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partook, and laid ourselves down to rest, after twelve hours drenching in the sea.

Saturday 15th, A.M.— -Wind moderating and the weather clearing up, found ourselves on the border of a large village called Pee-koo. Several men, apparently of rank, paid us a visit, and after making enquiries as to the number of Europeans, Portuguese, and Lascars, our ship's company consisted of, shewing great civility and attention to our wants, sent rice, oil, and vegetables, for the crew, and rice, fowls, eggs, &c. for the officers and Europeans,-found however we were not allowed to go beyond the limits of the house and grounds. Our only means of communication being through the medium of the two Chinese carpenters, who spoke the Malay very indifferently, in which language I communicated, and the carpenters again by the Fokien dialect to the Loo-chooers, four or five of whom spoke the latter. We, however, found one Loo-choo gentleman of some rank, and a very intelligent man, that spoke and understood a few words of English, which he stated to have learnt from Captain Beechey, of H.M.S. Blossom, that had touched at the islands about fourteen years before on a visit. Having answered all their interrogations as to where we came from, and where we were bound-were told not to fear, we should be sent to Singapore with all that we might save, and be supplied with provisions during our residence, and for the voyage, but that we could not be allowed to walk beyond the limits of our present abode. At low water it was intimated that all hands, with the exception of myself, might proceed to the wreck, to save what we could, and that every assistance would be given, which was done by their sending boats and men. from the wreck many articles of clothing, instruments, and stock. A We succeeded in saving request being made to furnish a correct list of each class of persons and the quantity of provisions required, at the same rate as allowed on board our own vessel, it was given accordingly, when I was informed that that quantity or more if required, would be supplied daily. A number of men employed in bringing in materials for erecting two long range of buildings, one for the crew and the other for stores that might be saved, with all requisite out offices which were marked out.-Fine weather.

Sunday 16th, A.M.-Light westerly winds and fine weather, crew and officers with a large party of the islanders employed in saving articles of various descriptions from the wreck, there not being more than four or five feet water alongside the wreck at low water, succeeded in saving most of our wearing-apparel and furniture, some few articles of provisions, wine, and beer, but all completely saturated with water, -had a conversation with some of the principal men on the subject of quitting the island. One proposition from the Loo-choo people was to break up the ship, and to build a smaller one with the materials, offering to supply any other wood that might be required, and men to assist. On explaining the great length of time it would take to break up the ship, and the want of means to do so, as well as the unsuitableness of the old timber, it being full of bolt and nail holes, and being also without tools, a promise was given to send us in about a month to Singapore, in a Loo-choo vessel.

Considerable progress made in the building for our accommodation. Saw two islands bearing from W.b.S. to S.W.b.W., distant six or seven

leagues, and a number of small junks in the offing, apparently fishing boats. Middle and latter part very fine weather, with a smooth sea.

Monday 17th, A.M.-Light westerly winds and fine weather, with a smooth sea. From fifteen to twenty canoes with a large party of the islanders, and our own people getting stores from the wreck: succeeded in recovering a number of articles. Nothing can exceed the honesty of these good and kind-hearted people; greater temptation could not be offered to any men; articles of gold, silver, clothing, wines, beer, and spirits strewed in every direction, but not one ever touched, or missing; the greatest anxiety and every means used to render our situation comfortable. Several of the crew returned from the wreck drunk, and very mutinous. Several cases of sickness, principally bowel complaint, but none of a serious nature.

Tuesday 18th, A.M.-Throughout light winds, westerly during the day; latter part N.E.b.E., and calms with very fine weather and smooth water; winds from the westward during the day, and north-easterly at night. Several vessels, apparently fishing boats plying between the islands. Continued to experience the same kind treatment from these excellent and polite people. As yet have not seen arms of any kind amongst them: from eighty to one hundred men with ten to twenty canoes assisting our people in saving articles from the wreck: the meridian altitude was taken on board the wreck this day, but owing to the proximity of the land, do not consider it as correct. Latitude deduced from ditto 26° 11′ 34′′ N. The barracks for our people and stores being completed with all requisite out offices, sent the crew in, and the young men passengers into the north end of the store range: also obtained permission to retain one wing of the court-house for the commander and officers' accommodation until another building could be erected. Got the starboard-quarter boat on shore only slightly damaged.

Wednesday 19th, A.M.-First and latter part light northerly winds and fine weather: middle part light westerly winds and calms.

