CHAP. VI. J INCREASE OF LEAKAGE. 435 



degree as to resemble the sea off the Cape of 

 Good Hope more than anything else. The con- 

 sequences to us were serious indeed, for, from the 

 unavoidable pitching, rolling, and straining of 

 the ship, the entire stern frame became more 

 and more loosened. The fastenings and bolts were 

 rickety and twisted : this naturally slackened the 

 preventer lashings, till that time of great utility, 

 and an additional quantity of water, now forcibly 

 rushing in from a variety of places, warned us 

 how little we had to depend upon for safety, ex- 

 cept the providential care which had hitherto been 

 our stay and comfort. We did not however neglect 

 to put four extra screw eye-bolts on each side of 

 the heel-knee, through which ten turns of two- 

 inch rope were passed for a lashing, that in some 

 measure relieved the immense strain previously 

 sustained by the others. Nevertheless the leaks 

 did not abate, and owing to the quantity of coals 

 stowed in bulk below, and the manner in which 

 we had been thrown about, the limber holes had 

 got choked, so that on inspection not less than 

 fourteen inches of water were found over the 

 casing of the water-courses. This obliged us to 

 cut a hole through the bulkhead on the star- 

 board side, to allow of its egress to the pump 

 well, and when it was done, the service of the 

 whole crew, properly divided into parties, was 

 required for upwards of three hours and twenty 



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