January, 1846.
On the 12th of January, 1846, while crossing the Grand Bassa, in
Liberia (Africa), one of the 'Lily's' boats, containing Mr. F. S.
Gibson, paymaster and purser, and five other men belonging to the
said sloop, was pulling for the mouth of the river; and when in the
act of crossing the bar, the rollers broke heavily, and the sea
washed over the stern of the boat and capsized it. Soon after the
accident one of the crew, James Monk, was missing, when Mr. Gibson
plunged in, dived, and, with the greatest difficulty and exertion,
swam with him to the boat, very much exhausted.