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                     THE WRECK
                         ON
                   THE ANDAMANS:

                       BEING

  A NARRATIVE OF THE VERY REMARKABLE PRESERVATION,
     AND ULTIMATE DELIVERANCE, OF THE SOLDIERS
   AND SEAMEN, WHO FORMED THE SHIPS' COMPANIES OF
     THE RUNNYMEDE AND BRITON TROOP-SHIPS, BOTH
  WRECKED ON THE MORNING OF THE 12TH OF NOVEMBER,
     1844, UPON ONE OF THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS, IN
                 THE BAY OF BENGAL.


          _TAKEN FROM AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS_

                         BY

                JOSEPH DARVALL, Esq.


                _At the request of_
  CAPT. CHARLES INGRAM, AND CAPT. HENRY JOHN HALL,
             _Owners of the Runnymede._


        "The dangers of the sea,
        All the cares and all the fears,
        When the stormy winds do blow."

                        (_Song._)


      LONDON: PELHAM RICHARDSON, 23, CORNHILL.
                       1845.




PELHAM RICHARDSON, PRINTER, 23, CORNHILL.




PREFACE.


The Author, owing to circumstances, has had access to authentic
documents and facts, relating to one of the most remarkable shipwrecks
which have ever happened, that of the troop-ships Runnymede and
Briton, on the morning of the 12th of November, 1844, upon one of the
Andaman Islands.

In reading these, it struck him forcibly, that the circumstances, if
thrown into the shape of a narrative, would form not only an
interesting publication, but would serve as a monument of the cool
intrepidity and judicious presence of mind of British officers,
soldiers, and seamen, in a time of remarkable trial.

They also tend to illustrate in a very striking manner the correctness
of the classic and poetical description of the "dangers of the sea,"
contained in that passage of Scripture, which the Author has often
observed to be listened to with great interest, when read in its
course, in the churches of our seaports, and which, on that account,
he makes no apology for quoting in a work, not professedly religious.

"They that go down to the sea in ships, and occupy their business in
great waters; these men see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in
the deep. For at his word the stormy wind ariseth, which lifteth up
the waves thereof. They are carried up to the heaven, and down again
to the deep: their soul melteth away because of the trouble. They reel
to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man: and are at their wits'
end. So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, he delivereth
them out of their distress. For he maketh the storm to cease: so that
the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they are at
rest; and so he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be."[A]

    [A] Psalm cvii., v. 23-30, Com. Pr. Book.

If this little work should answer the author's intention by proving
entertaining as well as instructive, he will feel that he has been
rewarded for the pains he has taken in compiling it.

    _Reading,_
        _July, 1845._




THE

WRECK ON THE ANDAMANS.




THE DEPARTURE.

    "O'er the smooth bosom of the faithless tides,
    Propelled by gentle gales, the vessel glides."

                        _Falconer._


The gallant Barque the Runnymede, of 507 tons burthen, commanded by
Captain William Clement Doutty, an experienced seaman, and the property
of Messrs. Hall & Co. and Ingram of Riches-court, Lime-street, London,
being a remarkably staunch river-built vessel of the A 1 or first class,
left Gravesend on the 20th of June, 1844, bound for Calcutta. She had
on board a general cargo and a crew of twenty-eight persons, including
officers. She also carried out, on account of the Honourable East India
Company, thirty-eight soldiers, with two women and one child, belonging
to Her Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot, and also Captain Stapleton,
Ensigns Venables, Du Vernett, and Purcell, and one hundred and five
soldiers, ten women, and thirteen children, belonging to Her Majesty's
50th Regiment of Foot. The whole of the military were under the command
of Captain Stapleton; the medical officer was Mr. Bell, the surgeon of
the vessel.

Every thing proceeded in the same manner as is usual on voyages in the
same course, till they arrived south of the Tropics. The only casualty
they met with was the death of William Bryant, a private of the 10th,
on the 12th of July. He had suffered from sea-sickness ever since his
embarkation. His body was committed to the deep the same evening, with
the customary ceremonies. The principal amusements of the officers and
crew were fishing, shark-catching, booby and pigeon shooting, and
playing at backgammon. There were also on board the ship, books
provided for the use of those who were disposed to read. The hour of
dinner was four o'clock.

