to your orders, I got under weigh from the Mars Diep on the 27th instant, at 1 P.M., making several signals for the convoy to follow me, the wind then being at S.E. At 4 P.M., the pilot, who had the charge and direction of the ship, got her on shore on the Middle, in the Soulp Gat; we very shortly got her off, but at 6 o’clock she got on shore again, Kyck Duyn bearing S.S.E. about 2 miles. I then made the signal for having struck on a shoal, and repeated it several times. It being the top of high water, and finding it impossible to get her off, I struck lower-yards and top-gallant-masts; started all the water except the ground-tier, and got a stream anchor out ready to heave her off when the next flood-tide made, which we succeeded in about 1 A.M. on the 28th, and came to with the small bower in 4 fathoms. At 5 o’clock we attempted to weigh, but the wind had shifted to S.W., and blew so strong that it was impracticable; therefore we cut the cable, made sail, and steered the course the pilot directed, which very shortly brought us up upon Dalrymple shoal; the black buoy bearing S. by W., distant one cable length. I then made the signal for boats with anchors and hawsers, likewise for schuyts, it being my intention to put the guns and all the heavy stores into them; but these plans were frustrated by the gale increasing, so much so that it was scarcely possible to stand the deck, the sea breaking over us on every side, and the ship having so much motion[1]. About 11 A.M., I ordered the main-mast to be cut away; and a little after, the ship broaching to, I likewise cut away the mizen-mast, and rigged two boat-sails on the poop, to endeavour to steer her, having previously lost the rudder, and nothing left to steer the ship in case she drifted over the shoal. I continued repeating the signal for assistance until I saw that none could be afforded; several boats being overset, and many lives lost in attempting it. By this time, the ship making three inches of water every minute, and gaining very fast upon us, the officers and men were almost ready to drop with fatigue. About 4 P.M. she drifted off the shoal, having only the foremast standing, and the water in the cable tiers; I therefore thought the only chance I had to save the ship’s company was to run her on shore; which I fortunately succeeded in, by backing and filling with the foresail and the above mentioned boat-sails, the foreyard being lowered down almost to the gunwale. * * * * * *.”
“To Capt. John Lawford, H.M.S. Romney.”
On the receipt of Captain Ayscough’s letter, the senior officer in the Texel roads directed a survey to be taken of the state and condition of the Blanche; when it was found that
- ↑ Every heavy article was consequently thrown overboard, except the guns, which it would have been dangerous to dispose of in that manner, there being only from 8 to 10 feet water alongside, and the Blanche’s draught 17 feet 3 inches.
