to stuff in upon occasion; and had for the same purpose sent down my own bedclothes.  The carpenter’s mate said he should want short stanchions to be placed so that the upper end should touch the deck, and the under-part rest on what was laid over the leak; and presently took a length for them.  I asked the master-carpenter what he thought best to be done:  he replied till the leak was all open, he could not tell.  Then he went away to make a stanchion, but it was too long:  I ordered him to make many of several lengths, that we might not want of any size.  So once more desiring the carpenter’s mate to use his utmost endeavours I went up, leaving the boatswain and some others there.  About 5 o’clock the boatswain came to me and told me the leak was increased, and that it was impossible to keep the ship above water; when on the contrary I expected to have had the news of the leak’s being stopped.  I presently went down and found the timber cut away, but nothing in readiness to stop the force of the water from coming in.  I asked them why they would cut the timber before they had got all things in readiness:  the carpenter’s mate answered they could do nothing till the timber was cut that he might take the dimensions of the place; and that there was a caulk which he had lined out, preparing by the carpenter’s boy.  I ordered them in the meantime to stop in oakum, and some pieces of beef; which accordingly was done, but all to little purpose:  for now the water gashed in with such violence, notwithstanding all our endeavours to check it, that it flew in over the ceiling; and for want of passage out of the room overflowed it above 2 foot deep.  I ordered the bulkhead be cut open, to give passage to the water that it might drain out of the room; and withal ordered to clear away abaft the bulkhead, that we might bail:  so now we had both pumps going and as many bailing as could; and by this means the water began to decrease; which gave me some hope of saving the ship.  I asked the carpenter’s mate what he thought of it; he said “Fear not; for by 10 o’clock at night I’ll engage to stop the leak.”  I went from him with a heavy heart; but, putting a good countenance upon the matter, encouraged my men, who pumped and bailed very briskly; and when I saw occasion I gave them some drams to comfort them.  About 11 o’clock at night the boatswain came to me and told me that the leak still increased; and that the plank was so rotten it broke away like dirt; and that now it was impossible to save the ship; for they could not come at the leak because the water in the room was got above it.  The rest of the night we spent in pumping and bailing.  I worked myself to encourage my men, who were very diligent; but the water still increased, and we now thought of nothing but saving our lives.  Wherefore I hoisted out the boat that, if the ship should sink, yet we might be saved:  and in the morning we weighed our anchor and warped in nearer the shore; yet did but little good.