We had very strong gales from the north-east on the 17th, attended with almost constant rain.  The two vessels were working up for the island; and at one o’clock in the afternoon, the Supply came into the road, and landed a quantity of luggage, some stock, and thirteen casks of provisions.  No landing could be attempted on the 18th, the wind still blowing very strong at north-east; but on the 19th, the wind shifted to the east-south-east, and grew more moderate; so that at day-light, the Supply came into the road, and the Sirius was at some distance to the southward, standing in for the island.  There being very fine landing, I made the signal that large boats could land safely, and by ten o’clock every thing was received from the Supply.

Soon afterwards, the Sirius hove to, in order to hoist her boats out, which, being accomplished, she made sail; but the tide of flood still ran very strong, and she could not weather the outer rock of the reef which runs off Point Ross:  after an unsuccessful attempt to stay, she wore and came to the wind on the starboard tack:  unfortunately, the wind shifted to the south-east, and the strong hold which the tide had on the ship, forced her near the island, and she got to the back of the reef:  she was now hove in stays, but having fresh stern way, she tailed on the reef and struck.  The masts were instantly cut away, and the surf increasing along-side of her, only two boats load of provisions could be got out:  an anchor was let go, which prevented the ship from coming broadside to on the reef.  From noon until four o’clock, every person was employed in getting a hawser from the ship, and fastening it to a tree on the shore:  a heart was fixed on the hawser as a traveller, and a grating was slung to it, fastened to a small hawser, one end of which was on shore and the other end on board.

At five o’clock, the surgeon’s mate came on shore by the grating, being hauled through a very great surf:  he brought me a note from Captain Hunter, desiring to know if I thought it would be safe for the sailors to abide by the wreck all night.  The wind was now at south, and the weather had a very threatening appearance, and as the surf had risen considerably, I thought there was the utmost danger of the ship’s parting at the flowing tide, the consequence of which must have been the destruction of every person on board:  I therefore made a signal for the wreck to be quitted, and by the time it grew dark, the captain and most of the sailors were on shore, being dragged through a very heavy surf; many of them received violent blows from the rocks over which they were dragged.

Captain Hunter and Mr. Waterhouse were got on shore together, and just as they got footing on the reef, the captain was so much exhausted, that he had nearly quitted his hold:  the first and second lieutenant, with some of the sailors, remained on board all night.