1843] CONDITION OF THE SHIP. 49 



and she continued gradually to assume her upright posi- 

 tion. The moment she became free from the rocks, we 

 found it necessary to cut our important aids adrift, par- 

 ticularly the mast head purchases which tended to press 

 her on the reef. At two, A.M., the ship was hove off to 

 her anchor, and warps having been already laid out, it 

 was weighed and the ship dropped up to a secure berth 

 above the rocks. 



At dawn, the crew were sent to rest, and at about 

 ten, A.M, to the inexpressible satisfaction of all concerned 

 in the welfare of H.M.S. ' Samarang ', we resumed our 

 former moorings off Kuching. As the hand pumps kept 

 the drainings under, it was obvious that she had not re- 

 ceived any material damage under water; divers were 

 employed, who reported some ruffling of the copper but 

 nothing materially wrong. The state of the ship was in- 

 conceivable ; the coal tar, as well as that forced out of 

 the rope stowed in the holds, had smeared the paint-work 

 within, the river mud had accumulated to a depth of 

 several inches between decks, and in the hold had filled 

 every open space below the level of the tanks. The bread, 

 which was stowed in bulk in the sail room, tinned for 

 that purpose, relieved from the pressure of the water, had 

 commenced fermenting, and the combination of effluvia 

 was dangerous even to those who had hitherto preserved 

 their health. For the removal of the bread we were for- 

 tunately able to hire natives, and this service having been 

 completed, the ship was freed from everything, thoroughly 

 scoured, large fires made in the holds, and white-washed. 



About ten, P.M., on the evening of the 3rd of August, 

 as we were all seated at Mr. Brooke's hospitable table, 



E 



