nd
to the dismay of the pilots, the ship took the ground, and struck on
the Shelling Reef, about noon on the 18th of January. It was only just
past high water when she struck, and there was therefore no chance of
getting her off till the next tide. In the meantime all weight was
removed from aloft, and the topmasts were lowered over the side, to
shore her up. Towards evening the wind increased to a gale, and a
heavy swell came on, which prevented their getting out a bower anchor,
although a raft was made for the purpose; but the night became so
dark, and the sea so rough, they were obliged to relinquish the
attempt, and resolved to wait with patience for high water, lightening
the vessel as much as possible, by starting the water, and heaving
most of the shot and other heavy articles overboard. All hands took
their turn at the pumps, and worked vigorously; yet the water gained
rapidly upon the vessel: this was partly attributable to her having
struck amidships, and having a hole through her bottom, instead of her
side, to supply the cistern. At about nine o'clock P.M., she began to
heave, but as the tide made, the wind freshened, the sea rose, and she
brought home the stream anchor, backed by the kedge, and forged on the
sand. At half-past nine o'clock, a last effort was made to get her
off, by letting go a bower anchor with a spring abaft, which brought
her head round. They then made all sail and forced her over the reef.
The ship once more floated in deep water: but this object was not
attained without a most serious loss. The rudder had been carried
away, and with it the launch and the jolly-boat, so that only one
anchor and the worst boat were left for service. After those moments
of breathless anxiety, and after giving utterance to a short but
fervent expression of thankfulness that they had got clear of the
reef, the men, almost worn out as they were, by so many hours of
continued labour, again betook themselves to the pumps, in hopes of
keeping the water under until they could reach an English port. But in
spite of every exertion, in spite of continued bailing and pumping,
and though a thrumbed sail was under the ship's bottom, the water
gained to eight feet. As the danger increased, so did the vigour of
the men. All was order, energy, and steady obedience throughout. The
captain perceiving that it would be impossible to keep the vessel much
longer afloat, gave orders to wear ship, and run her on the enemy's
shor