CHAP. XIII. SUFFERS SHIPWRECK. 253 



had two examples of the effects of the hurricane ; for, 

 as we sailed north we took on board the remains of two 

 crews found floating about on dismantled hulls. The 

 one had been nine days without food of any kind, except 

 the carcasses of two of their companions who had died a 

 day or two previously from fatigue and hunger. The 

 other crew had been driven about for six days, and were 

 not so dejected, but reduced to such a weak state that 

 they were obliged to be drawn on board our vessel by 

 ropes. A brig bound for Havannah took part of the 

 men, and we took the remainder. To attempt any 

 description of my feelings on witnessing such scenes 

 would be in vain. You will not be surprised to learn 

 that I felt somewhat uneasy at the thought that we 

 were so far from England, and that I also might possibly 

 suffer similar shipwreck ; but I consoled myself with 

 the hope that fate would be more kind to us. It was 

 not so much so, however, as I had flattered myself; for 

 on voyaging towards New York, after we had made 

 the land, we ran aground about midnight. The vessel 

 soon filled with water, and, being surrounded by the 

 breaking surf, the ship was soon split up, and before 

 morning our situation became perilous. Masts and all 

 were cut away to prevent the hull rocking ; but all we 

 could do was of no avail. About 8 o'clock on the fol- 

 lowing morning, after a most miserable night, we were 

 taken off the wreck, and were so fortunate as to reach 

 the shore. I saved my minerals, but Empson lost part 

 of his botanical collection. Upon the whole, we got off 

 well ; and, had I not been on the American side of the 

 Atlantic, I 'guess' I would not have gone to sea 

 again." 



After a short tour in the United States and Canada, 

 Robert Stephenson and his friend took ship for Liver- 

 pool, where they arrived at the end of November, and 

 at once proceeded to Newcastle. The factory, we have 

 seen, was by no means in a prosperous state. During 