On arriving south of the Tropics, the wind, instead of backing to
the westward, blew almost constantly from the north-east and
east-north-east; and when it occasionally got to the westward of
north, it always fell light, contrary to the usual course; and so it
continued until it got to the westward, and then it freshened. In
consequence of the delay occasioned by this state of things, and
the near approach of the north-east monsoon, the captain, on the
21st of October, resolved to call at Penang, for the purpose of
taking in an additional supply of water and other necessaries. They
accordingly steered their course thither. On the 24th they saw the
Island of Sumatra, bearing east-north-east about eight leagues. On
the 26th, in the forenoon, they saw Pulo Rondo, bearing
east-south-east, and on the 29th, at half-past two o'clock in the
afternoon, the ship anchored in safety off Fort Cornwallis, in the
roads of Penang, or Pulo Penang, the word Pulo signifying an island.
Penang is sometimes called Prince of Wales's Island. It is on the
coast of Queda. Its capital is George Town. The East-India Company
first formed a settlement here in 1786.

At Penang they remained till Sunday, the 3d of November, busily
engaged in taking in sixty-one casks or about thirty tons of water,
and other necessaries, and various articles of merchandize on account
of cargo. They found lying here Her Majesty's ship Dido, commanded by
the Honourable Captain Keppel.

Immediately on the arrival of the Runnymede, Captain Doutty and Mr.
Bell, together with Captain Stapleton and Ensign Du Vernett, went on
shore, it being the duty of the latter to report themselves to the
proper authorities.

It was agreed, that after the parties had accomplished their business,
they should meet at the best hotel in the place and dine together.
This understanding led to the following entertaining incidents. On
landing, the parties stepped into palanquin-carriages. The Captain and
the Doctor went one way, and their military friends, another. After
finishing their business, the Captain and his companion went in quest
of their friends, desiring the Malay boy, who had charge of their
carriage, to take them to the hotel. The lad replied, "I stand," and
off they set. After a number of turns and windings, amongst most
beautiful scenery, they arrived in front of a very well planned house,
and were told by their conductor "this was house." They thought it
remarkable that a hotel should be in such a retired situation.
However, upstairs they ran, and sure enough they found their military
friends there.

They were congratulating them upon their good quarters, when a lady
appeared, to whom they were introduced as the lady of the commandant,
whose house it was, and were speedily convinced of their mistake,
which produced a hearty laugh. They then, by signs, tried to make
their palanquin-boys comprehend that it was a hotel they wanted, and
not a private house. These said they understood "Master," and away
they all four went towards the town. At a short distance from this the
boys stopped at another large building, which appeared more like a
hotel than the former. They questioned the lads as to this house, who
replied, "All right," so they entered. They met an old gentleman, who
requested them to pass into an inner room, where he introduced them to
Captain Keppel, who received them most kindly. Their introducer proved
to be Captain Quin, of Her Majesty's ship Minden, who was on his way
home on sick leave in the Dido, and the mansion proved to be the
Admiralty-house. Captain Keppel, with great kindness, invited the
party to a ball and supper, to be given by him on the following
evening, to the inhabitants of Penang, previously to his sailing for
England.

On leaving the Admiralty-house, the party were directed to a place
little better than a booth, and denominated by the natives a
punch-house, a name given to all low taverns in India, but which was
dignified with the name of "The Albion Hotel." In the only
sitting-room of this place they found the officers of the Dido at
dinner. Of this meal they would have been disappointed, had not those
gentlemen kindly invited them to partake of their fare, which
consisted principally of curries of various kinds. So poorly was the
place furnished that no two articles were alike; chairs, plates,
dishes, glasses, knives and forks, were all odd ones, of different
colours and sizes. The badness of this accommodation arises from the
circumstance that those who call at the island are hospitably
entertained, during their stay, at the houses of those residents to
whom they happen to be introduced. For this reason a good hotel cannot
be supported. After the dinner, which went off with a good deal of fun
and mirth, some of the party "chartered ponies for a cruise" in the
interior of the island. Penang is remarkable for piebald ponies.

