The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-09-28
From the Salem Lit. and Com. oaz.

From the Salem Lit. and Com. odz.
Narrative Of the shipwreck of the English
whale ship Rambler, Capt. Graves on the
South wcst Coast of Madagascar, in the
month Of August, 1925, and Of the Massa-
ere of the Captain and several of the crew
b. the natives.
sailed from London. early in April, 1925,
in the whale ship Rambler, belonging to the
Messrs. Enderby's of that city, under the
comand of Captain A. B. Graves, native, |
believe, of Boston, U. S. We were very for
tunate in the first part of our voyage, and
killed several large whales, and cruised in
the Mozambique channel, till the lth. of
Aug. when we were wrecked Off Cape St.
Ielix4 The ship thumped two or three times
on tho rocks, but at last was raised by the
heavy swell OF the sea, and driven over into
deep water. We let so our anchors and lower
cd our boats and had succeeded in taking on
board Of them little water and about four
bags of bread, when our ship filled and sunk.
Our crew being distributed among the five
boats, the captain ordered US to steer for the
island OF Majumba. Soon after we left the
wreck one of our boats which contained a
great part of our water and nearly all Of our
bread, filled and sunk. That night we went
ashore oil small Island near the main and
drew up our boats. After some consulta-
tion among the officers, it was thought best
70 attempt reaching Majumba, as it was a
place where English and American vessels
most commonly traded. We reckoned the
distance to be about $50 miles.-The capt
ordered an equal division to be made of all
our bread and water, and we shared a pint
of water and three biscuits apiece. The
next morning we got under weigh abont ten
O'Clock, and coasted along, till towards night
when we went ashore on another small Isl
and, which appeared not to be inhabited
though we saw several tracks of human fee,
on the sand.
About noon, the next day, while sailing a
long the ca:st we saw several natives ashore
We rowed in.towards them, and made signs
20 them, that we needed some water, but
they were alarmed.and ran away. We land
cd and found on the shore few pieces O
raw turtle, and small quantity OF water
which the natives had lett. We greedily
devoured them, and searched their huts fol
more, but without success. We took boa
again, and after sailing few minutes came
TO river, which was not laid down in oul
chart.--Sailed up this river short distance
IN hope OF finding some fresh water, but be
ng disappointed, we returned aud continue,
coasting along shore till night, when we a
gam came to anchor. The next day we saw
more huts on shore and landed. The native,
had run away on our approach. Thinkins
it not prudent togo far into the country: w,
searched all tier huts, and fortunately foun,
some fruit, little brackish water, and
few wild beans We roasted the beans bu
they made us all sick. Here we spent ou
fourth night.
The next day we passed another village
and made signs to the natives, that we want
ed some water.-They went away and 500
after returned with some, which they brougl
to The shore, and made signs to us tina
we might have it, if we would give ther
something for it. The captain gave them h
neck cloth, and we handed to them one {
our boat buckets, which they returned to [
full OF water, and some of us gave them
Jacket others their trowsers, for the wealth
er was so uncomfortably hot, that we had II
occasion for our clothes. We gave them tn
bucket a second time, and they brought
back fulYof water, but they refused to gi,
it to us, unless we gave them the remand,
of our clothes. On our refusing they emt
cd the bucket and threw it aside and dro,
us away. We continued sailing along ii
coaster three days longer, occasionally la1'
ing, for the purpose of searching the san,
for shell fish, but generally without success
We at last saw a great number of huts
the shore. Some of the natives launched
canoe from the shore, and came out lit
distance towards us. The captain spoil
TO them, and one of them answered in br,
ken English that there were plenty of Blu
lock meat and water ashore and that we cou
have it if we would so ashore Capt. G. O
dered us to land, and to keep our boats
anchor few rods from the shore. that v
might retreat in case we met with any di
fculty We went ashore having the cook
one boat. and two little boys in the other
our fourth boat, with the first mate and t,
of her crew having separated from us tv
days before. On our landing, the man wi