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

404
LOSS OP THE
on both sides of the river. About two o’clock,
the Comet was off Kempoch Point, a head¬
land on the south side of the river, between
the Cloch lighthouse and the village of Gour-
ock, and close to which vessels bound for
Greenock usually steer. The important pre¬
caution of displaying a light had been ne¬
glected ; and a jib-sail was set, which, in a
great measure, precluded any person but the
man on the lookout from seeing directly
a-head. Captain M'Innes, according to the
most credible statement, was on the cabin-
deck, conversing with such individuals as were
near him. Suddenly the man forward called
aft, “ A steam-boat—helm a-port!” The
next moment the Comet received a tremen¬
dous shock on her bow; and, before her
startled crew were almost aware of the quar¬
ter from which danger was to be apprehended,
she received a second blow, equally terrific,
near the larboard paddle-box. The vessels
then drifted asunder in mutual consternation;
and, shortly after, a cry of despair was heard
to proceed from the Comet. The devoted
crowd on her deck had discovered that she
urns sinking; and in three minutes after the
concussion, she went down, bow foremost,