310 Note to accompany a Map of the Isle St. Martins. [No. 124. 



countenance of the Government, had he lived to carry on the further 

 surveys which were in contemplation. 



Unfortunately, however, the Osprey, the beautiful schooner which 

 he commanded, was lost on the night of the 15th of November last in a 

 gale of wind.* 



The survey of St. Martin's Island, however, formed but a small portion 

 of what he had already performed. He made a similar survey of Oyster 

 Island, and of the mouth of the Myoo River, and his maps and charts 

 formed part of a lengthened Report from the Commissioner of the pro- 

 vince, Captain Bogle, on the propriety of establishing a regular chain of 

 lights on the coast. I have no purpose, however, to go into that ex- 

 tensive question, although in connection with the increasing prosperity 

 of the province, arising from its rapidly increasing growth and export of 

 rice, as also with the consideration of the probable eventual establishment 

 of a naval port at Kyouck Phyoo, it is an interesting, if not an impor- 

 tant question. 



My present remarks are necessarily confined to St. Martin's Island, 

 and in addition to what is stated by Mr. Bedford in the sketch itself, 

 in respect to the nature of the soil, I am enabled to add the following 

 from the Commissioner, who says, I think justly, that this Island 

 appears to be capable of being turned to profitable account. 



Captain Bogle, after adverting to Mr. Bedford's remarks on the best 

 position for a Light House, observes, 



"It is not only as a light house station that this Island appears to 

 be deserving of attention ; as a Sanatarium for the people of Calcutta, 

 it would I have no doubt be found invaluable ; it cannot be at all subject 

 to the evils of the climate of Arracan, for it is too far north, and is 

 besides six miles from any land ; it is about four miles long by one mile 

 broad at the north end ; it has plenty of excellent fresh water ; turtle, 

 and doubtless oysters abound ; the sea around it supplies large quantities 

 of the finest fish ; the soil is in part excellent, probably well adapted to 

 the growth of vegetables ; it possesses some pretty undulating scenery, 

 the northern portion of the Island being a perfect park ; there is space 



* It appears that the Osprey left the Naaf on the 15th of November, and has not 

 since been heard of, but as a sudden and severe gale occurred during the night, there 

 is no doubt she foundered. He himself had only on the 9th of the same month written, 

 that she was as fine a craft as could be, and that he considered her equal to any service. 



