uish her
to be the Gloucester; and as we had no doubt of her being in great
distress, the commodore immediately ordered out his boat to our
assistance, laden with fresh water, fish, and vegetables, which was
a most comfortable relief to them; for our apprehensions of their
calamitous situation were only too well founded, as there never
was, perhaps, a crew in greater distress. They had already thrown
two-thirds of their complement overboard; and of those who remained
alive, scarcely any were capable of doing duty, except the officers
and their servants. They had been a considerable time at the small
allowance of a pint of water to each man in twenty-four hours, and yet
had so very little left, that they must soon have died of thirst, had
it not been for the supply sent them by our commodore.

The Gloucester plied up within three miles of the bay, but could not
reach the road, both wind and currents being contrary. She continued,
however, in the offing next day; and as she had no chance of being
able to come to anchor, the commodore repeated his assistance, sending
off the Tryal's boat, manned with the people of the Centurion, with a
farther supply of water, and other refreshments. Captain Mitchell of
the Gloucester was under the necessity of detaining both this boat and
that sent the preceding day, as he had no longer strength to navigate
his ship without the aid of both their crews. The Gloucester continued
near a fortnight in this tantalizing situation, without being able
to fetch the road, though frequently making the attempt, and even at
times bidding fair to effect the object in view. On the 9th July,
we observed her stretching away to the eastward, at a considerable
distance, which we supposed was with a design to get to the southward
of the island; but, as she did not again appear for near a week, we
were prodigiously alarmed for her safety, knowing that she must be
again in extreme distress for want of water. After great impatience
about her, we again discovered her on the 16th, endeavouring to come
round the eastern point of the island, but the wind still blowing
directly from the bay, prevented her from getting nearer than within
four miles of the land.

Captain Mitchell now made signals of distress, and our long-boat, was
sent off with a good supply of water, and plenty of fish and other
refreshments: And, as the long-boat could not be wanted, the cockswain
had positive orders from the commodore to return i