Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v3p2.djvu/473

 the transom sprung by the iron tiller, and eventually cut to enable us to uhship it. In heaving on the spare anchor, which had been laid out to the southward two cables’ lengths, it parted, the cable being cut through by the rocks; the kedge and stream parting at the same time. The sheet was instantly let go, which did not hold a minute, both flues being broken off at the crown. The ship’s head was again forced to the northward, having the stem exposed and left to the mercy of a strong S.W. sea breeze, with some swell, causing the ship to strike violently, making five feet water an hour, and in this position she continued all night.

“At this critical period, thought it necessary to assemble the ship’s company, to apprise them of the perilous state of the ship, and to express my strong approbation and admiration of their great exertions from the commencement, and recommended a continuance of the same as the only means of effecting the safety of the ship: – this seemed to excite an additional degree of enthusiasm, and, amidst the loudest cheering and the strongest exertions, they returned to the pumps, swearing they would never quit her whilst she would swim. Captain Dance remained on board all night, and at day-light the following morning was directed to proceed oh board the Sulphur, to send down a bower-anchor and cable, which considering the means he possessed (from his ship being unmanned by boats away on an exploring party, which prevented his being able to move his own ship) was accomplished with the utmost despatch, the Sulphur being anchored at least seven miles off. Several guns having been fired for assistance, at 4 a boat came from the Lion, a brig lying in Gage’s Roads, with Mr. M‘Leod the master, and his supercargo, who were requested either to move the brig round, or send an anchor and cable, as at that moment we had neither, and had sustained much damage; intimating at the same time that Government would make a remuneration for any service rendered: – they left the ship, but never returned; and ultimately sailed from the place on the 30th of November. I particularly wish to mark the conduct of this man, it being so perfectly unlike the proceedings of an Englishman, In the situation in which we were placed.

“Nov. 29th. – From the peculiar situation of the ship I judged it necessary to lighten her, and commenced by landing some of the guns and other stores. At 3, the Sulphur’s yawl came alongside with a bower-anchor and cable, which was laid out to the southward, bent to one of our own hempen cables and passed through the rudder hole; brought it to the capstan and tried to heave off, when the cubic parted, and the ship forced herself toward a ledge of rocks about three feet above water. The end of the 14 ½ inch cable, parted from yesterday, was crept up, bent to, a shroud hawser, passed through the starboard stern port, and hove taut. The bolts in that part of the keel in the bread-room having started, the water began to make its way among the bread, when Mr. (Frederick) Hellyer, acting purser, with his usual forethought; and precaution for the safety of his stores, reported to me the state thereof, on which I requested