close-reefed courses and topsails, then stood to the N.E. At
half-past eleven P.M. very strong gales split our foresail; St.
George took in topsails and courses. At one P.M. strong gales;
St. George set her foresail. At half-past two P.M. strong and
heavy squalls of wind and rain from the N.W. with a heavy sea;
observed the St. George to labour very much and roll very deep.
St. George shortened all sail except the mizen-staysail and
try-sail; St. George drifting to leeward so much as to oblige
us to bear up three or four times in a watch, each time one
mile, or three quarters at least, in order to keep to leeward
of her; the land of Bovenbergen on her lee bow about three
points, the Holmes right a head of her. The wind had at four
P.M. shifted to the N.N.W.; the land on her lee beam, nine
leagues, was that part of Jutland a few miles to the southward
of Bovenbergen. At eight o'clock the Horn Reef, bearing S.S.W.
distance forty miles; at this time a tremendous heavy sea was
setting on the shore in the direction of E.S.E. At six lost
sight of the Bellete; the last sight we had of the Defence she
was standing with her head in shore, E.N.E. under storm
mizen-stay-sail and try-sail. At nine P.M. the gale still
increasing; St. George, as before, drifting about N.E. or N.E.
by E. with storm mizen-stay-sail and try-sail only, appearing
from some cause to be unable to wear, as she never attempted
it, although it was the most safe and profitable tack to be
upon, there being no possibility of getting off on the larboard
tack, but on the contrary must inevitably go on shore; this I
particularly remarked with great anxiety and concern from three
o'clock that afternoon, and was constantly in expectation of
his wearing, and carrying what sail he could on the starboard
tack, in order, if possible, to clear the Horn Reef: although
the clearing of the reef might be doubtful, it was the only
chance left, and would at least have given him a longer drift;
but from his not doing so, I am of opinion _his masts had
complained and were unable to carry any more sail_, as well as
the rudder, which certainly wanted securing. At ten P.M. as no
steps were taken by the St. George to wear, and finding from
our soundings and reckoning we were only nine leagues from the