briton. The only persons who remained on board the Runnymede were Captain Doutty and his officers, and a few steady soldiers of the 50th, and watches were regularly kept throughout the night.
There appears to be a very prevalent opinion amongst common sailors and private soldiers, that when a vessel is wrecked, all controul over private property is from that moment lost too, and that it is not stealing to lay hands on all they can take. Numerous instances of this kind took place on the present occasion. And this crime, as well as that of drunkenness, were scarcely checked by severe corporeal punishment. Some of the men attempted thefts at the risk of their lives; and, in one instance, a cask of bottled beer having been landed too late to be got into store, was placed, by a serjeant's tent, in care of a sentry, whose musket was known to be loaded with ball. During the night two fellows attempted to get at it, and being discovered were fired at, which so alarmed them, that one of them, in his hurry to escape, fell into a mangrove swamp, which caused him so much pain that he was easily captured. He proved to be a man of bad character.
_Thursday, 14th._--Weather moderate, wind east, barometer 29 deg. 55". The crew employed this day landing stores, cleansing the decks from the accumulated filth and rubbish. The carpenters employed on the long boat. The stores landed were 3 baskets of sugar, 2 barrels of flour, 7 tierces and 1 barrel of salt provisions, 1 cask of vinegar, 1 puncheon of arrack, 2 cases of bottled fruits, 2 boxes of pickles, 6 barrels of pale ale, and 1 cask of sherry. The soldiers were employed on shore clearing the ground of trees, many having been thrown down by the hurricane, some of them very large, and apparently of the growth of a century. They were also employed in erecting tents and making roads and bridges. The tents were made of the sails of both ships, and the flags or camp-colours used to distinguish the companies, were Marryat's signals, also from the ships.
_Friday, 15th._--Wind east and moderate. Weather fine. Continued landing provisions consisting of soap, preserved potatoes, biscuit, flour, sugar, dholl or split peas, rice, pale ale, port wine, and sherry. Finished the long boat's bottom, turned her up, and commenced raising her two streaks. Employed drying damaged provisions. Water discovered in the island; and a number of crabs, prawns, and other shell fish picked up at low water. Several indications of other wrecks were seen, but exploring parties had not yet straggled far from the encampment.
_Saturday, 16th._--More provisions were landed this day. In the evening, large fires were seen on the island to the north, and as several muskets were discharged on shore away from the camp, and the people fancied they saw natives, they were hailed and a volley of musketry discharged, so no more of them were seen. But double watches were set at night with loaded arms.
_Sunday, 17th._--This day no business was done, except by the carpenters, whose work was of the utmost importance to the saving the lives of upwards of 630 persons, with a scanty stock of provisions. Divine service was performed on board the Briton by Captain Sayers of the 80th in presence of the seamen and the troops, who were regularly paraded for church, and the forms of prayer and thanksgiving to the Almighty for the preservation of the people's lives were read. Seven natives made their appearance on the shore to the southward. Some of them tried to surround two sailors who were gathering shell fish, but the sailors were too nimble for them. An officer with a small armed party went in pursuit, but as soon as the savages saw them they put off from the shore in a canoe, leaving their fire, and close to it a piece of drift wood and some fish bones. And at night again some of the natives attempted to approach the Runnymede, but on being fired at they took themselves off. The natives appeared to be quite naked and black, and of a robust frame, with perfectly straight hair. This day also a spring of fresh water was discovered. The commander sent out detachment orders regulating the issue of rations and spirits to the troops, and complimenting Captains Doutty and Hall and their crews, and also the military officers and soldiers, on their conduct during the hurricane, and also regretting that the natives should have been fired at, as much benefit might arise from a conciliatory course, and much mischief from an opposite one; and ordering that for the purpose of preventing any rencontre in future between them and the military who might be straggling too far from camp, a roll call should take place every two hours, as well in the camp as on board the Briton.
_Monday, 18th._--Fine weather. Fatigue parties employed on shore clearing the ground and erecting tents. The carpenters at work on the long-boat; her bottom and topsides finished, and a portion of her beams and ceiling placed. The crew engaged repairing her sails and in cutting air-holes between decks in the Runnymede for ventilation. On shore a court-martial sat for the purpose of trying men for stealing and drunkenness. By an order issued this day Ensign Hunter of the 80th was appointed to act as Adjutant. The Runnymede was made into a hospital ship under the care of Dr. Gammie, whilst Mr. Bell gave his medical attendance on shore to those whom it was not deemed necessary to send to the hospital; and the Briton was to be considered as a store-ship whence the provisions were to be issued daily, under the superintendence of Ensign Venables. The remainder of the troops were also ordered to disembark and encamp, the position of the Briton in a stagnant swamp of half salt, half fresh water, with mangrove trees crushed under it, being considered prejudicial to the health of the men.
_Tuesday, 19th._--The carpenters employed laying the deck of the long-boat. Crew landing beer casks, but many of them burst whilst being carried ashore from being so long under water, and the straw they were packed in consequently heating. The sick were transferred from the Briton to the Runnymede. This afternoon the soldiers were paraded for the first time since the wreck. Their appearance, owing to their distressed situation, was somewhat similar to that of Falstaff's ragged regiment.