:

Noon bar. 29.80, wind westerly; from 80 to 100 islanders with ten to fifteen canoes employed with the crew at the wreck in saving sundry stores; viz. rope, blocks, kedge anchor, seven-inch hawser, two guns and carriages. Also succeeded in getting the launch out without injury. Our good friends commenced building a barrack for our accommodation, and sent persons to examine the wreck as to the practicability of breaking her up. This day came to the determination to fit out the launch, and to send Mr. Field, chief officer, with ten men in her to Chusan to obtain assistance: made the same known to the principal mandarin, stating, however, she was to go to Macao, to which he agreed, but thought her too small.

Meridian altitude taken on board the wreck gave lat. 26° 16′ 23′′ N. long. chron. 127° 13′ E.

Thursday 20th, A.M.-Throughout moderate, E.N.E., westerly, and E.N.E.,-land and sea breezes, the former from E.N.E., and latter from the westward with fine weather. During the day if exposed to the sun, found the heat oppressive, but in the house pleasant, and the nights generally cool.

A large party of the islanders building a long shed or house, of rather

a better description than that built for the crew, which we are informed is for our accommodation and the captain's stores. A party of the islanders with their canoes assisting our people in getting stores from the wreck, recovered some provisions, sails, and rope.

Friday 21st, A.M.-Moderate winds, north-easterly, easterly fresh, and fine weather during the first and middle part; latter part fresh easterly winds. The house for our accommodation being completed, of which we received intimation from my friend Tung-chung-faw, the principal man at Peekoo, immediately moved in from that we first occupied. Our new abode is a thatched building extending in front of the court-house, on the road from north to south, about 65 feet by 15 east and west, the front facing the east, and the back to the west or seaside. The floor is raised from the ground by beams thrown across at every three or four feet, with small bamboos over, and fine mats, such as used in their own dwellings over all; the sides or walls formed with bamboos and grass worked or sewed into mats, with jumps or windows such as usually are fitted to bungalows in Bengal; the kindness and attention of these good people to all our little wants exceeds everything; every convenience, even a bathing-house is attached to our dwelling.

About noon a mandarin of high rank arrived, before whom Captain Grainger, Mr. Field, and myself were summoned at the court-house: he received us with kindness, and before entering on businsss were requested to partake of a repast with him consisting of boiled eggs, salt fish, fried pork, and balls of some savoury meat with pickled onions, and small cups of sackie, the liquor of the country, made from rice, in which the madarin pledged us. He was an intelligent old gentleman, between sixty and seventy years of age, with a long white beard from the chin, his outer robe or dress was a light blue, a broad yellow sash beautifully embossed, and a high cap covered with rich yellow silk, white stockings made like mittens, with a thumb stall only to admit the great toe, so as to allow the thong of the sandal fitting between the great toe and the next. A long conversation now took place, the substance of which was, that they would build a vessel to take us to Singapore of the following dimensions:-viz. 65 feet keel, 25 feet beam, 7 feet 6 inches depth of hold, or larger, if we thought that was not sufficient, which should be finished in forty to fifty days; that we were to superintend the building of the vessel, and reject any plank or timber we might consider bad or unsuitable. It was also proposed to break up the wreck, and to use such of the timber and plank as suitable in the construction of the new vessel, to which of course there could be no objection. I, however, explained that owing to the great quantity of iron and bolts in the old Indian Oak, it would occupy a very long time, not less than six months, and as with their own wood it would take full two months, strongly urged the necessity of sending our long boat with the chief officer to Macao, from which I thought assistance might arrive in about a month. This they strongly opposed, on the plea, the long boat was too small, and if lost, blame would fall on them, and wished us all to proceed in the vessel they propose to build. After many arguments on both sides, it was agreed the vessel should be built, and the long boat allowed to go after the change of the moon, so that in the event of ENLARGED SERIES.-NO. 5.-VOL. FOR 1841. 2 R

the long boat not succeeding, the vessel would still be in progress; for the cost and equipment I pledged the British government.

About 5 P.M. the great man took his leave, accepting six time-glasses as a present, which these good people seemed to prize much, giving an assurance we should be supplied with provisions and a vessel, with every thing necessary to our comfort, but that we could not be allowed to leave the boundary of our abode, except to the wreck. A party of islanders and the crew employed at the wreck, recovered some of the ship's sails and provisions; and made some progress in making the long boat's sails. I omitted to mention yesterday that the mandarin who this day visited us, presented us with one large hog, twelve fowls, and a quantity of

eggs.

Saturday 22nd, A.M.-Strong easterly winds and fine weather. At daylight this morning the hands were turned up, and ten men volunteered to go in the launch with Mr. Field, chief officer. A party of the islanders and most of the crew employed at the wreck getting out stores and water casks, and others fitting out the launch with masts and sails.

Noon, bar. 29.90, ther. 84; latter part strong breezes with squalls and rain from north-east.

