MELANCHOLY FATE OF COMMANDER GARDINER, R.N., AND HIS COMPANIONS. From the "Edinburgh Advertiser"

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 669, 11 September 1852, Page 3

MELANCHOLY FATE OF COMMANDER GARDINER, R.N., AND HIS COMPANIONS. From the "Edinburgh Advertiser"

The Admiralty have published a despatch fiom Captain Mooisbead, of Her Majesty's ship Dido, addressed to Rear-Admir 1 Moresby, Commander-in-Chief at Valparaiso, and dated at sea, lat. 55 58 S, long. 66 0 W. Jan. 22, 18.52, Cape Horn, west thirty m.les, narrating < the melancholy death by starvation, on Picton Tsland, i of the whole of the party, headed by Commander Al- i l.in F. Gai diner, H.N., sent out by the Patagoninn iMissionary Society in September 1850, to Picton Is- '. land, the southern extremity of Amenca. ''Their , Lordships (says Admiral Moresby) will deeply deplore the fate of these devoted missionaries, but this lesson of experience will have its effect. The earnest application of sanguine minrls for the propagation of Christianity must, in a climatp like Cape Horn, first consider the locality where existence can be insured. I have desired Captain Moorshead to carefully pack the remnants that he has collected, and they will be forwarded to the Admiralty by the Daphne. Such as can be transmitted by the mail are sent herewith." The psiity— consisting of Captain Gardiner, superintendent; Mr. Williams, surgeon and catechist ; Mr. Maidment, catechist ; John Erwin, carpenter ; John Badcock, John Bryant, John Pearce, Cornish fishermen — left England in September, 1850, in the barque Ocean Quean. It would seem that no information regarding their proceedings has ever been received; until their melancholy fate has now been ascertained by Captain Mooishead of H.M.S. Dido, who, on bis way to the Pacific, undertook a search for Captain Gardiner and his companions, in terms of instructions received from the Loids Commissioners of the Admiralty. On the 19th of January the Dido reached Picton Island. The following day was devoted to scouring the coast and the adjacent islet, and after many hours of fruitless search, some writing was seen on a rock, which, on examination, was found to be — " Go to Spaniard Haibour." On another rock adjoining, were the words — " You will find us at Spaniaid. Harbour.'' Captain Moorshead gives the following narrative of the discovery of the remains of the missionary paity :—: — '' The next morning, January 21, I sailed early for Spaniard Harbour, and entered it on the same evening at seven o'clock. Our notice was first attracted by a boat 1 \ing on the beach, about a mile and a half inside Cape Kmnaird. It was blowing very fresh from tho southwaid, and the ship rode uneasily at her anchor. I instantly spnt Lieutenant Pigott and Mr. Roberts, the master, to reconnoitre and return immediately, as I was anxious to get the ship to sea again in safety for llie night. They returned shortly, bringing some books and papers, having discovered the bodies of Captain Gardiner and Mr. Maidment unbuned. " From the papers found Mr. Mudmenf was dead on the 4th September, and Captain Gardiner could not possibly have survived the 6th September, 18.01. On one of the papers found was written legibly but without a date, *If you will walk along the beach for a mile and a half, you will find us in the other boat, hauled up in the mouth of a river, at the head of the harbour, on the south side. Delay not — we are starring.' At this sad intelligence it was imposuble to leave that night. Although the weather looked very threatening, neither the aneroid barometer nor sympergometer being very unfavourable, I held on for the night. " I landed early tbe next morning (Jan. 22), and visited the spot whpre Captain Gardiner and his comrade were lying, and then went to the head of the harbour with Lieutenant Gaussen, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Evan Evans, surgeon. We found there the wreck of a boat, with part of ber gear and stores, with quantities of clothing, with tbe remains of two bodies, which I conclude to be Mr. Williams (surgeon), and John Pearce (Cornish fisherman), as the papers clearly show the death and burial of all the rest of the mission party. "The two boats were thus about a mile and a half apart. Near the one where Captain Gardiner was lying was a large cavern, called by him ' Pioneer Cavern,' where