Part 9

That from the period of the ship grounding, a high rolling sea, commencing at nearly a mile to seaward, has continued with more or less violence to drive her further on the beach; she now lies imbedded in sand at a depth of about ten feet, the drawback of the surf leaving her at times nearly dry as far as the gangways. To steady her in her present position, a stream chain has been bent to an anchor buried in the sand on the beach; and by working the hand and chain pumps, various descriptions of provisions and small stores, which have withstood the effects of wet, have been got out of the holds, and landed for present consumption. The whole frame of the ship is much loosened, the fastenings of the iron knees on the main and lower decks, with the butts and scarphs of the shelves, clumps, and waterways on both decks have started; the copper much wrinkled throughout, many sheets being forced off about the fourteen foot draught; the rudder is gone, the pentles short off, and the deck and deck transern started. The great serious injury done to the ship is from about the main chain lockers, to the fore hatchway, where she is bilged, the keel, keelson, and flooring being forced up, the supporters in the holds upset, and when labouring in the surf, previously to her driving so far up on the beach, the lower midship parts, with the chain cables and tanks, worked as if about to separate from the upper body of the ship. Several pieces of the bottom planking, which appear to be of her garboard streak, and above it, have been washed up on the shore.

_Secondly_,--That many of the stores have been thrown overboard to lighten the ship, or to save the crew; of the remainder, most are damaged, and the sails, ropes, and spars, from absolute necessity, have been consumed or rendered useless by the injury received in forming barricades for defence against the Indians, and shelter for the crew. A few of the heavier stores remain on board: such as spare topmasts, topsail-yards, hemp and chain cables, eight or ten guns, &c.; but under the circumstances above mentioned, the only useful objects to be borne in mind are the preservation of the lives of the crew, and the salvage of as many stores, provisions, and furniture as possible: for these purposes an encampment has been formed on the beach in the only situation capable of any defence from the Indians, protected by, and itself protecting, the wreck.

_Thirdly_,--That this encampment, however, is open to many objections. It is situated on a low mound of sand, nearly surrounded by marshy flats, exposed to the overflowings of the sea, and even to be swept away by its rising; a calamity which we understood afflicted Talcuhuano, and many parts of this coast, after the great earthquake on the 20th of February last. It is now the middle of winter, and heavy and continued rains must be hourly expected. Swarms of large mice threaten the tents and provision with destruction. The position is consequently both unhealthy and insecure. Reports, too, are frequently brought to the encampment of attacks meditated by the more southern Indians, which tend to harass the men by making it necessary to keep them under arms. Should such an attack be successful, the only retreat is into a heavy broken surf on the rear, in which no boat can live; or if the Indian attack fail, the tents might be burnt in the encounter, and the encampment blockaded and starved out, before the only aid, if aid might be expected, could arrive from the garrison of Arauco, said to be distant about ninety miles.

_Fourthly_,--That all these considerations forbid the hope of maintaining the present position near the wreck, until assistance can be received from any of His Majesty’s ships: as from the report of the country people, and of His Majesty’s Consul, confirmed by the examination made by supernumerary Lieutenant Rothery, it appears that the mouth of the river Leubu seems to afford an anchorage and facilities for commanders of ships coming to the aid of the crew of His Majesty’s ship Challenger, this meeting is unanimously of opinion, that to preserve the lives of the crew, and as the best means of saving as much as possible of the stores, provisions, and furniture of the ship, it is absolutely necessary immediately to abandon the wreck, and remove with the crew, and such stores, provisions, and furniture as may be transportable, to some convenient situation at the mouth of the Leubu; that this course will be attended with the least expense to the public, for the mouth of the Leubu is distant only about twenty miles, and half the road is over a hard sandy beach, presenting less difficulties than by way of Arauco to the port of Talcuhuano, said to be distant about 150 miles, and over roads known to be exceedingly bad, and almost impassable in the winter season.

