Accidents > Dangers of the deep, or, Narratives of shipwreck and adventure at sea

BURNING OP THE PRINCE. 293
The yawl, lying in the way of the people,
was hoisted out by order of the captain, and
the boatswain, along with three others, took
possession of it. Wanting oars, they were
supplied with some by other three men who
leaped overboard. Those in the ship, how¬
ever, desired them to return, but they ex¬
claimed, that they wanted a rudder, and de¬
sired a rope to be thrown out. However, the
progress of the flames soon showing them
their only alternative for safety, they withdrew
from the ship, and she, from the effect of a
breeze springing up, passed by.
On board the utmost activity still prevailed,
and the courage of the people seemed to be
augmented by the difficulty of escape. The
master boldly went down into the hold, but
the intense heat compelled him to return, and,
had not a quantity of water been dashed over
him, he would have been severely scorched.
Immediately subsequent to this period, flames
violently burst from the main hatchway.
At that time the captain ordered the boats
to be got out, while consternation enfeebled
the most intrepid. The long boat had been
secured at a certain height, and she was about
to be put over the ship’s side, when, un-