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seamen。 Here the scene was considerably different。 Having reached the
middle of this darksome berth without its inmates being aware of any
intrusion； the writer had the consolation of remarking that； although they
talked of bad weather and the cross accidents of the sea； yet the
conversation was carried on in that sort of tone and manner which bespoke
an ease and composure of mind highly creditable to them and pleasing to
him。 The writer immediately accosted the seamen about the state of the
ship。 To these inquiries they replied that the vessel being light； and
having but little hold of the water； no top…rigging； with excellent ground…
tackle； and everything being fresh and new； they felt perfect confidence in
their situation。
It being impossible to open any of the hatches in the fore part of the
ship in communicating with the deck； the watch was changed by passing
through the several berths to the companion…stair leading to the quarter…
deck。 The writer； therefore； made the best of his way aft； and； on a
second attempt to look out； he succeeded； and saw indeed an astonishing
sight。 The sea or waves appeared to be ten or fifteen feet in height of
unbroken water； and every approaching billow seemed as if it would
overwhelm our vessel； but she continued to rise upon the waves and to fall
between the seas in a very wonderful manner。 It seemed to be only those
seas which caught her in the act of rising which struck her with so much
violence and threw such quantities of water aft。 On deck there was only
one solitary individual looking out； to give the alarm in the event of the
ship breaking from her moorings。 The seaman on watch continued only
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two hours； he who kept watch at this time was a tall； slender man of a
black complexion； he had no greatcoat nor over…all of any kind； but was
simply dressed in his ordinary jacket and trousers； his hat was tied under
his chin with a napkin； and he stood aft the foremast； to which he had
lashed himself with a gasket or small rope round his waist； to prevent his
falling upon deck or being washed overboard。 When the writer looked
up； he appeared to smile； which afforded a further symptom of the
confidence of the crew in their ship。 This person on watch was as
completely wetted as if he had been drawn through the sea； which was
given as a reason for his not putting on a greatcoat； that he might wet as
few of his clothes as possible； and have a dry shift when he went below。
Upon deck everything that was movable was out of sight； having either
been stowed below； previous to the gale； or been washed overboard。
Some trifling parts of the quarter boards were damaged by the breach of
the sea； and one of the boats upon deck was about one…third full of water；
the oyle…hole or drain having been accidently stopped up； and part of her
gunwale had received considerable injury。 These observations were
hastily made； and not without occasionally shutting the companion； to
avoid being wetted by the successive seas which broke over the bows and
fell upon different parts of the deck according to the impetus with which
the waves struck the vessel。 By this time it was about three o'clock in the
afternoon； and the gale； which had now continued with unabated force for
twenty… seven hours； had not the least appearance of going off。
In the dismal prospect of undergoing another night like the last； and
being in imminent hazard of parting from our cable； the writer thought it
necessary to advise with the master and officers of the ship as to the
probable event of the vessel's drifting from her moorings。 They severally
gave it as their opinion that we had now every chance of riding out the
gale； which； in all probability； could not continue with the same fury many
hours longer； and that even if she should part from her anchor； the storm…
sails had been laid to hand； and could be bent in a very short time。 They
further stated that from the direction of the wind being N。E。； she would
sail up the Firth of Forth to Leith Roads。 But if this should appear
doubtful； after passing the Island and Light of May； it might be advisable
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
at once to steer for Tyningham Sands； on the western side of Dunbar； and
there run the vessel ashore。 If this should happen at the time of high…water；
or during the ebbing of the tide； they were of opinion； from the flatness
and strength of the floating light； that no danger would attend her taking
the ground； even with a very heavy sea。 The writer； seeing the
confidence which these gentlemen possessed with regard to the situation
of things； found himself as much relieved with this conversation as he had
previously been with the seeming indifference of the forecastle men； and
the smile of the watch upon deck； though literally lashed to the foremast。
From this time he felt himself almost perfectly at ease； at any rate； he was
entirely resigned to the ultimate result。
About six o'clock in the evening the ship's company was heard moving
upon deck； which on the present occasion was rather the cause of alarm。
The writer accordingly rang his bell to know what was the matter； when he
was informed by the steward that the weather looked considerably better；
and that the men upon deck were endeavouring to ship the smoke…funnel
of the galley that the people might get some meat。 This was a more
favourable account than had been anticipated。 During the last twenty…
one hours he himself had not only had nothing to eat； but he had almost
never passed a thought on the subject。 Upon the mention of a change of
weather； he sent the steward to learn how the artificers felt； and on his
return he stated that they now seemed to be all very happy； since the cook
had begun to light the galley…fire and make preparations for the suet…
pudding of Sunday； which was the only dish to be attempted for the mess；
from the ease with which it could both be cooked and served up。
The principal change felt upon the sh