554 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, approach the place again ; the chief excepted, who returned almost im- 
mediately, and pitched one tent for himself, and another for the prisoner. 
Sept. Lieutenant Belcher, in concluding his account of this disastrous affair, 
speaks in high terms of commendation of the conduct of Mr. (now Lieu- 
tenant) Kendall, William Aldridge, and George Shields, seamen, and of 
Thomas Hazlehurst, marine ; and it is with much pleasure I embrace 
the opportunity of giving publicity to their meritorious behaviour. 
I must exonerate Lieutenant Belcher from any blame that may 
attach to him as commander of the vessel; for though her loss was 
evidently occasioned by her being too close in shore, and by too few 
a number of persons being left on board, yet it is to be observed, that 
she was only a boat ; that the crew were upon the beach in readiness to 
assist her ; and that had it been a case of ordinary nature, they would no 
doubt have succeeded in their object. In place of this, however, the 
wind changed suddenly, and the sea rose so fast that there was no 
possibility of effecting what, under general circumstances, would have 
been perfectly practicable: the water, besides, was two feet lower 
than usual. The strenuous exertions of Lieutenant Belcher to save 
the crew, and his resolute conduct toward the natives, after he was 
thrown amongst them unprovided with arms, a brace of pistols ex- 
cepted, show him to be an officer both of humanity and courage. 
After the loss of our favourite boat, parties were repeatedly sent 
to the wreck, in the hope of being able to raise her, or to procure what 
they could from her cabin and holds ; but she was completely wrecked 
and filled with sand, and a few days afterwards went to pieces. Mr. 
Belcher was a great loser by this unfortunate accident, as he was well 
provided with instruments, books, papers, &c., and had some expensive 
fowling-pieces and pistols, all of which were lost or spoiled ; and this 
was the more provoking, as some of them had been purchased to supply 
the place of those he had the misfortune to lose when upset in the 
cutter at Oeno Island. I am happy to say the government, on the 
representation of his peculiar case, made him a compensation. 
On the 12th the body of one of the seamen, Thomas TJren, was 
found near the place where the boat was wrecked ; and on the Sunday 
following it was attended to the grave by all the officers and ship’s 
