1840.] Wreck of the Transport " Indian" Oak, 917 



san, and arrived at the latter port on the 28th July, where I joined the 

 Admiral and fleet. His Excellency the Admiral directed me to return 

 to Singapore, and assume the duties of Resident Agent for transports 

 at that port ; in pursuance of which, I was directed by Commodore Sir 

 J. J. G. Bremer to join the transport " Indian Oak" for a passage to the 

 latter place. We sailed from Chusan on the 10th of August, and on 

 the 14th instant following, I regret to say, were wrecked on the Great 

 Loochoo Island, in lat. 26° 21' 46" N., about 10 miles to the north- 

 ward of the principal place, Napakiang ; and longitude by the " Indian 

 Oak's" chronometer 127° 12' 45" E., which now proved to have been full 

 thirty miles too far west. For particulars, I cannot do better than refer 

 you to the enclosed copy of a letter addressed to Commodore Sir J. J. G. 

 Bremer, forwarded through the chief officer, Mr. Field, who succeeded 

 in making Chusan in the launch, and returned to our relief with H. M's. 

 ships " Nimrod" and " Cruizer" on the 16th September. As the junk 

 mentioned in my letter to the Commodore had been built, and nearly 

 completed, in which it was our intention to have proceeded to Singapore, 

 Captain Barlow, senior officer, was of opinion, that she might be useful to 

 the force at Chusan, and determined on sending the " Cruizer" back 

 with the mails and despatches on the following day, and remain to ac- 

 company the junk. When all being completed, and the stores and 

 crew of the " Indian Oak" embarked on the junk, I, with Mr. Payne my 

 writer, embarked on the " Nimrod," and sailed on the 29th of September 

 for Chusan, where H. M's. ship " Nimrod," with the junk " Loochoo," 

 arrived on the 5 th instant. 



I should not do justice to my own feelings, or to those kind Islanders, 

 the Loochooers, were I to omit stating, and bringing to the notice of 

 government, the very great kindness and hospitality received from 

 the moment of our landing to the date of our departure, which was 

 uniform from the first to the last, with the exception that we were not 

 allowed to pass into the interior, or exceed the limits of our compound 

 beyond the wreck ; our own contrymen could not have been kinder. 

 They not only built a vessel of 150 to 180 tons burthen, but gave us 

 a plentiful supply of provisions during our stay of forty-six days on the 

 island, and one month's provision for every person in the junk ; they 

 also furnished H. M's. ships with water and fresh supplies during 

 their stay, declining to receive any thing in the shape of payment 