_Wednesday, 20th._--Five soldiers were corporeally punished, by sentence of court-martial, for stealing and insubordination. The troops left the Briton according to order. Most of the officers commenced 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 the encampment in search of shell fish. They were attacked by a party of natives, who speared the whole of them, two of them dangerously, one of whom had three spears sticking in him. They were carried on board the Runnymede. A strong party was sent in pursuit of the evil doers but could not meet with them. Shortly after the return of the party, Captain Doutty saw fourteen of the natives issue from the jungle armed with their fishing-spears and apparently quite unconcerned, but the tide being up and having no boat, our people could not get at them. It was, however, deemed necessary to place advanced picquets round the camp, and a four-pounder was placed on the top-gallant forecastle and another on the poop of the Runnymede, in order to keep the natives off if they should prove aggressive. There appeared to be no chance of receiving any assistance from them. The island appeared to be wholly unproductive, neither fruit nor vegetables having been discovered, but several wild hogs were seen.
_Friday, 22d._--The carpenters employed putting a false keel to long boat and caulking her. Landed 46 casks of beer, also some preserved salmon and cheese. A board of survey assembled on board the Briton to examine the stores saved, and to report as to the rations to be issued, calculated for forty days. The court recommended the following scale 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 last 36 days, that is, till 27th December. By this time, too, the coast for two miles round the island was cleared of shell fish. This day a private of the 80th regiment died in hospital of dysentery, most likely caused by the water, which had a disagreeable vegetable taste.
_Saturday, 23d._--More beer landed from the Runnymede, also a case of claret. These were now issued in lieu of spirits. This day the natives came 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 presents for them. They only trampled on them, and at a given signal sent a volley of spears at the soldiers in return, two only taking effect. Two armed soldiers who had been concealed, then appearing, the natives set up a yell and ran to the bush, leaving part of a bow and a bundle of arrows behind them. They appeared very treacherous. They seemed also to understand the effect of fire-arms, running away the moment they saw any.
_Sunday, 24th._--Divine service was performed on board the Briton. The coast was strewed in every direction with pieces of wreck. In the evening part of a chest of drawers and the top of a washhand-stand were found. These probably had floated from some vessel that had foundered.
_Monday, 25th._--Moderate breeze. The long boat, being finished, was launched from the deck of the Runnymede at 11 o'clock, amidst the hearty cheers of all hands. She was named "The Hope." Her mast was then stepped and fitted, and an ample supply of provisions, water, and other necessaries put on board her. At half-past five, P. M., she set sail in charge of Captain Hall, of the Briton, with Mr. Skelton, chief officer 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 get into the track of ships proceeding to and from the Straits of Malacca; and then, being guided by the winds and other circumstances, either to cross 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 sea slug, was brought to Captain Doutty, which he attempted to cure by cleansing, parboiling, and drying in the sun. This is reckoned a great luxury by the Chinese, and is sold in their markets. It abounds in the vicinity of coral reefs.
Captains Stapleton, Montgomery, and Best, in the evening, saw a wild hog, between which and the bush they got unperceived. They each had a shot at him, as he ran past them, and being wounded in the head, he ran staggering amongst the fallen timber. A little spaniel dog, called Billy, of the King Charles's breed, which happened to be with the party, seized the hog by the ear. At the same time a soldier ran up to despatch the animal with a large stick, and not observing the dog in the dusk, he accidentally struck him an unlucky blow on the head, and killed him. Poor Billy's fate was universally regretted in the camp, where he was a general favourite. The hog weighed 80 lbs., had large tusks, and his hide was half-an-inch thick. The meat was hard and tough, but still was acceptable as a change. Some natives who were near the spot where the hog was killed, on hearing the shots, left their 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 of various kinds found upon the beach. It was amusing to see such as are generally made use of as mantel-piece ornaments, teeming with life, and running about in every direction. A few fish were caught in nets outside the Runnymede, quantities of small ones being driven into shoal water by the large ones, which prey upon them.
_Friday, 29th._--The soldiers were employed burning a road to the wells, the fallen trees being so interwoven that it was not possible to cut one. The carpenters were cutting a keel for the boat. The crew fishing and making nets. This evening there was a cry that a ship's light was seen in the offing, which produced a considerable sensation for the moment; but it turned out to be only Sirius rising.
_Saturday, 30th._--General parade for muster. The keel for the intended boat brought in from the bush where it had been cut. A carpenter, four sawyers, and a blacksmith from the 80th were ordered to assist in building the new boat.
_Sunday, 1st December._--Divine service was performed. The guard on board the Runnymede was now formed by convalescent soldiers, being one serjeant and six privates of the 80th. The natives made very large fires both to the northward and southward.
_Monday, 2d._--Bellows were finished for the forge, with the pioneers' aprons for sides, and part of a gun-barrel for the pipe. The tiller of the Briton's rudder was used for an anvil, and nails were made out of the copper bolts from her stern posts. A sailor's canoe, which was nearly finished, took fire, and both her gunwales were burnt down.
