followed by Lieutenant Evans, who had scarcely done so when she swamped, by which accident, every one of the poor men met with a watery grave; but fortunately he himself succeeded in reaching a rope, and thereby escaped a similar fate.
Shortly after the capture of la Virginie, Captain Hunt was removed to that frigate, on which occasion he invited Mr. Evans to become his first Lieutenant, expressing himself briefly as follows:
“Dear Sir,– We have been some time together, and I hope we may not separate: I am appointed to la Virginie, and shall be happy to apply for you to be my first Lieutenant. Direct to me at Sir T. Rogers, M.P. Yours truly,
Having accepted this flattering and totally unexpected offer. Lieutenant Evans was immediately appointed to la Virginie, then just out of dock, with a clear hold, and only 25 seamen on board ; with which small number, assisted by about 30 marines, he not only rigged the ship, but stowed the hold, and got her completely ready for sea, in sixteen days after his removal from la Concorde: his Captain absent during all that period. The following short statement will shew, that she was shortly afterwards saved from destruction, through his timely interference, judicious advice, and seaman-like exertions.
La Virginie sailed on her first cruise in company with the Jason frigate. Captain Charles Stirling. After touching at Falmouth and Cork, both ships proceeded along the Irish coast to the northward, but were separated in a gale, when not far from Carlingford. The weather at this period was very thick, and la Virginie on a lee shore, with her fore-top-mast gone, which induced Lieutenant Evans to recommend that she should be kept close hauled until day-light, particularly as Captain Hunt was then ill in his cot. After seeing every thing made snug, and the wreck lashed to the ship’s side, in hopes of saving the spars and rigging. Lieutenant Evans, having been on deck the whole of the night, went below at 4 A.M., in order to put on dry apparel; but he had scarcely reached his cabin, when the officer of the watch came to in-
