ANSON AT CAPE HORN. 



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"to confess that what they had hitherto called storms were inconsiderable gales." Short, 

 mountainous waves pitched and tossed the vessels so violently that the men were in perpetual 

 danger of being dashed to pieces. One of the best seamen on the Centurion was canted 

 overboard and drowned ; his manly form was long seen struggling in the water, he being 

 a good swimmer, while those on board were powerless to assist him. Another man was 

 thrown violently into the hold and broke his thigh; a second dislocated his neck, and one 



THE "CENTURION" OFF CAPE HORN 



of the boatswain's mates broke his collar-bone twice. The squalls were so sudden thaf 

 they were obliged to lie-to for days together, almost under bare poles, and when in a lull 

 they ventured to set a little canvas, the blasts would return and carry away their sails. 

 Squalls of rain and snow constantly occurred. The Centurion, labouring in the heavy seas, 

 "was now grown so loose in her upper works that she let in the water at every seam, so 

 that every part within board was constantly exposed to the sea-water, and scarcely any of 

 the officers ever lay in dry beds. Indeed, it was very rare that two nights ever passed 

 without many of them being driven from their beds by the deluge of water that came 

 in upon them." Shrouds snapped, and yards and masts were lost on several of the squadron. 

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