they kept their store*, and occasionally slept, and in that cavern Mr. Maidmpnt's body was found. " Among Captain Gardiner's papers, which I will notice presently, I extiact the following: — ' Mr. Maid ment was so exhausted yesterday that he did not arise from his bed till noon,' 'and I have not seen him since.' Again, on September 4-, alluding to Mr. Maidment, he writes :— ' It was a merciful providence he Wt the boat, as I could not have removed the body ' Captain Gardmer's body was lying beside the boat, which, apparently, he had left, and being too weak to climb into it again, had died by the side of it. We were directed to the cavern by a band painted on the rocks, with Psalm 62, v. s—B, under it. "Their remains were collected together and buried close to this spot, and the I uneral Sei vice was read by Lieutenant Underwood. A small inscription was placed on tbe rock near his own text, tbe colours of the boats and ships struck half-mast, and three volleys of muhketry, was the only tribute of respect I could pay to this lofty minded man and his devoted companions, who have perished in the cause of the Gospel for the want of timely supplies ; and before noon the Dido was proceeding safely on her voyage." From the papei3 found in the cavern, Captain Moorshead has been enabled to trace out the wanderings and many of the sufFenngs which beset the party up to the time of their unhappy end. Alter sailing about for some months along the coabt of Terra del Fuego, and among the islands in the neighbourhood, they reached Picton Island on ihe 23d of March 1851, intending to remain there till an expected vessel arrived fiom England wirh stores. The following notices of their after-late we extract from Captain Moorshead's narrative : — April 23. They have provisions enough to last for two months, but some are very low; and a fox pilfering fnm them, they kill him by putting a piece of pork opposite the muzzlp of a gun attached by a string to the trigger, and as they can only issue pork three times aMVeek, they dine off this fox and salt the remainder. Altogether, they appeal to have been very frugal with their supplies. 1 find a no'ice of five large fit-h caught, and an account kept of the number of ducks shot; as their powder having been loft on board the ship, and a flask and a-half being all they have, they keep it for emergencies. May la, is a note of tbe biscuit being short ; and altogether, as they have not supplies for more than three weeks, all but the sick so on shoit allowance. May 19. 'I he preseired meat is out, and Mr. Wil liams appears to be lulling. May 22. Set ap*irt (or special prayer on bphalf of the sick, for supplies of food, and the arrival of the expected vessel. June 11. J. Irwin, another of the party takes the scurvy, in addition to Mr. Williams, and J. Badcock, who had taken it previously, and misfortune seems hovering around him ; their fishing net is swppt away, and J. Badcock dies on 28th June, and is buned on a bank under tho trees at Cook's River; after performing the last offices they retire to their boat for piayers. July 4. Having been seven weeks on short allowance, and latterly even this having been curtailed, the paityare utterly helpless. Every thing found in the shape of food is cooked and eatun ; a penguin, a shag, a half devoured fisli washed up on the shore, and even the salted fox washed out of the cavern, is thrown up again ou tho beach, and used for food. Captain Gardiner writes: — " We have now remaining half a duck, about lib. of salt pork, the s»me quantity of damaged tea, a very little rice (a pint), two cnkes of chocolate, four pints of peas, to which I may add six mice. The mention of this lust item in our list of piovisions may startle some of our friends should it ever reach thei r eais ; but circumstanced as we are, we paitake of them with a relish, and have already eaten several of them; they are very tender, and taste like inbbit." July 22. The\ reduced to hvin» on mussels, and fpel the want of food, iind lometimes ibe craving of hunger is distressing to them. Captain Gaidiner writes: — "After living on mussels for a foitmght, I was com-

