13S 



A VISIX TO THE INDIAN ARUHlPELAUa 



ran b4*twoen tliat coast and: Cabras Islands ; and on 

 the 6th, after passing betT^-eon Mindoro and the Appo 

 shoal, WG steei'^d to tlie southward for the passage to the 

 eastward of Palawan* In working down we experienced 

 very fine weather, b^it light and yariahle wiud^j : the coast 

 wa3 free from daiigera^ and in that respect far preferable 

 to the western side. 



On the 13tli, WG landed ou East Island, while the ship 

 ran between it and the coast. On the ICth, made the 

 Peak of Balahac. 



The following morning, at five o'clock, just aa we had 

 set the studding-sails to a freshening breeze, the ship 

 running fast, she took the ground at the top of higti- 

 water, on a coral bank not laid down, and dose to which 

 we had worked the sliip before Anthout noticing the 

 appearance of any danger. Having plenty of head- way* 

 she shot twice her length before she stopped. The tide 

 beginning to fall, we had only time to get the saiia furled 

 and top-gallant maste on deck, before sKe began to heel 

 over, which she continued to do until sho had attained 

 38 dog. from the upright position. If a ship is to bo got 

 off, it is generallj by tlie same road by which she got on. 

 Tho weather was fine and the water smooth ; so that we 

 had nothing for it but to " turn to with a will. 



Haying laid a bower-anchor out astern, and hove 

 the cable well taut, we sent the pinnace to Labuan for 

 aisslstance, and lightened Uie ship by throwing tho guns 

 overboard, and lading the boats with shot and otlier 



