vessel was preserved, after encountering almost un- | fever of their bodies had so increased, that their lips paralleled dangers, and experiencing one of the most miraculous escapes recorded in the naval history of this or any other country. We must now turn to the perilous situation of those who left in the launch. At about half-past eleven they lost sight of the ship and boats, and shaped their course as much to the northward as the wind, then at N.W., would permit. On the next day, after leaving the ship, the wind blew in strong gales, the weather was squally and cloudy, with remarkably high seas, and through the night they could get no sleep, as they were so chilled and benumbed with the cold. On the following morning the weather became more moderate. At four o'clock they shifted the foremast to its proper place, stepped the mainmast, and set the fore and mainsails; at eight the people were employed to make a main-topsail out of some sheets, and a yard out of one of the boat's thwarts; the handle of a broken oar was converted into a topmast; a small tobacco canister was cut up to make a measure for the distribution of water, the allowance being rather less than two gills per day to each man. On the morning of the 27th the weather was cloudy, with moderate breezes. At one, P. M., having boiled all their poultry, and cut up the goose, which was but a small one, into fifteen equal parts, they blindfolded one of the men, who was directed to call each person by name, while another served out the morsels by lots; but such was the little appetite they had for food, that although they had fasted above thirty hours, each seemed perfectly satisfied with his little morsel, and some even reserved a part of it for a future occasion. But the very scanty measure of water they afterwards received, by no means allayed the craving thirst for drink, which was evidently occasioned by the excessive heat and feverish state of their bodies. They did not dare, however, to take one drop more than the prescribed allowance; but, becoming philosophers through necessity, submitted to the exigencies of the moment with becoming resolution. At seven they had their second allowance of water, which being succeeded by the coldness of the night, administered greatly to their relief. At midnight it blew a fresh gale, with dark, cloudy, and remarkably cold weather. The launch was at this time brought under her mainsail only, and the weather continuing much the same, no alteration had been made in her throughout the day. The morning of the 28th was cloudy, with fresh gales, but towards the middle of the day, the weather was more moderate. About noon they had one of the fowls cut up, and divided amongst them, as on the preceding day, and then received their gill of water; but the heat and began to break out in watery and ulcerous blisters. One of the crew, being afraid of famishing, requested his whole quantity of water for the day at one serving, but this being opposed by Mr. Clements, he had recourse to salt water, of which he drank freely. At five o'clock in the morning, they got the topmast up, and set the topsail; but fresh gales coming on about ten, it was lowered and taken in again. There were immense numbers of sea-fowl flying about, which is not unusual in these seas, and had they been fortunate enough to have had a fowling-piece, they need not have been much at a loss for provisions; but though they had powder and shot in store, they had only two brace of pistols, with which they were unable to do any execution. At day-break, December 29, they had strong gales, with flying showers of rain, from which they endeavoured to benefit as much as possible, by facing the weather, with their mouths open, and handkerchiefs spread out, but the drifting moisture was so thin and light, that they were barely able to catch sufficient to moisten their lips. In the morning, they had each a small thimble-full of which was occasionally allowed; and at noon they cut up and divided their last fowl, sharing the water as before. rum, On December 30, they were so far reduced that they were not able to swallow the smallest crumb, until they had been supplied with an additional measure of water to moisten their lips, which were almost held together by a tough viscid phlegm, that could not be expectorated but with the greatest difficulty. To eat at all, they were obliged to dip a bit of biscuit in the water, and afterwards sup a little of it with each mouthful, to force it down. The butter, cheese, and hams, were left free for the use of any one; for, as they were found to occasion greater thirst, they remained almost untouched. Several of the crew had again recourse to salt water, but it did not appear to produce any bad effects. On the day after, they again suffered very severely from the burning heat of the sun, and the parched state of their bodies, and had an additional allowance of water, with a larger portion of rum than usual, in which they soaked their morsels of biscuit, and made their meal of it. About four in the afternoon the clouds began to threaten rain, and preparations were accordingly made to collect as much as possible; but, to their extreme mortification, they saw it fall in heavy showers around them, while over the boat there was rarely as much as would wet their handkerchiefs. They appeared now to be in a more helpless state than ever, and began to show signs of disrespect to their officers; but this was happily checked in time, by the spirited conduct of the gunner, who chastised the leader in the face of the whole crew and restored discipline. Many of the people this day drank their own urine, and some tried salt water. The weather was warmer and more sultry than on any day since their misfortune. On the next day, being January 1, 1790, they dined the same as on the preceding day, and in general appeared in much better spirits; which, as it was the