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

COMET STEAM-PACKET. 409
perceived that the person who had seized hold
of him was Mrs. Sutherland. His heart smote
him at the sight; and he immediately apolo
gized to her in the kindest manner for having
accosted her so roughly, being ignorant who it
was that addressed him. At that moment
he perceived captain Sutherland in the act of
throwing off his coat, or cloak, to prepare him¬
self for swimming. Mr. Anderson, not think¬
ing it advisable to let go his hold of the rope,
yet wishing to serve the lady, gave her a strong
shove forward in the direction of the boat
astern, as her only chance of safety. What
became of the unfortunate couple afterwards
he saw not, as he was immediately compelled
to attend to his own safety, by finding the
water covering the deck. He retained his
hold of the rope till the water reached his
middle, when a wave, rolling over the Comet,
carried him off his feet. The packet went
down, ’bow foremost; and the drowning mul¬
titude sent forth the most appalling screams,
imploring the Ayr to return and save them.
A second wave threw his great-coat over his
head, and almost suffocated him. For a time
he swam about, ignorant of the direction in
which the shore lay, and greatly exhausted.