C 34 ] ' 
ufual on fuch accidents, many might be preserved 
from drowning ; and a piece of wood, not larger 
than an oar, would buoy a man partly above water 
fo long as he had fpirits to keep his hold. Some 
things herein advanced will perhaps more readily ap- 
pear from the following relation. 
The Lords of the Admiralty have appointed, for 
the exercife of the fcholars belonging to the royal 
academy at Portfmouth, a fmall yacht ; wherein, 
during the fummer months, thofe young gentlemen 
are taught the practice of working a velfel at fea, 
under the directions of one of the mafter-attendants, 
aftifted by eight or ten feamen. The laft time this 
yacht was out, which was about the beginning of 
laft October, one of the fcholars was ordered to 
heave the lead. The youth was about thirteen years 
old, fmall of' his age, and far from being fat ; as he 
was flopping on the gunnel, he fell over-board : the 
fea was rough, and the yacht had great way ; fo that 
he was prefently at a conftderable diftance from the 
vefiel. The fkiff was immediately let down ; but 
the painter not being faft, the rope run an end, and 
the fkifF went adrift. One of the feamen jumpt 
over-board, got into the boat, brought her along- 
ftde the velfel, took in another man, and then went 
after the youth, whom they recovered, after he had 
been in the water more than half an hour. The 
young gentleman, relating the affair, faid, that as he 
could fwim very little, and judging he fhould fink 
if he drove againft the waves, he turned on his 
back, and committed himfelf to their mercy. He 
kep; himlelf perfectly calm; and obferved, when a 
wave was likely to break over him, to hold his 
7 breath, 
