"These are to certify, the right honourable the lords commissioners for executing the office of lord high admiral of Great Britain, &c. That we, whose names are undermentioned, since the misfortune of losing the cutter, have consider'd the ill conveniences and difficulties to be attended, where so great a number of people are to be carried off, therefore we have requested and desired the officers and company remaining of the same vessel to put us on shore, with such necessaries of life as can be conveniently spared out of the vessel. We, of our own free will and choice, do indemnify all persons from ever being call'd to an account for putting us on shore, or leaving us behind, contrary to our inclinations. Witness our hands, on board the Speedwell schooner, in the latitude 50° 40' S. this 8th day of November, 1741. Which was signed by the following people, viz.
Mat. Langley, gunner's mate
John Russel, armourer
George Smith, cook's mate
William Callicutt, washerman
John Williamson, marine
John McLeod, boatswain's servant
John Hart, joiner
Joseph Turner, captain's servant
Luke Lyon, gunner's servant
Rich. Phipps, boatswain's mate
Henry Mortimer, marine.
Witness, John Cummins, carpenter,
John Snow, master's mate,
Vincent Oakley, surgeon of the army."
Monday the 9th, at ten at night, we weigh'd and rowed out of the bay, at day-light got about four leagues right out, every way surrounded with rocks and breakers, with a great western swell: We found it a very difficult matter to get clear of these rocks and breakers; they reach along shore eighteen leagues, and without us at sea eight leagues; I take it, that from the land they are fourteen leagues in the offing, those sunken rocks appear like a low level land. This coast is too dangerous for shipping, the wind being three parts of the year to the westward, which blows right on the shore, with a large western swell, that seldom or never ceases; it always blows and rains, it is worse here than in the rainy season on the coast of Guinea, nor can we as yet distinguish summer from winter, only by the length of the days. Steered out of the bay W. by N., then S. by W., then S. At noon I had a good observation in the latitude of 50° 50' S., the northmost point of the bay bore N.E. by E. seven leagues, the southmost point of land S.S.E. twelve leagues. This coast, as far as we have come, lies N. by E. and S. by W. by the compass.
Tuesday the 10th, at four this morning made all the sail we could; steering S.E. in order to make the land, at six steer'd in E.S.E. at seven made the land; at eight saw a point of land bearing S.E. distant six leagues, which, when a-breast, seeing no land to the S. I take the point for Cape Victory, and the four islands we see I believe to be the islands of Direction, which Sir John Narborough gives an account of, excepting the distance, they exactly answer his description; therefore, by the latitude, in yesterday's observation, and by the distance we have run since, we are now at the opening of the Streights of Magellan. At ten in the morning, hard gales at N.W. steer'd S.E. the cape bearing E. distant four leagues; at noon bore E. by N. distant six leagues; haul'd the main-sail down, and went under a fore-sail. I never in my life, in any part of the world, have seen such a sea as runs here, we expected every wave to swallow us, and the boat to founder. This shore is full of small islands, rocks, and breakers, so that we can't haul further to the southward, for fear of endangering the boat, we are obliged to keep her right before the sea. At five broach'd to, at which we all believ'd she would never rise again. We were surrounded with rocks, and so near that a man might toss a biscuit on 'em: We had nothing but death before our eyes, and every moment expected our fate. It blew a hurricane of wind, with thick rainy weather, that we could not see twice the boat's length; we pray'd earnestly for its clearing up, for nothing else could save us from perishing; we no sooner ask'd for light, but it was granted us from above. At the weather's clearing up, we saw the land on the north shore, with islands, rocks and breakers all around us; we were oblig'd to put in among 'em for shelter, finding it impossible to keep the sea, we were in with the land amongst them, and compell'd to push thro', looking death in the face, and expecting every sea to bury us; the boldest men amongst us were dismay'd, nor can we possibly give an account in what manner we have been this day deliver'd. After sailing amidst islands, rocks, and breakers, for above a league, we got safe into a good harbour, surrounded with small islands, which kept the sea off; here the water was as smooth as in a mill-pond. We call this harbour the Port of God's Mercy, esteeming our preservation this day to be a miracle. The most abandon'd among us no longer doubt of an Almighty Being, and have promis'd to reform their lives.
