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Sir The 15th. February at three O'Clock in the Morning I sailed from Cranberry Harbour, with His Majesty's Schooner the Halifax, intending to put into Machias to take a Pilot for Passamiquody, the Pilot we then had Onboard not being acquainted with the Coast further than Machias; At half past twelve the Pilot being deceived in the Land, run the Schooner upon a Ridge of Rocks off Sheep Island, three Leagues from Bucks Harbour near Machias, the Vessel going at that time seven knots and a half with a fresh Gale at W.S.W. ー the Rudder was immediately knocked off on the Vessel striking ー I then ordered the Mainsail to be lowered down, hoping to force her off with the Head Sails; upon Sounding we found she had sued three feet forward and surrounded with Rocks, that had three feet less Water on them than She drew ー I then ordered the Sails to be furled and the Boats hoisted out, to save what Provisions and Necessaries we could for our Subsistance ー At six found the Tide had left the Vessel dry upon the Rocks, with her Starboard Side bulged, seeing it was impossible to save her, we with much difficulty got ashore upon Sheep Island where we encamped, at seven came on a very hard Gale of Wind with Frost and Snow; ー At 8. the Sea broke over the Mast Heads and overset the Vessel. We saw no more of her till day break, when we found she was beat to pieces, nothing but the Masts appearing upon the Water, we at the same time saw the Yawl was stove to pieces on the Rocks; ー At 8 in the Morning it was more moderate, and finding we were upon an uninhabited Island, I thought it necessary to embrace the first Opportunity of sending the Boats to the Main to endeavour to find some Vessel or Boat, to carry us off the Island, having but one Boat, the loss of which must have cut Us off from any resource, and the Master being an entire Stranger on the Coast, did not think it prudent to risque the Boat without the Pilot, who I ordered to go, cautioning the Master at the same [time] to prevent his escape from him ー At nine the next Morning the Master returned with A Small Schooner from Buck's Harbour, where he informed me the Pilot made his escape from him, at half past ten embarked for Bucks Harbour.
As a Detail of what occurred afterwards would be too tedious to insert at present, I must beg leave to refer to the enclosed Journal of our Proceedings from the time we left Cranberry Harbour, to our arrival in this Port. I am, Sir [&c.]