_Fifthly_,--That this meeting would, therefore, recommend in addition to the foregoing, that the second lieutenant and master should be sent to examine a second time the mouth of the Leubu; and should the report of those officers confirm that of supernumerary Lieutenant Rothery as to the before-mentioned capabilities of the mouth of the Leubu, then that Lieutenant Collins should proceed with all despatch to the port of Talcuhuano, there to act upon the orders and instructions, a copy of which is hereunto annexed under the No. 1., and that the master should return to the wreck to confirm its capabilities for the objects in view.

_Sixthly_,--In this stage of proceedings His Majesty’s Consul repeated what he had previously mentioned in the course of discussion; namely, that the government of Chili was in actual state of warfare with a part of the Araucano tribes, who occupy the central part of the Indian territory, and that a great deal of disaffection towards Chili prevailed amongst the southern tribes of the coast about the rivers Tirua and Imperial; a disaffection which kept in a constant state of alarm the small garrisons in the ruined fort of Arauco: that from the most correct intelligence recently obtained, it appeared that a Cacique, named Cadin, at the head of about 2000 Indians from Tirua and Imperial, had actually been on his march to attack and plunder the wreck, when his progress was accidentally arrested by the march of the friendly Cacique Colissi at the head of a formidable party from the interior: that this accidental circumstance had certainly averted immediate danger; but as Colissi had retired to Puren after contenting himself with the insignificant plunder of a small tribe of his enemies, it would not be prudent to consider the encampment as secure from attack: that true it was, the government of Concepçion had directed the military commandant of Arauco to detach a force sufficient to protect the wreck; but it was well known that officer was in no condition to afford any effectual assistance in this manner; and that it would be as well to take into consideration what kind of enemies the Araucanos were, the distance of Molquilla from the Chilian frontier, and the advanced state of the season, which rendered the roads to Arauco exceedingly difficult, and almost impassable for shipwrecked seamen, and the transportation of stores. His Majesty’s Consul added, that he concurred in the correctness of all the preceding observations as to the situation of the encampment.

Whereupon it was also resolved, that the Consul should be requested to make application to the military commandant of Arauco, now present at the encampment with a few militia, soliciting, that whenever it became necessary to abandon the wreck, he would be pleased to station there a force sufficient for its protection, and that of the remaining stores, until such time as the senior officer in the Pacific should be able to take measures for saving as much as possible; and also that public notice should be given to the effect, that all persons who might succeed in saving any part of the wreck or its remaining stores for the benefit of His Majesty’s government, would be rewarded with the customary salvage upon bringing the same to a place of security, and delivery to any of His Majesty’s Consuls.

To the truth of the aforegoing we are ready to make oath when required, and in witness whereof we hereunto subscribe our names to this and two others of the same tenor and date, at the place, and on the day, month, and year first and before mentioned in the presence of His Majesty’s Consul aforesaid, who has also subscribed his name hereto.

M. SEYMOUR, _Captain_. H. TAUSE, _Senior Lieutenant_. W. J. COLLINS, _Second Lieutenant_. W. K. STEPHENS, _Third Lieutenant_. GEO. ALEX. ROTHERY, _Supernumerary Lieutenant_. JOHN M’DONALD, _Master_. JOHN ARNOLD MOULD, _Acting-Surgeon_. J. P. SARJEANT, _Purser_. A. S. BOOTH, _Mate_ (_in charge of a watch_). J. W. LANE, _Assistant-Surgeon_. JOSEPH JAGOE, _Clerk_. ALEX. BARCLAY, _Carpenter_.

H. W. ROUSE, ESQ., H. M. Consul in the Province of Concepçion.

(_Copy._)--MEM. NO. I.

The object of your journey to Concepçion is to inform yourself of the most immediate mode by which the crew of His Majesty’s ship Challenger can be transported by sea from the mouth of the river Leubu to Talcuhuana.

On your arrival at Concepçion, you will inform yourself of the probability of any man-of-war having been at Valparaiso at the time the news of our misfortune may have reached that place.

If, on mature consideration and inquiry, you see no hope of a man-of-war having it in her power to come shortly to our relief, you will proceed, in conjunction with the advice of any person competent to judge of the most ready means of chartering a merchant vessel, or secure a vessel calculated to come to the river Leubu without a moment’s delay, to embark the officers and crew, and such articles that may be saved from the wreck to the port of Talcuhuana.

