NOVEMBER 13.
At six this morning came on a tremendous gale of wind; the
captain says, that he never experienced a heavier. However,
we rode it out with great success, although, at one time, it was
bawled out that we were driving; and, at another, a brig which
lay near us broke from her moorings, and came bearing down
close upon us. The danger, indeed, from the difference of size,
was all upon the side of the brig; but, luckily, the vessels
cleared each other. This evening she has thought it as well to
remove further from so dangerous a neighbourhood. There is a
little cabin-boy on board, and Mr. J— has brought with
him a black terrier; and these two at first sight swore to each
other an eternal friendship, in the true German style. It is the
boy's first voyage, and he is excessively sea-sick; so he has been
obliged to creep into his hammock, and his friend, the little
black terrier, has crept into the hammock with him. A boat
came from the shore this evening, and reported that several vessels
have been dismasted, lost their anchors, and injured in various
ways. A brig, which was obliged to make for Ramsgate,
missed the pier, and was dashed to pieces completely; the crew,
however, were saved, all except the pilot; who, although he was
brought on shore alive, what between bruises, drowning, and
fright, had suffered so much that he died two hours afterwards.
The weather has now again become calm; but the wind is still
full west.
