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The 2nd of February we anchored in St. Helena Road and set sail again from thence on the 13th. On the 21st we made the island of Ascension and stood in towards it. The 22nd between 8 and 9 o'clock we sprung a leak which increased so that the chain-pump could not keep the ship free.
He was below when the ship sunk, directing the men at the chain-pump, but was washed up the hatchway, thrown into the waist and from thence into the water, and his feet, as he plunged, struck against a rock. On ascending he swam to gain the main-shrouds, when three men suddenly seized hold of him.
There was a fine display of Dorking lambs and Jersey hens, while some bees of the Berkshire breed fairly divided the honors with a few very choice Merino pigs. A handsomely built North Devon chain-pump attracted much attention from the milkmen. The turkeys, geese, ducks, poultry and other farm yard habitués, though cooped up in one corner, did all they could to make the show a success.
Whereupon I set the hand-pump to work also, and by 10 o'clock sucked her: then wore the ship, and stood to the southward to try if that would ease her; and then the chain-pump just kept her free. At 5 the next morning we made sail and stood in for the bay; and at 9 anchored in 10 and a half fathom, sandy ground.
I prefer it myself to our own native cider, whether made of apples or grapes. Yes, it's better even than the water from the old chain-pump in the back yard at Eriecreek, though it hasn't so fine a flavor of lubricating oil in it." The faint chill that touched Mr. Arbuton at the mention of Eriecreek and its petrolic associations was transient.
During the time of effectually curing both leaks, the ship made only ten inches water in the well. He also invented a wheel to work the chain-pump, which was much safer and less liable to get out of order than that before in use. The French Revolution broke out in 1792.
He had to rig the pumps for the sailors, and to report to the captain the depth of water the ship made daily. The pumps were of two kinds, one exactly like that in use on shore, the other, of the same principle, though more powerful. The second kind was called the chain-pump, because "these Pumps have a Chain of Burs going in a Wheel."
Carpenters, get the weather chain-pump rigged." "All ready, Sir." "Then man it and keep both pumps going." At two o'clock the chain-pump was choked; set the carpenters at work to clear it; the two head pumps at work upon deck; the ship gained on us while our chain-pumps were idle; in a quarter of an hour they were at work again, and we began to gain upon her.
I think I'll wait here just a moment," says the colonel, and, marvelling not a little, the subaltern leaves him. No sooner is he gone, followed by his men, than Colonel Putnam steps back to the side of an old chain-pump that he has found in the course of his researches, and here he leans for support.
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