You will arrange with the master of such vessel, and make all the necessary examinations as to the equipment of her sails and ground tackle, as well as soundness of hull, to answer the object in view.

It is to be expressly understood by the master of such vessel, that in conducting her to the river Leubu, he is to be subject to your sanction and control.

You will avail yourself of any opportunity of communicating with His Majesty’s Consul-general at Santiago as to the purport of your operations at Concepçion, for the information of the senior officer in the Pacific.

You will likewise take charge of certain despatches for the senior officer in the Pacific, and His Majesty’s Consul-general at Santiago, to be forwarded by the first opportunity from Concepçion.

1st June, 1835.

(_Signed_) M. SEYMOUR, Captain.

To Lieutenant Walter J. Collins, H. M. Ship Challenger.

(_Translation._)--H. W. ROUSE.

British Consulate, Molquilla, June 6th, 1835.

SIR,

The captain of His Britannic Majesty’s ship Challenger, wrecked on this beach, by letter dated yesterday has notified to me the necessity he is under of abandoning the hull and remaining property of the vessel referred to, in consequence of a conviction of being unable longer to protect them, or to transport them to the mouth of the Leubu, where he proposes to establish himself with his people and such effects as he may be able to transport, until an opportunity offers itself for embarking by sea.

He likewise desires me to beg you will take the steps most proper for doing what he is unable to do.

I therefore address you, requesting that if other points of service do not forbid, you will, in compliance with the instructions received from the military commandant of the lower frontier and acting intendant of Concepçion, station in the most convenient situation a force sufficient to protect the hull and remaining property of the vessel shipwrecked, until such time as the senior officer of His Majesty’s ships and vessels in the Pacific may have it in his power to adopt those measures most proper for the salvage.

I trust, also, you will be pleased to order inquiries to be set on foot whether there be any persons in the subdelegation of Arauco desirous of entering into an agreement for the salvage of the property in question; and that public notice be given throughout the whole subdelegation under your command, to make known, that those persons who may have it in their power to save the whole or any part of the property, and lodge it in a place of security, in order that it may be obtained possession of by any of His Britannic Majesty’s Consuls, will be indemnified with the part of salvage fixed by the laws of Chili.

In addition to what is already mentioned, I think to entreat your humane good offices in favour of the officers and crew, so that they may receive all possible protection during their forced residence at the mouth of Leubu.

With this view I have the honour to subscribe myself,

Your attentive sincere Servant, (_Signed_) H. W. ROUSE, His Britannic Majesty’s Consul in the Province of Concepçion.

To the Military Commandant of the Fort of Arauco, Lieutenant-Colonel Geronimo St. Valenzuela, now at Molquilla.

(_Translation._)--H. W. ROUSE.

Office of the Military Commandant of Arauco, Molquilla, June 7th, 1835.

SIR,

I have received your esteemed note of yesterday’s date, wherein you ask for a party of troops sufficient to guard the hull and remaining property of His Britannic Majesty’s ship of war “Challenger,” wrecked on these shores; that I inquire whether there be any persons inclined to enter into an agreement for the salvage of the useful parts of said ship, and that public notice be given throughout the subdelegation, in order that those who can save any articles, or the whole, by placing them in security, and that the Consul or authority of that nation may be able to dispose of them shall be indemnified according to the laws of Chili; and recommending the protection of the officers and crew who have removed, with what has been saved, to encamp at the mouth of the Leubu.

