existence, indeed, of these rocks was positively denied by some
navigators, though it was as positively asserted by others.

It would be vain to attempt to describe the scene that followed the
first shock, on the vessel's striking the rock. Upon the captain's
hastening on deck, he found the crew rushing up from their berths,
many of them in a state of nudity, and so stupified as to be utterly
incapable of making the least effort for their own preservation. Some
went below, and for the moment resigned themselves to despair, while
others rushed to the poop for safety.

In a few minutes, the officers had gathered round their captain. It
needed no words to point out to them the imminence of their danger,
and the necessity of their setting an example of steadiness and
intrepidity to the men. They suffered no signs of dismay to appear in
their demeanour, but immediately proceeded to consider what were the
best steps to be taken to meet the impending danger. The calmness and
courage thus displayed by the captain and his officers could not fail
of having the desired effect upon the ship's company, who recovered
from their panic, and seeing the necessity for instant exertion, held
themselves in readiness to execute each order as it was issued.

In order to prevent the ship falling on her broadside, the masts were
cut away; but she continued to beat so violently upon the rocks, that
in less than half-an-hour she filled with water up to the lower deck
ports, and then fell over to larboard on her beam ends. Captain
Raynsford, foreseeing the inevitable loss of his vessel, had ordered
the boats to be hoisted out, with the idea that they would be useful
in towing a raft, which he had caused to be constructed to leeward.
This raft would probably have been the means of preserving a great