As for the transports, the largest of the three had lost her fore
topmast, and had bore up under her foresail; another was also scudding
under a close reefed fore--topsail; but the third or head--quarter ship was
still lying to windward, under her storm stay--sails. None of the merchant
vessels were to be seen, having been compelled to bear up in the night, and
to run before it under bare poles.
At length, as the sun rose, we got before the wind, and it soon moderated
so far, that we could carry reefed topsails and foresail; and away we all
bowled, with a clear, deep, cold, blue sky, and a bright sun overhead, and
a stormy leaden--coloured ocean, with whitish green--crested billows,
below. The sea continued to go down, and the wind to slacken, until the
afternoon, when the Commodore made the signal for Torch to send, a boat's
crew, the instant it could be done with safety, on board the dismasted
ship, to assist in repairing damages, and in getting up a
jury--fore--topmast.
The damaged ship was at this time on our weather--quarter; we accordingly
handed the fore--topsail, and presently she was alongside. We hailed her,
that we intended to send a boat on board, and desired her to heave--to, as
we did, and presently she rounded to under our lee. One of the
quarter--boats was manned, with three of the carpenter's crew, and six good
men over and above her complement; but it was no easy matter to get on
board of her, let me tell you, after she had been lowered, carefully
watching the rolls, with four hands in.
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