2 
GRAVESEND. 
which came on and continued all day, obliged us 
to keep our station; at least, as much so as the 
storm would permit; for we dragged our anchors 
a considerable way. The howling of the wind 
among the rigging, the sight of a number of large 
vessels that were driven on shore, and of boats in 
distress in every direction upon the river, did not 
strike us with very pleasing sensations, although 
we were riding in perfect safety: to add to the 
scene, a house close to the shore was discovered 
to be in flames. Towards evening the storm 
Saturday, abated, and early the next morning, with 
•June 3. a c barming breeze, we sailed down the 
river; and, while looking with delight on the 
green and fertile shores, we thought of the far 
different appearance of those more striking scenes 
of fire and devastation, which Von Troil, in his 
letters on Iceland, had taught us to expect in 
that country. In the after part of the day the 
wind increased, and, towards night, blew so vio¬ 
lently, that our captain thought it most prudent 
to come to an anchor in Hollesley Bay, and, in 
the morning, to fire a signal for a pilot. When 
the violence of the storm had abated the next 
Sunday> morning, a boat came off to inform us 
June 4. ^bere was no pilot to be had; therefore, 
with a more frequent use of the lead, the captain 
determined to pass the sands off the coasts of 
Norfolk and Suffolk without one. Having cleared 
