MACHINE TO PREVENT DRdWNiNQ. ggj 



the excellence of your machine, or life preseT%'er, was most 



conspicuously marufested. 



I went from the city of Norwich, in a pleasure-boat that A plea<;tiTe 



J keep for the amusement of sailing, in company with a ^^ 



gentleman and two ladies. As our return to Norwich in 



the evening was indispeusible, and the direction of the 



wind favouring us both ways, a few hours would eifect it^ 



the distance being only tliivty miles: accordingly we set 



sail aboi^t four o'clock, it being moon-light during the 



iilght; and fortunately procured, in case of accident (the 



wind blowing hard at sOuth-east) one of your life preservers, 



through the interest of a friend, of a captain, who hadpuv«- 



chased one at Newcastle. The precaution proved, in a short 



time after sailing, to have been a fortunate one indeed. On 



lacking to enter Norwich river, at the extremity of a broad 



water, two miles over, known by the name of Braydon, . .> -' 



a sudden gust overset the boat, precipitating myself, com- v.'* 



panion, and two ladies, into as agitated a water as J have 



ever seen at sea, (except in hard blowing weather). Yon 



may judge my situation at such a juncture. Your machine 



was jokingly tilled as we came aloi.g, to which I ascribe 



Itlioutvh very unexpected by us) our preservation. The '^■^'° sentlr- 

 ^ » •' , ^ ■ A ■ ■ T'en and iwn 



gentleman, whose name is Gormg, v/as inexpert at swim- ladie; buoyed 



ming, and with difficulty kept himself up, till I reached "P ^^ <>"e^*- 

 hivn; and then directing him to lay hold of the collar of 

 my coat, over which the machine was tixed, I proceeded 

 towards the ladies, whose clothes kept them buoyant, but 

 in a state of fainting when 1 reached them : then taking 

 one of the ladies urider each arm, with Mr, Goring hang- 

 ing from the collar of the coat, the violence of the wind 

 drifted us on shore upon Burgh Marshes, where the boat 

 had already been thrown, with whal; Leionged to her. We 

 got the assistance of some countrymen directly, (after tak- 

 ing refreshment at a marsh faniier's bouse, where we pro- 

 cured some dry clothing for the ladies, who were now pretty 

 well recovered,) and by their endeavours put tlie boat in 

 sailing trim, and prosecuted our voyage to Norwiph, which 

 we eftected by eleven o'clock that night. 



From this singular escape, on my return from Birming- 

 |uiHi, I shall be induced to inspe<:-t your warehouse, and 

 •' •' ■' ■^socui-e 



