Page:1881-01-24 Ethel (ship) testemony from W. S. Hall.djvu/3

 the boy O'Grady still on his tree. I found it was useless to attempt to get back, so being an able swimmer struck out for the land the direction of which we were all cognizant of. I soon found that my limbs were so benumbed that it was useless attempting to swim & the seas going continually over me that I determined to just support myself in the water & allow the wind & sea to drift me ashore. I had not drifted very far before I touched the ground. I immediately shouted as loud as I could to attract the attention of any that might be within hailing distance. O'Grady senior landed immediately after me & asked me if I had seen his son. I replied "No". The weather clearing a bit, we saw another wreck with one white man & some natives clinging to the top-side. I, for a moment thought that this was the Ethel which the boy (O'Grady) might have returned to, but it eventually turned out to be the cutter Sarah (John Brockman,). I hailed J. Brockman with great difficulty, when they managed to haul their dingy up on the boom & empty the water out of her & two white men that could not swim came ashore in her. John Brockman swam ashore with the natives to keep them from swamping the dingy. I did not see the boy O'Grady after I last saw him clinging to the tree. O'Grady senior, after landing, went immediately to look for his son, when not finding him, he returned & we all made our way to the hills. We being all naked, cold, hungry & exhausted the natives dug pits into the sand which we got into. At sundown, it having lulled a bit, Mr Brockman went with two men to the Sarah & got some wet blankets which we slept under. At about 8 p.m. the wind went to the westward & blew with greater fury than before. At this time I observed to Mr Brockman that I felt the earth shake & he replied that he felt it also. The next morning two parties from the Adele & Fortescue cutters (which were at the time of the storm 3 miles to the east & three miles to the west of us) came across us & informed us that they had noticed the same phenomenon. About 10 p.m. on the 8th inst we repaired to the Sarah & procured provisions & O'Grady senior, having found the bottle with the matches in we made a good fire & had a good meal - The natives subsequently found the remains of John O'Grady Page - 3