24 August 1871

page 3

A day of hard work. Trying to be reconciled to ship board and discomfort. At midnight however after all had retired to rest, I hear the engines stop; and dressing in what came first, I rushed on deck to hear the moaning despair of the men, bewailing “A man overboard”. The boats were being lowered and manned with all speed, and the alarmed passengers came out dress in all manner of ways. The boat, taking a light, then rowed back, looking like a speck in the vast ocean of storming billows. No trace of our poor “Forewatch” could be seen so the boat returned having encountered great risk. After about an hour’s delay we steamed on, leaving the poor man behind, then lifeless no doubt. the suspense and agony to all were great indeed.