AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 239 



turned bottom upwards, and the occupants were thrown 

 into the boiling surf. They, however, succeeded in getting 

 back on board the ship, with one exception, that of the 

 chief mate, Mr. Groves, who was drowned. The rocket 

 apparatus was soon got to work, and all hands (with one 

 exception, already mentioned) were quickly saved. 



The Lalla Rookh afterwards parted asunder, and an 

 extraordinary sight was to be witnessed on the beach. The 

 cargo of tea washed out, and at high-water mark lay many 

 tons of loose tea, forming a ridge in some places ten feet 

 high. Hundreds of entire chests were saved by the coast- 

 guards and their numerous helpers. Bales of tobacco were 

 floating about in all directions. The Lalla Roohh was 

 869 tons register, owned by Messrs. Adams & Co., of Liver- 

 pool: the captain's name, George Fullerton. The crew lost 

 everything. The mate, Thomas Groves, was a native of 

 Kendal, in Westmoreland. 



Halsands and Beesands are two very small villages, built 

 quite on the beach, and almost entirely inhabited by fisher- 

 men's families. Between Beesands and Torcross there is 

 a large slate quarry, which, although not now worked, is 

 said at one time to have produced slate of particularly 

 good quality. There used to be, in the quarry, a steam 

 engine, and machinery for squaring the slabs. 



Years ago a noble race of Newfoundland dogs might be 

 found in these Start Bay villages; noble, not so much on 

 account of their appearance, for we have often seen hand- 

 somer animals, but for their deeds. They seemed as essential 

 to the fishermen here as the sheep-dog is to the farmer ; but 

 somehow they are now almost extinct. 



On a dark night, when the wind is blowing hard from the 

 cast, and south-cast, and there is such a surf that it would 



