62 



ANNUAL REGIS^TEH, 1813. 



ably ; and while the boats were 

 ascertaining the deepest water, the 

 ship gathered way ; sail was im- 

 mediately set, and she once more 

 floated. Whilst aground, we ob- 

 served the false keel and several 

 splinters separate from her, but 

 thought the damage extended no 

 further. 



" A report was now made, that 

 the bread-room and cock-pit were 

 full of water. The chain and hand 

 pumps, which had been previously 

 manned, were now vigorously 

 worked, and, for a time, our exer- 

 tions seemed successful. At this 

 time the ship had run into deep 

 water ; and the fleet out of all risk, 

 had hove to by signal to send all 

 boats to our assistance. For some 

 time the principal injury was sus- 

 pected to be far aft, and not much 

 under the water mark ; the cabin 

 and aftermost guns were run for- 

 ward to bring the ship by the head, 

 for the purpose of getting at the 

 leak, but without effect. Soon the 

 order was given to throw all the 

 guns, with their shot, &c. over- 

 board, which was done with the 

 greatest expedition. All hands 

 were alert with hope and zeal, and 

 particularly active in the discharge 

 of their duty. 



" The carpenters now declared 

 the leaks to be far under water, 

 about the keel and sternpost ; and 

 the rudder was found to work so 

 much, that it was thought judicious 

 to get it unshipped, which was 

 very soon done, and brought along- 

 side. 



" The lower piece of the stern- 

 post was at this Mme observed to 

 be gone ; the water gaining con- 

 siderably on the pumps, though 

 actively worked, and approaching 



the orlop deck- A sail, prepared 

 with oakum and tar, was now goti 

 over the stern, for the purpose of 

 stopping the leaks, which were 

 now discovered ; but, alas ! only to 

 show their extent and danger, with 

 the impossibility of stopping them. 

 They were now on both sides very 

 far aft, and at another where the 

 sternpost fell out, a stream rushed 

 in nearly as large as a man's 

 body. 



" The state of the ship was now 

 nearly hopeless : the leaks were too 

 numerous and large to be remedied 

 in the smallest degree, by any 

 means. The ship's crew, nearly 

 exhausted by unremitting labour 

 for eight hours at the pumps, and 

 seeing the water, in spite of their 

 exertions, rising to the lower deck, 

 began to flag. 



" Nothing remained untried to 

 save the ship, and I am sorry to 



say. 



without success. Our com- 



mander, captain Maxwell, now 

 thought it necessary to provide for 

 the safety of the people ; they were 

 put into the boats in waiting, and. 

 taken on board the nearest India- 

 men. At this time the ship began 

 to take in water at the main-deck 

 ports, and was fast settling, conse- 

 quently we were well assured her 

 time was very short for remaining 

 visible. The officers, at last, after 

 seeing all the ship's company out 

 of her, and going through every 

 part of the vessel yet above water, 

 for the purpose of making sure 

 that not a soul remained, with 

 heavy hearts quitted the ship. Our 

 worthy captain remained till every 

 one was in the boats, and about 



six in the evening he took a final 



leave of her. In about five 

 minutes, after lurching very deeply, 



'^ 



