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The Old Whaling Days

(3) Complaint of “Harriett's” Crew

(3) Complaint of “Harriett's” Crew.

To the Editor of the “Sydney Times.”

Sir

Under the present circumstances, I have been advised by a few friends to mention to you some particulars concerning the fate of the barque Harriett and her crew.

After being among the natives for about five months, we were happily relieved by the aid of Captain Lambert, to whom I return my most sincere thanks for his humanity I towards me and my shipmates. Words cannot express I the feelings of my heart towards him and his officers, who not only behaved to me but to all my shipmates as gentlemen in every respect; they gave us all in their power to make us comfortable; but unfortunately owing to the number of people on board the Alligator, we were placed under the protection of Captain Boyle, on board His Majesty's schooner Isabella; who, I regret to say, behaved very indifferently towards us. Three days after we were brought from the shore, we were sent on board the Isabella; the very first night the Captain called us aft, and appointed us to regular watches; we told him we were not able to keep watch not being strong enough; we had no clothes and the weather was cold. He insisted on it, and in consequence of our refusing to do so, stopped our victuals. We then acquainted the purser of the man of war of the fact, to whom I shall always my most sincere thanks for page 427 his goodness—he ordered us our rations, but Captain Boyle would not give them, though he promised he would do so—in fact he stinted us in everything that he could, and behaved to us more like a brute than a Christian.

I remain Sir


Your Obedient Servant
The Carpenter of the unfortunate Harriett.