200 Letter XV. 
soon have gone to pieces, and every one on board have perished, 
But a second tremendous sea came on, lifted her up, and car- 
ried her a considerable way on to the reef—as far, indeed, as 
the chains would permit, the anchors being caught by the 
coral. As soon as daylight enabled the sailors to see, they cut 
down the foremast, fearing lest the working of the mast would 
have split up the vessel. When the rain, mist, and spray 
had so far cleared off as that the vessel could be seen 
from the mission house, flags of distress were observed flying 
and men were noticed perched on the rigging. The ship’s boats 
were smashed, and the people on board had no means of 
escape. But the storm rapidly subsided, and as soon as it was 
at all safe to go out to the vessel, Mr. Joseph Underwood, of the 
whaling establishment on Inyug, went out with his boat to 
render what assistance he could. Manhera, a Tahitian, be. 
longing to the other whaling establishment, also went out in 
his boat; and Mr. F. A. Campbell, of Geelong—who was a 
passenger in the “ Dayspring,” but who had gone ashore when 
the vessel came into harbour—went out with Mr. Murray’s 
boat. All on board—men, women, and children—were got 
safely on shore.” 
The captain and second mate then appeared on the scene 
having walked over from Anamé in the wind and rain, and 
being quite tired out by the time they reached this. The 
captain had heard of the wreck, by a messenger despatched by 
Mr. Mutray in the morning. It was a sad blow to him, poor 
man; and though no fault of his, he must have been greatly 
distressed by it,—this being his first trip in charge of the 
vessel. 
The effects of this hurricane upon the island were very fear- 
ful. Everywhere there was to be seen the same picture of 
desolation. There seemed to be more trees lying on the ground 
than standing upright, and not a green leaf was to be seen. 
