WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. IS 



the stern into the surf under the charge of Mr. 

 A. Booth, mate, and a vohinteer crew of seven 

 men ; and, after a long struggle, they succeeded 

 in reaching the beach with the end of the deep 

 sea lead-line ; but, owing to the strong set of the 

 current along shore to the southward, the spot on 

 which they landed was at least half a mile distant 

 from that part of the beach immediately astern and 

 nearest the ship. The jolly-boat was no sooner 

 washed upon the beach, than the crew, thoroughly 

 drenched, began the labour of endeavouring to 

 tauten the line in the direction astern of the ship ; 

 but, after many fruitless attempts to do so, it was 

 evident to us on board that a second boat, with 

 more assistance, was absolutely necessary to effect 

 this object. The bite of the line was much 

 checked by the current and masses of shifting 

 sand, caused by the immense back-set off the 

 beach. It was now the gig was launched over 

 the stern by means of the spanker-boom, rigged 

 as a derick, and secured to the stump of the 

 mizzen-mast, with a topping lift to the mainmast- 

 head, and hung ready to drop at a favourable 

 moment into the surf: she was the captain's 

 gig, and considered to possess qualities likely to 

 ensure equal success with the boat that had 



