96 



Mcnzics' Journal. 



Queen Charlotte Sound. 



1792. 

 Aug. 6th. 



One of the 

 Barnacles. 



California 

 Mussel. 



Aug. 8tb. 



North Westward followd by our Consort, who about six in 

 the evening being a httle astern made the signal of distress 

 having struck upon a sunken reef of Rocks by keeping too 

 close to an Island they were coming past, & it being ebb Tide 

 they remaind fast. We immediately dropped Anchor in 75 

 fathoms & sent an Officer with Boats to her assistance & 

 in the mean time Mr. Whidbey was sent ahead with the 

 Pinnace to Sound & look out for the best Channel, I accom- 

 panied him on / this service. We had not gone above four 

 Miles from the Ship when we came to a small barren Island 

 on which we landed to take some bearing & here I saw vast 

 abundance of a new species of Lepas adhering to the Rocks 

 in large Clusters, together with a large species of Mussel 

 which was likewise new. A great number of Sea Otters 

 which we disturbd & frightend off the Rock when we 

 landed, continued swimming about it while we staid & after- 

 wards followd us some way in the Boat, sometimes approach- 

 ing it very near. In returning again on Board we had to 

 encounter a strong Tide which retarded us till very late in 

 the evening & having had no accounts from the Chatham we 

 passed the night under considerable anxiety for the safety 

 of our friends, as from their exposed situation the rapid 

 Tides & heavy swell it was not any easy matter to eradicate 

 the idea of shipwreck from our minds. 



Till at day light next morning we had the pleasure of 

 seeing her at Anchor a little distance from the Reef on 

 which she grounded, & soon after she got under way & came 

 towards us, when our Boats came along side, & we were 

 informd that she had got off the Rocks a little after mid- 

 night, that a swell rolling on the reef occasiond her thump- 

 ing a good deal on the Rocks which twisted her Rudder & 

 causd much uneasiness for her safety — They were obligd to 

 shore her up on both sides, but not having a sufficient 

 number of Spars on board for the purpose, the Tide happend 

 to drift a very good one along side at the moment they 

 wanted it & which was made / use of, & as she made no 

 Water it was supposd that her bottom sustaind no material 

 damage. 



The Chatham having come up with us we weighd & 

 directed our course to the West ward ; — In passing the rocky 

 islet we visited on the preceeding evening in the pinnace, 

 there being little wind, the Tide drifted the Chatham so near 



