WRECKS. 353 



so much of the first person singular were it recited 

 that modesty says, Hold on. 



Firing guns, sending up rockets, and pumping ship 

 kept us busy, whilst our distressed vessel was pound- 

 ing on what we supposed was the Old Man Shoal, 

 until 3 A. M. on the loth, when with a fearful send 

 we slipped off into deep water. Boats were hoisted 

 out and provisioned, and with boat keepers were 

 veered astern. While continually showing distress 

 signal lights and firing guns, we drifted along between 

 the "rips" and the shore, wishing for daylight and 

 assistance, when the long-looked-for sunrise came; 

 the sky was clear and the breeze more moderate, and 

 to our manifest delight we observed the shore l'ned 

 with people. Recognizing the facts that the ship 

 had six feet of water in her hold, the rudder disabled, 

 and a salt cargo in bulk, I determined, after a hasty 

 consultation with the officers, to beach the ship as the 

 seeming best way to save life and property. The surf, 

 which was quite visible, seemed to be so overwhelming 

 that it was not deemed prudent to venture iu the small 

 boats; but with hastily improvised steering appara- 

 tus we followed the shore line until we found what 

 appeared to be a good place, near Tom Never's Head, 

 at which to beach her. We then headed her for the 

 shore, and at about 8 30 A. M. we grounded in five fath- 

 oms. At that moment a tremendous breaker struck 

 the ship full in the stem, gutting the cabin and caus- 

 ing all hands to take to the rigging for safety. AV r e 

 were almost within talking distance of a vast number 

 of the citizens of the island, who wished to assist us; 

 but the way did not seem clear. Meanwhile, in an 

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