Wednesday the 11th, the wind much abated, with rain. This morning weigh'd, and ran farther in. In the evening we saw two Indians lying on their bellies on the top of a steep rock, just over the vessel, peeping with their heads over the hill. As soon as we discover'd them, we made motions to them to come down; they then rose up, and put on their heads white feather'd caps; we then hoisted a white sheet for an ensign: At this they made a noise, pronouncing Orza, Orza, which we took for a signal to come ashore. We would not suffer above two men to go ashore, and those disarm'd, lest we should put them in fear. The Indians had nothing in their hands but a club, like our cricket-batts, with which they kill their seal. As soon as they saw the two men come ashore they walk'd away, and when they perceiv'd our men follow'd them, and gain'd ground of them, they took to their heels, frequently looking back, crying Orza, Orza, beckoning the people to follow, which they did for a mile or two along-shore, out of sight of the vessel: Then the Indians fled to the woods, still wanting our people to follow them; but being disarm'd, they were apprehensive the Indians would bush- fight them, so they thought proper to give over the pursuit, and to return to the boat.
Thursday the 12th, hard gales at W.N.W., with rain. At six this morning we again saw the two Indians, they made the same noise and motions to come ashore: At which I went with four of the people; the Indians walk'd and ran as before, looking back, and making signs to follow, which we did till we got to the place where the canoe lay with the four Indians in her. The two Indians got into the canoe, and put her off the shore before we could get nigh them: As soon as we got abreast of the canoe, they made signs as if they wanted clothing; we endeavour'd to make them understand we wanted fish, and would truck with them; they had none, but signified to us they would go and get some: They had a mangey dog, which they parted with to one of the people for a pair of cloth trowsers; this dog was soon kill'd, dress'd, and devour'd. Here we found plenty of muscles, which gave us great relief, having scarce any thing to subsist on for this week past.
Friday the 13th, very uncertain weather, and squally, the wind variable from W.N.W. to S.S.W. This morning all hands ashore a-fishing. Lieutenant E----rs of the marines kill'd a large seal or sea-dog, it is exceeding good food, and we judg'd it to have weigh'd seventeen score.
Saturday the 14th, little wind at W.N.W. and close weather, with rain. At five this morning cast loose, and steer'd south out between the islands, the weather clearing up, we saw the south shore: It first appear'd like a large island, stretching away to the westward, and at the west end two hammacoes like sugar-loaves, and to the southward of them a large point of rocks, steer'd S.E. until the point bore W. then steer'd S.E. by E. I took the point for Cape Pillar, and was fully assur'd of our being in the Streights.
Sunday the 15th, at three this morning cast loose, and row'd, but could not get out, so were oblig'd to put back, and make fast, it blowing hard, with thick weather all day, in the evening it clear'd up. This day several people drove a trade with their allowance, giving silver buckles for flour, valued at twelve shillings per pound, and before night it reach'd to a guinea, the people crying aloud for provisions, which are now so scarce, that several on board are actually starving thro' want.
Monday the 16th, at three this morning cast loose, being little wind, and steer'd up the Streights S.E. by E. the wind at N.W. At eight o'clock got a-breast of Cape Munday, at nine the cape bore W. distant four leagues, at noon running along shore, made two openings, which put the rest of the officers to a stand, not knowing which to take for their right passage. Asking my opinion, I gave it for keeping on the E.S.E. passage, the other lying S.E. by S. On which they said, Sir John Narborough bids us keep the south shore on board. I answer'd, that Sir John tells us E.S.E. is the direct course from Cape Pillar: I'll venture my life that we are now in the right passage; so we kept on E. by S. half S. After running a league or two up, and not seeing Cape Quod, nor any outlet, the wind blowing hard, we were for running no farther, whereas one league more would have convinc'd every body, but they all gave against me, that we were not in the right passage: The wind being at W.N.W. we could not turn back again; so that we were oblig'd to put into a cove lying on the north shore, where we found good anchoring in four fathom water: No provisions to be got here, being a barren rocky place, producing not any thing for the preservation of life. This afternoon died George Bateman, a boy, aged sixteen years: This poor creature starv'd, perish'd, and died a skeleton, for want of food. There are several more in the same miserable condition, and who, without a speedy relief, must undergo the same fate.