14 GALE OF WIND. 



of a mile from us. The weather was squally and 

 dirty-looking; the reefs, made in small detached 

 patches, seeming to become stronger and more per- 

 sistent towards the north. The sea made a clean 

 sweep over them, breaking very heavily, and al- 

 though pretty well to windward of us, they did but 

 little in smoothing the water or lessening the swell. 

 The wind still freshened, blowing from the S.E. 

 and S.S.E., with dirty weather. 



Jan. 28, 29. — Blowing a gale of wind, obliged 

 us to remain at anchor, with a very heavy sea 

 breaking over the forecastle. We veered to 140 

 fathoms on one anchor, and let go another with 80. 



Jan. 30, SI. — The gale still continued, and drew 

 gradually round towards the S.W., so that the reefs, 

 which at first afforded us some little protection, were 

 now our greatest danger, as they lay to leeward in- 

 stead of to windward. Much rain fell, and the whole 

 aspect of things was far from cheering, as in case of 

 our cables or anchors giving way, we could have 

 very little hope of being able to escape drifting on 

 the reefs, where we should have been dashed to 

 pieces in a few minutes. 



Feb. 1. — The gale still increased in fury during 

 the last night, and this morning broke dark and 

 hazy, with the wind at W.S.W. We had yesterday 

 been watching the Bramble as she rode over the 

 seas, shewing half her keel at a time out of water ; 

 but at daylight this morning she was no longer to 

 be seen, till, to our great relief, we discovered her a 



