the end of the trysail-boom, fearing she might be stove under the counter; and I desired Mr. Bargus, who continued with me on the wreck, to go over first. In this instance, he replied, that he begged leave to disobey my orders; that he must see me save over before he attempted to go himself. Such conduct, and at such a moment, requires no comment; but I should be wanting to myself, and to the service, if I did not faithfully state to their Lordships every circumstance, however trifling: and it is highly satisfactory to me to have this opportunity of recording an incident so honorable to a meritorious officer.
“The sea was running so high at the time we hoisted out the boats, that I scarcely flattered myself we should get them out in safety; and in. deed, nothing but the steady and orderly conduct of the crew could have enabled us to effect so difficult and hazardous an undertaking: it is a justice to them to observe, that not a man in the ship attempted to make use of the liquor, which every one had in his power. Whilst the cutter was getting out, I perceived one of the seamen (John Tipper) emptying a demijean, or bottle, containing five gallons, which, on inquiry, I found to be rum. He said that he was emptying it for the purpose of filling it with water from the scuttle-cask on the quarter-deck, which had been generally filled over night, and which was then the only fresh water to be got at: it became, afterwards, our principal supply. I relate this circumstance, as being so highly creditable to the character of a British sailor.
“We had scarce quitted the ship, when she suddenly gave a heavy lurch to port, and then went down head foremost. * * * * * * I cannot attempt to describe my own feelings, or the sensations of my people Exposed as we were, in two small open boats, upon the great Atlantic ocean, bereft of all assistance, but that which our own exertions, under Providence, could afford us, we narrowly escaped being swallowed up in the vortex. Men used to vicissitudes are not easily dejected; but there are trials which human nature alone cannot surmount. The consciousness of having done our duty, and a reliance upon a good Providence, enabled us to endure our calamity; and we animated each other with the hope of a better fate. * * * * * *
“Having at length surmounted dangers and difficulties which baffle all description, we rigged the foremast, and prepared to shape our course in the best manner that circumstances would admit of, the wind blowing from the precise point on which it was necessary to sail, to reach the nearest land. An hour had scarcely elapsed from the time the ship struck, till she foundered. The distribution of the crew had already been made in the following order, which we afterwards preserved:
“In the cutter, of the following dimensions, viz. 20 feet long, 6 feet 4 inches broad, and 2½ feet deep, were embarked three ladies and myself; Captain Richard Thomas, of the navy; the French commander of the schooner; the master’s-mate, gunner, steward, carpenter, and eight seamen; in all 18 people: whose weight, together with the provisions, brought the boat’s gunwale down to within 6 or 7 inches of the water. From this confined space, some, idea may be formed of our crowded state; but it is
