records of a family of engineers(一个工程师的家庭)-第27节
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opposite end of the cabin。 In an undressed state he made shift to get
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about half…way up the companion…stairs； with an intention to observe the
state of the sea and of the ship upon deck； but he no sooner looked over
the companion than a heavy sea struck the vessel； which fell on the
quarter…deck； and rushed downstairs in the officers' cabin in so
considerable a quantity that it was found necessary to lift one of the
scuttles in the floor； to let the water into the limbers of the ship； as it
dashed from side to side in such a manner as to run into the lower tier of
beds。 Having been foiled in this attempt； and being completely wetted；
he again got below and went to bed。 In this state of the weather the
seamen had to move about the necessary or indispensable duties of the
ship with the most cautious use both of hands and feet； while it required
all the art of the landsman to keep within the precincts of his bed。 The
writer even found himself so much tossed about that it became necessary；
in some measure； to shut himself in bed； in order to avoid being thrown
upon the floor。 Indeed； such was the motion of the ship that it seemed
wholly impracticable to remain in any other than a lying posture。 On
deck the most stormy aspect presented itself； while below all was wet and
comfortless。
About two o'clock p。m。 a great alarm was given throughout the ship
from the effects of a very heavy sea which struck her； and almost filled the
waist； pouring down into the berths below； through every chink and
crevice of the hatches and skylights。 From the motion of the vessel being
thus suddenly deadened or checked； and from the flowing in of the water
above； it is believed there was not an individual on board who did not
think； at the moment； that the vessel had foundered； and was in the act of
sinking。 The writer could withstand this no longer； and as soon as she
again began to range to the sea he determined to make another effort to get
upon deck。 In the first instance； however； he groped his way in darkness
from his own cabin through the berths of the officers； where all was
quietness。 He next entered the galley and other compartments occupied
by the artificers。 Here also all was shut up in darkness； the fire having
been drowned out in the early part of the gale。 Several of the artificers
were employed in prayer； repeating psalms and other devotional exercises
in a full tone of voice； others protesting that； if they should fortunately get
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once more on shore； no one should ever see them afloat again。 With the
assistance of the landing…master； the writer made his way； holding on step
by step； among the numerous impediments which lay in the way。 Such was
the creaking noise of the bulk…heads or partitions； the dashing of the water；
and the whistling noise of the winds； that it was hardly possible to break in
upon such a confusion of sounds。 In one or two instances； anxious and
repeated inquiries were made by the artificers as to the state of things upon
deck； to which the captain made the usual answer； that it could not blow
long in this way； and that we must soon have better weather。 The next
berth in succession； moving forward in the ship； was that allotted for the
seamen。 Here the scene was considerably different。 Having reached the
middle of this darksome berth without its inmates being aware of any
intrusion； the writer had the consolation of remarking that； although they
talked of bad weather and the cross accidents of the sea； yet the
conversation was carried on in that sort of tone and manner which bespoke
an ease and composure of mind highly creditable to them and pleasing to
him。 The writer immediately accosted the seamen about the state of the
ship。 To these inquiries they replied that the vessel being light； and
having but little hold of the water； no top…rigging； with excellent ground…
tackle； and everything being fresh and new； they felt perfect confidence in
their situation。
It being impossible to open any of the hatches in the fore part of the
ship in communicating with the deck； the watch was changed by passing
through the several berths to the companion…stair leading to the quarter…
deck。 The writer； therefore； made the best of his way aft； and； on a
second attempt to look out； he succeeded； and saw indeed an astonishing
sight。 The sea or waves appeared to be ten or fifteen feet in height of
unbroken water； and every approaching billow seemed as if it would
overwhelm our vessel； but she continued to rise upon the waves and to fall
between the seas in a very wonderful manner。 It seemed to be only those
seas which caught her in the act of rising which struck her with so much
violence and threw such quantities of water aft。 On deck there was only
one solitary individual looking out； to give the alarm in the event of the
ship breaking from her moorings。 The seaman on watch continued only
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two hours； he who kept watch at this time was a tall； slender man of a
black complexion； he had no greatcoat nor over…all of any kind； but was
simply dressed in his ordinary jacket and trousers； his hat was tied under
his chin with a napkin； and he stood aft the foremast； to which he had
lashed himself with a gasket or small rope round his waist； to prevent his
falling upon deck or being washed overboard。 When the writer looked
up； he appeared to smile； which afforded a further symptom of the
confidence of the crew in their ship。 This person on watch was as
completely wetted as if he had been drawn through the sea； which was
given as a reason for his not putting on a greatcoat； that he might wet as
few of his clothes as possible； and have a dry shift when he went below。
Upon deck everything that was movable was out of sight； having either
been stowed below； previous to the gale； or been washed overboard。
Some trifling parts of the quarter boards were damaged by the breach of
the sea； and one of the boats upon deck was about one…third full of water；
the oyle…hole or drain having been accidently stopped up； and part of her
gunwale had received considerable injury。 These observations were
hastily made； and not without occasionally shutting the companion； to
avoid being wetted by the successive seas which broke over the bows and
fell upon different parts of the deck according to the impetus with which
the waves struck the vessel。 By this time it was about three o'clock in the
afternoon； and the gale； which had now continued with unabated force for
twenty… seven hours； had not the least appearance of going off。
In the dismal prospect of undergoing another night like the last； and
being in imminent hazard of parting from our cable； the writer thought it
necessary to advise with the master and officers of the ship as to the
probable event of the vessel's drifting from her moorings。 They severally
gave it as their opinion that we had now every chance of riding out the
gale； which； in all probability； could not continue with the same fury many
hours longer； and that even if she should part from her anchor； the storm…
sails had been laid to hand； and could be bent in a very short time。 They
further stated that from the direction of the wind being N。E。； she would
sail up the Firth of Forth to Leith Roads。 But if this should appear
doubtful； after passing the Island and Light of May； it might be advisable
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