ain Newman, of the Hero, made
signal to the Grasshopper to come within hail; conceiving that they
were on the Silver Pitts, he directed the course to be altered to the
south-west, which was accordingly done. They continued their course
until ten o'clock at night, when the signal was made to alter it two
points to port.

The Grasshopper was at this time going at the rate of nine knots an
hour; four of the convoy had been kept in view up to this period, but
were soon lost sight of in the heavy squall of snow and sleet. At
half-past three o'clock all hands were turned up, when the ship being
in broken water, she struck with great violence, and suddenly fell
into three fathoms water. The best bower was let go, and she was
brought to an anchor. In a few minutes the ship struck again, and
continued to do so as long as she remained in that position.

The crew of the Grasshopper had now their attention called to the
situation of the Hero. It was first supposed that she was at anchor,
although she fired several guns, and burnt blue lights, which in about
half-an-hour ceased. At daylight it was discovered that both the ships
were inside the Northern Haaks, about five or six miles from the Texel
Island. About a mile from the Grasshopper was the Hero--a complete
wreck--lying on her starboard broadside. The ship's company were all
crowded together upon the poop and forecastle; the sea making clean
breaches over her. An attempt was made by the crew of the Grasshopper
to reach the Hero, but the surf ran so high that it prevented all
communication, and they were under the imperious necessity of seeing
their comrades perish, without the slightest possibility of being able
to render them assistance.

The Hero had hoisted a flag of truce, and fired a gun: in a short time
these signals of distress were answered, by several vessels putting
out from the Texel to her relief; but owing to the flood-tide, and the
strong gale of wind then blowing, the boats were unable to get nearer
than three miles.

Notwithstanding that those on board the Grasshopper were themselves in
a most precarious position, from the repeated shocks the ship had
sustained by striking against the ground, their attention was
completely diverted from themselves, in their anxiety for the fate of
the Hero. The waves burst with relentless fury over the doomed vessel,
every moment snatching a victim from the now almost deserted decks.

As the night was approaching, and the