pelted to give them up ami my food is now mussel biolh and the soft part of limpets." August 14. Captain G irdmpr takes to liis bed, but a rock weed iscWoveied, winch they boil down to ajelly, and find nourishment fiom. August 25. John Erwin dies. August 26. J. Byrant dies, and Mr. Maiclment buries them both in one grave. John Pearce, the remnin : ng boatman, is cast down at the loss of his comrades, and wandeiing in his mind, but Mr. Williams somewhat better. September 3. Capfain Gardiner writes that wishing-, if possible to "spare him (Mr. Maidment) the trouble of attending on me, and for the mutual comfort of all, I purposed, if practicable, to go to the river, and take up my quarters in the boat; this was attempted on Saturday last. Feeling- that without crutches I could •not possibly effect it, Mr. Maidment most kindly cut me a pair (two lorked sticks), but it was with no slight exertion and fatigue in his weak state. We set out together, but soon fouiid that I had no strength to proceed, and was obliged to return before reaching the brook over our own beach. Mr. Maidment was so exhausted yesterday that he did not use irom his bed until noon and have not seen him sincp, consequently I tasted nothing yesterday. I cannot learn the place where I am, and know not whether he is in the body or enjoying the presence of the gi acious God whom he has served so faithfully. lam writing this at ten o'clock in the forenoon. Blessed be my Heavenly Father for the maDjr great and unmerited mercies I enjoy, a comfortable bed, no pain, or even cravings of hunger, though excessively weak — scarcely able to tuin in my bed — at least it is very great exertion ; but I am, by His abounding grace, Kept in pei feet peace, refreshed with a sen-^e of my Saviour's love, and an assurance that all is wisely and mercifully appointed ; and pray that I may receive the full blessiti£ which it is doubtless destined to bestow. My care is all cast upon God, and I am only waiting His time and his good pleasure to dispose of me as He shall see fit. Whether I live or die, may it be in Him. 1 commend my body and my soul to His care and keeping, and earnestly pray that he would take my dear wife and children under the shadow of his wings— comfort, guard, strengthen, and sanctify them wholy, that we may together, in a brighter and eternal world, praise and adore Uis goodness and giace in redeeming us with. His precious blood, and plucking us as brands from, the burning, to bestow upon us the adoption of children and make us inheritors of His heavenly kingdom. Amen. u Thursday, Sept. 4.— There is now no room to doubt that my dear fellow-labourer has ceased from his earthly toils, and joined the company of the redeemed in the presence of the Lord, whom heservedso faithfully. Under these circumstances, it was a merciful providence that he left the boat, as I could not have removed the body. He left a little pepermint water which he had mixed , and it has been a great comfort to me, but there was no other to drink. Fearing that I might suffer from thirst, I prayed that the Lord would strengthen me to procure some. He giaciously answered my petition, and yesterday I was enabled to get out and scoop up a sufficient supply from some that trickled down at the stern of the boat by means of one of my India-iubber ovei -shoes. What combined meicies lam receiving at the hands of mylleavenly Father! Blessed be His holy name! "Friday, Sept. 5. — Great and maivellous are the loving kindnesses of my gracious God unto me. lie has preserved me hitherto, and for four days, although without bodily food, without any feelings ol" hunger or thirst. The last remarks are not written so plainly a 9 the previous day, and I conclude that they were the last ; but I find another paper, dated September 6, addressed to Mr. Williams, and written in pencil, the whole being very indistinct, and some parts quite obliterated, but ne.irly as follows :— " My dear Mr. Williams, the Loid has seen fit to call home another of our little company, our dear departed brother left the boat on Tuesday afternoon, and has not since returned ; 'doubtless he is in the presence of his Redeemer, whom ha seiVed faithfully. Yet a little while, and though * * * * the Almighty to sing the praises * * * throne. I neither hunger nor thirst, though * * * days without food * * * Maidment's kindness to me * * * * Heaven. Your affectionate brother in Christ. (Signed) "Allen F. Gardiner. "September 6, 1851." Captain Moorshead concludes bis Report as follows :—: — " From the above statements, I must therefore conclude that the two bodies found at