418 LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 
ways restless under this confinement, and finally eflfected their 
escape. 
According to Pennant and other writers, the hear forms 
chambers in the great ice-mountains, where he sleeps the long 
winter night, undisturbed by the roar of the northern tempest ; 
but this regular hibernation is doubted by many recent observ- 
ers. The fact seems to be, that the males roam about all -win- 
ter in search of prey, not being under the same necessity of 
submitting to the torpid state as the black bear of America, 
which feeds chiefly on vegetable food ; but the females, who 
are usually pregnant during the more rigorous season of the 
year, seclude themselves for nearly the entire winter in their 
dens. 
LOSS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP PHOENIXi 
Off the Island of Cuba, in the Year 1780. By Lieutenant 
Archer. 
The Phoenix, of 44 guns. Captain Sir Hyde Parker, waa 
lost in a hurricane, off Cuba, in the year 1780. The same 
hurricane destroyed the Thunderer, 74; Sterling Castle, 64; 
La Blanche, 42 ; Laurel, 28 ; Andromeda, 28 ; Deal Castle, 
24; Scarborough, 20; Beaver's Prize, 16; Barbadoes, 14; 
Cameleon, 14; Endeavor, 14; and Victor, 10 guns. Lieu- 
ifenant Archer was first lieutenant of the Phoenix at the time 
she was lost. His narrative, in a letter to his mother, con- 
tains a most correct and animated account of one of the most 
awful events in the service. It is so simple and natural as to 
make the reader feel himself on board the Phoenix. Every 
circumstance is detailed with feeling, and powerful appeals 
are continually made to the heart. It must likewise afford 
considerable pleasure to observe the devout spirit of a seaman 
frequently bursting forth and imparting sublimity to the re- 
lation. 
At sea, June 30, 1780. 
My Dearest Madam, — I am now going to give you an 
account of our last cruise in the Phoenix ; and must premise 
that, should any one see it beside yourself, they must put this 
construction on it — that it was originally intended for the eyes 
of a mother, and a mother only — as upon that supposition 
