Page:Melancholy consequences of two sea storms.pdf/18

 pieces. At eleven in the forenoon, the wind to the West ward, and the weather clearing up, Berry-head was distinguishable bearing North by East, distant four or five leagues; they immediately bent another fore-sail, erected a main-mast, and set a top-gallant sail for a m sail under which sail they bore up for Portsmouth and employed the remainder of the day in getting up a jury mizen-mast.

About two in the morning on Friday the the ship still driving, and approaching very fast the shore, Mr. Henry Meriton went into the dy, where the Captain then was, and a conversation took place, Captain Pierce expressing extreme anxiety for the preservation of beloved daughters, and earnestly asking the officer if could devise any means of saving them, and on answering with great concern that he feared it w be impossible, but that their only chance would to wait for the morning, the Captain lifted up hands in silent and distressful ejaculation.

At this dreadful moment the ship struck with such violence as to dash the heads of those were standing in the cuddy, against the deck above them, and the fatal blow was accompanied by  shriek of horror, which burst at one instant from very quarter of the ship.

Mr. Meriton, the officer, whom we have already mentioned, at this crisis of horror, offered to desponding crew the best advice which could possibly be given to them; he recommended their cing all to that side of the ship which lay lowest the rocks, and singly to take the opportunities which might then offer of escaping to the shore. A Having thus provided to the utmost of his power for their safety, he returned to the round-hou where by this time all the passengers, and most