494 DE FUCA'S STRAITS AND 



a chance of reaching the shore by the action of the waves and winds, 

 should the ship go to pieces. 



In the midst of this trying scene, the ordinary routine of ship's 

 duty was carried on, even to the piping to dinner. It is needless for 

 me to say any thing in praise of the conduct of Captain Hudson, and 

 I have simply to refer to the letters I received from the officers and 

 naturalists, in reply to a call I made upon them, for the aspect in 

 which the transactions presented themselves to those present; and 

 more particularly to those of the latter gentlemen, who, as spectators, 

 had an opportunity of witnessing the whole proceedings. 



By three o'clock, Lieutenant Emmons, with the boats, was again 

 approaching the ship; but the sea was still too rough to venture near 

 her, and it was not till five o'clock that he succeeded in getting along- 

 side, when the remaining men were distributed among the boats, and 

 embarked in good order, Captain Hudson being the last to leave the 

 ship. After a pull of two miles, they landed in Baker's Bay, when 

 Captain Hudson was received by the other officers and men with three 

 hearty cheers, the spontaneous expression of their admiration and 

 gratitude for the courage and conduct he had exhibited in his efforts 

 for the preservation of the ship, and in finally preserving the lives 

 of all. 



The exertions of the officers and men were not yet at an end ; for 

 some faint hopes were entertained that a portion of the property 

 might still be saved from the wreck, as a relief in their state of utter 

 destitution ; and, in consequence, the boats were despatched the next 

 morning at daybreak to the bar. But nothing was there to be seen 

 of the Peacock, except the cap of her bowsprit; for her upper deck 

 had been separated, and % the pieces scattered for many miles along 

 the coast. 



Captain Hudson passed the highest encomiums on his officers and 

 crew, for the faithful manner in which they continued to perform their 

 duties and carry out his orders to the very last. 



I am satisfied that every thing that seamanship could devise to 

 save the vessel, was resorted to ; and I am quite confident that when 

 the facts are all known and fully weighed by the community, the 

 conduct of Captain Hudson, and that of his officers and crew, in this 

 perilous and trying scene, will be considered as redounding to the 

 credit of the service. 



Mr. Birnie, the agent of the Hudson. Bay Company at Astoria, 

 Messrs. Frost and Koen, the missionaries, with several residents, 

 came promptly to the aid of the shipwrecked crew, with provisions, 



