The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-24

lsrboard bow, &c, along the waist which stove In
the larboard buwarks and flooded the spar deck
The water knee deep on the gun-deck, al
though the pumps had been kept necessarily going,
and the water gaining fast to be over
the shot lockers in the hold knocked off the lower
ceiling boards of the spar-deck buwarks to free the
deck of water, and tarpauIined the hatchways. The
ship at this time striking heavily that had little
hopes of her holding together till daylight and should
have cut away the masts to her, but that would
have left US without the of getting out our
boats should the occasion offer. At 7, A. M, of the
18th, the first opportunity that occurred when boat
could be ventured the side or reach the shore,
Lieut. Perry despatched with the charts, papers,
and every thing connected with the surveys of the
present cruise, and Purser Speder with his books and
accounts Had the launch and three boats hosted out
some rlfing provisions put in the former, and all the
boats of the ship suy filled with the crew,
officers and scientific gentlemen the marines only
taking their and accoutrements, and one
allowed to take any clothing but what they stood in,
to prevent the numbering and swapping of the boats
Three or four OF the boats succeeded. in making a
second drip after which became impossible from the
violence of the and force of the current for boat
to get off or live any where the ship.
The crews and officers in charge of the boats de-
serve all praise for their perseverance, in again endea
vorng to at the hazard of their own lives,
1--WE were painful witnesses hat time of of the
boats being swamped and capsized in the attempt
and they only gave up the effort and returned to the
| shore, when ensign union up on the stump
| of the mzenmast.
"Aft er the boats left in the morning had
been compelled, from the dreadful rolling and thump-
ing OF the ship the water having reached about eigh
teen inches above the BIRTH deck, to cut away the
masts, hoping she would hold together long enough
to those of who remained on board, although
such hope was any thing but fattering.
"The boats again came off between and 5 in the
afternoon, but could venture near the ship until
just before sunset when the remaining men, the boats
| wain captain, pursers steward and Lieu. Walker
were released from peril and soon after dark, after
pull of about four miles, reached the encampment of
our companions in misfortune at Bakers Bay, where
we found brush huts erected fires burning and the
gentlemen of the Methodist m ssion Messrs. Frost
and Kone, and Mr.. BRINE, agent of the III IN Hud-
son Bay Co., from Fort George, with provisions for
relief All that have been saved from the ship are
the charts made during the cruise, the work of the
| surveys, some few journals of the scientific gentle
men and officers, with the pursers books and ac
counts the chronomeers and all the boats, with the
exception of the first cutter.
81 feel thankful to merciful Providence that al
hands have been saved, although they have lost every
thing but what they stood in.
! Through the night on which we landed, it wa
still and calm, and had hoped the ship might hole
he M nd yUee
thing from her. All the boats were dispatched soo
after daylight for that purpose, but the spardeck
most of her upper works strewn to the wind
and the waves, and all that to be of the
poor Peacock that had carried us safely through SC
many hazards for the last three years. the cap
her bowsprit, and very after, that disappeared
81 cannot sufficiently express my appreciation o
the conduct of the officers and men, this painful
occasion They have continued to the last strictly
perform their duties and carry out my orders, and
feel great pleasure in recommending the M through
you commander of the expedition, to the HONORABLE
the Secretary of the Navy"
(Signed,) "W S. HUDSON"
On learning the loss of the Peacock, called fol
reports relative to the from all the ward-roon
officers, which in the above statement of facts
and bear testimony Of the cooness presence of mind
unremitted exertions and noble example evnced by
the Commander to whose efforts to be attributed
the safety OF all his officers and crew. and of the order
and prompitude with which every thing was execu
ted and discipline that prevailed throughout the whole
event; so much so, that, in the language of one, il
appeared if the ordinary duties were being carried
on and that few were aware of their perllous sit
uaton.
Captain Hudson the last person to leave the
wreck and on his landing at Bakers Bay he was re-
ceved with three hearty cheers from his officers and
crew.
Although the Expedition has met with the loss OF
the ship yet | am happy to say that all the charts,
notes of survey and journals of her late arduous and
interesting cruise have been preserved; and feel
well satisfied that, although the ship has been wreck
ed, if any eHertions could have succeeded in saving
her. theirs wonld have done so and that the conduct
of her commander officers and this occasion
will rebound to the credit of the service which they
were engaged.
| have the honor to be, sir most respectfully,
| Your obedent servant,
CHARLES WILKES,
Com. U. S. Exploring Zap.
TMemtp= Congress.
SECOND SESSION.