In reply, I say, that with regard to the first, I will believe both you and the captain of the vessel will do me and government the justice to be convinced, that it would be most satisfactory to be able to furnish at this point the party of troops asked for; but in this respect the thing is too impossible to be able to do it; by reason of the great distance of thirty odd leagues between the place of shipwreck and the frontier fort of Arauco; by reason of the isolated state of the spot, and its utter want of resources for sheltering the soldiers, and for keeping their arms and equipments fit for service; the vessel being wrecked on an open and bad beach, far from every point at which the soldiers could fortify themselves for their own defence, and for the safety of the vessel against the barbarous enemies; especially when you yourself have seen the official letter of the 3d instant, by which I am informed of the near approach of said enemies, in number 2600, to invade these frontiers. I might likewise observe to you, that the garrison under my command in Arauco only consists at present of ninety-nine infantry, six artillerymen, and three officers. In the fort you will have seen the totally ruined walls,--a consequence of the earthquake of the 20th of February last. To divide that small force for a long period to so isolated a spot, were to expose that force, and perhaps the whole subdelegation under my charge; and even supposing it were allowable to detach the whole force in defence and for security of the vessel, that force would always be very much exposed to a sudden misfortune from the enemies referred to (who are only distant a day and a half’s march from this place), without our obtaining the object we proposed. Add to which, that at this time of winter, the river swells to the greatest degree, and the roads become impassable between Arauco and this place, as you yourself will understand, since you have travelled over them in my company upon the present occasion, when they are still somewhat practicable.

With regard to the second, I have summoned the persons most proper for the object, and no one has been found daring enough to remain longer here, because they are aware of the severity of the season and the danger from the barbarians: and consequently, on no conditions will any one take an interest in the salvage of the remaining property of the vessel.

But with regard to the third, upon my return to the fort, I will take care to cause the public notice asked for to be circulated throughout the whole subdelegation.

With reference to your recommendation in favour of the officers and crew who have removed to the mouth of Leubu, I can assure you, that the most active steps will be taken for the benefit of the whole in the best manner possible, and, as you can testify, has been done up to the present moment; but for the reasons already stated, it were as well you reminded these gentlemen of the propriety of the greatest watchfulness in their new camp, to guard against the enterprises which might be meditated by the barbarians. I should, moreover, mention to you, for the information of the captain in question, that the intelligence I expect to be brought to me this day or to-morrow by two couriers I have sent to Tucupal, will decide whether I shall order an approach to be made to the before-mentioned encampment at the mouth of Leubu, where he proposes remaining, by a part of my troops, accompanied by the militia cavalry, hitherto occupied in conducting the cargo saved, with such more as it may be in my power to assemble. With this view, I repeat to you my greatest respect and esteem.

(_Signed_) GERONIMO ST. VALENZUELA.

His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, H. W. Rouse, Esq.

_List of Officers on board His Majesty’s late Ship Challenger._

MICHAEL SEYMOUR, _Captain_. HECTOR TAUSE, _First Lieutenant_. WALTER J. COLLINS, _Second Lieutenant_. WILLIAM K. STEPHENS, _Third Lieutenant_. G. A. ROTHERY, _Supernumerary Lieutenant_. JOHN M’DONALD, _Master_. J. P. SARJEANT, _Purser_. JOHN A. MOULD, _Acting Surgeon_. JOHN W. LANE, _Assistant Surgeon_. G. HORWOOD, _Acting Second Master_. R. HOOPS, _Mate_. A. S. BOOTH, _Mate_. R. C. H. GORDON, _Midshipman_. F. HOWARD VYSE, _Ditto_. EDWARD CROUCH, _Ditto_. ROGER L. CURTIS, _Ditto_. JAMES H. LUSCOMBE, _Ditto_. J. JAGOE, _Clerk_. ---- FRY, _Supernumerary Clerk_. J. PARKER, _Master’s Assistant_. R. READ, _Ditto_. L. W. PEYTON, _Volunteer_. G. F. DAY, _Ditto_. ALEX. BARCLAY, _Carpenter_. J. WALKER, _Gunner_. W. WARREN, _Boatswain_.

THE END.

LONDON: Printed by A. SPOTTISWOODE, New-Street-Square.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Balls, about the size of a billiard ball, attached with a string; used in warfare, and for the purpose of killing game.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources.

Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added, when a predominant preference was found in the original book.

Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.

Page 16. “ariticles” replaced by “articles”. Page 16. “beech” replaced by “beach”. Page 21. “Tucapal” replaced by “Tucapel”. Page 67. “punblo” replaced by “pueblo”. Page 96. “abo t” replaced by “about”.