378
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1814.
impracticable, it being under water, but where his body was cut up, on the top of a hill, about a mile from the shore. The natives of the islands having embraced Christianity, the regent gave permission to Lord Byron to visit the sacred sepulchre, and take therefrom whatever relics of their former religion he wished to possess. The sanctuary was filled with their various gods – “the work of men’s hands” – some manufactured of wicker-work and feathers, others carved of wood, with numerous articles which had been made sacred, by being offered to them, in acts of gratitude, for success in fishing, hunting, and the other occupations of their simple life. But the article that most struck the visitors, as remarkable, was an English consecrated drum. The temple was despoiled of most of its former sacred treasures, which were brought to England in the Blonde.
On his voyage home. Lord Byron touched at Coquimbo, (the station of the mining associations in South America), and was only six weeks running from thence to St. Helena. The following is an account of the dreadful occurrences on board a merchant ship, the Frances and Mary, from New Brunswick bound to Liverpool, which he providentially fell in with eight days previous to his arrival at Spithead.
“Sailed from St. John’s Jan. 18, 1826. – Feb. 1, Strong gales from the W.N.W.; carried away the main-topmast and mizen-mast head; hove to; got boats’ sails In the main-rigging, to keep the ship to the wind. At 11 p.m. shipped a heavy sea, which washed away the cabouse, jolly-boat, and disabled five men. – Feb. 2, Cleared away the wreck, and made sail before the wind: strong breezes. – Feb. 5, 11 a.m. Strong gales, with a heavy sea; clewed the sails up, and hove to, head to the southward: shipped a sea, which carried away the long boat, companion, and tiller, unshipped the rudder, and washed a man overboard, who was afterwards saved. At 11-10, another heavy sea struck us, which stove our stern in. Cut away our foremast, and both bower anchors, to keep the ship to the wind; employed in getting what provisions we could, by knocking the bow-port out; saved 50lbs. of bread and 5lbs. of cheese, which we stowed in the main-top: got the master’s wife and female passenger up, whilst we were clearing away below, lightening the ship: most of the people slept in the top: at day-light found Patrick Cooney hanging by his legs to the catharpins, dead, from fatigue: committed his body to the deep. – Feb. 6, at 8 a.m. Saw a strange sail standing towards us: made signal of distress; stranger spoke us, and remained in company twenty-
