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.