222 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. VII. 



perilous condition, ignorant in what direction and 

 how distant the land might be, and under the dread, 

 moreover, that the falling tide (from twelve to 

 fifteen feet) would most probably occasion the total 

 destruction of the ship — in order to provide for such an 

 unfortunate event the long boat was prepared to be 

 hoisted out with the four small ones, and ordered to 

 be stored with arms, ammunition, and provisions ; 

 the officers drew lots for their respective boats, and 

 the ship's company were stationed to them. " Every 

 officer and man," says the Captain, " drew his lot 

 with the greatest composure, although two of the 

 boats would have been swamped the instant they 

 were lowered." In the mean time the heavy seas 

 continued to sweep over the crowded decks. On 

 the weather clearing a little a low beach was dis- 

 covered, all round astern of the ship, on which the 

 surf was running to an awful height ; and " it ap- 

 peared but too evident that no human power could 

 save us if driven upon it." At this moment the ship, 

 beins: lifted bv a tremendous sea, struck with great 

 violence the whole length of her keel. This was 

 naturally conceived to be the forerunner of her 

 total wreck. The decks were continually and 

 deeply flooded : for twenty-four hours, it is stated, 

 most of the men had not quitted these decks, and 

 the Captain had not been in bed for three nights. 



In such a hopeless case Captain Lyon did that 

 which a right-minded British naval officer never 



