92 Loss of the French Skip of Discovery^ Urania. 



Pernetti had marked a sandy coast. I veered out the cable, and 

 sailed with a wind scarcely strong enough to steady the ship. 

 M. Duperrez, whom I met on the w;iy, conducted the ship to a 

 suitable plnce. Arrived at the borders of the beach, the corvette 

 ran aground, without any shock, at 3 o'clock in the morning of 

 the I5th. 



I \vi 1 not undertake now to give you an account of all the at- 

 tempts I made to get the vessel off and repair her; it must suf- 

 fice to tell you, that the damage vvas too great, and our resources 

 too weak, to allcw us to effect our ol>ject. As soon as I found it 

 impossible to save the ship, I occupied myself in landing, under 

 tents, all that could possibly be saved ; but the acquisitions of 

 the expedition were placed in safety immediately. 



My long-boat was already decked, and about to depart to seek 

 assistance at Rio de la Plata, when an American vessel which had 

 sustained serious damage, and was obliged to put in here to refit, 

 undertook to convey us to Rio Janeiro for the sum of 18,000 

 piastres. It is necessary to remark that we had with us every 

 thing requisite for the support of the officers and crew dming the 

 voyage. OI)servations on magnetism were made dailv during our 

 voyage from Port Jackson to the Falkland Islands ; tbev have 

 been continued here with the greatest exactness ; I have even 

 been fortunate enough, notwithstanding the great im'pediments 

 which have occurred, to make some experiments with the pendu- 

 lum. Upon departing we will resume the course of our labours. 



It is for me a pleading duty to have to render an account to 

 Your Excellency of the excellent conduct which my officers and 

 crew never ceased to exhibit during our great and painful labours. 

 Their discipline was never relaxed for an instant in the midst of 

 privations of all kinds, and of the sickness which they occasioned; 

 but which, however, has disappeared under the care and skill of 

 M. Quoz, senior surgeon. 



MM. Lamarche and Duperrez have given proofs of possessing 

 as much talent as activity. MM. Berard, Raillard, Guerin, 

 Pellion, and all the other cadets, have shown a steadiness and a 

 character that belong only to experienced officers. Among the 

 crew I could cite a great number of seamen worthy of praise ; 

 but I ought particularly to recommend to Your Excellency's no- 

 tice M. Baltaraxa, the master, and M. Roland, the gunner, who 

 merit for their zeal and talents the particular consideration of 

 Your Excellency. 



This letter will be carried to Europe by an English whaler, 

 which has put in here for water. As for me and my crew, we 

 §et sail to-morrow, unless a contrary wind prevent us. 

 I have the honour to be, &c. 



(Signed) Louis De Frevcinet. 

 XIII, Ac- 



