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On the 19th of November, 1821, the Essex, a Russian Vessel, of 250 tons which was employed in the whale fishery was in lat. 47 deg. S. and long. 118 deg. W. from Greenwich, and consequently about 500 geographical miles to the west of the Patagonian coast, when it was surrounded by whales; and one of them of the largest size gave it so violent a blow with his tail, that the keel of the vessel was partly laid bare. The monster stopped some time near the ship, endeavouring to strike it again with his tail: not being able to succeed, he swam before the vessel to the distance of about half a werst, (one third of an English mile) then at once he swam back, and struck the prow with such violence, that notwithstanding the rapidity of her course, under full sail, the vessel receded, and this retrograde movement was almost as rapid as her advance forwards. The damage which was occasioned by this gigantic shock is not to be described. The waves broke into the ship through the cabin windows, all the persons who happened to be on deck, were thrown down, the vessel filled with water, was laid on the side, and did not right herself till the masts were cut away.

It was immediately evident that there were no hopes of saving her. The crew thinking only of their own safety, got into the two boats, in which they embarked some provisions which they had with great difficulty taken ontout [sic] of the