if the Hobart had been carried broadside on, she would have nearly touched the opposite shores at the same moment, and in the event of her grounding, every one of the crew must have perished, as the current was then running at the rate of ten knots, and nothing could have prevented her from falling over. To avoid this catastrophe, and being then in soundings. Captain Evans let go an anchor, which fortunately brought her head to the rapid stream; and then, by heaving at the capstan occasionally, so as to allow the flukes to trail the ground, he succeeded in keeping her stern to the narrow opening, until she drifted through, and thus escaped the threatened danger. This tedious operation occupied more than two hours: the anxiety felt by all on board, during that awful period of suspense, can only be conceived by those who have been in situations of equally imminent peril.
The passage through which Captain Evans thus skilfully conducted his vessel, was afterwards accurately surveyed by him, and hia chart lodged in the Hydrographical Office, for the benefit of his Majesty’s service: charts of many other surveys which he had made during a continuance of two years in the Eastern Seas, were at the same time deposited there. From Ternate, Captain Evans proceeded to the Celebes, and working up Goonongtalla river, against a very strong current, moored the Hobart head and stern within 30 yards of the eastern bank, he then, having obtained leave for that purpose from the Sultaun, landed the marines, carpenters, and blacksmiths; pitched tents, mounted two 6-pounders on a commanding height, set up the armourer’s forge, and commenced felling trees, in order to construct a launch; all his boats except one, and she of little service, having been lost in a recent gale. Owing to the total want of iron, bolts were driven out of the ship’s sides to make nails; but notwithstanding every disadvantage, a capacious boat was completed, and 84 large bullocks collected, ready for embarkation, in the short space of 10 days[1].
- ↑ The Hobart waa a ship of about 700 tons, originally an English West Indiaman; she had been captured by the Dutch, and sent with a cargo to Java, where she was retaken by the Arrogant and Orpheus.
