304 
A VOYAGE TO 
[ East Coast, 
isos. was increased by the Bridgewater being perceived under sail, and 
Thursday is. though distant, that she was standing towards the reef. On the 
other side, the appearance of the poor Cato, with the people waving 
to us from the bowsprit and fore castle, the only parts above water, 
was truly distressing. 
The reef seemed to be a mile in breadth, and it extended in an 
east and west direction to a distance beyond what could be distin- 
guished from the Porpoise’s deck ; but there were in it several wide, 
and apparently deep openings, by which the Bridgewater might run 
to leeward, and there anchor or lie to, whilst sending her boats to 
our assistance. Having made these remarks, I left Mr. Fowler 
and his people getting up water and provisions ; and went to the 
bank for the purpose of being ready to go off' in the gig so soon as 
that ship should be near enough, and pointing out to captain Palmer 
the means by which he might take on board the two crews and wlpit 
else might be saved ; but he went upon the other tack soon after- 
ward, and no more was seen of him during the day. 
A number of sea-birds eggs scattered over the bank, showed 
that it was above high-water mark, and I sent the gig back with this 
intelligence to lieutenant Fowler. Seeing that the Bridgewater did 
not approach, he ordered the boat to lie opposite to the Cato ; and 
captain Park and his men, throwing themselves into the water with 
any pieces of spar or plank they could find, swam to her through 
the breakers ; and were then taken to the Porpoise where they re- 
ceived food and some clothing. Several were bruised against the 
coral rocks, and three young lads were drowned. One of these poor 
boys, who, in the three or four voyages he had made to sea, had 
been each time shipwrecked, had bewailed himself through the night 
as the persecuted Jonas who carried misfortune wherever he went. 
He launched himself upon a broken spar with his captain ; but hav- 
ing lost his hold in the breakers, was not seen afterwards. 
At low water, which happened about two o’clock, the reef was 
dry very near to the Porpoise, and both officers and men were 
