d in the raging billows.

However appalling the sight of this fearful tragedy might have been
to the crew of the St. George, their own danger was too imminent to
allow them much time for reflection, for on heaving the lead they
found only fourteen fathoms, though they had anchored in twenty. The
best bower anchor was at once let go, as the ship appeared to be fast
drifting towards the shore; but such was the force of the wind and
sea, that its massive ring broke off as if it had been only a piece of
wire. Upon this it was resolved to wear her off the land, and the jib
and foretopmast stay-sail were loosed, but before they could be set
the sails were wrenched from the bolt-ropes, and borne away by the
blast. The lead being cast again, eight fathoms were reported; the
sheet anchor was let go, in hopes that it would hold, but, like the
other anchor, it made no impression on the ship, and broke short off.
As a last resource, the men began to cut away the masts, when, just as
they fell, a heavy sea lifted the vessel and hurled her with violence
upon a sand bank, where she remained fast, the masts having by good
fortune fallen clear of her sides.

There was but little hope now of saving the ship, yet the crew behaved
with the most admirable steadiness, and obeyed with cheerful alacrity
when they were ordered to man the pumps. Towards daybreak the rudder
was torn from its fastenings, and it was only the discovery that the
water did not gain on the ship that sustained the drooping spirits of
the seamen, exhausted as they were with their arduous exertions and
long exposure to the biting cold and constant fall of sleet and snow.
At half-past six the long-wished-for dawn appeared, when, to their
dismay, they found themselves on a sand bank, four miles from the
shore. As the wind and sea gradually abated, the rest of the squadron
attempted to render them assistance, but did not venture to approach
too close to the shoal. The St. George continued to strike heavily
until twelve that night, when her head swung round to the land, and,
contrary to all expectations, the water was found to have risen three
feet since eight o'clock in the evening. By ten the next morning
(Sunday, the 17th of November) she was clear of all danger, and having
fitted up jury-masts, with a rudder supplied from the Cressy, she
arrived in safety at Gottenburg, about the 2nd of December.

Having partially repaired damages, Admiral Reynolds weighed anchor on
th