Sunday 23rd, A.M.-Light northerly airs and fine weather; 10h. 30m. performed Divine service, and returned thanks to Almighty God for our safe deliverance,-present, officers, passengers, and seacunnies.

Noon, bar. 29.80, ther. 84; strong gusts from north-east and passing clouds; P.M. latter part strong winds N.N.E. to north-east, and passing showers.

Monday 24th, A.M.-Moderate north-easterly wind and fine weather: long boat's crew and chief officer fitting out the boat; second officer and a party on board the wreck, and a party of natives endeavouring to break up the wreck.

Noon, bar. 29.72, ther. 84; fresh northerly winds; observed the starboard bulwarks and foremast of the wreck cut away. Midnight, light northerly winds and cloudy.

Tuesday 25th, A.M.-First part strong northerly winds and cloudy; chief officer and long boat's crew repairing and fitting out the launch; third officer and part of the crew employed on board the wreck. A party of the Loo-choo people breaking up the wreck.

Noon, bar. 29.70, ther. 84.30; light winds and cloudy with rain. P.M. latter part light northerly winds and cloudy.

Wednesday 26th, A.M.-Fresh N.N.W. winds and fine weather. A large party of islanders breaking up the wreck; second and third officer, with a party of crew getting the powder out of the magazine and landed. A party of islanders building a magazine of loose stores on the beach, under my superintendence, about one mile from our residence.

Noon, bar. 29.70, ther. 87; strong breezes from N.N.W. and fine weather, landed the powder, seventeen barrels, and one keg of flints, and stowed it in the magazine, all of which appeared to me to be damaged. Long boat ready for sea, but consider it prudent for her not to sail until after the change of the moon, which with an eclipse of the sun takes place to-morrow.

Thursday 27th, A.M.-Strong north-west winds and cloudy weather

islanders breaking up the ship, and a party of crew with the officers endeavouring to save ship's stores from the wreck.

Noon, bar. 29.68, ther. 87; first part light north-west winds and fine; P.M. latter part light northerly winds and fine weather. A quantity of deck planks, &c. landed from the wreck by the islanders. Friday 23th, A.M.-Light north-west winds and fine weather. A large party of islanders breaking up the wreck. Crew and officers drying and stowing away the stores. 8h. bar. 29-70, ther. 71.

Noon, bar. 29-70, ther. 87; light westerly winds and cloudy; latter part light N.N.W. winds and cloudy.

Saturday 29th, A.M.-Dark threatening appearances and light N.N.W. winds; long boat all ready to sail, but consider it prudent to detain her another day, in consequence of the threatening appearance of the weather.

8h. received an invitation from the principal man Tung-chung-faw, to accompany him to the place where the junk was building to convey us to Singapore. Accompanied my friend, taking with me Mr. Field, the chief officer, and proceeding in palanquins of the country, but rather inconvenient being small; we were obliged to sit cross-legged on our hams, as the natives generally travel in India. In our retinue were several persons of the better class of natives, on ponies. Our route lay near the sea coast and rather rough, with a continuation of hill and dale. Had a good view of the Markerima and Kirema Islands, which bore by a Chinese compass, from the entrance of the river where the junk was building W.b.S. S. Each palanquin was carried by four men, by a yoke lashed across the pole. Kept on at a round rate for about two hours and a quarter,-supposed distance eight to nine miles; crossed a bridge built of stone, with three arches, and about twenty feet broad over a considerable river, on the banks of which the junk was building. After crossing the bridge, our route lay towards the sea, over a point of land on the north bank about two miles, we arrived at the place where the junk was building. At the mouth of the river is a small bay, in which were three junks of moderate size at anchor. The entrance from the sea is formed by two high headlands, a reef extending out from each about half a mile; visited one of the junks which came in during our visit. She measured over all sixty feet, and keel forty feet. On the north bank was laid the keel of a new vessel, intended for us, and a great number of workmen employed in preparing timbers and planks, which had been brought from the wreck, to be used in the construction of the vessel. The keel of the new vessel as stated, measured sixty-five feet, had three scarfs about twenty inches deep by eighteen inches broad. I intimated our wish to build the vessel on an English model, and to be allowed to superintend the work with the two Chinese carpenters belonging to our late ship. This they would not agree to. No deviation from their own method of building would be allowed, but requested that we would prepare the sails out of those saved from the wreck. The country through which we passed consisted of hills and dales, with very little level land, but all in a high state of cultivation. The plough and hoe, with a small bill-hook, appear to be their principal tools used in agriculture. All the cattle we saw were yoked to the plough; they are larger than the Bengal and generally black. Saw large fields of sweet potato, several patches