308 
A VOYAGE TO 
[East CoasL 
1803. 
August. 
Monday 22. 
The wind blew fresh from the south-eastward on the 18th, 
and 19th, but on the two following days it was moderate with fine 
weather; we worked hard on board the Porpoise, and by the sand 
had got most of the water and provisions secured in a large tent made 
with spars and sails ; each mess of officers and men had also their 
“ Af ter passing the reef we lay too for the night ; and in the morning we lost sight 
“ of it, having drifted to the northward.” 
Such' is the substantial part of Mr. Palmer’s account, omitting his own fears and con- 
gratulations, and his “ most painful reflexions on the sufferings of the shipwrecked/’ 
Nothing is said of the sand bank ; but I have been favoured with a copy of the journal of 
Mr. Williams, third mate of the Bridgewater, and the following passages are taken from it. 
“ At half past seven a. m. (Aug. 18.) saw the reef on our weather bow, and from the 
“ mast head we saw the two ships, and to leeward of them a sand hank. The weather 
“ abated much, we set all our sails, and every man rejoiced that they should have it in their 
“ power to assist their unfortunate companions ; as there was every probability of our 
<e going within two miles of the reef. The morning threatened ; but before the wind 
“ increased we had time to satisfy ourselves if there were any still in existence ; we had 
“ nothing to apprehend but what could be seen before we approached so near. The ships 
c< were very distinctly to be seen from aloft, and also from the deck; but instead of ren- 
“ dering them any succour, the captain ordered the ship to be put on the other tack, and 
“ said it was impossible to render them any relief. What must be the sensations of each 
“ man at that instant ? Instead of proceeding to the support of our unfortunate com- 
ec panions, to leave them to the mercy of the waves, without knowing whether they were 
“ in existence, or had perished ! From the appearance of the wrecks, there was every 
“ probability of their existing; and if any survived at the time wc were within sight, what 
“ must have been their sensations on seeing all their anxious expectations of relief blasted. 
“ Until our arrival at Bombay, nothing particular occurred, except my being sent on 
“ shore at Tillicherry with the account of the loss of the Porpoise and Cato; an account 
“ that served for the moment to blind the people. In executing this service, I did, for 
“ the first time to my knowledge, neglect my duty, and gave a contrary account ; but for 
“ this reason, — I was convinced that the crews of those ships were on the reefs, and that 
“ this was an erroneous account made by captain Palmer to excuse his own conduct. I 
“ left it on shore for the perusal of the inhabitants, after relating the story as contrary as 
“ possible. This was the cause of many words ; and at length ended with my quitting 
“ the ship, and forfeiting my wages and a part of my clothes.” 
Such was the conduct of Mr. Palmer towards His Majesty’s ship Porpoise, and towards 
