eather she had experienced on the coast of Patagonia;
that her upper decks were rotten abaft; that she was extremely leaky;
that her fore-beam was broken; and, in short, that, in his opinion, it
was impossible to proceed with her to sea, unless she were thoroughly
repaired. He therefore requested of the commodore, that the carpenters
of the squadron might be directed to survey her, so that their
judgment of her condition might be known. In compliance with this
request, the carpenters were ordered to make a careful and accurate
survey of the Anna, and to give in a faithful report to the commodore
of her condition; directing them to proceed with such circumspection,
that they might be able, if hereafter called upon, to confirm the
veracity of their report upon oath. Pursuant to these orders, the
carpenters immediately set about the examination, and made their
report next day. This was in substance, That the Anna had no less than
fourteen knees and twelve beams broken, and decayed; one breast-hook
broken, and another decayed; her water-ways open and decayed; two
standards and several clamps broken, besides others much rotten; all
her iron-work greatly decayed; her spirkiting and timbers very rotten;
that, having ripped off part of her sheathing, her wales and outside
planks were extremely defective; and her bows and decks were very
leaky. From all these defects and decays, they certified that, in
their opinion, the vessel could not depart from Juan Fernandez,
without great hazard, unless previously thoroughly repaired.

In our present situation, this thorough repair was impracticable,
all the plank and iron in the squadron being insufficient for that
purpose. Wherefore, the opinion of the master being confirmed by this
report, he presented a petition to the commodore, in behalf of his
owners, praying, as his vessel was incapable of leaving the island,
that her hull, materials, and furniture, might be purchased for the
use of the squadron. The commodore, therefore, ordered an inventory
to be taken of every thing belonging to the pink, with its just value;
and as many of her stores might become useful in repairing the other
ship, these articles having become very scarce, in consequence of
the great quantities already expended, he agreed with Mr Gerard to
purchase the whole for L300. The pink was now broken up, Mr Gerard and
her hands being sent on board the Gloucester, as that ship had buried
the greatest number of men in pr