330 ANCHOR LOST. 



the anchor, in consequence of its being so deeply 

 embedded in the sand, which the current had 

 washed down from the confluence of the Tchadda. 

 We had not a single rope capable of sustaining 

 a weight of ten pounds. I obtained the assist- 

 ance of above eighty of the natives from two 

 Shabbee canoes, who, united to my own people, 

 made about one hundred. Steam was raised to 

 its full power, the people were hauling at the 

 cable, and the engine working reversed, but all 

 to no effect ; we could not move the anchor, al- 

 though the vessel's bows were almost down to 

 the water's edge. A purchase was also got on 

 the cable ; but it was to no purpose. 



After labouring for nine hours and a half in 

 endeavouring to heave up the anchor, I was 

 necessitated, though with reluctance, to cut the 

 cable and leave it. Two Kroomen had been also 

 engaged in diving for two hours, clearing away 

 the sand from it ; but their efforts were ineffectual, 

 as the anchor was buried in the sand to the depth 

 of some feet. This was our only anchor, the mate 

 having lost one on the 1st of January. I could 

 not but regret the loss, as the tornadoes are so 

 violent as to be very dangerous to a vessel un- 

 provided with very good ground-tackle. My 



