Page:History of New South Wales from the records, Volume 2.djvu/387

 H.M.S. GTrABa)IAN. 327 with very little damage ; but the sea running immensely high, it ^'^^ was with difficulty they were kept from being stove alongsida a hazanious The launch being forced to drop on the quarter, to make room for op®™^®"- the two cutters, was nearly drawn under the quarter and sunk, and at last obliged to cast adrift from the ship, with only seven or eight men on board, and without any provision or water. A coil of rope was then handed from the quarter-gallery, and passed over to Mr. Somerville, the gunner, in the jolly-boat, which hung over the stern. This boat, on being lowered down, was drawn The joUy- under and sunk. As soon as the launch had again rowed a little ^!^ped. nearer to the ship, one of the people in her caught hold of a rope, until the cutters brought them provisions, c&a, and veered to a good distance astern. A small quantity of biscuit, and an eigh teen- gallon cask of water, was then let down between the main and mizen-chains into the small cutter, which was the last thing taken in. The purser then got into the main-chains, and from thence ouitting leaped into her 3 Mr. Wadman and Mr. Tremlett likewise, f ortu- * ® *^^' nately, got into the boat from the mizen-chains. It was with groat difficulty rowed clear of the ship, and steered for the launch. The agitation of mind on this melancholy occasion may be better imagined than described. Mr. Riou was at this moment walking Fortitude the quarter-deck, and seemed happy the boat had got safe from ^ptaL. alongside The ship was drifting astern, and gradually sinking in the water. Mr. Clements began to be afraid she would drive upon the launch ; he therefore called to the crew to cut the tow- rope, and row out of the ship's wake. Mr. Somerville, the gunner, who was looking over the ship's stem, hearing the order, prayed them to hold fast a moment, and he would jump overboard and swim to them ; he did so, and was followed by John Spearman, seaman, who were both received safe, and the boat then cut, and rowed out of the ship's track. About The cutter three-quarters past eight we got alongside the cutter, and Mr. return for Clements, Mr. Wadman, Mr. Tremlett, and the purser, with one *"pp"®^ or two more of the men, went on board, and took two bags of biscuit and a cask of water. The crew were ordered back to the ship for further supplies, and to receive as many of the people as could with safety be taken on board. They were notj however, to be prevailed on to return, but rowed The order oflf to some distance, and lay-by to observe our motions. The Rev. **'^®*^