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Diary Feb. 8
BOTANY BAY
Extract of a letter from Captain Edward Manning, of the Ship Pitt, bound to New South Wales, with Soldiers and Convicts, dated Rio de Janeiro, the 24th of October 1791. Addressed to Mr. Alderman Macaulay, and received the 2d Feb. 1792, per the Kent, Capt Pease.
"DEAR SIR,
"It is with great concern that I have to acquaint you of being oblided to put into this place for another fresh supply - not doubting, if you have received the account, which I have the pleasure to write yon, from Port Praya, but that you have dispatched us, before this time, from the Cape of Good Hope. From St. Jago hither, however, I have experienced nothing but adversity - attributing the ground work of our misfortunes to the lateness of the season when we left England. At St. Jago, the season was bad, and the heat of the sun almost intolerable. We left it about the 20th August, and were nearly a month in a very distressed situation - almost calm the whole time, with incessant rain - sometimes a few miles to the southward of the sun, and sometimes a few miles to the northward - most frequently without the smallest breath of air, but sometimes very heavy squalls, with the severest thunder and lightening I ever was witness to in the whole course of my life! It was fortunate that you had the goodness to provide us with conductors, or I know not what would have been the consequence, perhaps fatal to us all! - they have been of the greatest utility to us about the Line, and the Coast of South America. It was not uncommon to observe whole columns of fire descend instantaneously from the mast-head into the sea! A continuation of such weather, with so many confined in so small a space brought forth a most malignant epidemical fever, which spread so rapidly among the sailors and soldiers, and in a degree so alarming, that for some time we were almost afraid to approach each other. There were very few on board who escaped its fury. Mr Theed was among the first likely to fall a victim, but is providentially recovered. For a very considerable time, our scene was truly melancholly. In fourteen days, we buried twenty-seven seamen, soldiers, their wives and children; scarcely a person escaped death who was watering on shore at that d----d place St. Jago! But extraordinary as it is to tell, it is not more extraordinary than true, that the fever never touched the convicts, among whom, one might naturally have concluded, that it would have been most fatal ; we have not buried one since we left Praya! But though they appear to have been proof against the fever, yet they have, in other instances, not been exempt from affliction.
"The flux and scurvy attacked them without mercy. Never were seen, I believe, such ulcers, and ulcerated legs in the world : the smallest appearance on the flesh, in a day or two spread broader than your hand, and soon made its way to the very bone ; and many of the soldiers experienced equal calamity.
"These misfortunes were succeded by adverse winds, which drove us so far to the westward, that we were not able to cross the line under 32 degrees of longitude west ; and when that was accomplished, we met such continued hard gales from the south, and with a very heavy sea, that we fell in with the coast about the lat. of 8. south, and then were compelled to bear as far as this place before we could expect any change of wind.
"From these hardships combined, I can assure you, that we had serious faces, and though driven very near the land, my people were so weak and so much relaxed, that we were almost afraid to venture in with it, or make even the attempt for harbour, with any degree of safety. From such unexpected delay and misfortune, I was desirous of getting in any where ; and the crew being so much exhausted, I was compelled to liberate many of the convicts, and trust to their assistance to relieve the ship. Our joint efforts were then effectual, and you can form no conception of the joy that appeared in each person's countenance when we entered the harbour. It is the finest in the world - every thing plentiful, and every thing cheap.
"The Viceroy, and all the officers of the place, have paid us every possible attention. Immediate orders were given for us to receive as much beef as we could desire, with all the fruits with which the country abounded.
"They gave directions also, that the sick should be received at their hospital, and many were sent immediately on shore. The sick convicts also were sent under proper care to an island which was very near the ship, whither I sent them daily provisions, and Mr. Jameson attended them with his usual care and punctuality. We have been here now nearly three weeks, and are ready for sea. My people are returned a different race of men from the state in which they were landed, and I think I may add with safety that we are nearly recovered.
"I am sorry to tell you that I have lost four of the convicts. I was under the necessity of permitting them to go on shore with the boats, from whence they did, or at least attempted to make their escape. I rather think they were drowned in making the attempt, or if not, they must have been secreted in a Convent of the Friars. I applied to the Viceroy, and every step has been taken that was possible for their recovery, without effect.
"Inclosed you have a list of the number we have unfortunately lost. Under the pressure of misfortune and disease, fortunate it is that we did not lose more.
"I cannot say too much of my officers ; they have conducted themselves, under great difficulty, to my perfect satisfaction. I must continue my praise to Lieutenant Nairne. I am much obliged for his advice, and very friendly assistance, on every occasion. He has given many proofs of his attention to the service, and every one loves him throughout the ship. I wish I could have recovered the convicts; though perhaps I am more to blame than they were. I was essentially obliged for their assistance in the moment of distress, and so situated, who could refuse their going on shore? In general they behaved well, and so perfectly according and quiet, that I do not think that I have had reason to punish any for misbehaviour, or violence of conduct, since we left St. Jago.
"There are some on board, I believe, who would rather stay at Rio six weeks than three - but as my commission is important, and I am desirous, as soon as possible, to give up my charge to Governor Philips, wind and weather permitting, tomorrow I go to sea.
"You may expect to hear of us from the Cape - mean time mention me respectfully to my friends, and permit me to say, that I am, very truly,
"Your's,
"EDWARD MANNING."
NAMES of the PERSONS who died on board the Pitt, since September 1791.
Joseph Hurst Gnnner [Gunner]
SEAMEN
Samuel Fletcher, Thomas Austin,
Charles Agnew, Thomas Walker,
John Price, John Mackilly.
John Nichols, seaman, ran from the ship at St. Jago - and Edward Heiley, Quartermaster, and four convicts, at Rio Janeiro.
Average number of SICK between the 21st of August and the 9th of October, was between 50 and 60 :
Of seamen, died - 7
Soldiers - 13
Soldiers wives - 5
Soldiers children - 5
Convicts, since we left England, of the small-pox - 15
Convicts children - 2
In all 47
N.B The ship sailed from Rio on the 31st of October.