246 THE SEA. 



The Albion meets a vessel driving before the gale, having lost both her anchors and 

 cables; receives orders to supply her from shore; and the hardy crew, putting the vessel 

 round, beat through the heavy seas, and make for Deal. " They have to force the boat against 

 wind and tide, and much skill is required to prevent her being filled by the rising seas which 

 sweep around her ; now she rushes upon the beach, the surf breaks over her and half fills 

 her with water; with a tremendous thump and shake she strikes the shore with her 

 iron keel. 



"As the wave which bore the lugger in upon the beach recedes, a man springs 

 overboard from the bow with a rope in his hand ; many catch hold of the rope, and 

 haul their hardest to keep the boat straight, head on to the beach; there is a stem 

 strap a chain running through a hole in the front part of the keel ; a boatman watches 

 his opportunity, and, as a wave sweeps back, rushes down and passes a rope through the 

 loop of the strap; the other end of this rope is fastened to a powerful capstan, which 

 is placed high up on the beach. ' Man the capstan ! Heave with a will ! ' and the strong 

 men strain at the capstan bars until the capstan creaks again. There is no starting the 

 lugger : she is so full of water from the surf breaking on the beach that she is too heavy 

 for the men at one capstan to move her; ropes are led down from two other capstans, 

 and rove through a snatch-block fastened to a boat on the beach ; all put out their 

 strength, round they tramp, with a ' Ho ! heave ho ! ' and slowly the lugger travels 

 up the beach, and is safe from the roll of the breakers. The men get the water out of 

 her, haul her higher up on to a swivel platform, turn her round head to the sea, and the 

 leading hands hurry away to inquire about an anchor and cable. The agent supplies 

 them with such as seem suitable for the size of the vessel, and which will perhaps weigh 

 together about seven tons/' Then follows the labour of getting them on board, but in a 

 short time all are ready for se&. 



" The gale has rapidly increased in force, and a frightful surf is running on the beach ; 

 the roar of the breakers on the shingle, the howling of the storm, the gleam of white foam 

 shining out of the mist and gloom, all picture the wildness of the storm ; but the undaunted 

 boatmen do not hesitate. All is ready; the signal given; the boat rushes down the steep ways, 

 and is launched into the sea. A breaking wave rolls in swiftly, it meets the bow of the 

 lugger in its rush, fills her ; for a moment the big boat runs under water, and then is 

 lifted and twisted like a toy in the grasp of the sea, and is thrown, in the heave of the 

 wave, broadside on to the beach ; a cry of horror from all on shore, and a rush down to 

 aid the crew, who are all there are fifteen of them struggling in the surf: now the 

 men are washed up by the wave, and feel the ground and stagger forward ; now they are 

 caught again by a breaker and rolled over ; it is for each of them a terrible battle with 

 the fierce seas; here one gets on his feet and stumbles forward, he is caught by the men 

 on shore and dragged up the beach ; there a man is lying struggling on the shingle, trying 

 in vain to rise, exhausted and confused, two men seize his collar, and pull him forward a 

 yard or two, then get him to his feet, and he escapes the next wave, which would have 

 washed him out to sea again. Now all the men seem to be saved; names are shouted 

 do all answer? No; there is one missing! All rush to the water's edge and gaze 

 into the darkness, eagerly watching each shadow mid the surf. ' There he is ! No ! 



