118 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
During the night of the 13th, the wind came on to blow strong 
from the westward, with a heavy sea ; two of the hands were 
sent up to clue up the fore top gallant sail, when the head of the 
foremast gave way, but fortunately no other damage was done 
the men had almost a miraculous escape, and as the wind shortly 
afterwards abated, all hands were employed in clearing away 
the wreck. From the 15th to the 17th, the weather was squally 
with violent gales, and on the 18th Loch Swilley was in sight, 
twenty four miles, bearing south. The wind moderating they 
made all sail, and stood away S. W. bearing away for Loch 
Swilley, where an Irish fishing boat came along side, from which 
some fine mackarel were obtained. Towards evening a breeze 
springing up from the southwest, Capt. Ross determined to alter 
his course, Loch Swilley then bearing south eight miles. 
On the 22nd, the anchors were stowed away ; a brig was seen 
standing to the southwest, with strong breezes and a heavy sea 
and the ship labouring very much on account of the launch, 
which they had in tow at the stern, and which proved of the 
greatest hinderance and impediment to the sailing of the ship. 
As yet little or no benefit had been derived from the steam 
engine ; the boilers were found to be defective, and the carpenter 
and engineers were constantly employed on the repairs. On the 
23rd, they reported to Capt. Ross that the engine would be ready 
in about eight or nine days, but it now began to be the prevail¬ 
ing opinion amongst the crew, that the engine was not made on 
those principles as to insure any decided advantages, but would 
rather operate as a check upon the sailing properties of the vessel. 
It was now reckoned that the Victory was half way to Cape 
Farewell, and the 24th being the birthday of Capt. Ross, one of 
the bullocks was killed, and the crew were regaled with an 
extra allowance of grog. 
On the 26th, the engineer reported the boilers to be once 
more tight, and the small bellows repaired, but from the variable 
state of the weather, little or no use could be made of the 
engine. 
A number of birds were now seen, which announced their 
approach to land, some of which were shot by the crew, and 
were found by no means to be unpalatable. They are known by 
