Narratives of Shipwrecks of the Royal Navy; between 1793 and 1849Gilly, William O. S.
History
Narratives of Shipwrecks of the Royal Navy; between 1793 and 1849
Gilly, William O. S.
Great Britain. Royal Navy -- History -- 18th century; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- History -- 19th century; Shipwrecks
Several men attempted to swim to the ship, but without success; they
were all, one after another, cast back exhausted upon the beach, and
many of them without sense or motion. At last, when there seemed no
hope left of affording aid to the sufferers, Mr. Roberts, of Helstone,
seized hold of a rope, and boldly struck out in the direction of the
Anson. He was a powerful swimmer, and his courageous efforts were
watched from the shore and from the wreck with intense interest, and
many a heartfelt prayer was breathed for his safety and success.
Tossed on the foaming waters, at one moment lost to sight, and almost
suffocated in the spray, and at another rising on the top of a huge
wave, he at last reached the ship, and was hailed as a deliverer by
those who were still clinging to the spars and rigging. The rope which
Mr. Roberts had taken with him was made fast to the wreck, and this
formed a communication with the shore, by which many a poor wretch was
saved who must otherwise have perished.
Another instance of heroic self-devotion was exhibited by a Methodist
preacher, a little later in the day, when, as no one appeared on the
ship's side, it was supposed that every one had either come on shore,
or had been drowned; but this brave and good mail thought that there
might be some still left on board who were unable to make an effort to
save themselves, and, under this impression, he ventured his life
through the surf, followed by a few other daring spirits like himself.
With great difficulty they gained the wreck, where, as they had
anticipated, they found several persons lying below, all too much
exhausted to get upon deck. Some, in terror and despair, called upon
God for mercy; others, in hopeful trust, seemed resigned to their
fate; and others were so weak as to be indifferent to the horrors
around them. Two women and two children were of the number. The
preacher and his gallant comrades had the happiness of saving the
women and some of the men, but the children were lost.
Sixty men, amongst whom were Captain Lydiard and his first-lieutenant,
perished in the wreck of the Anson. The survivors of the crew were
conveyed to Helstone, where they received every attention and kindness
which their unfortunate condition required. The body of Captain
Lydiard, which was washed on shore, was interred at Falmouth with
military honours.
We feel assured that the following particulars of the life of Captain
Lydiard will not be unacceptable to the reader.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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