lowered; and though his officers urgently dissuaded him from so
dangerous an attempt, he determined to hazard it. At this moment the
ship made a deep plunge aft, the boat was stove, and the captain left in
the water. He was much hurt, and bled profusely, for he was dashed
violently against the rudder, and his nostril was torn up by the hook of
one of the tackles. But his coolness and self-possession did not
forsake him, and calling for a rope, he slung himself with one of the
many that were thrown to him, and cheerfully ordered those on board to
haul away. As soon as possible, the jolly-boat, with an officer and
crew, was hoisted out from the booms, and fortunately saved the men.

This was the third time within the present year that Sir Edward had
risked his life to save others. While the ship was being fitted out, he
had been instrumental in saving two lives at Point Beach. Again, a short
time before she sailed, and while she was lying at Spithead, the
coxswain of one of the cutters fell overboard. The captain ran aft, and
was instantly in the water, where he caught the man just as he was
sinking. Life was apparently extinct, but happily was restored by the
usual means. Perhaps no man has oftener distinguished himself in this
manner; but the splendour of one act of heroism and humanity leaves all
the others in the shade.

On the 26th of January, 1796, when the _Indefatigable_ was lying in
Hamoaze, after having been docked, the _Dutton_, a large East Indiaman,
employed in the transport service, on her way to the West Indies with
part of the 2nd, or Queen's regiment, was driven into Plymouth by stress
of weather. She had been out seven weeks, and had many sick on board.
The gale increasing in the afternoon, it was determined to run for
greater safety to Catwater; but the buoy at the extremity of the reef
off Mount Batten having broke adrift, of which the pilots were not
aware, she touched on the shoal, and carried away her rudder. Thus
rendered unmanageable, she fell off, and grounded under the citadel,
where, beating round, she lay rolling heavily with her broadside to the
waves. At the second roll she threw all her masts over board together.

Sir Edward and Lady Pellew were on their way to dine with Dr. Hawker,
vicar of Charles,--who had become acquainted with Mr. Pellew when they
were serving together at Plymouth as surgeons to the marines, and
continued through life the intimate and valued friend of all the
brother