first day of the new year, they considered a happy presage of their safety. On the following day they had clear weather, till about four in the afternoon, when the sky became overcast, and it blew a fresh gale: they had before this dined on their usual fare of biscuit and water, with half a measure of rum, and were all in tolerably good spirits; but the gale increasing during the night, and the sea running immensely high, it brought them again into fresh danger; which, with the disappointment of not seeing land in the morning, as they expected, reduced them to their former miserable state of despondency. At eight in the evening, the foresail was shifted to the mainmast, and reefed, and the boat sailed under it till about six in the morning, when the mizen was set on the foremast, to give her greater steerage way. At noon the latitude was observed, 33o 19', and the supposed longitude, E. of Greenwich, was 34o 157. On the 3d of January, about seven in the evening, the clouds had the appearance of very heavy rain, but unfortunately broke over in a most tremendous storm of thunder and lightning, attended with gusts of wind and very little rain, and succeeded by a violent gale from the S.W. which lasted several hours, and in which they were very near perishing. On this occasion, the master and gunner succeeded each other at the helm; and by their experience and judgment in the management of the boat, they were this night enabled to traverse in safety an ocean of such fierce and tremendous seas, in different directions, as they could scarcely allow themselves the hope of escaping. At day-break the gunner, who was then at the helm, discovered a ship at a little distance from them, laying under her bare poles. Their joy at this sight was great beyond expression; and, anxious to secure so favourable an occasion, they immediately made sail, and between five and six o'clock passed close under her, and informed her people of their distresses. They then veered about and put alongside her on the other tack. The people on board her crowded immediately to their assistance, and received them in the most friendly manner; and as soon as they were alongside, several of them jumped in, and assisted in keeping the boat from being stove. This ship was the Viscountess of Britannie, a French merchantman, commanded by Martin Doree, with part of Walsh's, or 95th regiment, from the Isle of France, to touch at the Cape of Good Hope, for a supply of water and provisions, on her way to Europe. The officers were unbounded in their friendship and attention towards the wretched sufferers, affording them every possible comfort, and even giving up their beds for their use. They came to anchor in Table Bay, on the 18th of January. A Tale of the Coast. "That white-faced shore, Whose foot spurns back the ocean's roaring tides." Ir was late in the afternoon of a gloomy day, in the latter part of November, when, in consequence of a signal made that a suspicious sail was seen off the coast, as if waiting for the flowing of the tide in the dark, Lieutenant had given orders to man his favourite galley, and proceed in quest of the stranger. The crew had been carefully, though to appearance bastily, selected from those inured to service, and bearing a character for intrepidity, some of whom had been the partners of an enterprize which was ever uppermost in his mind, when, amongst the first to board the American frigate, Chesapeake, as a young midshipman, he was stretched on the deck by the stroke of a cutlass on the head. The strokesman of the boat, whose brawny arms had borne him, on that memorable day, to the cock-pit of the Shannon, as soon as the Americans had deserted their deck, and fled for safety below, as he now shipped the rudder, looked wistfully in the wind's eye. The glance was not unobserved; but the lieutenant, apprehensive that it might be accompanied by some remonstrance (a liberty which Jack considered himself exclusively privileged to take), quietly motioned him to go forward, in order to hoist the mainsail. The boat being shoved off the beach, after pitching twice in the surf, rose triumphantly over the third sea, which had now exhausted itself. In a moment the sail was hoisted, she instantly gathered way, and stood off in a lateral direction from the shore. The men seated themselves regularly on the thwarts, and the strokesman, after reeving the main-sheet through the fair-leader abaft, sat with it in his hand in such a position on the after-thwart, that, though his face was turned to windward, his eye would occasionally meet that of his commander. As the light boat lay down to the wind, and became steady in her course towards the chase, the crew had time to look around them. The strokesman's eye was alternately turned from that part of the heavens, where he had vainly sought for any encouraging appearances amidst the portentous indications of a wild wintry sky, to the beach, where, in a lonely A heavy swell had now set in from the same point in which the wind had continued all day. The sun had set with every indication of stormy weather; a pale yellow streak of light over the land, partly reflected on the east, formed the only contrast to the general murky gloom of the horizon; across which the gull and other sea fowl, hastily fled the approach of the gale, already indicated by the swift drifting of the scud, which overtook them in their flight, and suddenly enveloped all in darkness without the intervention of twilight. romantic gorge, skirted with verdure and leafless under- to dissuade him, in terms respectful, yet decisive, from wood, between two grey beetling cliffs, was discovered the continuing so unequal a chase, more particularly as compact white wooden station of the party, with its sig- there was no chance, in the dark, of communicating by nal-post and miniature glacis descending almost to high-signal, either with the shore or any cruizer