AT SEA. 
503 
owing to the inattention of hydrographers, in this respect, that 
we were drawn into the awful situation I have described. We 
had the strongest reasons, however, to be grateful to Providence 
that this had not occurred before day-break, as otherwise, 
the ship, and every person on board must have inevitably 
perished ; for at the time we were nearest to the shore, we could 
clearly discover a tremendously heavy surf breaking over the 
rocks with which the coast was lined. 
On the 8th of July, notwithstanding that we kept close under 
the land, the wind continued to blow with excessive violence, 
keeping us under the foresail and mizen stay sail, which prevented 
our making a single mile on our course, and perfectly convinced 
us that, during its continuance, it would be impracticable to gain 
a windward passage. On the 9th of July, the weather became still 
more boisterous, and the vessel shipped so much water as to keep 
our men almost constantly employed atthe pumps, when the car- 
penter, on examining her top-sides, reported that he found them 
in so bad a state that the water at times came in perfectly clear 
about the waste of the main-rigging, in consequence of which 
the captain called a meeting of his officers to deliberate respecting 
the state of the vessel, and to determine on what measures it 
might be advisable to pursue. At this consu ftation it was unani- 
mously judged necessary for the safety of ship and cargo, as the 
vessel was in a disabled state, to desist from any further attempt 
to gain a windward passage, and to bear away for Bombay or 
mme other harbour on the Malabar coast, where she might 
receive such repairs as to enable us to complete the voyage. A 
document to this effect was drawn up and signed by all the 
