LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. 155 
the stump of the mizen-mast, union downwards, and firing 
one of the forecastle guns. The ensign blew away soon after 
it was hoisted, and it was the only one we had remaining ; but 
I had the satisfaction to see the Ville de Paris wear and stand 
toward us. Several of the merchant ships also approached 
us, and those that could, hailed, and offered their assistance ; 
but depending upon the king's ship, I only thanked them, de- 
siring, if they joined Admiral Graves, to acquaint him of our 
condition. I had not the smallest doubt but the Ville de Paris 
was coming to us, as she appeared to us not to have suffered 
in the least by the storm, and having seen her wear, we knew 
she was under government of her helm ; at this time also it 
was so moderate that the merchantmen set their topsails ; bat 
approaching Avithin two miles, she passed us to windward: 
this being observed by one of the merchant ships, she wore 
and came under our stern, offering to carry any message to 
her. I desired the master would acquaint Captain Wilkinson 
that the Centaur had lost her rudder as well as her masts j 
that she made a great deal of water, and that I desired he 
would remain with her until the weather grew moderate. I 
saw the merchantman approach afterward near enough to 
speak to the Ville de Paris, but I am afraid that her condition 
was much worse that it appeared to be, as she continued upon 
that tack. In the mean time all the quarter-deck guns Avere 
thrown overboard, and all but six, which had overset, off the 
main deck. The ship lying in the trough of the sea, labored 
prodigiously. I got over one of the small anchors, with a 
boom and several of the gun-carriages, veering out from the 
head door by a large hawser, to keep the ship's bow to the sea ; 
but this, wiih a top-gallant-sail upon the stump of the mizen- 
mast, had not the desired effect. 
As the evening came on it grew hazy, and blew strong in 
squalls. We lost sight of the Ville de Paris, but I thought it a 
certainty that we should see her the next morning. The night 
Avas passed in constant labor at the pumps. Sometimes the 
wind lulled, and the water diminished ; when it blew strong 
again, the sea rising, the water again increased. 
Toward the morning of the 18th I was informed there were 
seven feet water upon the kelson ; that one of the winches was 
broken ; that the two spare ones would not fit, and that the 
hand-pumps v/ere choked. These circumstances were suffi- 
ciently alarming ; but upon opening the after-hold, to get 
some rum up for the people, we found our condition much 
more so. 
