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[Page 2]
thing, but all mankind are liable to neglect the most essential things when confused. Finding the ship in such a critical situation we acquainted the Admiral, and obtained leave to return. On our passage home we saw a ship which was concluded to be an enemy, and had every preparation made for to defend ourselves, but fortunately we got clear of for if an action had commenced we should have certainly have been taken, by being so disabled, and finding the pumps for to be nearly choaked with grovel. The Porpoise is said to be as unlucky a ship as most, for when we endeavoured to unmoor on the 5th another ship had her anchor foul of ours, which brought them both so near together as to carry away our flying jib boom, and prevented us from dropping down to St Helens that day with the rest of the fleet. When getting under way the following morning her mizen top sail yard was broke. Every person that sees her reckons her fit for nothing, and says she is greatly encumbered besides. As for my part I can put up with great inconveniences, but I never wish to be on board her while she is in harbour, for there is not a person in the ship that has a worse birth to sleep in, for if it ever comes a rainy night, I am sure to be waked by getting wet. I now suspect it will be a long time before the Gov King will get to sail, and now returned to Portsmouth again I do not like on the account of it being such an expensive place. If I was to return home I could not do anything, for I should no sooner be got to work, but perhaps would soon be forced to leave it, and that would be doing of nothing, indeed I am scarce able to walk at the present by having my foot scalded. Whatever I thought would be useful when at New South Wales I provided myself with, in order that I might not labour under any disadvantage, but with meeting with such disasters I find the fewer articles that a person has got he is so much the better