ound in O'Byrne's _Naval Biography_,
to which work we are indebted for the above sketch.

FOOTNOTES:

[18] The greater part of the treasure lost with the Thetis (806,000
dollars) has subsequently been recovered. An interesting description
of the means used for raising it will be found in a volume published
by Captain Dickenson.

THE FIREFLY.

The Firefly, a small schooner, with a crew of about fifty men, was
proceeding on her voyage from Belize to Jamaica, on the 27th of
February, 1835. The wind had been moderate during the day, and as they
were steering a course laid down in the chart, no danger was
anticipated.

Between nine and ten o'clock at night, the greater part of the crew,
with the exception of those whose duty it was to be upon deck, had
retired below, when the seaman in charge of the watch reported to the
commander, Lieutenant Julius McDonnell, that it was very dark ahead.
He instantly went upon deck, when the sound of surf breaking upon
rocks was distinctly heard. The helm was put down, under the hopes of
staying the vessel, but as the wind was light, and a heavy swell
setting in at the time, she did not come round, but getting stern-way,
struck with a shock which made every timber vibrate, and appeared to
threaten instant destruction to the vessel. All were in a moment upon
deck; the sweeps were got out on the larboard side, the best bower
anchor let go, and the boats hoisted out, and ordered to sound, whilst
the cutter was sent to carry out the stream anchor. The cable was then
held taut, but snapped almost immediately: the best bower came home,
and the small bower was let go. In the meantime, the wind had shifted
to the northward, and was blowing in heavy squalls, and their small
bower anchor, which was their sole dependence, came home.

Everything that could be done was put into practice to save the
vessel, but all in vain; and when daylight broke, her commander saw
that there was nothing now left him but to take measures for
preserving the lives of the crew.

For this purpose, all the officers and men were set to work to
construct rafts, as the boats were not sufficient to contain the whole
of the crew. Between six and seven o'clock in the morning, one raft
was completed, and the cutter and gig prepared to receive the men. The
vessel was all this time rapidly breaking up; the bolts of her keelson
and the stempost had started; the deck was broken in, and there was
but little hope of her