which might water-mark. His look betrayed unusal emotion, in one of be then off the station, his years and service, possibly occasioned by the intrusive officiousness of the remembrance, that there were gar. nered up the source of his best affections-his wife and innocent little prattlers, whom, through some unaccountable presentiment, he foreboded he should never see more. A tear might have glazed the veteran's eye at the moment; for, as if unwilling to be longer a witness of the struggle between tenderness and duty, the lieutenant addressed him in a tone of evidently assumed ease, and inquired if the arm-chest had been kept dry? Receiving an answer in the affirmative, and having ascertained that each man had his cutlass beside him, he proceeded to examine the priming of his pistols, which he finally placed in his waist-belt, and wrapped himself in a cloak which had been spread for him in the stern-shoulders to pull her through the heavy sea, which flung sheets abaft. Taking advantage of the first heavy swell, he rose in the boat to catch a glimpse of the strange sail in the offing, which was discovered broad on the leebow. Having directed the attention of the bowman to her position, both resumed their seats, and the lieutenant shaped his course so as to board her on the quarter. Not a word as yet had escaped the lips of any of his men, who sat cowering in a bending attitude, with elevated shoulders and arms crossed, fearful of changing the position of a limb, lest it should occasion any alteration in the boat's trim. Thus aided by every effort of art, and impelled by a light breeze, the galley soon gained rapidly on the chase; which, perceiving that the boat from the shore was evidently about to pursue her, bore round-up, making all the sail she could carry before the wind. The bowman, just then looking under the foot of the lug, pronounced her to be a large lugger, which he had before seen on the station, under similar suspicious circumstances. The lieutenant, putting up the helm, instantly edged into her wake, and followed precisely her track. A short period, however, sufficed to show that the chase, from the quantity of sail she was enabled to carry, had decidedly the advantage; and the wind continuing to freshen as the tide set in, she rapidly distanced her pursuer. In half-an-hour she was hull down; the haze of evening growing every moment thicker, she became imperceptible to the view. The men now involuntarily turned their eyes, which had hitherto been strained on the chase, to the stern of the galley; the appeal was unnecessary-the lieutenant was already occupied in council with the coxswain; his trusty favourite hesitated not They had got so far to leeward, that to return with the lug was impossible, The sail had already been lowered, the mast struck, and the boat brought head to wind; when the crew, shipping their oars, bent their broad itself in sheets of spray over the bows, and drenched every man on board. It was soon found that oars were unavailing to contend against the force of a sea like this, in which it was scarcely possible so small and delicate a bark should live much longer. The waves were rolling from the main in aggravated violence, and the united strength of the men could barely keep her head to wind; who, perceiving there was no longer the slightest prospect of making any progress, or the wind moderating, sullenly contented themselves with hanging on their oars. Apprehension soon put an end to all subordination. Remonstrances on the impossibility of successfully persevering in their present course, were now muttered by every seaman, except the coxswain, whose features betrayed, notwithstanding, no less anxiety than the rest. A heavy sea, which now struck the larboard-bow, making, in consequence of its being impossible to keep the boat's head on, a rapid accumulation of water every minute, soon decided the reluctant lieutenant-though at the obvious hazard of her destruction-to run the boat ashore in the first situation which might offer a chance of saving the lives of his brave companions. oars, my lads," cried he; "step the short mast-close reef the storm-lug: we must run all hazards, and beach the galley under canvas." Whilst executing this order, the bowman sung out, A sail close a-board, sir; if she don't keep her luff, she'll run us right down." "Luff, luff!" exclaimed aloud every man in the boat. lugger's course, however, remaining unaltered; there could be now no doubt that she had seen them first, and, perceiving her to be a king's boat, her object was to run clear over the the galley, by taking her right a-beam. 66 The : Shipwreck of the Schooner Cumberland, Captain Crook, Destruction appeared inevitable in their helpless con- | broadside to the surf, washing out the lieutenant with dition. A shriek of despair, mingled with execrations, one of the crew; and the next bursting with wilder succeeded as she neared the galley, when the lieutenant fury, turned her bottom upwards, burying beneath her rose in the boat, levelled his pistol at the steersman, and the seven unhappy seamen in one common grave. fired the hand which grasped the tiller relaxed its hold, and the miscreant his life. The lugger instantly broached-to, passing to the windward of the boat. "Out oars, my lads," said the lieutenant; "we'll board the villains." 