Before concluding this chapter, we will briefly relate another
catastrophe, somewhat similar to that of the Amphion, but which
affords a still more remarkable instance of the preservation of four
individuals, from one of whom the following particulars were
ascertained:----
It appears that the RESISTANCE, of 44 guns, Captain Edward Pakenham,
had anchored in the Straits of Banca, on the 23rd of July, 1798.
Between three and four o'clock in the morning of the 24th, the ship
was struck by lightning: the electric fluid must have penetrated and
set fire to some part of the vessel near to the magazine, as she blew
up with a fearful violence a few moments after the flash. Thomas
Scott, a seaman, one of the few survivors, stated that he was lying
asleep on the starboard side of the quarter-deck, when being suddenly
awakened by a bright blaze, and the sensation of scorching heat, he
found his hair and clothes were on fire. A tremendous explosion
immediately followed, and he became insensible. He supposed that some
minutes must have elapsed before he recovered, when he found himself,
with many of his comrades, struggling in the waves amongst pieces of
the wreck. The Resistance had sunk, but the hammock netting was just
above water on the starboard side, and with much difficulty Scott and
the other survivors contrived to reach it. When they were able to look
around them, they found that twelve men alone remained of a crew of
above three hundred, including the marines. The calmness of the
weather enabled the unfortunate sufferers to construct a raft with the
pieces of timber that were floating about; but most of the men were so
much bruised and burnt as to be unable to assist in the work. The raft
was finished about one o'clock, P.M., but in a very rough and insecure
manner. Part of the mainsail attached to the mast of the jolly-boat
served them for a sail, and they committed themselves to the care of
Providence upon this frail raft, and made for the nearest shore, which
was the low land of Sumatra, about three leagues distant.
About seven o'clock in the evening, a gale sprung up, the sea ran
high, and the lashings of the raft began to give way, the planks which
formed the platform were washed off, and in a short time the mast and
sail were also carried away. An anchor-stock which formed part of the
raft had separated, and was floating away; but although it was at some
distance, Scott proposed to swim for it, and encouraging three others
to follow his example, they all reached it in safety. In about an hour
afterwards they lost sight of their companions on the raft, and never
saw them more. The four men upon the anchor-stock gained the shore,
and they then fell into the hands of the Malays.
Thomas Scott was twice sold as a slave, but was at length released, at
the request of Major Taylor, the governor of Malacca, who, hearing
that four British seamen were captives at Lingan, sent to the Sultan
to beg his assistance in procuring their liberty. Thomas Scott
returned with Major Taylor's messenger to Malacca, from whence he
sailed to England: the other three men had been previously released by
the Sultan's orders, and conveyed to Penang.