216 TERRIFIC GALE. [1846. 



with a crash which shivered the strong plate glass of my 

 skylight, and greatly damaged it, as well as staving in 

 several main deck ports, heeling the ship at the same 

 moment heavily to starboard, and washing me in my cot, 

 informed me that my presence was required on deck. 



As I passed through my cabin door I found the ship 

 flooded on the main deck, the water rushing down the 

 hatchways, and " all hands ", without the necessity for 

 " the shrill pipe of the Boatswain ", scrambling, or rushing 

 wildly, up the hatchways, at this inclement season, 

 almost in a state of nudity. Owing to the very spirited 

 exertions of our able carpenter, Mr. Daw, aided by his 

 crew, the hatchways were instantly battened down, and to 

 the due preparation for this emergency (nightly at quarters) 

 were we principally indebted for our preservation. 



On reaching the deck, 1 found the Officers flying to 

 their stations, many rather scantily clad for the winter 

 season of the year in this region, and anxiously awaiting 

 my instructions. At no moment of my life did I ever 

 experience so truly, the inestimable value of a well-disci- 

 plined set of Officers and men, accustomed to danger. 

 No symptom of fear, from the highest to the lowest, and 

 cheerfulness, if such could be expected at such an awful 

 moment, seemed to animate all around me. These are 

 moments when an Officer can be fully repaid for all his 

 anxieties, when he feels, that although he holds the scales 

 of almost life or death to the hundreds under his com- 

 mand, they cheerfully look to his decision, confident that 

 he will, Deo volente, bring them through their difficulties. 



Kying through the water at a velocity of thirteen 

 knots, steerage not only became difficult, but too hazardous 