66 'Aye, aye, sir," exclaimed several voices, with an alacrity which might be taken for the surest earnest of meditated revenge. The oars were again manned, the boat in the meantime pitching bows under, and shipping green seas fore and aft. Before she had got way on her, two of the weather-oars snapped short in the rowlocks, and her intention to board being sus-plished, however, the vessel struck on the Foul-ground, pected by the smuggler, she had no sooner paid off, so as to get the wind again abaft the beam, than shaping a course edging in for the land, she quickly dropped the galley astern. Having run so far to leeward in the former chase, no one was now able to decide on what part of the shore an attempt to land might be practicable: all was darkness around; and although from two or three flashes, discernible at an elevation considerably above the sea, and which appeared to be signals made from the heights to assist the desperate outlaws they had just encountered, there was no doubt they could be at no great distance from the land, still to follow her was to brave unseen dangers. The men were clamorous to hoist the lug and give chase; a sentiment in which the unpresuming coxswain concurred, as he observed that, "Capture or no capture, they were more likely to find a smooth sea by following the lugger, which clearly was herself making for the beach." A heavy lurch, which nearly swamped the boat, soon created unanimity. The lug was hoisted at all hazards and the lieutenant putting the helm up, she flew with inconceivable velocity in the lugger's wake, though not without imminent danger of being pooped by every successive sea. The roaring of the surf was now distinctly heard; and soon the whole scene was lighted up by its luminous appearance. The bowman, alarmed, now vociferated Breakers a-head !-hard down, sir, hard down!" Before the word was repeated she had entered the frightfully agitated element. "Down with the sail, or we're lost!" exclaimed the crew. "Hold on! hold on everything!" cried the veteran; "'tis our only chance to beach her." The surf now reared itself in boiling masses higher than the mast, and, as it fell thundering on the shore, the wild din burst on the affrighted ears of the seamen like successive salvos of heavy artillery. An enormous sea, striking her on the quarter, swept her THE Cumberland, from St. Petersburg, made Pile lighthouse, but as it was blowing hard, and the weather very hazy, Captain Crook thought it better to take shelter at Pile till the morning, and with that view he stood in under double-reefed topsails. Before it could be accom and knocked her rudder off. The anchors were let go, but they came home, and the vessel got hard aground, with a tremendous sea breaking over her. She continued to strike very heavily, and at length was so much damaged that she filled, and fell over on her beam-ends. The unfortunate sufferers on board sought safety on the broadside, in the chains, &c. The captain and his wife were clinging to the wreck, somewhere about the afterpart. Piele, the mate, observing that the sea broke with less violence over the bows than elsewhere, with great labour, and at the hazard of his life, conveyed Mrs. Crook forward, requesting her to permit him to lash her to the ring-bolts, but she could not be persuaded to have that done, and Piele left her to assist her husband. At that moment a dreadful sea broke over the wreck, and carried the mate overboard, but he succeeded in getting a berth in the cross-trees; for, although the weather rigging was cut away for the purpose, the masts did not go: and soon after Mrs. Crook was washed away, and she was seen no more. Captain Crook, on witnessing the loss of his wife, appeared paralyzed; but struggling, he made some indistinct remark, and was swept into eternity with the next wave. The horrible situation of the survivors may be imagined. Clinging to the wreck of the vessel, with a long and dreary night just set in, the probability of the craft going to pieces long before its expiration, and the hopelessness of all human aid availing, the poor fellows had nothing to look to but the merciful hand of Providence. That safe anchor did not fail them; for the wind somewhat suddenly lowered, and the sea became comparatively calm. The mariners at first thought this was only a lull-the herald of harder weather than before; but in this they were mistaken. The weather continued fair, and in the morning the crew taking to the jolly-boat, rowed themselves to Pile, where they arrived safe. It is supposed the vessel went to the bottom in Lune Channel, as she was last seen near the N.W. buoy. Loss of the Nottingham Galley, Captain Dean, Decem- | eight or nine o'clock, upon the captain going forward, ber 11, 1710. THE Nottingham galley, of 120 tons, and mounting ten guns, commanded by John Dean, having taken in cordage in England, and butter, cheese, &c. in Ireland, sailed for Boston, in New England, on September the 25th, 1710, having on board a crew of fourteen men. Having met with contrary winds and bad weather, it was the beginning of December when they first made land, which was to the eastward of Piscataqua. They then proceeded southward for the Bay of Massachusetts, under a hard gale of wind at N.E., accompanied with rain, hail, and snow, having had no observation for ten or twelve days. On the 11th December they handed all the sails, with the exception of the foresail and main-topsail double reefed, ordering one hand forward to look out. About he discovered breakers a-head, and instantly called out to put the helm hard a-starboard; but before the ship could wear, she struck upon the east end of the rock called Boon Island, four leagues to the eastward of Piscataqua. The second or third sea hove the ship alongside of it, and the sea running very high, the ship laboured so excessively, that they were not able to stand upon deck; and the weather was so thick and dark, that though they were not above thirty or forty yards distant from the rock, they could not see it. The captain called all hands down to the cabin, where they continued a few minutes, earnestly supplicating the mercy of Heaven; yet knowing that prayers, without endeavours, were vain, all hands were ordered up again to cut away the masts, but several of the men were so oppressed by the terrors of conscience, that they were incapable of any exertion. They, however, cut the weathermost shrouds, and the ship heeling towards the rock, the force of the |