towards the shore, which he never reached, as the
receding waves kept him out until he was exhausted, and the ship's
company saw him sink without being able to assist him. This man's fate
had the effect of keeping the others quiet until the water had fallen
sufficiently to enable them to wade through it to the shore. After the
landing Colonel Bunbury took the chief command of all parties.
We shall now find it most convenient to ourselves, as well as
entertaining to our readers, to continue our narrative in the shape of
a journal, only noticing those days on which any circumstances worth
recording occurred.
_Wednesday, 13th._--At daybreak, nearly low water, all hands returned
on board and commenced getting up provisions for landing. All more or
less damaged.
The Briton had lost all her boats, and the Runnymede's long boat was
the only one they had, and that was badly stove, so that the water
had run through her, and thereby prevented her being washed off the
deck by the waves: and she eventually became the means, by God's
blessing, of obtaining that assistance which saved the sufferers from
perishing on a desert island.
The carpenters, therefore, of both ships were ordered to report how
long a time it would take to put this boat into a state fit to proceed
to sea to seek assistance. They reported eight days. After a personal
communication, Captains Doutty and Hall received from Captain Sayers,
of the 80th regt. the following order, putting their ships' crews
under martial law, which was twice read to each crew.
_Troop Ship "_Briton_,"_
_12th Nov. 1844._
Dear Sir,
In consequence of the wreck of the troop ships "Briton"
and "Runnymede," Major Bunbury calls on Captains Hall
and Doutty to explain to the crews of their respective
ships that they are from this moment under military law,
and feeling it to be most essential for the well-being
of the service that the strictest order and discipline
be preserved by every one under his command, declares it
to be his determination to punish, with the utmost
severity, any act of insubordination and drunkenness.
By Order,
H. T. Sayers,
_Capt. 80th Regt._
_To Capt. Doutty._
This day were landed from the Runnymede at low water, 37 bags and 6
half-bags of biscuit, 3
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