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[Page 345]

341.
August 1770.    Becalm'd off the Reef

all our the dangers we had escapd were little in comparison of being thrown upon this reef if that should be our lot. a Reef such a one as I now speak of is a thing scarcely known in Europe or indeed any where but in these seas  it is a wall of Coral rock rising almost perpendicularly out of the unfathomable ocean  always overflown at high water commonly 7 or 8 feet & generaly bare at low water  the large waves of the vast ocean meeting with so sudden a resistance make here a most terrible surf Breaking mountain high  Especialy when as in our case the general trade wind blows directly upon it

16. at three O'Clock this morn it dropd calm on a sudden which did not at all better our situation  we judgd ourselves not more than 4 or 5 l'gs from the reef  maybe much less &  the swell of the sea which drove right in upon it carried the ship towards it fast  we tried the lead often in hopes to find ground that we might anchor but in vain  before 5 the roaring of the Surf was plainly heard & as day broke the vast foaming billows were plainly enough to be seen scarce a mile from us & towards which

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