Sunday, 22nd.—Divine service as usual. The poop-awning of the Briton was blown away, and the cuddy filled with water. The weather very rough.
Tuesday, 24th.—The Swinton’s jolly-boat was swamped in the surf whilst taking off water-casks. The long-boat went to their assistance, and towed them alongside the schooner. The east end of the north island was covered with natives in search of food; the poor creatures seemed to depend entirely on shell-fish and sea-slug, picked off the reefs, for their subsistence, with occasionally a fish caught with their spears. During bad weather they must suffer much from hunger.
Wednesday, 25th. Christmas Day.—The Swinton left for Moulmein. Mr. Michael returned in her with despatches. The Runnymede’s dingy returning from the schooner was capsized in consequence of Thompson, a seaman, falling on one side of her, when Edmund Hutter, a seaman, was drowned, means of resuscitation proving of no avail. Divine service was performed on board the Briton. The tents of the 80th looked very gay, being decorated with green boughs in honour of the day. There was no roast beef, but very good plum-puddings were made without sugar.
Thursday, 26th.—Flies and musquitoes came in myriads; they were very troublesome; there were none till now; the hurricane must have swept them away. Very beautiful periodical flowers appeared. Also snakes; several have been killed in camp. A young pig was shot by a serjeant; the mother and the rest of the family escaped.
Friday, 27th.—A wicker-work pot was made to catch fish in deep water. A tablet was engraven on the rock, near the burial-ground, with the names of the soldiers who had died on the island. At night large fires were made round the camp to burn out and keep off the musquitoes.
Saturday, 28th.—At 7 A. M. a sloop-of-war brig, the Pilot, Captain Jervis, with two schooner gun-boats in convoy, appeared. The latter ran into the anchorage, and the former went round the islands in search of other vessels. Sent our boat on board one of the former and landed the officer, Mr. White, of the Company’s Marine, who stated that transports were at hand to relieve the sufferers; also that the rest of the 80th regiment had arrived safely at Calcutta. The new six-oared boat named “The Andaman” was launched at noon; she went through the surf beautifully. The Pilot sent her cutter round with Lieut. Leslie, and also some fresh meat and vegetables.
Sunday, 29th.—At noon the Ayrshire, of 250 tons, arrived from Moulmein, being one of three ships taken up by the Government there to convey the sufferers away from the island; the other two were called the Agnes Lee and the Elizabeth Ainslie. Capt. Jervis and three of his officers dined on the island.
Monday, 30th.—The first division of the 80th regiment commenced embarking on board the Ayrshire. At 3 P. M. the Elizabeth Ainslie arrived for the remaining portion of the 80th, and anchored near the Runnymede.
Hullmandel & Walton Lithographers.