180 APPENDIX. 



this time any people on the shore could have seen the vessel five 

 miles north or south of her, she not being more than a mile and a 

 half from the beach, and having a large blue ensign at the fore-top- 

 gallant-mast-head. 



At six, fired a rocket, as a signal to the shore ; no answer of any 

 description being made, filled and stood off and on, to keep our posi- 

 tion during the night ; fresh vidnds and squally, vi^ith heavy rain. 



Sunday, 28th. Strong vidnds from north-west, and squally wea- 

 ther, with heavy rain ; shortened saU to foresail, and headed to the 

 westward ; thirty minutes past ten, saw the island of Mocha south, 

 distant eight miles, sounded in fifteen fathoms ; wore to north-east, 

 and carried all possible sail to get out of the bight ; fresh gales and 

 squally, with a heavy cross sea. 



Monday, 29th. More moderate, but wind still from the northward. 

 At nine a.m. spoke the Blonde, on her way to the supposed place of 

 the Lebu ; kept our wind, endeavouring to fetch Tucapel Head, where 

 we had seen the fire three days before ; noon, Tucapel Point east- 

 north-east, three-quarters of a mile distant ; obser\'ed two fires on 

 Tucapel Head ; tacked to the westward, to fetch the Head. 



At thirty minutes past two, Tucapel Point east-north-east, nine 

 mUes ; while four men were aloft (James Bennett, gunner's mate. 

 Beagle ; John Nutcher, boatswain's-mate ; John Macintosh, A.B. ; 

 John Mitchell, A.B., of Blonde), bending the fore-topsail, which had 

 been split the previous night, the vessel gave a very hea\y pitch, 

 which sprung the foremast, a little below the cross-trees ; and on 

 her recovering herself, the head of the mast snapped short off, a foot 

 below the fore-yard, bringing with it aU above, and also the four 

 seamen who were aloft ; the mainmast, having no support left from 

 the tryatic stay, and the deck-stay being aft, ready for tacldng, the 

 great weight of the main-boom, added to the pressure of the wind 

 on the mainsail, brought the mainmast by the board, fore-and-aft 

 the deck, striking the taffraU in its fall, which again carried it away, 

 leaving the head of the mast hanging by the rigging over the stern, 

 striking heavUy against the rudder and the middle-piece in midships 

 on the deck. Fortunately, none of the seamen were seriously injured, 

 as they resolutely kept their hold of the topsail-yard, and were carried 

 with it into the sea, out of which they soon escaped by means of the 

 rigging that was hanging over the side. 



Every effort was immediately used to clear the wreck, and get 



