The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-16
Patagonia.
SCHOONER JOIN +. DAvIDsoS

SCHOONER JOIN f. DAVIDSON.
COAST or PATAGONIA, SEA BEAN Bay
C4at Al 81, Long. 65 40 Nov. 5, 1851. }
The Coast Of Patugoaia-G Great Loss of Life ami
Proaaty-Disastrons Missionary Enterprise
Ncw Years. kiand-Rescrs Of Slppuwecked SAT-
ors-GorernmeM Assistance.
Since wrote last, have been looking after some
missionaries who left England for the purpose Of
civilizing the natives of Terra del Fuego They ar
rived there in November, 1850, and on the 18th De-
cember the ship Ocean Queen left them there being
bound to California. They remained there in two
boats. The party consisted Of seven persons, viz.
Capt. Allen Gardner, of the English navy; Messrs.
Madenment, Williams, Babcock, Pierce, Erwin,
and Bryant. The natives being hostile, they were
driven about from place to place, encounierng many
storms and gales, and lost Of their boats to-
getber with some clothes, books, and money. They
were short of provisions. and depended upon sup
ply being sent them which, however, never ar
rived. ind they unfortunately died Of starvation.
having previously been attacked by scuNy. foIud
n boat hauled into the shore and fastened aud along
side OF her lay part Of corpse: there also n
corpse in the boat, and grave had been dug about
wcniy feet from the boat II was blowing hard at
this time, and the evening drawing on: there
fore took into my custody what papers aud books
could. and proceeded board The vessel. wing
men to bury the corpsc~, and to look for any
others. Shortly afterwards il blew n heavy gale.
which lasted for tw" days. and ! was obliged to
bring oil The men. aud run for Staten Island aud
anchor.
On New Years Island found twelve Of the crow
Of the Danish bark Albadon who had been ca.t
away for thirty-threc days. aud was living on pen
gum: and had not fortunately met them. they
must soon have shared the fate OF the missionaries.
j. OF course got short Of provisions. and obliged
to make for here otherwise should have gone back
and made further search for the missionaries, and
have buried he corpScs which lay in the boat.
There twelve ships here. and have got all
the men bertlis. The captain viii remain with me
until get to Monievideo. 1t i impossible to show
what hardship> these men suffered. which they bore
with Christian torttudc--thev have borne mp with
mprmur. The writings Of the missionaries
very atfccting-to see how resigned they were 10
their fate knowing that their lives would not BIZ
long spared. At thc time Babcock died. the 18th
June. (mid-wnterhere the mountains being covered
with snow,) they had but a weeks provisions; 20
some idea may b. formed of their sutterines. Mr..
Williams, IN his journal. speaks highly Of Capt.
Gardner. who left home, family. and friends. 10
serve the cause. Some fault must lie somewhere.
that they were not relieved from their miserable
death.
have heen nearl, year out here. and have em-
ploycd nearly half my tine in looking about the
coast. with the view Of relieving distress; aud if
had saved th" missionaries. should have been fully
rccompcnsed for my trouble Some assistance J. re-
quircd from government to relieve the disresses
which prevail on this coast. Ny means will not
allow 10 be always rendering aid There have.
been eighty vessels lost here during The last
years. There has not been man-oi-war here
either English French, or Of any other nationtbat
am aware Of, for tNenty-thrce years, except the
Beagle and Adventure surveying vessels. EndeayorS
ought earnestly to be made for government assist