ip was lost,
requested him to endeavor to keep order amongst the troops till the
last, but, at the same time, to use every exertion to check the
fire. Providentially, the iron bulkhead in the after-part of the
ship withstood the action of the flames, and here all efforts were
concentrated to keep it cool.

"'No person,' says the captain, 'can describe the manner in which the
men worked to keep the fire back; one party were below, keeping the
bulkhead cool, and when several were dragged up senseless, fresh
volunteers took their places, who were, however, soon in the same state.
At about ten P. M., the maintopsail-yard took fire. Mr. Welch, one
quartermaster, and four or five soldiers, went aloft with wet blankets,
and succeeded in extinguishing it, but not until the yard and mast were
nearly burnt through. The work of fighting the fire below continued for
hours, and about midnight it appeared that some impression was made; and
after that, the men drove it back, inch by inch, until daylight, when
they had completely got it under. The ship was now in a frightful
plight. The after-part was literally burnt out--merely the shell
remaining--the port quarter blown out by the explosion: fifteen feet of
water in the hold.'

"The gale still prevailed, and the ship was rolling and pitching in a
heavy sea, and taking in large quantities of water abaft: the tanks,
too, were rolling from side to side in the hold.

"As soon as the smoke was partially cleared away, Captain Castle got
spare sails and blankets aft to stop the leak, passing two hawsers round
the stern, and setting them up. The troops were employed baling and
pumping. This continued during the whole morning.

"In the course of the day the ladies joined the ship. The boats were
ordered alongside, but they found the sea too heavy to remain there. The
gig had been abandoned during the night, and the crew, under Mr. Wood,
fourth officer, had got into another of the boats. The troops were
employed the remainder of the day baling and pumping, and the crew
securing the stern. All hands were employed during the following
night baling and pumping, the boats being moored alongside, where they
received some damage. At daylight, on the 13th, the crew were employed
hoisting time boats, the troops were working manfully baling and
pumping. Latitude at noon, 13 deg. 12 min. south. At five P. M., the
foresail and foretopsail were set, the rafts were cut away, and the ship
bore for the