upper deck, tore a boat away from the larboard quarter, and ripped up the weather boards of the quarter deck. The whole of the ship’s company were now busily employed in pumping and bailing, as leaks had been sprung in every direction, and the waves were making a fair breach over her.
At 8-30, the starboard quarter-boat and gallery were carried away, and two of the stern dead-lights forced in; the water at the same time gaining on the pumps. At 2 a.m., on the 18th, soundings were obtained in forty fathoms, and an attempt was made to wear; but in the act of doing so land presented itself on the lee-beam. As the last resource, both bower-anchors, with chain-cables attached, were let go in twenty fathoms; but many minutes had not expired before the starboard chain snapt, and the ship began to drive. The officers and ship’s company conducted themselves on this awful occasion as became British seamen, obeying all orders as coolly and correctly as ever. The small-bower being instantly slipt, the courses were soon loosed and set, and in a few minutes the ship was run end on into a small sandy cove, between two rocks, and only just wide enough to receive her. In forcing her over a reef outside four planks on the broadside were stove, and had it not been near high water she must then have perished, with all on board. The sea continuing to break over the ship in a most terrific manner, the officers and men were obliged to lash themselves in the fore-rigging until the tide fell; and at day light they discovered that Providence had directed them to the only spot on a long range of steep rocky coast, where they could have been saved. A large English brig was then lying a total wreck, distant only two hundred yards, and about one thousand Portuguese were seen on the shore ready to march off with their approaching plunder. Captain Hope did all he could to induce them to lay hold of a line which he floated on shore, but none would come near until he commenced firing musketry among them. A sailor then swam to the beach, and, with the assistance of the natives, a hawser was hauled on shore and secured. About 27,000l. in silver and copper coin, for the use of the commissariat department at Malta, was first got on shore by
