76 DISTRESSING PARTICUI ARS. 
“‘ T can assure you our situation was a most awful 
one. After she struck upon the rocks (which were 
as we supposed ten miles from the land) she was 
not more than ten minutes going into a thou- 
sand pieces. After being washed off the wreck, and 
thrown on again by the sea, thirteen of us succeeded 
in getting into the long-boat, where with one oar and 
two pieces of wood, and entirely without provisions 
or water, we were buftetted about for two nights 
andaday. At last we landed on this coast almost 
exhausted, and after walking about for several hours, 
we found our way to Port Beaufort, which consists 
only of two houses, where we have been treated with 
the greatest kindness. We have been compelled to 
remain here, not being able to get any conveyance: 
we have, however, made arrangements to leave on 
the 15th, and shall be in town about the 21st. I 
am afraid twelve have met a watery grave; in fact, 
it is impossible they could have reached the shore, 
as we saw most of them floating about nearly dead. 
I am well aware it will be distressing to you to hear 
such an awful account; I will therefore wait until I 
see you, when | will acquaint you with all particu- 
Jars.” 
The following lines were written on the occasion 
by a gentleman residing at the Cape. 
‘¢ How late, as to the fav ring breeze 
Her dazzling canvass proudly bent, 
The gallant Jessie swam the seas, 
All eyes admiring as she went! 
