240 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPIC AL 
1819. ing the ground at the same instant, her head 
July” a- flew up in the wind, and she was very nearly 
thrown back upon the bank. This was, however, 
fortunately prevented: — in a few seconds she 
reached deeper water, and we providentially 
escaped a danger which had so nearly proved 
fatal to the vessel and our lives; for had the 
cutter remained a-ground on the bank during the 
night, the sea was so heavy that there would not 
have been the least vestige of her the following- 
morning. To commemorate this occurrence, I 
have distinguished the opening with the name of 
Escape River. 
Having reached an offing, we bore up for 
Turtle Island, intending to pass within it and 
anchor under its lee ; but the appearance of the 
inner channel being suspicious,- the plan was 
altered, and we passed outside. As soon as we 
were to the northward of it we hauled in, but 
were prevented from anchoring under its lee by 
a reef, that extended for a considerable distance 
off its north side. We were now rather critically 
placed, for the evening was closing in with every 
appearance of bad weather, and we were obliged 
to anchor in a very exposed situation, without 
any protection, either from the wind or sea. 
During the night, the former blew hard from the 
S.E., with thick rainy weather; and, with the 
