52 LOSS TRIFLING. [1843 



to protect themselves from an attack by the natives. An order was 

 instantly sent by the commander, Captain Sir G. Belcher, C.B., to Singa- 

 pore for assistance, and in the subsequent day until fresh arrivals every 

 means were resorted to to save the vessel. Her guns were thrown 

 overboard and her masts cut away, but it had not the slightest effect. 

 When the mails left Singapore she remained in the same position, and 

 it was very possible that she would be'come a total wreck. The fol- 

 lowing is from an extract of a letter dated Singapore, Aug. 3, which 

 furnishes some additional facts : ' The wreck at high water is covered 

 by four feet of water, and we fear she is bilged, as she is lying com- 

 pletely on her side. Her Majesty's ships Harlequin and Wanderer 

 have since arrived from Singapore for the purpose of attempting the 

 raising her, which it is feared will prove ineffectual, although Captain 

 Sir G. Belcher entertains very sanguine hopes. There were 32 valuable 

 chronometers, and an immense number of mathematical and scientific 

 instruments, as also several rare surveys and charts on board of her, 

 and which were estimated at about 32,000?., all of which are lost. We 

 have dragged several of them out of the sunken ship, but find them 

 perfectly useless, and not worth repairing. Sir G. Belcher and several 

 of the officers have taken up their quarters at the British Consul's resi- 

 dence at Borneo, and the crew are living at a small settlement about 

 three miles off, and on half allowance.' " 



Such is the history of the disaster of the ' Samarang', 

 copied verbatim et literatim, from the " Leading Journal" ; 

 thank God, however, she was restored to the navy, after 

 eleven days immersion only, and, in a few more, floated 

 proudly on the water complete with stores and provision, 

 and ready for service. Not an instrument was injured ; 

 the losses incurred to Her Majesty's Service were trifling, 

 and the recovery of the ship was effected entirely by our 

 own exertions. The only store needed, viz., ammunition, 

 was obtained from the ' Harlequin ', and this being only 

 wanted for salutes, was not of very material importance. 

 Of our stores of powder, rockets, and live sheUs, not any 

 had escaped the water, although prepared and fortified in 



