300 
A VOYAGE TO 
[East Coast. 
A 1803 - t length distance ; and approaching each other so closely, that their 
Wednes. 17- running abord seemed to us inevitable. This was an aweful mo- 
ment ; the utmost silence prevailed ; and when the bows of the two 
ships went to meet, even respiration seemed to be suspended. The 
ships advanced, and we expected to hear the dreadful crash ; but 
presently they opened off from each other, having passed side by 
side without touching ; the Cato steering to the north-east, and the 
Bridgewater to the southward. Our own safety seemed to have no 
other dependence than upon the two ships, and the exultation we 
felt at seeing this most imminent danger passed, was great, but of 
short duration ; the Cato struck upon the reef about two cables 
length from the Porpoise, we saw her fall over on her broad side, 
and the masts almost instantly disappeared ; but the darkness of the 
night did not admit of distinguishing, at that distance, what further 
might have happened. 
Turning our eyes toward the Bridgewater, a light was per- 
ceived at her mast head, by which we knew she had cleared the 
reef ; and our first sensations were, that the commander would 
certainly tack, and send boats to our assistance ; but when a little 
reflexion had enabled us to put ourselves in his place, it became 
evident that he would not choose to come so near the reef in the 
night, blowing fresh as it did ; and still less to send his boats and 
people into the breakers, to their certain destruction. 
The Porpoise had very fortunately heeled towards the reef ; 
so that the surfs which struck against her turned-up side, flew over 
without washing any thing off the decks ; and the smooth appear- 
ance of the water under the lee, afforded a prospect of being able to 
get the boats out on that side. The experiment was tried with a 
small four-oared gig, and succeeded ; but a six-oared cutter was 
jerked against the sheet anchor by the violence of the shocks, and 
being stove, was filled with water. 
It was by no means certain how long the ship, being slightly 
built and not in a sound state, might hold together ; it was therefore 
