Dec 9, 1788 Home Logbook Dec 11, 1788
Revised Jun 29 2021
105)
Wind and Weather as yesterday and the Thermr. from 81° to 82°. Launched the small Cutter and hauled the Launch up and cleaned her. Sailmakers finished the Fore Topsail. Sent some Hands to cut Brooms & Wood. Others sawing Plank. PM at 9 departed this Life Mr. Thos. Huggan Surgeon AM began to make a Coffin for him. Four Venereals in the list. Natives give us great Supplies. In the morning very little swell in the Bay.
When the people returned to their work in the afternoon, by inattention in hauling the Launch on shore many of the Natives being about them, a fine Boy about ten years old was thrown down and one of the Rollers which was placed under the Boat went over him, and nearly divested him of life a Cannoe was immediatly dispatched to me with the Account of this accident, and I directed all the medical assistance that could be given to be sent on shore directly. The Surgeon however was found incapable, from being drunk, and even his assistant could neither find instruments or any thing necessary for some time.
The Boy I was happy to find without any broken Limbs, and I beleive the proper means were taken to prevent the internal hurt from becoming of any serious consequence. About 8 oClock the Surgeons assistant made a report that the Surgeon appeared in such a State that he thought it was necessary to remove him where he could have more air, and accordingly the Cabbin was got ready for him, but we had no Idea of the dangerous state he was in. Mr. Fryer went with the people to get him up, when to his astonishment he found him on the Deck totally senseless. Difficulty of breathing and a few slight exertions to discharge some Phlegm, were the only appearances of life that he had by the time they got him to the Cabbin. An attempt was made to get him to swallow some Cocoanut milk, but all to no effect and he died
(106
at nine O'Clock.
This unfortunate man died owing to drunkeness and indolence. Exercise was a thing he could not bear an Idea of, or could I ever bring him to take a half dozen of turns on deck at a time in the course of the whole Voyage. Sleeping was the way he spent his time, and he accustomed himself to breath so little fresh air and was so filthy in his person that he became latterly a nuisance. I directed his Cabbin and property to be secured untill I can take an Inventory of his Effects.
In the Morning the News of the Surgeons death became known to all the Natives. Most of them particularly the Cheifs knew him very well and without hesitating a moment pronounced his death owing to his "not working and drinking to much Ava no Pretanee". For this was the literal meaning and they had often remarked before that every person was imployed but himself. As I wished to bury him on shore I asked Tynah if there would be any objection to it. He said no but told me to ask his Fathers consent. Some time elapsed before I could find him; however in the interval Tynah had been with him and they had adopted my Ideas so far that on my bringing two Men to dig the Grave the Natives had already begun it. I had just come to the place when Tynah asked me if they were doing right. There says he, the Sun rises and there it sets, and here you may bury Terronnoo for so he was called. How they have got this Idea of the Grave being East and West I know not, but it was lined out very exactly so, and none of us had thought of it. The information was not therefore given by any belonging to the ship, and I shall be particular in my enquiry if the Idea is among them selves.
My Conversation with the Cheifs at dinner was about the Islds that came within their knowledge in enumerating of which they named Watiew the Island we discovered in 1777.
Dec 9, 1788 Home Logbook Dec 11, 1788