in fixing iron bolts in various parts of the cliff, for the ends of guys for the derrick.
“Hitherto the officers and men had lived entirely on the island forming the cape, in tents constructed of old sails and pieces of canvass. These were but a sorry protection against the sand, which was continually blown about in such quantities as to make its way into every thing they had; but the greatest annoyance was that of finding it among their provisions, from which it was utterly impossible to exclude it. After enduring this for a long time the season changed, the wind became variable, and was accompanied by rain. The change, therefore, was for the worse; for the frail habitations which had been created, were even less calculated to withstand the effects of the storm, and consequently they admitted the rain in nearly every part. Great inconvenience arose from wet beds and clothes, which produced ill effects on the health of the party; and although endeavours were made to improve the tents with the resources which the island afforded, still little was done in this particular.
“During the time that all these preparations were going forward. Captain Dickinson attempted to work the diving-bell from the launches which he had brought from Rio; but it was found too heavy for either of them. Determined, however, that no time should be lost, he directed a smaller one to be made, and the launch of the Warspite was selected and prepared for working it. At the same time, parties of men were engaged in creeping up whatever could be got from the wreck by means of ropes. On the 2d March, the small diving-bell was completed, and a trial made with it in the cove, that proved satisfactory; but in consequence of bad weather, and some further alterations that were necessary in the boat which was to work it, nothing was done with it until the 7th March. On this day, the boat was secured with it over the wreck, and the bell sent down with Richard Heans, carpenter’s-mate of the Lightning, and George Dewar, a seaman. The bell had not been down long, when the wind freshened, and occasioned so much violent motion to the launch and the hoses, that they became leaky, and it was found necessary to heave it up again, and secure the boat. Whenever the weather permitted, the small bell was constantly in operation, and on the 10th March, by the violence of the sea, was dashed against the rocks at the bottom of the cove. This accident had nearly proved fatal to the two men, Heans and Dewar, who extricated themselves from it as it was thrown on its side, and with difficulty reached the surface of the water. The latter was nearly exhausted when he came up, and was snatched into the boat instantly by Commander Dickinson, by which his life was saved.
“A delay of three days was occasioned by this accident, at the end of which time the bell was again ready for working, and was employed as before. The effect of the operations in the small bell now showed itself, as several pieces of the wreck, which had been detached from the rest,