Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

9 1ST ARGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS. 189detachment under Captain Wright belonged to the 1852.91st. The Birkenhead made a fair passage out,and reached Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope, onthe 23rd of February, when CaptainSalmond wasordered to proceed eastward immediately, andland the troops at Algoa Bayand Buffalo River.The Birkenhead accordingly sailed again about 6o'clock on the evening of the 25th, the night beingalmost perfectly calm, the sea smooth, and thestars out. Men as usual were told off to keep alook-out, and a leadsman was stationed on thepaddle-box next the land, which was at adistanceof about three miles on the port side. Shortlybefore 2 o'clock on the morning of the 26th, whenall who were not on duty were sleeping peacefullybelow, the leadsman got soundingsin twelve orthirteen fathoms.Ere he had time to get anothercast of the lead, the Birkenhead was suddenly andrudely arrested in her course : she had struck ona sunken rock surrounded by deep water, and wasfirmly fixed upon its jagged points. The waterimmediately rushed into the fore part of the ship,and drowned many soldiers who were sleeping onthe lower deck.It is easy to imaginethe consternation and wildemotion with which the hundreds of men, women,