The next evening the party from the Runnymede repaired to the
admiralty-house, pursuant to invitation, and were hospitably received
by Captain Keppel and his officers. There they met the whole of the
respectable inhabitants of the island, both civil and military, with
their families. The rooms were handsomely decorated, and dancing was
kept up with great spirit, enlivened by the harmonious strains of
Captain Keppel's private band. This was succeeded, at midnight, by a
champagne supper, which, for excellence, might have borne a comparison
with any civic entertainment in London. Between three and four in the
morning the ladies began to move off, and some of the youngsters, by
way of further amusement, sat down to a second supper. At daylight the
Dido was apeak, under all sails, and by eight o'clock, was leading
down the north channel with skysails set for Old England. Her captain
and officers carried with them the good wishes of all they left behind
at Penang.




THE WRECK.

    "The wind blew hard, the sea ran high,
    The dingy scud drove 'cross the sky,
    Down topsails, boys, the gale comes on,
    To strike top-gallant-yards they run."

                        _Dibdin._


At 9 o'clock, A. M., of Sunday, the 3d of November, 1844, the
Runnymede weighed from Penang-roads with a light southerly wind, and
made sail through the north channel. At noon the wind came in from
seaward. At midnight, on Monday the 4th, she was abreast of the Ladda
Islands, with a barque in company. On Friday, the 8th, the weather was
unsettled, with heavy rain. All the small sails were stored, and the
royal yards sent down. At noon the sun was obscured. Saturday, the
9th, the breeze increased, with every appearance of bad weather. Took
in the top-gallant sails, and reefed the topsails, and took in the jib
and spanker. At noon the sun was obscured. Sunday, 10th, the barometer
falling fast, with the gale increasing, close reefed the topsails. At
noon heavy gusts. The courses were taken in and furled. At 6 the
fore-topsail was taken in, and the ship hove-to under the main topsail
and the main trysail. All the sails were re-secured, the top-gallant
yards sent down, and everything prepared for the storm, which it was
evident was now approaching. At noon the sun was again obscured, the
latitude being, by log, 11 deg. 6" north, and the longitude 96 deg. 0"
east. The wind now blew a hurricane. The barometer was 29 deg., and
falling. The main-topsail was taken in, and the ship left under the main
topsail only. At half-past three the fore and main top-gallant masts were
blown away. The wind was south, and so very severe that the main
trysail was blown to atoms, and the ship was lying-to under bare
poles, and laying beautifully to the wind, with her helm amidship and
perfectly tight. The hurricane was accompanied with a deluge of rain.
At 4 P. M. the wind shifted to the south-east, and was blowing so
terrifically that all the hatches were obliged to be battened down,
the sea making a fair breach over the vessel. The starboard-quarter
boat was washed away. About half-past 6 P. M. there was a lull, and it
was nearly calm, the wind backing to the south-west, and the sea
became comparatively quiet. The barometer having fallen as low as
28 deg. 45", the ship was kept away north by east, and the topsails
re-secured, portions of them having blown adrift. At 8 P. M. the wind
began to blow again, and within half an hour the hurricane was as
severe as before. The larboard-quarter boat was torn from the davits
and blown across the poop, carrying away the binnacle and crushing the
hencoops in its passage. At 9 P. M., the hurricane still increasing,
the foremast broke into three pieces, and carried away with it the
jib-boom, the main and mizen topmasts, the starboard cathead, and
mainyard, the main and mizen masts alone standing. At 10 P. M. the
wind and rain were so severe that the men could not hold on upon the
poop. The soldiers were engaged in baling the water out of their
quarters between decks, whither it had been forced down the hatches.
In other respects the ship was quite tight and free from leak, proving
herself to be a capital sea boat. The pumps being attended to drew
out the water which was forced down the hatches, mast-coats, and
topside forwards.

During the hurricane, numbers of land-birds were driven on board--a
case not uncommon during storms--and an owl and a hawk were observed
perched on the swinging table on the poop, without shewing any alarm
at the presence of the ship's company. It was not noticed what became
of them. This circumstance tended to shew the intensity of the tempest
on shore, which must have forced these birds out to sea, a distance
not much less than two hundred miles from any land.

