VENERABLE.


On Saturday, the 24th of November, 1804, the fleet under the command
of Admiral the Hon. W. Cornwallis, lay at anchor in Torbay. As it was
late in the year, and the night dark and stormy, orders were given for
the fleet to put to sea.

Unfortunately, in fishing the anchor of the Venerable, 74-gun ship,
the fish-hook gave way, and a man was precipitated into the sea. The
alarm was immediately given, and one of the cutters was ordered to be
lowered. Numbers of the crew rushed aft to carry the orders into
effect, but in the confusion, one of the falls was suddenly let go,
the boat fell by the run, filled, and a midshipman and two of the crew
were drowned. In a few minutes another boat was lowered, which
fortunately succeeded in picking up the man who first fell overboard.

Owing to this delay, the Venerable fell off considerably towards
Brixham, and getting sternway, was unable to weather the Berry Head.
Every effort was made to stay her, but the ship refused; and, not
having room to wear, she drove on shore, at the north part of the bay,
on a spot called Roundem Head, near Paington.

Orders were given to cut away the masts, in the hopes of their falling
between the ship and the shore. This was found impracticable, as the
ship, from her position on the declivity of the rock on which she
struck, heeled to such an extent, as to render the falling of the
masts in the desired direction quite impossible.