"I have seen 4 or 5 dead Bodies at a time, some sown up in their Hammocks and others not, washing about the Decks, for Want of Help to bury them in the Sea."
On December 7, 1741, the 1872 men had dwindled down to 201. Of the six ships of war only one, the Centurion, still held her course. She was leaking an inch an hour, but she showed bright to the world under a new coat of paint. On this day Anson sent home a letter to the Admiralty (from Canton in China). The letter was delivered 173 days later.
In spite of the miseries of the service, there were compensations. The entry off Payta—
"1741. 12 Nov.—I keept Possession of the Town three days and employed my Boats in plundering"—
must have been pleasant to write; and the entries for Tuesday, June 21, 1743, and following days, become almost incoherent:—
"reced 112 baggs and 6 Chests of Silver.
"11 Baggs of Virgin silver 72 Chests of Dollers and baggs of Dollers 114 Chests and 100 baggs of Dollers 4 baggs of wrought Plate and Virgin Silver."
The arrival at Portsmouth is thus described:—
"1744. Friday, 15 June.—Came to with the S Bower in 10 fath water and at 9 began to Moor."