1846.] ESCAPE INTO DEEP WATER. 189 



when afloat. Fortunately, this was found to be attended 

 with difficulty, and deferred until we tried what could 

 be done by our first heave. This she obeyed, and before 

 six was riding safely in six fathoms, and guns re-embarked, 

 the depths between our bows and anchors varying from 

 seven to eleven fathoms. Our misfortunes were not 

 ended, a breeze came on, the anchor came home, the 

 hawsers stretched, and she again grounded abaft the 

 main mast, and in spite of all our efforts hung, striking 

 heavily and in a manner, most distressing to all on 

 board. About midnight she ceased to strike, having 

 settled on the reef. Dawn found us again at work ; the 

 guns were slung to the breeching hawser, at distances 

 admitting of heaving each up separately, and having 

 ascertained that there was deep water on the outer side 

 of the reef, on our starboard bilge, the guns were safely 

 deposited, in order for recovery, on this reef. Other 

 measures being then adopted for heaving off, she was 

 again hove out in deep water, at 2, P.M., the anchors 

 dropped afresh, and the ship being veered alongside the 

 reef, with steadying hawsers to keep her clear, the guns 

 were re-embarked, and the ship in a condition to move 

 before sunset. In order to avoid farther possibility of 

 misfortune, warps were laid out at long ranges, and the 

 ship cautiously moved beyond her cable strain, before 

 lifting an anchor from its hold, and one kept barely atrip, 

 during the process of warping. Having gained a fair 

 distance, and the sounding boats assuring us of an escape, 

 sail was rapidly made, and we soon took leave of this 

 unpleasant region, deeming ourselves most fortunate in 

 making our escape. After such toils, all hands were much 