_Monday, 11th._--The hurricane was equally severe, the wind
south-east, and the barometer as low as 28 deg. 0". The gusts were so
terrific, mixed with drift and rain, that none of the people could
stand on the deck. Advantage was therefore taken of the lulls to draw
the ship out, and clear away the wreck of the masts. As the starboard
bower-anchor was hanging only by the shank-painter, and its stock,
which was of iron, was working into the ship's side, the chain-cable
was unshackled, and the anchor was cut away from the bows. At noon,
latitude, per log, 11 deg. 6" north longitude 95 deg. 20" east, the
barometer apparently rose a little. No observations had been able to be
made since the 7th. The hurricane was equally severe in gusts, and the
ship perfectly unmanageable from her crippled state, but rode all the
time like a sea-bird on the waves, notwithstanding the sea was apparently
running from every point of the compass. The crew observed a large
barque ahead of them which had lost its topmast and mainyard. They
feared at first that she would not go clear of them. Happily,
however, she drifted past ahead of them. This vessel afterwards proved
to have been the Briton, of which we shall presently have occasion to
speak. They also saw a brig to leeward, totally dismasted. From her
appearance it was judged that she must soon have foundered, and every
soul on board perished. At 4 in the afternoon the barometer fell to
27 deg. 70", and Cummin's mineral sympiesometer left the index.

The hurricane was now most terrific; the part of the poop to leeward
and the cabin-doors and the skylights were literally torn away, and
every moment they expected the poop itself to be carried off. None but
those who have witnessed so awful a tempest at sea could form an idea
of the weight and destructive power of the wind, crushing and beating
every thing to pieces, as if it had been done with a heavy metallic
body. At 8 P. M. the soldiers and sailors could not stand at the
pumps, but were obliged to bale out the water from between decks.

_Tuesday, the 12th._--At the turn of the day the hurricane still
continued, and the rudder was gone. At 1 A. M. they felt the ship
strike, and gave themselves up for lost, expecting every moment to be
engulphed in the depths of the ocean.

But it pleased Him, whom the winds and the sea obey,

    "Who plants his footsteps in the sea,
    And rides upon the storm,"

to decree otherwise, and, at the moment of impending destruction, the
ship and all her inmates were saved.

After a short time, it was discovered that the ship was thrown on a
reef of rocks, and had bilged; and although the water entered her
through the holes which the rocks had made, and filled her up to the
lower beams, yet that it soon smothered, and, the bilge pieces keeping
her upright, she lay comparatively quiet. But being fearful that she
might beat over the reef into deep water, they let go the larboard
bower-anchor, and shortly afterwards found the water leaving her.
After this all hands fell asleep, being exhausted with fatigue and
hardship. Captain Doutty and the military gentlemen were in Captain
Stapleton's cabin, which was the only one habitable. Captain Doutty
felt too anxious to rest long, but lay watching whilst all was still,
except the beating of the waves and the rain on the poop. He then went
out in front of the poop. He could discern nothing but the surf
breaking heavily on and around his unfortunate vessel. He then lay
down again, wishing earnestly for the break of day.




THE DELIVERANCE.

    "The night is gone, and o'er the sea,
    The morning sun shines peacefully;
    Again 'tis calm, again 'tis still,
    Noiseless as gentle summer's rill."

                        _Anon._


At length the morning broke, which was to introduce the ship's
company, just rescued from a watery grave, to a new era in their
existence. With the daybreak the hurricane also began to break, and,
though it rained heavily, the barometer rose rapidly until it stood at
29 deg. 45". The captain then beheld, to his great joy, the loom, or
land-mark of the shore, to leeward, rising like a black belt, above
the breakers. The land was an island, off the east coast of the Great
Andaman, in latitude 12 deg. 1" north, and longitude about 93 deg. 14"
east. The Andaman Islands, which are about eight in number, and covered
with trees, form a group at the entrance of the Bay of Bengal, and are
near 750 miles from the Sand Heads at Calcutta, and twelve degrees from
the Equator. That on which the vessel was driven was in point of latitude
about the centre, and may be easily known by a remarkable hill
somewhat resembling a puritan's hat, and being placed in a hollow of
the land, with much higher hills, both on the north and south of it.
The anchorage is good, and a ship may be sheltered from all points.

