140 SOUTHERN CRUISE. 



the storm, being satisfied we could make little progress to the west- 

 ward during its continuance. 



We anchored in the bay early in the afternoon, when we took our 

 boats and went on shore for a few hours. There was but little surf 

 when we landed, but it rapidly increased, and one of the boats in 

 attempting to pass through it filled, and after several ineffectual 

 attempts, did not succeed in getting off. A boat was sent to assist, but 

 returned with a report that no relief could be rendered them, and that 

 they had determined to remain until morning. 



In the morning the surf had very much increased. The sea setting 

 in the bay, rendered our situation uncomfortable, and somewhat 

 dangerous, as we were exposed to the force of it and the wind, which 

 had hauled to the southeast. 



At 1 p. m., being desirous of sending provisions to the party on shore, 

 Lieutenant Hartstein was ordered to take charge of two boats, to 

 communicate with them, and give them supplies. 



My intention was to effect this by having a line floated on shore by 

 which to haul the seal-boat or yawl, having provisions lashed in her, 

 through the surf by the party on shore. Instructions to this effect 

 were given to Lieutenant Hartstein, who was enjoined not to risk the 

 lives of the men. We watched them attentively with our glasses. 

 Shortly -after they had anchored their boats outside the surf, we 

 perceived Lieutenant Hartstein and three men strapping on their life- 

 preservers, and preparing themselves for a landing in the boat. I felt 

 under great apprehensions of accident. Placing, however, great 

 confidence in that officer's judgment, I was assured he would not risk 

 the lives of the men, and his own, on such an occasion. It was with 

 great anxiety we watched their proceedings ; in a few moments after- 

 wards they were separated from the other boat, still apparently making 

 preparations. In an instant they were borne on the crest of the rollers, 

 and immediately disappeared. Some few minutes after, the boat was 

 seen bottom up among ihe rollers. Presently, the other boat's crew 

 were seen pulling in haste towards a person ; one was picked up, then 

 another. We looked intently for the rest, but no signs of them were 

 seen. We then endeavoured to count the party on shore, and we 

 thought it had increased, but the constant motion of the vessel ren- 

 dered it impossible to keep our glasses fixed on them for a sufficient 

 'ength of time to ascertain their number. We now saw the boat 

 returning ; it soon reached the vessel, and Lieutenant Hartstein and 

 Samuel Stretch proved to be the two that had been saved. Both were 

 much exhausted. The persons in the boat, while yet at a distance 



