56 LOSS OF THE HERCULES. 
The men having taken tlieir station in the boat, a raft was 
ordered to be made of the large spars, which was accordingly 
done. The whole when lashed together measured about 35 
feet in length, and 15 in breadth. At this time the captain 
apprehended the ship could not make the land, and being con- 
vinced, in case of her going down, that all the people could 
not be received into the long-boat, determined not to neglect 
any measure that presented even a chance of saving the 
whole. 
When the second mate was preparing to obey the orders he 
had received and take command of the long-boat, the carpen- 
ter adv-ressed the captain in a respectful manner, and earnestly 
entreated him to leave the ship. On being reprimanded for 
not attending to the pumps, the man burst into tears, and de- 
clared that the whole of the stern frame was shook and loos- 
ened in such a manner that he expected every minute she 
would go down. The miserable appearance of this man, and 
the affecting tone of voice in which he delivered his appre- 
hensions, considerably increased the terrors of the crew ; 
whereupon the captain thought it necessary to declare that he 
would perform his duty and stick to the ship until he was con- 
vinced from his own observation that all hopes of saving her 
were at an tnd. The carpenter repeated his solicitations, 
when he was ordered to his post, and assured at the same 
4ime, that unless he made every exertion to encourage the 
people in their duty at the pumps, he should be immediately 
thrown into the sea. He retired, and exerted himself after- 
ward with a manly perseverance. 
The captain was immediately addressed, on the departure 
of the carpenter, by many of the sailors, and on the same 
subject. They were so clamorous, and differed so much 
in their opinions, that he was nearly going to extremes with 
some of them. 
These circumstances are mentioned as a caution to future 
navigators, who are entrusted with a command. They too 
frequent])?- listen to the opinion of their people in time of dan- 
ger, who are generally for quitting the ship, and taking to 
boats, masts, yards and spars formed into rafts, or w^hatever 
timbers they can lash together ; indeed, as the prejudices and 
sentiments of the common sailors on these occasions are so 
various, it is not to be supposed that any thing can arise from 
such a mistaken conduct but confusion and misfortune. 
A crew, such as composed that of the Hercules, which con- 
•isted of people of various nations, require indeed from their 
