WRECK OF THE ALMA. 197 



coral bank lying to the south of the Harnish islands, 

 and which is given a wide berth by all ships. We 

 could the less depend on a chance rescue, as the total 

 absence of drinking water rendered long waiting for 

 help impossible. The vessel indeed had not sunk 

 entirely, and we could save provisions of all kinds in 

 sufficient quantity , but the water -tank had become 

 filled with sea-water, and the distilling apparatus, which 

 was used for producing the needful fresh water, could 

 not be lifted out of its place. The water still found 

 in the cabins formed therefore our sole supply, on 

 whose sparing use it depended how long we should 

 be able to continue the struggle for existence. 



But yet another serious danger threatened us. 

 The crews of the fine large steamers of the Peninsular 

 and Oriental Company, which then worked the service 

 between Suez and India, consisted almost wholly of 

 natives, as Europeans are not able to stand the climate 

 of the Red Sea for any length of time. Among the 

 150 persons or thereabouts, who formed the Alma's 

 crew, there w r ere thus, with the exception of the 

 ship's officers, only three or four Europeans. The 

 captain was ill, and is said to have died from the effects 

 of the excitement soon after the shipwreck. The 

 officers had by their bad management of the vessel 

 lost the men's respect, and could no longer maintain 

 discipline among them. The latter began therefore to 

 mutiny, refused obedience, broke open the travellers' 

 trunks, and behaved rudely to the ladies. In these 

 straits a sort of government came spontaneously into 