_Tuesday, 3d._--Regular morning parades on the beach at 7 A. M. commenced this day, the guards mounting immediately afterwards. The bugle was sounded regularly, as in garrison, at daybreak, for parade, for meals, and for bed at 8 P. M. The road still in progress of burning. This, together with the tent-fires and those of the picquets, had a very brilliant effect. Two officers went in search of water, and found 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 and lightning in the evening, and heavy rain, which caused the tents to leak, they having been made of old canvas.
_Thursday, 5th._--A bag of damaged pepper sent on shore from the Runnymede for the soldiers to eat with the shell fish. An oyster bed discovered. A tree on fire, mistaken for a steamer's light.
_Friday, 6th._--The carpenters commenced planking the boat. Several men were sent to the hospital with fever and head complaints. An order was issued, prohibiting the soldiers bathing or otherwise exposing themselves in the heat of the sun.
_Saturday, 7th._--The canoe was launched, and answered better than was expected. Nearly the whole of the fallen trees on the island lay towards the south-west, so that the hurricane must have come from the E.N.E. or N.E.
_Sunday, 8th._--Divine service as usual. The canoe brought in a cargo of fine oysters from the northward. The tracks of a number of hogs were seen. A soldier of the 80th died in hospital of brain fever.
_Monday, 9th._--The Runnymede got a spar over her quarter, lashed to the mizen-mast, to shore her up, the heavy surf causing her to bump more than was agreeable. There was quite a fleet of canvas in the bay fishing and paddling about.
_Tuesday, 10th._--One of the fishing crews caught a large fish of the snapper kind, of about 20 lbs. weight. It was found to be coarse and hard when cooked.
_Wednesday, 11th._--The encampment looked quite gay, each tent having its distinguishing flag, or number of the company, hoisted; those of the officers had also their signals flying. Captain Stapleton's had the number of his regiment, 50th. The bay from the Runnymede had a very pretty effect.
_Thursday, 12th._--Two turtles were seen upon the water. There were only sufficient provisions on hand to serve this month through. The Hope has been gone now sixteen days.
_Saturday, 14th._--A party of officers of the 80th went to the northward on discovery, attended by the canoe. They crossed over to the other island. Saw a wild beast in the bush of the panther kind. Found some bundles of pigs' heads, tied with cane, laid together in heaps, and stones suspended from the trees by rattan. They supposed this to be some religious ceremony of the natives. They found a quantity of excellent oysters on the rocks. They made a fire, and dined off them.
_Sunday, 15th._--Divine service as usual. This was the 20th day after the departure of the Hope. The present amount of ration to be reduced one-half from to-morrow, which will be little better than starvation. Very little shell fish to be now found within miles of the camp. About eleven 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 scarcely subsided, when the shout of a sail, a sail! issued from a look-out tree, on the right of the camp, upon which the people themselves had established a watch, relieved every hour. The welcome cry quickly resounded throughout the camp. The Runnymede immediately hoisted her ensign and fired a gun, which was a pre-concerted signal. The camp was in great commotion, every one enquiring where the sail was, and straining their eyes to catch a glimpse of the stranger. Within a quarter of an hour afterwards, she had rounded the point and was visible to all. At one o'clock, P. M., she came to anchor abreast of the Runnymede, in 15 fathoms, the men cheering on shore, whilst the ship saluted her with twelve guns. She proved to be the Honourable Company's schooner, George Swinton, of 70 or 80 tons, from Mergui, with supplies of provisions for the sufferers, and the Hope towing at her stern. Our canoes went off, and brought on shore Mr. Michael, an ensign of the 17th Madras Native Infantry, the bearer of despatches from Mergui to the commanding officer, to whom he communicated the news of the safe arrival of the Hope at that port, and of the welfare of her crew. They had reached Mergui in 11 days from the time of leaving the island. They had suffered much from the heat of the sun and fatigue, because, having either foul or light winds, they were obliged to row the greater part of the distance, and to give up all idea of going to Calcutta. Having made their report, they were supplied with a lighter boat belonging to the American missionaries, in which they proceeded to Moulmein. The next day the commanding officer at Mergui despatched the George Swinton, under the command of Captain Daniels, to the relief of the sufferers, bringing, amongst other things, six young buffaloes. The arrival of this vessel at the exact moment of need caused great rejoicings, and an extra half-pound of biscuit and glass of spirits were issued to each man to commemorate the event. In the afternoon a soldier of the 80th was unfortunately drowned in the surf whilst bathing. On the arrival of the Swinton the rations were increased, and comparative plenty was restored.
_Wednesday, 18th._--The Runnymede's mainmast was cut away, and she was shored up with it to make her ride easily, being much shaken by the surf. The Hope was brought on shore, and her deck and false keel taken off, that she might be used for landing provisions and stores. A brig appeared in sight to the southward. The Runnymede made signals, but she passed on without taking any notice. She was supposed to be a country ship.