While we were at Hong Kong, a fine English ship came in and ran
directly upon a point of the shore in full sight of the shipping. She
sank in the water deep enough to cover all but a few feet of her masts.
Some of the cargo was recovered; the vessel was a total loss. No blame
was attached to the captain. Had there been a design to throw the
vessel away, it could not have been done with greater safety to all on
board; but the three masts of the sunken Dunmail, probably standing yet
in Hong Kong harbor, are a warning against the least presumption in the
very moment of apparent safety.