to Juniell
Le 2209
Longite,
The Earl Grey.
Governor Bonham,
15th September, 1848.
1st. Measures.
172.
Reporting Receiver occurrence severe Typhoon besides much damage caused property generally, the armed Police Boat, in which, on the 30th ultimo and the 1st instant, Government armed Police was lost, and 22 persons perished.
Police Department, Victoria, 14th September, 1848.
Set
I have the painful duty to communicate to you the total wreck of the armed Police Beat; during the storm of the 31st ultimo, and 1st instant, and loss of life of twenty-two persons out of twenty-eight on board. (200 - detail). The following are the particulars of the occurrence.
On the 37th ultimo the boat left Victoria at 7 A.M. in charge of Inspector Smithers, with orders to take two Police-Constables and their effects to Aberdeen Station, from whence he was to proceed round the Island upon the usual duty of examining the harbours, &c., for piratical vessels, also visiting exterior stations; and was to return on the 2nd instant. There were seven convalescent European Constables on board, who, upon the recommendation of the Colonial Surgeon, were sent out in the afternoon.
B. Hillier, Esq.,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.