SCENES AT THE WRECK. 



265 



order, and the captain fired at him in a boat alongside the ship. The bullet entered the 

 man's leg just above the knee. 



Meantime the pumps were set to work, but with little or no effect, the water pouring 

 in through the opening in the ship's side. The scene on deck was frightful. Many of 

 the passengers were in their night-dresses; others had only such scanty clothing as they 

 could secure on quitting their berths. Children were screaming for their parents, and 

 parents searching in vain for their children ; husbands and wives were hopelessly separated. 



WRECK OF THE " NORTHFLEET." 



The horror was increased by the darkness of night. The captain's wife was placed with 

 other women in the long-boat, under the charge of the boatswain; but the tackle being too 

 suddenly set adrift, the boat was stove in. 



By this time the City of London steam-tug, having perceived the signals of distress, 

 reached the spot, and succeeded in rescuing nearly the whole of the occupants of the boat, 

 as well as several others of the passengers and crew, to the number of thirty-four. She 

 remained cruising about the spot till early next morning, picking up such of the passengers 

 as could get clear of the wreck, and in the last hope, which proved vain, of rendering assistance 

 to those who might have floated on fragments of the ship after she settled down. The 

 Kingsdown lugger Mary was likewise attracted by the signals of distress, and succeeded in 

 rescuing thirty passengers. The London pilot-cutter No. 3, and the Princess, stationed at 

 74 



