WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 



85 



similar circumstances can imagine the delightful 

 feelings produced by such a meeting : having 

 left them surrounded by danger, and now find- 

 ing them encamped in comparative safety on a 

 mound of sand about SOO yards from the un- 

 fortunate ship. 



Monday^ June 1. — Wind light from the north. 

 Several pieces of the ship's bottom were picked 

 up on the beach. The officers sent to examine 

 the entrance of the Rio Leubu returned, bring- 

 ing a favourable report on the objects in view. 

 The Consul, with the governor, being convinced 

 of the absolute necessity of instantly rem.oving 

 from our present encampment, the Captain and 

 officers met in the presence of the Consul, for 

 the purpose of drawing up a statement of the 

 reasons which caused such a course (of abandon- 

 ing the wreck) imperative. The opinion of all 

 on this subject was unanimous. 



The nature of the resolutions at this meeting 

 will be understood by a perusal of them ; they 

 are signed by each person then present, and 

 were prepared as a public document for the in- 

 formation of the Admiralty, if called for. Cap- 

 tain Seymour, feeling it his duty to protect the 

 wreck as long as circumstances would permit, 



G 3 



