The captain, Israel Pellew, was at dinner in his cabin, with Captain
Swaffield of the Overyssel, a Dutch 64, and the first lieutenant of
the Amphion, when in an instant they were all violently thrown against
the carlings of the upper deck. Captain Pellew had sufficient presence
of mind to rush to the cabin window before a second explosion
followed, by which he was blown into the water; he was soon, however,
picked up by a boat, and was found to have sustained but little
injury.

The first lieutenant, who followed his example, escaped in a similar
manner. Unfortunately, Captain Swaffield perished, in all probability
having been stunned either by the first blow he received against the
carlings, or by coming in contact with some part of the hulk. His body
was found a month afterwards, with the skull fractured, apparently
crushed between the sides of the two vessels.

At the moment of the explosion, the sentinel at the cabin door was
looking at his watch, when it was dashed from his hands and he was
stunned: he knew nothing more until he found himself safe on shore,
and comparatively unhurt. The escape of the boatswain was also very
remarkable; he was standing on the cathead, directing the men in
rigging out the jib-boom, when he felt himself suddenly carried off
his feet into the air: he then fell into the sea senseless; and on
recovering his consciousness, he found that he had got entangled
amongst the rigging, and that his arm was broken. He contrived to
extricate himself, though with some difficulty, and he was soon picked
up by a boat, without further injury.

The preservation of a child was no less singular: in the terror of the
moment, the mother had grasped it in her arms, but, horrible to