  [Illustration: Hullmandel & Walton Lithographers.
    No. 1.
      THE POSITION OF THE SHIPS, AT DAYBREAK, MORNING, 12TH. NOVEMBER]

About 60 years ago an attempt was made on the part of the East-India
Company to form a settlement on the Andaman Islands for the
convenience of shipping. Their first settlement was called Port
Chatham, on the South Andaman. But, after about a year or two, it
was removed thence, on account of its unhealthiness, to the North
Andaman, where it was named Port Cornwallis, after Admiral Cornwallis,
who recommended the removal, and not long after that was finally
broken up, and the islands abandoned.

The ship being nearly dry aft, on the weather clearing, her crew, to
their great astonishment, beheld, about a quarter of a mile inside of
them, high amongst the trees, in a swamp of mangroves, whither she had
forced herself a passage, a large barque, with troops on board.[B] In
consequence of this discovery, Ensign Du Vernett was, as soon as
possible, lowered with ropes from the Runnymede's stern, with twelve
soldiers, to communicate with the barque. At 7 A. M., the tide rising,
orders were given to the men to prepare to land at next low water,
and, if possible, get something cooked, as, during the hurricane, no
fires could be kept in the ship, and, consequently, the crew and
troops had not had anything but biscuit and a glass of spirits during
the storm. At half-past 3 o'clock P. M. the tide having fallen
sufficiently to enable the people to wade on shore, Ensign Du Vernett
returned on board and reported the vessel he had visited to be "The
Briton" from Sydney, bound to Calcutta, and which had sailed from the
former place, in company with the ships Royal Saxon, Loyds, and
Enmore, on the 12th of August, 1844, having on board Her Majesty's
80th regiment, 1000 strong, under the command of Lieut.-col. Baker.
The companies two, three, and six were on board the Briton, under the
orders of Major, afterwards Lieut.-col. Bunbury, and consisted of 311
soldiers, including 12 serjeants and 4 drummers, 34 women, 51
children, and the following officers, namely, Captains Best, Sayers,
and Montgomery; Lieutenants Leslie and Freeman; Ensigns Hunter and
Coleman; and Assistant-surgeon Gammie, medical officer in charge. The
Briton was commanded by Captain Alexander Hall. She had a crew of 34,
was a vessel of 776 tons, A 1, and was ascertained to be the same
barque which had drifted a-head of the Runnymede in the storm, having
parted with all her companions, which afterwards arrived safely at
their destination. The Briton was so short of provisions, that twelve
men were obliged to be satisfied with the ordinary allowance of four.

    [B] The roots of these trees support their stems some
    feet above the ground, and diverge in every direction,
    so as to produce an almost impenetrable thicket. The
    trees do not rise more than twelve feet high. They grow
    in marshy places, generally within the influx of the
    Indian Ocean, and where the tide can readily wash their
    stems.

By dusk, all hands, including soldiers, women, and children, had left
the wreck of the Runnymede, and were accommodated on board the Briton.
They were received by Captain Hall, Colonel Bunbury, and the officers
of the 80th, with the greatest kindness, although they were enduring
very great privations themselves. The crew of the Briton were
delighted to hear of there being a fair stock of stores on board the
Runnymede, particularly as regarded biscuit and flour, which, if
moderate weather continued, would be landed for the benefit of both
ships' companies.

In the morning after the wreck, a seaman of the Runnymede lost his
life by the following piece of disobedience and fool-hardy temerity.
Captain Doutty was sitting in Captain Stapleton's cabin, consulting
with the military officers as to the best mode of getting the women
and children on shore, when it was perceived that one of the seamen
had placed himself by the cabin windows, apparently dressed for a
swim. Captain Doutty enquired what brought him there: he instantly
replied, "We are all alike now." Captain Doutty told him he was
mistaken if he thought so, for that whilst two planks of the ship held
together, he was determined to keep the command, and ordered him to
leave the cabin. As he appeared unwilling to go, the chief officer was
desired to send him forward. Being called accordingly, he refused,
with an oath, to go, and immediately threw himself from the cabin
window, and swam 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