LOG OF THE COLUMBIA 285
him in the Jolly Boat, by the permission of Capt. Gray, and went to the Cove a fishing. A breeze springing up soon after, and wishing to leave this place, a six pounder was fird, a signal for the boat to return. She not appearing, soon after two more Cannon was fir'd. Got the Ship under way and stood off and on, and sent the pinnace under charge of the 4th officer 56 in search of the small boat. Soon after we see the Pinnace returning with the Jolly Boat in tow, without any person in her and soon discover'd they had the Boats Colours hoisted half mast. With this melancholy token they approach'd the Ship, when we soon discover'd our worthy friend, and brother officer, Mr. Joshua Caswell (2d) lay dead in the bottom of the boat, strip'd perfectly naked and stab'd in upwards of twenty places. They saw nothing of John Folger (the boat- swains mate) but Joseph Barnes (the Sailor) lay dead on the beach, and quite naked. Fearing the Natives lay in ambush, they did not land to take of the Corps. 57 It is probable they were beset upon by a great superiority of natives, prompted by a desire to possess their cloaths and arms. As soon as the boats return'd made sail for Port Tempest, and anchor'd in the evening, at our former station. In Mr. Caswell I lost a firm and steady friend. He was a man of mild and gentle temper, a complete Seaman, and in short was possest of every qualification that bespoke the gentleman. 58 Observ'd that the day previous to this disastrous affair few Indians had visited the Ship.
NW. END OF CHARLOTTE ISLE 59 13. N. Latt. 54 43'; W. Long. 132 23'. 60 Calm, and tern-
56 Mr. Waters, as appears by the entry of 24th March, 1792, post.
57 The account in Iloskins adds nothing to these facts; that in Ingraham is very brief and, necessarily, hearsay.
58 Hoskins adds the following facts in reference to Mr. Caswell. He was about twenty-six years of age; was born in Maiden, four miles from Boston; had followed the sea from boyhood; served in the War of Independence; was taken prisoner early in that war; after peace was declared re-entered the merchant service and rose to the rank of captain; but, being interested in discovery, was content to take the position of second mate on this expedition. "He was, adds Hoskins, "a reputable good seaman of a most happy serene placid disposition in most cases too passive he was loved and beloved by all who knew him he was an honest man which Pope says 'is the noblest work of God'."
59 After obtaining the body of Mr. Caswell the Columbia returns to the western end of Revilfagigedo Channel, sails thence to the north shore of Queen Charlotte Islands and enters Masset Harbour.
60 This latitude and longitude have no relation cither to Port Tempest or Massacre Cove; they are given by Haswell as the position of Murderers Cape, which lay at the western entrance of Brown's Sound, in which Port Tempest was situated. That is Cape Chacon of today. Its latitude is the well known $4* 40*.
