36 DISASTERS. \.Iune, 



The town cannot be seen until you reach the eastern 

 bight of this strait. 



In our case, the tenders having been directed to look 

 out, the beacon was signalled by ' Pioneer ;' and running 

 in with the ship to a safe distance, I left in iny gig, to 

 ascertain where the port lay. I was much puzzled by 

 the outer bay ; but immediately on rounding the inner 

 point, the warping-rings let into the rocks, and num- 

 bered, clearly indicated where to proceed. I was not a 

 little surprised to find that no pilots were coming out, 

 and, until I reached the Resident's house, that none were 

 ordered ; but they immediately accompanied me in their 

 own whale-boat, and on opening the point I made the 

 signal to the ship ' to steer for my position,' advancing 

 in the course which she was to maintain. This was im- 

 mediately complied with by Commander Richards, and 

 rejoining off False Bay, we stood in, prepared to beat up 

 to the harbour. I had hoped that the ship would have 

 beat in to the anchorage in decent style ; but fate seemed 

 to decree unusual disasters, and either flurries of wind or 

 counter-currents acted to the annoyance of each. The 

 'Assistance,' always weatherly outside, would not keep to 

 the wind, and lost ground in tacking. The pilots (too 

 many) were all uttering unintelligible jargon, and giving 

 contrary orders, twice putting us on the same rock with- 

 out damage, owing to its abruptness ; so that I found, 

 with such a strong breeze prevailing, that it was neces- 

 sary to anchor. In the meantime the ' Pioneer' had 

 made love to an iceberg, which deprived her of her 

 mizenmast. 'Intrepid' grounded in stays; 'Resolute' 

 anchored ; and next morning, after it moderated, and the 



