close of the season she again took charge of the homeward bound convoy, (the Plantagenet, seventy-four, Captain Ellis, escorting the rear,) a charge destined to be her final act of service, and in which she was most lamentably to fall by shipwreck, The evening before she struck, the Plantagenet telegraphed to her, and hauled to the westward; but the master and pilots of the Minotaur, too confident of their reckoning, unfortunately stood on. At nine o'clock that night she struck on the Hakes so violently, that it was with great difficulty the midshipmen and quarter-masters gained the deck. The scene of horror that now presented itself can only be conceived by those who witnessed it.
The ship's company, almost naked, were sheltered from the severe cold and heavy sea by the poop, and the greatest exertions were made to get out the boats, the quarter ones having been stove and washed away. By cutting down the gunnel the launch was got off the booms, into which one hundred and ten men crowded; at this time the appearance of the ship, nearly covered by the sea, and having only the main-mast standing, was truly pitiable. The launch, with great difficulty reached the shore.—The yawl was next got out, but immediately sunk, from the numbers that crowded into her, with the natural desire to avail themselves of the smallest chance of escaping from a state of inevitable destruction.
Thus cut off from all prospect of escape, the only desire apparent in those who remained was, to clothe themselves in their best suits. The captain of marines and surgeon had themselves lashed in a cot that hung in the cabin, and two of the officers followed their example with the utmost composure.
At length came the awful stroke—and the sea washing through the belfry, tolled the funeral knell. The captain of the main-top, who was saved on the main-mast, said, he saw Captain Barrett to the last exhorting the men to
