ARGUMENT. I. Reflections on leaving Shore.-II. Favourable Breeze. Water-Spout. . . . The dying Dolphin. . . . Breeze freshens... Ship's rapid progress along the Coast... Top-Sails reefed... Gale of Wind... Last appearance, bearing, and distance of Cape Spado... A Squall.... Top-Sails double reefed. . . Main-Sail split . .The Ship bears up; again hauls upon the Wind... Another MainSail bent, and set. . . Porpoises.—III. The Ship driven out of her course from Candia... Heavy Gale... TopSails furled.... Top-gallant-yards lowered. . . . Heavy Sea... Threatening Sun-set... Difference of Opinion respecting the mode of taking in the Main-Sail. . . . Courses reefed... Four Seamen lost off the lee Mainyard-arm... Anxiety of the Master, and his Mates, on being near a Lee-shore... Mizen reefed.— IV. A tremendous Sea bursts over the Deck; its consequences. The Ship labours in great Distress. . . . Guns thrown overboard... Dismal appearance of the Weather.... Very high and dangerous Sea... Storm of Lightning... Severe fatigue of the Crew at the Pumps. . . . Critical situation of the Ship near the Island Falconera. . . Consultation and resolution of the Officers... Speech and advice of ALBERT; his devout Address to Heaven. Order given to scud.... The Fore Stay-Sail hoisted and spirt... The Head Yards braced aback.... The Mizen-Mast cut away. I. ADIEU! ye pleasures of the sylvan scene, Where Peace, and calm Contentment dwell serene: With Summer crowned, th' Elysian vallies smile; J.Fittler fculp To me those happier scenes no joy impart, The Muse invites you, judge if she depart, In practice trained, and conscious of her power, II. O'er the smooth bosom of the faithless tides, Propelled by flattering gales, the Vessel glides: RODMOND exulting felt the auspicious Wind, And by a mystic charm its aim confin'd. The thoughts of Home, that o'er his fancy roll, This vast Phenomenon, whose lofty head, In Heaven immersed, embracing clouds o'erspread, In spiral motion first, as Seamen deem, Swells, when the raging whirlwind sweeps the stream. The swift volution, and th' enormous train, The horrid Apparition still draws nigh, And white with foam the whirling billows fly. The guns were primed; the Vessel northward veers, Till her black battery on the Column bears: The nitre fired; and, while the dreadful sound The Sea subsides, the whirlwinds rage no more. |