on, Mr. Ayling, master's-assistant, John Owen, a
stoker, James Morley, a boy, and W. Hills, captain's steward. At this
moment, Lieutenant Marryat made his appearance, his manner calm and
self-possessed; he was in the act of addressing himself to one of the
party, when the ship gave a heavy lurch to starboard, and the gallant
young officer lost his footing, and was washed overboard.

Whilst they were in the act of lowering the cutter, an accident
occurred, which was nearly proving fatal to all their hopes of
preservation.

In lowering the boat, the foremost fall got jammed, and the after one
going freely, the boat had her stern in the water, and her bows in the
air; at this moment, Dr. Steel threw in his cloak, which fortunately
got into the sleave-hole of the after fall, and stopped it.

Just as the boat touched the water, and before the tackles were
unhooked, the ship struck again heavily, and began swinging broadside
to the sea, falling over to starboard at the same time, which, from
the cutter being the port one, made her crash with great violence
against the ship's side; however, by dint of great exertion, the boat
was got free from the tackles, and pulled clear of the ship.

The Avenger now lay broadside to the sea, with her head towards
Africa, falling at the same time to windward, with her deck exposed;
the foremast, mainmast, and mizen topmast falling over the starboard
side, and the funnel on the gangway, no doubt killing many of the crew
as it fell. As the boat left the ship's side, some one attempted to
burn a blue-light, but it went out immediately. The sea was now
occasionally seen to break over the forecastle and quarter, and Mr.
Rooke, in the hope of saving some of the crew, gave orders to lie on
their oars, and keep the boat's bow to the ship, to be ready to pick
up any of the survivors in the event of the ship's falling to pieces.
Lieutenant Rooke and his little party[19] remained by the ship for
about an hour and a half, the moon at intervals shining out brightly
from behind the heavy clouds, and discovering the Island of Galita,
apparently at about ten or twelve miles distant. The weather now
became more tempestuous; the rain poured in torrents; and all being
almost exhausted with pulling against a strong current, and being
gradually drawn away from the ship, Lieutenant Rooke considered it
most advisable to run under the lee of Galita, and there, if possible,
remain on their oars until there was d