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March 11, 1899, Clear and wet, but very cool. Cloudy and windy all day long, and toward evening a gale blowing that prevents our leaving as anticipated. The Officer of the deck found the wherry missing at 4:45 this morning. I made a trip ashore in it last evening and brought it back safely – she was hoisted on the devito clear of the water when I left her. They also found H. Lawrence and A. Karsch missing; also to breakers of water – one box of meat and one can of bread. Mustered at quarters, and they could not be found. They evidently took wherry, etc. Lawrence was NG [No good] and Karsch, a fine young fellow, must have been led astray by him. I guess they went to seek their fortune in the Falkland Islands and if they have, they'll be glad to come back. I can just see their finish up on the hill and the wind blowing very hard at present, and the thermometer at 42°. They'll have to keep shady until we leave, and after we do leave, the Consul will deal with them if caught. Sent an offer of a reward of 2 pounds each for apprehension and delivery on board of these two men. Sent a boat to beach for the missing wherry, which was found on the eastern end of the harbor, beached. The British barque "Orchid" from Bristol came in. At 12:45 a funeral party was assembled – I went as a body bearer. On shore the funeral party was joined by a body of seamen and Marines; also a band from HMS “Flora"and "Swallow"; Officers from these ships, the Commodore Commanding the British Squadron, the Governor of the Falklands, the US Consul and a body of The Falkland Islands Volunteers. The procession marched to the cemetery, received the remains of the deceased Rear Admiral Spotts. Three volleys were fired, and the procession returned to the ship. All flags were half masted. This vessel, HMS “Flora”, and the saluting battery on shore fired 13-minute guns. The remains were received on board about 2:45 PM. HMS “Swallow” signaled "moderate winds tomorrow” – signaled back "thanks". Lawrence and Karsch were declared deserters from this date. Owing to the moderate gale blowing, it was deemed advisable...

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