breeze, at about 4-30 A.M., the moon then shining very bright, but at times obscured by a heavy scud, two of the brigs struck almost at the same moment, and were soon dashed to pieces; their crews, however, were fortunately enabled each to save a boat, and thereby reach the other vessels.
“At this critical period, Lieutenant Goate displayed great judgement and self-possession, in adopting the only measure by which himself and his companions could possibly be saved; destruction still appearing almost inevitable.
“The two brigs which had not struck were both very light, and a heavy swell was setting them towards the shoal: to beat off was impossible; and to anchor, was quite out of the question. The only chance of escape was to run over the shoal, if a passage could be found, and this desperate manoeuvre he immediately decided upon.
“At day-light, nothing could be seen to leeward but high foaming breakers; both vessels, however, bore up, keeping as close together as circumstances would allow. From the moment we entered the reef, the sight was indescribably grand and sublime; a hollow deceitful swell rearing its head as high as our tops, the spray dashing over us, and sheets of foaming water, in the midst of which black rocks were occasionally visible. The lead was useless; every thing depended upon a good eye and quick helm: how many times we scraped the bottom it is impossible to say; but certain I am that every one on board then considered death inevitable, and prepared himself accordingly. No person who has ever seen the shoals of Rio Grande will say that it was possible for us to have gone through, unless we had been specially protected by the Almighty. Had the remaining brigs been wrecked no boat could have lived; and even if Providence had allowed us to reach the shore in them, we knew that slavery would have been our lot. Our escape from either death or a horrible captivity, may justly be pronounced miraculous.”
In Oct. 1793, the Orpheus, then under the orders of Rear-Admiral Macbride, co-operated with a detachment of the British army, commanded by Sir Charles Grey, in repelling an attempt made upon the town of Nieuport, and compelling the enemy to retire along the road to Dunkirk.
On her return from this service, the Orpheus was ordered to the East India station, where she captured Le Duguay-Trouin, a French frigate of 34 guns, May 5, 1794. The following is an extract of the official letter written by Captain Newcome on this occasion:
