grave. The supposed female proved to be Mr. De Burgh, a young cadet, with nothing on but his shirt, and quite unconscious of his wonderful preservation. A sailor and a black man (servant to Colonel Arnold) were subsequently rescued, in accomplishing which the cutter had two oars broken and another of her crew much bruised.
The above 24 individuals, and 6 men who got hold of the main-top, which carried them clear of the reef, were all that Lieutenant Tayler could save, unassisted as he was by any other boat. Indeed, the Leopard’s cutter was so full, that the men could not be removed from the top until her yawl joined company, at which period there was not a single ship in sight. The people were then divided between them, and the boats put under their close-reefed mizens; but owing to the great distance, the day was far advanced before they came up with the convoy.
Two of the men taken from the top stated that they had been frequently kept from sinking by a Newfoundland dog; and it is worthy of remark that this animal was also picked up by Lieutenant Tayler, to whom it became so singularly attached, that for some days it would not take food from any one else.
The number of lives lost on the above melancholy occasion amounted to 38, including two soldiers’ wives, one child, and four native women. Among those saved were Colonel Arnold and two unmarried ladies of the same name, two others named Hardwick, a Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, and Lieutenant Nook, of H.M. 33d regiment. There is a picture, published by Edward Orme, Nov. 1, 1806, wherein the artist has described Captain Swinton, of the Lady Burgess, and his female companions, escaping into a boat under the bows; – had he been correctly instructed, he would have represented them quitting the ship in the ordinary way.
Having touched at Porto Praya, and escorted the other five Indiaman to lat. 9° N. the Leopard returned to Spithead, where she arrived on the 8th June following. She subsequently proceeded to Halifax, where her captain[1], officers,
- ↑ The present Rear-Admiral Raggett.
