Tillamook Passage. Brian MD Ratty

next morning, when he still had not returned, the Commodore ordered his brig lowered, intending to sail to Port Egmont and retrieve the deserter. But just as the boat was ready to get underway, Mr. Haswell was spotted on the beach, waving his hands. Later, we learned that he had indeed walked the five miles, only to find a crumbling town with no souls and no ships. The British settlement of Port Egmont had been abandon a few years before.

      With Mr. Haswell aboard the flagship again, Captain Gray rowed over to confront the Commodore. Reminding him that others would likely desert if there were further delays, he convinced Captain Kendrick to get underway. Then he asked that Mr. Haswell be assigned to the Orphan as the sloop’s much-needed Second Mate.

      The Commodore hesitated, then relented reluctantly.

      When the skipper was rowed back to the Orphan, he brought with him both the longed awaited sailing orders and a new Second Mate.

      With the crew happy and singing jovially, we pulled together in preparing the ship to get underway. The two vessels sailed for the Pacific Ocean via the Drake Passage at daybreak on February 28, 1788.