200 KINGSBRIDGE 



Alarm," which has been already spoken of as written by 

 Henry Hingeston about the year 1700, that in his day 

 wrecks were much more frequent on the neighbouring 

 coast than is the case now (which, without lighthouses, 

 and with inferior vessels and seamanship, would be likely), 

 and wrecking was carried on in the most hard-hearted and 

 barbarous manner. The following are Henry Hingeston's 

 remarks on this subject. 



"I have been deeply affected to see and feel how sweet 

 the report of a shipivreck is to the inhabitants of this 

 country, as well professors as profane, and what running 

 there is on such occasions, all other business thrown aside, 

 and away to wreck. * * * I am verily persuaded 

 that it hath been more sweet to hear that all the men 

 are drowned, and so a proper wreck, than that any are 

 saved, and by that means hinder their more public ap- 

 pearance on that stage for getting money. 0! the cruelty 

 that hath been acted by many. My heart hath been often 

 heavy to consider it, insomuch that I verily think multitudes 

 of heathen are nothing near so bad. Remember the broad- 

 cloth slupe, stranded in Bigbury Bay, richly laden. ! 

 for shame, for shame, I am really vext that ever my country- 

 men should be guilty of such devilish actions." 



Is it not sickening to think that such scenes ever were 

 enacted in this professedly Christian country ? But the 

 days of these savage deeds are long past away, and now 

 instead of the greedy wrecker, we may picture the life-boat 

 launched, and manned by a brave and honest crew, eager 

 to risk their own lives in the endeavour to save those of 

 their fellow-men. 



The most recent wreck which we have to record as having 

 occurred in Bigbury Bay is that of the brigantine Theodore, 



