142 THE LAST CRUISE OF THE MIRANDA. 



cations of a storm at noon. The log showed 192 knots 

 made since leaving Sukkertoppen, and I communicated 

 this to Captain Farrell. By 7 p. m. the wind hauled to 

 S.S.E., and increased to a moderate gale with a rising 

 sea. At 10 p. m. a sea heaving in on our port side. Our 

 vessel is crowded, we having on board sixty men, includ- 

 ing our crew, and we have to keep off our hatch to get 

 ventilation. The Miranda is carrying her lifeboats swung 

 loose to the davitts, ready to drop them at an instant's notice. 

 To-night the captain has a red light on deck. At 11 p. m. 

 the wind seems to moderate a little. At midniglit I hauled 

 the log, and it showed 289 knots since leaving Sukkertoppen. 

 August 23. — At ten minutes past 12, midnight, the 

 steamer Miranda sounded her whistle three blasts, that 

 being the signal that she was in a sinking condition, and 

 soon after they hung the red light over the stern as a 

 signal for me to be ready. Captain Farrell slackened the 

 speed of the Miranda, and as the two vessels came close to- 

 gether he hailed me to be ready, as he was in a sinking con- 

 dition. I hailed him to cut our cable, and drop off in his 

 boats, and we would pick them up. He said that he would 

 try to hold by the steamer until daylight. There was a very 

 heavy sea running from the southeast. Captain Farrell let 

 the steamer come to head the sea, and when she was in the 

 hollow of the sea we could see her masts at times. As soon 

 as it was light he sent a boat with part of his men, and the 

 boat then made three more trips, while we launched three 

 dories that made from two to three trips each, thus taking off 

 the crew and the officers and considerable provisions. Cap- 

 tain Farrell came off in the last boat, and before he left he 

 cast off our tow-line, and the Miranda was soon out of sight 

 in the dense fog. The ship Avas abandoned at 5.30 a. m. in 

 latitude Gl° 15' N. and longitude 58° 40' W. The barometer 

 stood at 28.80 after the last boat came alongside of it. The 



