nutes rather than
of hours. The boats were hoisted out, discipline being preserved to
the last. Riou's servant hastened to him to ask what boat he would
select to go in, that he himself might take a place beside him. His
answer was that "he would stay by the ship, save her if he could, and
if needs be sink with her, but that the people were at liberty to
consult their own safety." He then sat down and wrote the following
letter to the Admiralty, giving it in charge to Mr. Clements, the
master, whose boat was the only one that ever reached land:--

"Her Majesty's Ship _Guardian_,
"_December, 1789._

"If any part of the officers or crew of the _Guardian_ should
ever survive to reach home, I have only to say that their
conduct, after the fatal stroke against an island of ice, was
admirable and wonderful in everything that relates to their
duties, considered either as private men or in his Majesty's
service. As there seems no possibility of my remaining many hours
in this world, I beg leave to recommend to the consideration of
the Admiralty a sister, to whom, if my conduct or services should
be found deserving any memory, favour might be shown, together
with a widowed mother.

"I am, sir, with great respect,
"Your ever obedient servant,
"EDWARD RIOU.

"PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ.,
"Admiralty."

About half the crew remained with Riou, some because they determined
to stand by their commander, and others because they could not get
away in the boats, which, to avoid being overcrowded, had put off in
haste, for the most part insufficiently stored and provided. The sea,
still high, continued to make breaches over the ship, and many were
drowned in their attempts to reach the boats. Those who remained were
exhausted by fatigue; and, without the most distant hope of life, some
were mad with despair. A party of these last contrived to break open
the spirit-room, and found a temporary oblivion in intoxication. "It
is hardly a time to be a disciplinarian," wrote Riou in his log, which
continues a valued treasury in his family, "when only a few more hours
of life seem to present themselves; but this behaviour greatly hurts
me." This log gives a detailed account, day by day, of the eight
weeks' heroic fortitude and scientific seamanship whic