boats were the pinnace, gig, and jolly-boat; but the latter was still on the booms, from whence we could not remove her.
“Captain Galloway being much exhausted, and suffering greatly from rheumatism, was at length prevailed upon to go in the pinnace, with as many men as she could possibly carry, and the end of another hawser to be made fast on shore; scarcely, however, had she cleared the lee of the ship, when a sea half filled her; and shortly afterwards she was thrown empty upon a rock, leaving Captain Galloway and his companions no other means of reaching the shore than by clinging to oars and swimming. Lieutenants Benjamin Hooper and John Massey, with eighteen men, followed in the gig, and landed without any accident; but this boat was also unfortunately upset and stove when making a second trip from the ship to the shore, on which the snow was then lying four feet deep.
“By the latter disaster, about forty poor fellows, still on the wreck of the Penelope, were deprived of their last hope; some of them, indeed, endeavoured to save themselves on gratings, &c. but not one succeeded: the prospect of those on shore was almost equally deplorable, and several hours elapsed before any thing eatable was brought to us by the waves. In the mean time we employed ourselves in making tents with branches of trees and wet blankets, and succeeded, after much perseverance, in kindling a fire.
“The whole of that day we were truly miserable: the cries of the poor sufferers on the wreck were lamentable beyond description; and when night approached they were, if possible, still more dreadful: they were often heard to call the captain and officers by name, to send them assistance, which it was not in human power to render. About midnight, loud screams and three tremendous crashes were distinctly hoard, and shortly after ail was silent: at day-light, the ship was observed to be in three separate pieces, and all on board perished, except David Bruce, seaman, who, with great difficulty, got on shore almost lifeless.
“On the 2d May, forty-seven men and boys deserted us, after plundering every trunk that was washed on shore: the remaining part of the survivors hauled the boats up, and began to repair them in the best manner they could; sails were made from two studding-sails, which were providentially thrown into our possession; a cask of flour was converted into dough, and every preparation began for proceeding to Quebec. On the 3d, a Canadian boat passing near us, was detained, and from the information given by her crew, Captain Galloway decided upon proceeding to Gaspee Bay. With the assistance of the Canadians’ cooking utensils, all the pork that could be found was dressed; and on the 6th, the weather having moderated, the boats were launched, and all hands embarked – the total number 85, including two women. The wind was light, but favorable; and with the help of our oars, we got to Great Fox River that night, where we were hospitably entertained with potatoes in an Indian hut. Next morning we sailed for Gaspee Bay, and in the evening reached Douglas Town.
