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Eastern, No. 19.-Falklands.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
Uminolo
MY LORD,
GOVERNOR CALLAGHAN to the EARL OF CARNARVON. (Received August 17, 1876.)
Government House, Stanley, Falkland Islands,
June 26, 1876.
I HAVE the honour to transmit a copy of a letter which I have received from the Reverend T. Bridges, Missionary Superintendent of the South American Missionary Society at Ooshooia, Tierra del Fuego, regarding what he terms "the probable loss of "the Liverpool vessel called 'San Rafael,' belonging to Messrs. Balfour, Williams, & Co." 2. Shortly after the receipt of this letter the mail from England arrived here, bringing news that the supposition as to the loss of the vessel was unfortunately too well founded. 3. I enclose a copy of a paragraph which appeared in the "Liverpool Weekly Mercury" of the 15th April last, giving an account of the destruction of the " San Rafael" by fire in latitude 53° S., longitude 76° W.
4. There can be little doubt, although there is some discrepancy as to two of the names, that the men referred to in the "Mercury" as "missing" are those whose bodies were found by the Reverend Mr. Bridges on Hoste Island in the vicinity of Tierra del Fuego, as detailed in his painfully interesting letter.
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5. As your Lordship may perhaps think it desirable to give the matter publicity,. I append the names as given by the Reverend Mr. Bridges and by the Liverpool Mercury." The names given by Mr. Bridges, as ascertained from the clothing worn by the deceased, are Captain and Mrs. McAdam, W. H. Swift, W. Daly, J. Reid, G. G. Stewart, T. Umlandt, and two others, names unknown, are mentioned. Those in the newspaper are James McAdam and his wife, James Reid, J. Johanson, C. Pugh, H. Hemmings, W. H. Swift, G. Stewart, Daly.
6. Captain Willis, who was with Mr. Bridges at the time of the discovery of the bodies, has shown me a letter, found amongst the bushes on Hoste Island, written in lead pencil on four leaves torn out of a pocket book, "from Captain James McAdam, of the
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ship San Rafael,' to John Fleming, 84, Canterbury Street, Everton, Liverpool."
7. I enclose a copy of these few lines written when poor McAdam was, as he says,
very weak and about blind," and perhaps in the whole annals of disasters on sea or
land it would be difficult to find anything more sad and touching.
8. Captain Willis has handed over to Mr. Bailey, the Receiver of Wrecks at this port,
the following articles, some of which were found hidden amongst the rocks on Hoste
Island, viz. :-
1 Chronometer.
1 Pair binoculars.
1 Barometer (aneroid).
1 Epitome.
1 Sovereign.
Part of a gold albert watch chain.
1 Chart.
2 Bibles.
2 Life belts.
A ship's name board, marked
"San Rafael."
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These articles will be forwarded to the Board of Trade by the first opportunity.
9. It is satisfactory to think that the conduct of the natives on this occasion was, on the whole, as humane and kindly as could have been expected from a more civilised community.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c.
&c.
&c.
I have, &c. (Signed)
T. F. CALLAGHAN.
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