His Majesty's ship Dædalus, of 38 guns, Captain Murray Maxwell,
sailed from Spithead on the 27th of January, 1813, in charge of an
East Indian convoy, and made the island of Ceylon, near the Pointe de
Galle, on the 1st of July. She passed Dondra Head at sunset, and then
steered east by north during the night, in order to pass well outside
the Basses. In the morning, the ship's head was pointed to the north,
to get near land, a good look-out being kept both from the deck and
mast-head for rocks and breakers. The atmosphere was so clear that a
ripple might have been seen upon the water for miles around. Nothing
appeared to indicate danger; the vessel was supposed to be seven or
eight miles off the land, and the master was pointing out to Captain
Maxwell her position upon the chart, when they felt her take the
ground abaft; but so very easily, that many people on board were not
aware that she had touched. Signals were immediately made to warn the
convoy of their danger, but before the signals could be answered, the
Dædalus swung off into deep water. All sail was set, and strong hopes
were entertained that she was not materially injured; but her frame
was too slight to sustain any shock whatever without damage, the lower
part of the stern-post had given way, occasioning a leak of such
magnitude, that although the pumps were instantly manned; and worked
with unceasing energy, the water could not be kept under. A signal was
made for the convoy to bring to, and to send all their carpenters on
board the Dædalus, which was immediately done, but the combined
efforts of the whole were unavailing to reduce the leak. The rudder
worked so much that it was found necessary to unship it from the
broken part of the stern-post, and bring it alongside; and in order to
relieve the ship from the pressure aft, the guns and other heavy
things were carried forward; this, however, was of so little avail,
that the guns and anchors were soon thrown overboard. They then
prepared a sail with oakum and tar, and got it over the stern, in
order, by passing it under the keel, to stop the leak. For a time this
seemed to have the desired effect, and hopes were entertained that
they might be able to carry the ship to Trincomalee; but these hopes
were of short duration. In spite of the indefatigable exertions of
every officer and man on board, the water gained upon them till it
rose two feet above the orlop-deck. The men had now been working
without intermission for eight hours, and their strength and spirits
began to fail, when, notwithstanding all their efforts, they saw the
water rising to the level of the lower deck.
Captain Maxwell now knew that there was not a chance of saving his
ship, and he felt the painful necessity of leaving her as soon as
possible, in order to preserve the lives of his men, whilst there was
yet time. He ordered the boys, idlers, and two divisions of seamen and
marines to get into the boats which were alongside, while the
remaining men were employed at the pumps to keep the ship afloat, The
good order and discipline which prevailed during this scene are beyond
all praise. 'The men behaved,' to use the words of the captain, 'as if
they were moving from one ship to another in any of the king's ports.'
Such conduct is highly creditable, not only to the ship's company, but
likewise to the captain and officers, in whom the crew must have
reposed most perfect confidence, or such real good order could not
have been maintained at such a time.
The ship was settling fast, when the boats returned to carry away the
remainder of the officers and men, they left the pumps and embarked in
the boats, taking with them the hammocks and clothes belonging to the
ship's company. The last man who stood upon the deck of the sinking
ship was her captain. When all others had gone, he too with a heavy
heart stepped into the boat which bore him from her side; sadly and
sorrowfully he fixed his gaze upon the wreck of 'his home on the
waters.' In a few minutes the ship gave a lurch, and, falling on her
beam ends, remained in that position for the space of a minute, then
she righted, showing only her quarter-deck ports above water, and then
gently and majestically sunk into the bosom of the deep blue sea.