100 LOSS OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 
They were laboring hard at the pumps, and calling to relieve 
them. I went several times forward, and once in a hurry 
fell dowTi the trap-door of the engine room, but saved myself 
from going through. The anxiety of the moment did not al- 
low me to think of pain. The captain was mostly, I believe, 
in the bow of the vessel. I heard him grumbling about the 
man at the helm, who, he said, never knewj how to steer. 
The last time I noticed him, he Avas standing, perfectly mo- 
tionless, with one hand on the windlass, and he appeared 
looking out ahead : he had an oil-skin cap on, and his coat 
w^as tight buttoned. I was not inclined to speak to him, as J 
had heard him, a few minutes before, answering some pas 
sengers rudely. I recollect seeing the jib up ; but it was sooi 
hauled down. 
Shortly after, the women came rushing up from the fore 
cabin, in consequence, I supposed, of the water coming ii) 
upon them. They commenced such a moaning, intermixed 
with cries of despair, as impelled me to retreat to the poop, 
where I now more or less took my station. 
The chimney had now broken the stays which held it on 
the larboard side, and soon fell across on the starboard side, 
but did not at once go overboard. 
When I returned to the poop, I found many of the ladies, 
with their male friends, collected there — some sitting on 
benches on the larboard side, and others lying down on the 
deck, between these and the companion. I remained a few 
minutes near them, and seeing the waves begin to wash over 
us, I took off my boots. I then bethought me of getting 
something to eat, as I had not tasted any thing since breakfast, 
and was afraid of becoming exhausted in case I should have to 
swim. I was going down into the cabin for that purpose, when 
the steward stopt me, and asked how I could expect him to get 
any thing for me, when he had to look after his own and his 
wife's life ; beside, he added that the cabin was full of water 
and the lights out. Notwithstanding this, I made the attempt 
to reach the cabin ; and, descending cautiously a few steps, 
my foot touched the water, which, from passing along by the 
furnaces, was more than lukewarm. Its depth in the cabin, 
I imagine, must have been four feet. I immediately retreat- 
ed, and proceeded to get rid of some of my clothes, putting 
my money, &c. into my waistcoat pocket. A poor woman 
observed me, and asked if I Avas going to SAvim. The water 
was noAV Avashing strongly over us, and I had some difficulty 
in regaining a place in the larboard corner of the poop. One 
