SHIPWRi:CK OF M. DURAND. 
177 
dropped our bower anchor, but we were under the necessity of 
cutting the cable, and then our loss seemed inevitable. We ne- 
vertheless attempted to reach the isle of Caldy; and for this 
purpose we kept tacking the whole night, during which the 
weather was dreadful. The wind was VV.S.W. and blew so 
strong, that we could only let out the main and mizen-sail. We 
were then in three fathoms water; but after tacking on different 
points, we found ourselves at two o'clock in Laugharn Bay, in 
only two fathoms water: the sea was furious, and every instant 
covered the vessel, while the rain was violent in the extreme, so 
that it soon became impossible to work the ship: she therefore 
ran aground, with three violent shocks, which laid her open, 
unshipped the rudder, and decided our fate. 
We now found ourselves completely wrecked ; and, in order 
to lighten the vessel, we cut away the masts, when we found 
that she remained fixed in six feet water, but was every instant 
covered with waves of an enormous size, which seemed ready 
to swallow^ her up. In this dreadful crisis some fell to making 
rafts, others seized on pieces of wood, and all endeavoured to 
avoid that death which seetned to be prepared for them. At 
this period it was remarkable that some of our little crew w ere 
concerned about futurity; and one of them being very anxious 
respecting the fate of the Negro boy, who had never been chris- 
tenedj baptized him in my presence with some fresh w ater, and 
then held him fast in liis arms, with a view that they might die 
and arrive together in the other world. 
About three o'clock the storm began to subside, and the waves 
broke with less violence against our vessel. We then perceived 
that it was low^ water; but the darkness of the night prevented 
us from distinguishing where we were, or ascertaining the place 
of our shipwreck ; nevertheless, without knowing what distance 
we were from land, we thought it probable that we might get to 
it, and resolved to make the attempt. A small canoe was there- 
fore let down, and I was the first w ho got into it : Longer and 
the lieutenant followed me, but we did not find sufficient water 
to work the boat; we therefore got out of it, and walked for 
about an hour in the sea, preceded by two sailors, who sounded 
at every step, and served as guides. After passing through dif- 
ferent depths of water, but not sufficient to stop us, we at length 
landed, and sent back the two sailors to inform our companions 
that we were safe, and invite them to follow the route we had 
taken. 
On quitting the vessel we left all our clothes, which might 
have prevented us from swimming, if necessary : I had nothing 
on but a pair of trowsers, in one of the pockets of which I had 
put a letter with my address, in order that my family might be in- 
DURAND.] z " 
