the hour； after which their bottoms were blown out or something happened to them。 Then the fore…hatch was stove in and filled with water； as did the passages along which we had to walk from the cabins。 Time after time did we stop to try and make that hatch good with four…inch teak planks； but always these were broken by the force of the sea。
Our subsequent misfortunes were many。 We were taken in closer to Ushant than I thought pleasant； the new engines heated； the chief engineer went mad with the strain and； when at length we did reach Port Said； had to be carried ashore raving。 I believe that he died not long afterwards。 One night this poor fellow； dressed in full uniform； rushed from cabin to cabin； telling the passengers to get up as the ship was sinking！
We took the turn into the Mediterranean about twenty…four hours late； and in the dense darkness caused by a fearful squall nearly went ashore on the coast of Africa； as the Delhi did in after years — I saw her wreck only the other day。 When the light came I had a nearer view of that shore than I ever wish to see again — from the deck of an ocean liner。 In Gibraltar harbour we fouled our anchor in a man…of…war’s mooring chains and had to slip it。 In the Gulf of Lyons we encountered a very bad mistral while we were trying to sling another anchor into its place。 There it hung over the bow； bumping against the side of the ship。 By this time the Lascars seemed to be practically useless； and the first officer was obliged to slide down the chain and sit on the fluke of the anchor； shouting directions。 It was a strange sight to see this plucky young gentleman swinging about there over the deep。 He was — and I trust still is — a man of whom the country might be proud； but I have long forgotten his name。 In the