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

412
LOSS OF THE
the Ayr had remained to render assistance, he
thought it likely that many might have
been saved. When he found the ship settling
rapidly in the water, he endeavoured to take
off his shoes, but had not time to do so, as
they were laced up to his ancles. He, how¬
ever, threw off his great-coat, and, freeing
himself from the persons who were hanging
round him, leapt into the water and swam
after the Ayr, imploring them “by all that’s
good” to pick him up. They, however, gave
no heed to his entreaties, though he thought
it hardly possible that his cries could not be
be heard. After swimming about half an
hour he observed a light on shore, and made
for it. Had it not been for the timely assis¬
tance rendered him on Land, he must have died.
He was benumbed from head to foot, and
could not stand. Sutherland was cast away
on the coast of Holland in 1817, at the time
the Albion smack of Leith, bound for Ham¬
burgh, was lost; and in 1818 he was on board
the Stirling steam-boat when she exploded
at Grangemouth.
Miss Jane Munro, a young girl about six¬
teen years of age, belonging to Tain, on her
way to visit an aunt in Glasgow, was also