ft 



OF THE GRIPER. 77 



sea caused this to part in half an hour, and we 1824. 

 again made sail to the north-eastward ; but Sept. 

 finding we came suddenly to seven fathoms, 

 and that the ship could not possibly work out 

 again, as she would not face the sea or keep 

 steerage way on her, I most reluctantly brought 

 her up with three bowers and a stream in suc- 

 cession, yet not before we had shoaled to 

 five and a half. This Avas between eight and 

 nine A.M. The ship pitching bows under, 

 and a tremendous sea running. At noon the 

 starboard bower-anchor parted, but the others 

 held. 



As there was every reason to fear the fall- 

 ing of the tide, which we knew to be from 

 twelve to fifteen feet on this coast, and in that 

 case the total destruction of the ship, I caused 

 the long-boat to be hoisted out, and with the 

 four smaller ones, to be stored to a certain 

 extent with arms and provisions. The offi- 

 cers drew lots for their respective boats, and 

 the ship's company were stationed to them. 

 The long-boat having been filled full of stores 

 which could not be* put below, it became re- 

 quisite to throw them overboard, as there was 

 no room for them on our very small and 

 crowded decks, over which heavy seas were 

 constantly sweeping. In making these pre- 



