evening of the 17th, the Friendship actually struck upon a reef on the coast of Borneo, when the Alexander immediately cast anchor, and sent a boat to her assistance; but at day light the next morning it appeared that she also lay so encompassed with sand-keys and shoals, that it was difficult to discern how she had sailed into that situation, or what track she must pursue to be extricated from it.  The Friendship, however, fortunately got off from the reef without sustaining any material damage:  and in the morning of the nineteenth a narrow channel was found, through which the Alexander with difficulty sailed out of her dangerous station.  Attempts had been made to weigh anchor the preceding day, but the wind failing, the force of the currents prevented it.  The ships were at this time not more than eight leagues from the coast of Borneo.

The scurvy had now brought both the crews to a most pitiable situation.  The Alexander had lost eight of her complement, and was reduced to two men in a watch, only four seamen and two boys being at all fit for duty:  and though these were willing to do their best, and further encouraged by the promise of double wages when they should arrive at Batavia, their utmost exertions were inadequate to the necessities of the ship, which they were hardly able to put about; nor could they have weighed even a small anchor had the currents obliged them to bring to again.  The Friendship had only five men not disabled, and was by no means well provided with provisions.  In this melancholy state of both ships, the western monsoon being expected soon to set in, it was indispensably necessary to give up one for the sake of preserving the other.  Upon this subject the masters consulted, and after some time came to an agreement.  As the Friendship was the smaller vessel, and would be cleared more easily than the Alexander, having fewer stores on board, Mr. Walton, her master, consented that she should be evacuated and sunk, on condition that he should be allowed half freight of the Alexander.  In four days the Friendship had her crew and stores transferred to the Alexander, after which she was bored and turned adrift.  The ships company thus made out from both vessels was of no great strength, not amounting to half the proper complement of the Alexander, nor was it more than, allowing for the further ravages of disease, was absolutely necessary to work that ship to Batavia.

The following list contains the whole number of persons now on board the Alexander.

Belonging to the Alexander.

In Health.

Lieutenant Shortland, Commander. 
Duncan Sinclair, Master. 
W. A. Long, first Mate. 
T. G. Shortland, second ditto. 
John Winter, Seamen. 
Ant.  Hedley,
Edward Waters,
John Lewis,
Thomas Frazer, Boys. 
John White

Sick.

Charles Clay, Seamen. 
James Stockell,
Robert Ranson,
William Dixon, Boy.