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It must likewise be remarked, that the yards, which lay in a horizontal position, were not touched or hurt. Indeed they are always covered with lamp black and tar, as the heels and heads of the mast are, and this frequently repeated; yet they had many and large rents in them; but whether the matter, which covered them, or their horizontal position,was the reason of their escaping the thunder, is left to the learned to determine. For in this situation you have nothing to do but to sit with your arms across, and compose yourself in expectation of your fate.
I must alto take notice, that no part of the rigging was hurt; for although the middle part of the top-gallant-mast, which was 18 feet long, and 9 inches diameter, was entirely burst to pieces, and carried away; yet the rigging, which surrounded the upper part, was neither burnt, scorched, nor broke. Neither did it touch the caps on the mast heads, nor the top, or round scaffolding on the mast, and in this ship it was 18 feet broad; and these as well as the yards were covered with tar and lamp black, and made of three inch deal.
I must likewise take notice, that upon the upper deck of the ship are two convenient boxes built, divided into two and into three parts, wherein are placed a lamp, which burns in the night, and a compass, whereby the ship is steered. One of these was placed very near to the main-mast in the middle of the ship, and the other close to the mizzen-mast, and both the lamps were burning at the time of the first explosion; and immediately, upon orders given, all the lights in the ship were extinguished before the bursting of the second clap; the officers imagining the in-
