“I may now begin to speak on a smaller scale, and only mention the proceedings of our own boat, with occasional remarks concerning the others. At noon, made sail from the Island, scudding under a fore and main sail alternately. At 4, finding the wind heading us fast, hauled on a wind to endeavour to keep off shore as much as possible, in order to get on the Beniquet if necessary, most of the other boats being in sight, the Captain’s just perceptible ahead. At 6, strong gales and squally, with rain and a tremendous heavy sea. Observed the Hay stacks on our lee beam: at 6.30, observed the oars and rowlock of the Captain’s barge floating to leeward which made us fear, ‘_fraguntur remi_,’ that he had perished. At 7, passed to leeward of the Parquet, which was very perceptible by the roaring and breaking of the sea, which was awful in the extreme. “At 9, finding we could not weather St. Matthew’s, Mr. B. and the commanding Officer, ‘_O socii passi graviora_,’ of the boat addressed the crew, to consult concerning the best means of saving their lives, when it was unanimously decided to bear up for Brest, a dire, but unavoidable alternative. Employed continually pumping and baling the boat, over which the seas were continually breaking. At 10.30, spoke one of our boats, which was laying broadside to the seas dismasted, but could not give her any assistance. At 11 were hailed by the batteries, did not answer, but hauled close to the land; they fired at us several times, but without effect.