Mensics' Journal. 



Nootka. 



107 



saluted the Fort with thirteen Guns which number was 

 returnd from a Spanish Brig in the Cove on board of which 

 Don Quadra's broad pendant was flying. 



The weather being so thick & hazy in the forenoon those 

 on board the Chatham did not observe our motion when we 

 tack'd, so that they continued standing in for the shore & 

 guided by their Soundings got into the Cove & saluted the 

 Fort two hours before us. This Fort, if it might be called 

 such, was no other than two Guns mounted on a small 

 Platform on the outer Point of the Cove, with a Flag Staff 

 on which the Spanish colours were hoisted & a small guard 

 mounted to give it the appearance of a place of defence. 



Besides the Spanish Brig above mentioned which was 

 named Activa & commanded by / Don Menendez, we found 

 here an English Brig namd the three Brothers from London 

 on the Fur trade commanded by Cap* Elder, & the Dedalus 

 Transport commanded by Cap* New sent out from England 

 a few Months after us, with Stores Provisions & Trade for 

 our expedition. After touching at Rio Janiero this Vessel 

 came around Cape Horn & from thence directed her course 

 for the Marquesas, a day or two after leaving which they 

 discoverd on their way to Owhyhee, a group of Islands well 

 peopled with friendly Natives & with a commodious harbour 

 about the Latitude of ( ) South & Longitude ( ) 



& while procuring Water & other refreshments at the Sand- 

 wich Islands in the Month of May last, they met with a 

 melancholy accident in having Lieu* Hergist their Agent &. 

 Commander Mr. Gooch who was coming out Astronomer to 

 our expedition & a seaman cruelly murderd by the Natives 

 on the Island of Woahoo. Of this fatal disaster the follow- 

 ing relation is given from the information of those who were 

 on the spot at the time it happend. 



Having but little success at Owhyhee & the windward 

 Islands in procuring water & refreshing the people they 

 went to Woahoo & came to an Anchor on the North West 

 Side in expectation of obtaining by this means a quicker 

 supply of these necessary Articles. Mr. Hergist however 

 finding that this mode of Watering the X'essel by the Natives 

 was too dilatory, he orderd the first Mate Mr. Neil to go on 

 shore in the Cutter with some empty Casks to expedite the 

 business, but he refusd to go / without having the Crew & 

 himself sufficiently armed (there being only two Musque- 



1792. 

 Aug. 28tb. 



Salvador 

 Mpiieiidez. 

 VaUles, 

 according 

 Bancroft. 

 Alder, R. 

 according to 

 Vancouver. 



to 



N., 



