Fourth Voyage — In the Brigantine Emily — Henry Cooper, Master — from Halifax to Barbadoes, Columbia, Jamaica and return, August 4th, 1837- October 4th, 1838.

20th August

Since leaving Halifax on 4th instant bound to Barbadoes, after sixteen days of light wind and calms we are in about Lat. 30.30, Long. 57 only, which is very dull news.

22nd August

Let this day and the two following be ever remembered by me. During a hurricane in which (commencing Thursday 22nd. evening) we lost our foretopmast, main topmast, jib boom, head rails, starboard bulwarks and stanchions and split covering board deck load, round house, spare spars, water casks, etc. etc.

Wednesday, 4 o'clock P.M. we lost our topmast, and the yard and topgallantmast etc. hung to her until evening, when they managed to cut it clear, the vessel making a great deal of water and with difficulty kept free. How differently was this evening three years spent — some of my friends will recollect. Wednesday morning we were all called to the pumps, not knowing the extent of our danger until the deck load was thrown off. This was the most tremendous gale and worst sea I ever witnessed or ever wish to, again. This is what all must expect who go to sea. Our clothes, books, etc. etc. are nearly all spoiled. Everything in the cabin having been wet. Due to the good quality of our little vessel and the far greater goodness of Almighty God do we owe our lives. How ungrateful is man when the danger is past! Let me not forget.

I must acknowledge that for a time I was very much alarmed. As I looked aloft and saw our spars dashing to and fro with the roll of the vessel, and the tempest raging in all its horrors, I thought how vain the attempts of man to picture or sketch anything near life of such a scene. However, I have a better idea of a sinking, or dismasted ship, than I had before. The gale lasted from 6 o'clock P.M. of Tuesday until 12 o'clock P.M. of Thursday.

25th August

Spoke the ship John Scott — Brown, master, 12 days from Demerary bound to Grenock — supplied us with F.T.M.S. sail and a spar. Paid £4 for them. At the commencement of the gale we were in Lat. 26.45, Long. 56.30.