at last it was too late for them to cross the sands and ice till the
next ebb. The watchers were obliged to content themselves with the
hope that Mr. Anthony and his party had found it safe and practicable
to remain on board the frigate till morning. But during the night a
violent storm arose, which increased the anxiety of Captain Wallis for
the safety of his people; and this anxiety became deep distress, when
in the morning he gazed wistfully towards the wreck, and saw nothing
but the foaming waters, and moving fields of ice. Not a vestige of the
frigate was visible. We cannot better describe Captain Wallis's
feelings on this occasion than by quoting his own words, when he
communicated the intelligence to Vice-Admiral Archibald Dickson.

'They got on board,' says Captain Wallis, 'but unfortunately
neglected, until too late in the tide, to return, which left them no
alternative but that of remaining on board till next day. About ten
o'clock at night the wind came on at S.S.E., and blew a most violent
storm; the tide, though at the neap, rose to an uncommon height, the
ice got in motion, the velocity of which swept the wreck to
destruction, (for in the morning not a vestige of her was to be seen,)
and with it, I am miserably afraid, went the above unfortunate
officers and men,--and if so, their loss will be a great one to the
service, as, in their different departments, they were a great
acquisition to it.

'The only hope I have is, that Providence which has so bountifully
assisted us in our recent dangers and difficulties, may be extended
towards them, so as to preserve their lives, by means of boat or
otherwise; but I am very sorry to say my hopes are founded on the
most distant degree of human probability. This melancholy accident
happening so unexpectedly, added to my other misfortunes, has given so