DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70301#0415
SHIPWRECK OF THE ST. LAWRENCE. 377
gulls and ducks flying about, a further sign that we could not
be far distant from it.
The captain proposed to bring the ship-to, in order to
keep her off the land, which I opposed, as well as the mate,
urging the probability that we should overset her in the at-
tempt. Our opinion, however, was rejected; and an at-
tempt was made to brace about the fore-yard, but it was found
impracticable, the ropes and blocks being covered with ice.
We were therefore obliged to let it remain as before, and the
water having suddenly changed its colour, we expected the
ship to strike every instant.
Small as our expectations were of saving our lives, I
thought it incumbent on me to take every precaution to save
the dispatches I was charged with, and therefore ordered
my servant to open my trunks and collect all the letters they
contained, which I put into a handkerchief and fastened
about my waist. He at the same time offered me the money
he found in them to the amount of one hundred and eighty
guineas, which I desired him to dispose of as he thought
proper, regarding it in the present emergency rather as an
incumbrance than a matter worthy of preservation. My
servant, however, thought otherwise, and took care to secure
the cash.
The weather continued thick as usual, till about one
o’clock, when suddenly clearing up we discovered the land
at about three leagues distance. This sight gave us no small
satisfaction, taking it at first to be the island of St. John’s;
but on a nearer view we found, from the plans which
we had on board, that it had not the least resemblance to
that island, there being no such mountains and precipices
laid down as we discovered. On drawing nearer we ob-
served the sea break high, and have a very dismal appear-
ance about three miles from the land. As it was necessary
for us to pass through those breakers before we could gain
the shore, we expected that our fate would be there deter-
vol. iv. 3 c
gulls and ducks flying about, a further sign that we could not
be far distant from it.
The captain proposed to bring the ship-to, in order to
keep her off the land, which I opposed, as well as the mate,
urging the probability that we should overset her in the at-
tempt. Our opinion, however, was rejected; and an at-
tempt was made to brace about the fore-yard, but it was found
impracticable, the ropes and blocks being covered with ice.
We were therefore obliged to let it remain as before, and the
water having suddenly changed its colour, we expected the
ship to strike every instant.
Small as our expectations were of saving our lives, I
thought it incumbent on me to take every precaution to save
the dispatches I was charged with, and therefore ordered
my servant to open my trunks and collect all the letters they
contained, which I put into a handkerchief and fastened
about my waist. He at the same time offered me the money
he found in them to the amount of one hundred and eighty
guineas, which I desired him to dispose of as he thought
proper, regarding it in the present emergency rather as an
incumbrance than a matter worthy of preservation. My
servant, however, thought otherwise, and took care to secure
the cash.
The weather continued thick as usual, till about one
o’clock, when suddenly clearing up we discovered the land
at about three leagues distance. This sight gave us no small
satisfaction, taking it at first to be the island of St. John’s;
but on a nearer view we found, from the plans which
we had on board, that it had not the least resemblance to
that island, there being no such mountains and precipices
laid down as we discovered. On drawing nearer we ob-
served the sea break high, and have a very dismal appear-
ance about three miles from the land. As it was necessary
for us to pass through those breakers before we could gain
the shore, we expected that our fate would be there deter-
vol. iv. 3 c