The Endeavour in the east Extremity. 
that the veffel had been lifted over a ledge of the rock, and 
lay in a hollow within it : in fome places there was from three 
to four fathom, and in others not fo man/ feet. The Ihip 
lay with her head to the N. E. ; and at the diftance of about 
thirty yards on the darboard fide, the water deepened to eight, 
ten, and twelve fathom. As foon as the long boat was out, 
we (truck our yards and top-mafis, and carried out the dream 
anchor on the (larboard bow, got the co ailing anchor and cable 
into the boat, and were going to carry it out the fame way ; but 
upon founding a fecond time round the (hip, the water Was 
found to be deeped aliern : the anchor therefore was carried out 
from the fttrboard quarter, indead of the darboard bow, that is, 
from the dern indead of the head, and having taken ground, 
our utmod force was applied to the capftern,* hoping that if 
the anchor did not come home, the drip would be got off, but 
to our great misfortune and difappointment we could not move 
her : during all this time (lie continued to beat with great vio- 
lence againd the rock, fo that it wa»s with the utmod difficulty 
that we kept upon our legs ; and to complete the feene of dif- 
trefs, we faw by the light of the moon the (heathing boards 
from the bottom of the veiTel floating away all round her, and 
at lad her falfe keel, fo that every moment was making way 
for thefea to rufliin, which was to fwallow us up. We had now" 
no chance to lighten her, and we had loll the opportunity of 
doing that to the greateil advantage, for unhappily we went 
on (horejud at high water, and by this time it had confiderably 
fallen, fo that after (he (hould be lightened fo as to draw as 
much lefs water as the water had funk, we (hould be but in the 
fame fituation as at fird ; and the only alleviation of this cir- 
cumdance was, that as the tide ebbed the (hip fettled to the 
rocks, and was not beaten againd them with fo much violence. 
We had indeed fome hope from the next tide, but it was 
doubtful whether (he would hold together fo long, efpecially 
as the rock kept grating her bottom under the darboard bow 
with fiich force as to be heard in the fore dore-rooni. This 
however was no time to indulge conjecture, nor was any effort 
remitted in dcfpair of fuccefs : that no time might be lod, the 
wa.:er was immediately darted into the hold, and pumped up ; 
fix of our guns, being all vve had upon the deck, our iron and 
done ballad, caflcs, hoops, daves, oil jars, decayed ltores, and 
many other things that lay in the way of heavier materials 
were thrown over board with the utmod expedition, every one 
exerting himfelf with an alacrity almod approaching to cheer- 
fulnefs, without the lead repining or difconcent ; yet the men 
werefo far impred with a fenfeof their fituation, that not an 
oath was heard among them, the habit of profanenefs, how- 
ever drong, being indantly fubdued, by the dread of incurring 
guilt, when dead n feemed to be fo near. 
Hz 
While 
