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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
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 ship as the wind abated was her
increased rolling motion； but the pitching was much diminished； and now
hardly any sea came farther aft than the foremast： but she rolled so
extremely hard as frequently to dip and take in water over the gunwales
and rails in the waist。 By nine o'clock all hands had been refreshed by
the exertions of the cook and steward； and were happy in the prospect of
the worst of the gale being over。 The usual complement of men was also
now set on watch； and more quietness was experienced throughout the
ship。 Although the previous night had been a very restless one； it had not
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the effect of inducing repose in the writer's berth on the succeeding night；
for having been so much tossed about in bed during the last thirty hours；
he found no easy spot to turn to； and his body was all sore to the touch；
which ill accorded with the unyielding materials with which his bed…place
was surrounded。
＇Monday； 7th Sept。＇
This morning； about eight o'clock； the writer was agreeably surprised
to see the scuttle of his cabin sky…light removed； and the bright rays of the
sun admitted。 Although the ship continued to roll excessively； and the
sea was still running very high； yet the ordinary business on board seemed
to be going forward on deck。 It was impossible to steady a telescope； so
as to look minutely at the progress of the waves and trace their breach
upon the Bell Rock； but the height to which the cross…running waves rose
in sprays when they met each other was truly grand； and the continued
roar and noise of the sea was very perceptible to the ear。 To estimate the
height of the sprays at forty or fifty feet would surely be within the mark。
Those of the workmen who were not much afflicted with sea…sickness；
came upon deck； and the wetness below being dried up； the cabins were
again brought into a habitable state。 Every one seemed to meet as if after
a long absence； congratulating his neighbour upon the return of good
weather。 Little could be said as to the comfort of the vessel； but after
riding out such a gale； no one felt the least doubt or hesitation as to the
safety and good condition of her moorings。 The master and mate were
extremely anxious； however； to heave in the hempen cable； and see the
state of the clinch or iron ring of the chain…cable。 But the vessel rolled at
such a rate that the seamen could not possibly keep their feet at the
windlass nor work the hand…spikes； t