LOSS OF THE PEACOCK. 515 



Peacock on the bar of the Columbia, but that all hands were saved. 

 This news, although bad, was a great relief to me ; for I had feared 

 not only the loss of the vessels, but had serious apprehensions for 

 the lives of the persons on board. A heavy load that had long hung 

 over my mind was removed. 



All my plans for the employment of the squadron were now at 

 once to be changed ; for it became necessary for me to proceed without 

 delay to afford relief to our shipwrecked companions. I therefore 

 immediately sent orders to the Porpoise, countermanding her previous 

 instructions, and ordering her to repair forthwith to join the Vincennes 

 at New Dungeness. On the 28th, the duties of our surveys were again 

 resumed, and a finish made of those of the Canal de Arro. This was 

 effected through the strenuous exertions of both officers and men, and 

 the same night we reached the Vincennes. 



Although we had completed all that was essential for the naviga- 

 tion of the Canal de Arro, I regretted that I had been deprived of the 

 opportunity of examining the southeast end of Vancouver Island, 

 which I have reason to believe offers many fine harbours. Three 

 days more would have enabled me to accomplish this portion to my 

 satisfaction. 



On the 29th, the brig again joined us, and Mr. T. W. Waldron 

 was at once sent with despatches to Nisqually, to pass across the 

 country to the Cowlitz, and thence down the Columbia to Astoria. 

 Among the despatches was an order to all the ward-room officers of 

 the Peacock, to report to me in writing the circumstances that led to 

 the loss of that ship. These will be found published in Document 

 No. 427, House of Representatives, 28th Congress, 1st Session, dated 

 10th April, 1844. 



On the 31st, towards noon, the wind and tide permitting, we got 

 under way, and stood down the Straits of De Fuca ; but, owing to 

 the light winds, we made little progress. Of the northern side of 

 these straits it had been my intention to make a very particular 

 examination, after completing the survey of the Canal de Arro. I 

 have understood that there is a fine harbour near the eastern end of 

 the island, where a post has been lately established by the Hudson Bay 

 Company ; that of San Juan, near the mouth of the straits, the Por- 

 poise was ordered to survey on the 2d of August, while the Vincennes 

 was engaged in the survey of Neah Harbour, lying on the south side 

 of the straits, just within Cape Flattery. Port San Juan was found 

 to afford little shelter, being exposed to the southwest winds, and the 



