1835. 



LOSS OF THE CHALLENGER. 



429 



The log of the Swedish ship was produced, which exactly 

 corroborated their statement. The master said he could not 

 lower a boat, so great was the swell ; and during five hours of 

 almost calm, he was drifting helplessly towards the wreck, and 

 expecting to share her fate. The two masts and red and white 

 ensign, caused them to consider her an American brig, and 

 as such she was reported to the consul for the United States. 



A few of the preceding data convinced me they had seen the 

 poor Challenger, but I was more strongly assured of the fact 

 by pointing to the Conway, then at anchor near us, and asking 

 whether she was like that ship — and near her size ? Yes, sir^ 

 they replied. The green roundhouse abaft, seemed to have 

 been a deception caused by looking at the curved green taffrail 

 of the Challenger. I concluded that the mizen-mast had been 

 cut or carried away ; perhaps used as a raft : that the boats 

 had been lowered, and that the ensign was St. George's, (Sir 

 G. E. Hamond's flag being white at the mizen) but did not 

 fly out, as there was no wind. The quarter-deck guns were 

 close to the side, or perhaps below. Such were my thoughts, 

 but other persons were of a totally different opinion. I was 

 astonished that the Commodore did not hear officially from 

 Santiago — particularly as the merchant'*s private notice was 

 received through our Consul-general. 



17th. At the Post-office I obtained a large packet, directed 

 to our vice-consul, the moment the post-master opened the mail 

 bag ; and hastening to the consul's office, I was surprised to 

 find it shut, and to hear that no one would be there for an 

 hour or two. Such apathy — upon such an occasion ! Not 

 choosing to break the seals, though I saw by the direction what 

 were the contents (Despatches by Challenger), I went in search 

 of the proper person to open the packet : took the Commo- 

 dore's letters, and hastened with them to the Blonde. Every 

 doubt was then ended. The Challenger was lost on the night 

 of the 19th of May, at the spot described by the Swede : but 

 all her crew were saved except two ; and on the 26th of that 

 month. Captain Seymour, the officers and men were encamped 

 near the wreck, at a place called Molguilla. The Blonde pre- 