Cooke's River were those of Mr. Williams and T. Pearce, and, considering their weak state, it is unreasonable to suppose they could have survived Captain Gardiner, who could scarcely have lived over Sept. 6, 1851. I will offer no opinion upon the missionary labour of Captain Gardiner and the party, beyond its being marked by an earnestness and devotion to the cause. But, as a brother officer, I beg to record my admiration of his conduct in the moment of peril and danger, and bis energy and resources entitle him to high professional credit. At one time I find him surrounded by hostile natives and dreading an attack, yet forbearing to fire, and the savages awed and subdued bv the solemnity of his party kneeling down in piayer. At another, having failed to heave off his boat whpn on the rocks, he digs a channel under her, and diverts a fresh-water stream, into it ; and I find him making an anchor by filling an old bread-cask with stones, heading it up, and securing wooden crosses over the heads with a chain. There could not be a doubt as to the ultimate success of a mission here, if liberally supported ; but I venture to express a bope that no Society will hazard another without entrusting their supplies to practical men acquainted with commercial affairs, who would bave seen at a glance the hopeless improbability of any ship, not chartered for the occasion, sailing out of her way, breaking her articles, and forfeiting her insurance, for the freightage of a few stores from the Falkland Islands." The following additional particulars will be perused with melancholy interest : (Copy.) Her Majesty's ship Dido, Valparaiso, Februry 21, lj}s2. Sir, — In reference to my letter of the 22d January, relating to Captain Gardiner and the missionary party, I have the honor to inclose two unfinished letters, written by Captain Gardiner shortly befoie his death (found in the cavern, and addressed to his son and daughter), for immediate transmission to England, to await the disposal of ihe Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. The remaining books, papers, and other articles found near the boats are enclosed in a case, awaiting any opportunity you may deem desirable for sending them. 1 enclose a list of effects in the case, one packet addressed to yourself, as my Commander-in-Cluef, being the original documents on which my letter is founded, and, I suggest, should be retained until you should be satisfied with the correctness of statements of the above letter, dated the 22nd January, 1852, and as none of these a. tides can be claimed by the Missionary Society, I also suggest the propriety of their being forwardpd to the Rev. E. J. Marsb, Aylesford, Vicarage, Maidstoi c, Kent, the friend and executor of Captain Gaidmer — I have, &c, (Signed) W. H. MoonsurAD, Captain. !^ Rear- Admiral Moresby, C.B. (Copy) A LIST Or AIITICLFS BELONGING TO THE LATE CAPTAIN OARDINEft, ENCLOSED, VrZ. :— A mahogany case, containing two silver pencil-cases, two half-pence, a piece of thermometer, a half-crown, a silver watch, and two memoranda regarding his effects, a spy gla^s, a piece of a quadrant, a leather case containing letters and papers, a sketch-book, two pocketbooks, one Patagonia vocabulary (manuscript), manuscripts, three memorandum books, twenty-two books, a few pamphlets and periodicals, an atlas and chart, eight letters addressed to the mission party in Captain Moorshead 's care. • All having been exposed to the air and sea for months, are nearly valueless in themselves, but may prove of interest to their friends. (Signed) W. H. Moousiiead. Captain.

A Nrvr Female Revolution. — A singular female pronuw iamento has just taken place at Geneva, where the milk-women have sought to cause, by revolutionary means, an inerpas>ein the price of their commodity. They promenaded their donkeys, dressed in mourning, through the streets, stopping tiom time to time, to 1 earl a placard, proclaiming that the measuie of milk would, henceforth be sc. instead of 4c. Mr. Cliailes Dickens' new work " Bleak FTousp," i* producing quite a sensation in Germany. Half a dozen publishers at lenst have been preparing for the work these ninny wei'Ks psist, and on the 30'h May ttn first number of "Weak House" will appear in half a, d <zai German tiansLuions, It remains to be sepn the German trdnslution will do with the Coua of Ciianceiy and its technicalities.