THE SEA. 



which is in the brig- are speedily swept overboard by the seas. The vessel is on the 

 edge of the Sands, and feels all the force of the waves as they roll in and leap and 

 break upon the bark. With every inrush of the seas she lifts high, and pitches, crushing 

 her bow down upon the Sands, each time with a thump that makes her timbers groan, 

 and almost sends the men flying from the deck." For some twenty minutes she keeps 

 thrashing on the Sands, when they glide off into deep water, and after much delay get 

 their anchor overboard. The gale continues, and, after much entreaty for the captain is a 

 poor man the crew succeed in inducing him to cut the foremast away, and the brig 

 rides more easily when this is accomplished. They wait for daylight. They are then 

 seen from Margate, and two fine luggers have a race to see which can get first to the 

 vessel. The life-boat also puts off. One of the luggers gets alongside in fine shape, 

 and the men at once recommend the captain to cut away the remaining mast, but he 

 will not be persuaded. They raise the anchor, and passing a hawser on board, attempt to 

 tow the brig from the Sands, but make little progress. To their satisfaction, they see the 

 Ramsgate steam-boat and life-boat making their way round the North Foreland. 



" The coastguard officer at Margate, when he saw that the Margate life-boat could not 

 reach the brig, and knowing that if any sea got up where the vessel was that the luggers 

 could be of no use, telegraphed to Ramsgate that the vessel was on the Knock Sands. 

 The steamer and life-boat get under weigh at once, and proceed as fast as possible to 

 the rescue. There is a nasty sea running off Ramsgate, but it is not until they get to 

 the North Foreland that they feel the full force of the gale. Here the sea is tremendous, 

 and as the steamer pitches to it the waves that break upon her bows fly right over her 

 funnel indeed, she buries herself so much in the seas that they have to ease her speed 

 considerably to prevent her being completely overrun with them." The boatmen at last 

 get on board the brig; a glance shows that no time must be lost, and as rapidly as 

 possible the steamer is enabled to take the water-logged vessel in tow. The French crew 

 are utterly exhausted with fatigue and excitement, and are quite ready to leave their 

 vessel in English hands. Away the brig goes, plunging and rolling, with the seas washing 

 over her decks, which are scarcely out of the water, while the two boats are tossing 

 astern, all being towed by the gallant little steamer. They have nearly reached the 

 harbour. 



In spite of the rough cold night, the interest in life-boat work is too great for all 

 sympathisers to be driven away from the pier-head ; and there is a crowd there ready to 

 watch the boats return and to welcome the men with a cheer. The steamer approaches 

 cautiously, and the brig seems well under command. A couple of minutes more and all 

 will be safe, when suddenly the rush of tide catches the wreck on the bow; she 

 overpowers the lugger, which is towing astern ; round her head flies ; she lurches 

 heavily forward, and strikes the east pier-head. Crash goes her jib-boom first, and the 

 steamer, towing with all its might, cannot prevent her again and again crushing 

 against the pier. Her bowsprit and figure-head are broken and torn off, her stern 

 smashed in. Ropes and buoys are thrown from the pier. "The poor Frenchmen are 

 almost paratysed by the scene and by excitement they cannot make it out ; the 

 harbour-master, Captain Braine, has enough to do : he sees the danger of the men on 



