144 THE SHIP IS PAID OFF. 



^^' after having shewn our number^ and signa- 

 Novemb. jj^jed that we had lost all our anchors and 

 cables, we ran into the harbour in a heavy 

 squall, and Avere soon secured to a three- 

 decker's moorings. Our people were, many 

 of them, much exhausted by their constant 

 exposure to the wash of the sea^ and three 

 w^ere immediately sent to the hospital. They 

 soon_, however, recovered, and the Griper was 

 paid off on the 13th of December. 



Thus ends the journal of our unsuccess- 

 ful expedition. Before I take leave of my 

 readers, I hope I may be allowed to make a 

 few observations respecting my shipmates, 

 seamen as well as officers ; Avhose conduct on 

 all occasions was such as to entitle them to 

 the warmest praise I can bestow. I may 

 with tmth assert, that there never was a hap- 

 pier little community than that assembled on 

 board the Griper. Each succeeding day, and 

 each escape from difficulties seemed to bind 

 us more strongly together ; and I am proud 

 to say, that daring the whole of our A^oyage, 

 neither punishment, complaint, nor even a dis- 

 pute of any kind, occurred amongst us. 



