Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v1p1.djvu/245

Rh weather into Plymouth. The gale continuing with increased fury, it was deemed advisable, for greater safety, to make for Catwater; but the buoy placed as a mark upon the reef off Mount Batten, having been sunk or broken adrift by the late storms, of which the Plymouth pilots were not aware, the ship touched on the tail of the shoal, and lost her rudder. Thus disabled and ungovernable, she fell off, and grounded under the citadel, near the Barbican; the sea continually breaking over her, which occasioned her to roll so prodigiously, that at one jerk all her masts went by the board, and fell towards the shore, the ship heeling off with her side to seaward.

As many as were active and able got safe on shore, with the captain and officers; but there still remained a considerable number of seamen, soldiers, and their wives on board. Captain Pellew observing that the gale rather increased than abated, and knowing that a single rope from the ship to the shore was all the communication they could have with it, and that the flood tide would make a complete wreck of the vessel, earnestly entreated some of the numerous spectators to accompany him, by means of this rope, on board, that he might rescue its crew from the inevitable fate that impended. The shore was crowded with people of all descriptions, amongst whom were pilots, and other sea-faring men, to whom Captain Pellew offered any money, if a single individual would follow his directions. The scene was tremendous; the gale every moment increased, and one and all were appalled; when at length, Mr. Edsell, the Port-Admiral’s Signal Midshipman, came forward and nobly volunteered his services; they were accordingly fastened to the rope, and hauled on board. As they had not dared to make it completely fast on shore, lest the rolling and jerking of the ship should break it, it may easily be conceived, that by the rising and falling of the rope, these brave adventurers were at times high above, and at others under the water. Being at length got on board, they sent a hawser to the shore, to which travellers and hawling lines were affixed, and by this means the whole of the crew were saved. Sir Edward and Mr. Edsell were the last who left the ship, which soon afterwards went to pieces.

