to heave the sloop off. Guns, shot,
and heavy stores, etc., were thrown overboard, from before the chest tree
the water started and pumped out, in order to lighten the vessel, but
without effect, as, unfortunately, the sloops had run on shore on the
infant ebb spring tide, and it receded much faster than it was possible to
lighten them. About half-past five the _Apelles_ fell over on her
starboard side, with her decks entirely exposed to the battery, field
pieces, and musketry from the beach and sandhills. At six she became a
complete wreck, the shot from the enemy having cut away nearly all the
standing rigging, as well as the sails to ribands. In this state Captain
Boxer sent his first lieutenant on board the _Apelles_ to request I would
set fire to her and abandon her without loss of time, as he thought it was
impracticable to get either of the vessels off. I then called a council of
the officers and pilots, who were unanimous in the positive necessity of
quitting the vessels. The pilots further added that as the tide was so
rapidly ebbing, the vessels would soon be left dry on the beach, and if
the crews were not sent immediately away there would be no possibility of
escape. I then ordered the boats to be manned, and shortly afterwards they
left the _Apelles_ with the greater part of the officers, leaving on board
the following in consequence of their not being able to contain more, some
of them (boats) having been struck by shot:

"F. HOFFMAN, _Commander_.
Mr. MANNING, _Surgeon_.
Mr. HANNEY, _Purser_.
Mr. TAYLOR, _Gunner_.
Mr. JOHNSTON, _Mid_.
WM. WHITTAKER, _Clerk_.
J. THOMPSON }
DAVIES }
CROSBIE } _Seamen_.
GEORGE }
RAYMOND }
Sergt. OWEN }
Corp. CLEVERLY }
READY } _Marines_.
KING }
BAXFIELD }

"On the boats of the _Apelles_ joining those of the _Skylark_ Captain
Boxer, finding I remained behind, he, in a most gallant manner, pulled
towards the _Apelles_ with his deeply laden boat under a heavy discharge
of shot and musketry from the enemy to entreat me to go with him. This I
refused, but begged him to make the best of his way with the boats to
England, for as he had not room in the boats for those remaining as well
as myself I could not, as a point of humanity, as well as duty, think of