In latitude 48° 30’ N., longitude 12° 20’ E., on the morning of the 13th of November, 1858, at 7 A. M., it being then just break of day, I saw the brig “Hebe” about three miles on our lee-bow, having the signal of distress flying.  I immediately reported it to Captain Freeman, who came on deck and gave orders to bear down upon her and see what was wanted.  When near enough we hove to and hailed the brig, asking what they were in want of, and they answered, saying “For God’s sake, send us a boat, as we are sinking.”  Captain Freeman then asked if they wanted to abandon their vessel, and they repeated their supplications, every one on board appearing to be in the greatest mental distress, making signs that their vessel was going down.  The men were working vigorously at the pumps at imminent risk of being washed overboard, as the sea was breaking completely over them.

It was now 8 o’clock, and Captain Freeman gave orders for all hands to remain on deck and to clear away the cutter.  I then got into the boat and asked who would go with me, when I got several volunteers, out of whom I took five, — viz., Burland, Hill, Hendrickson, Hansen, and Cummins.  The boat was lowered very successfully, when we got clear of the ship.  The brig was about a quarter of a mile astern.  Heading for the ship, I pulled alongside and told them to give me a good line over their quarter, long enough to veer and haul upon.  I told the captain of the brig to get his log-book and chronometer, with a few of his own personal effects, but I would not take either bed or bag belonging to any one.  I then told them to stand by and to jump in their turns, one by one, as I should direct.  We then hauled the boat up with her bow alongside the brig’s quarter, taking care lest the stem of the boat should get knocked out, getting one of them off at a time, dropping clear while the heavy seas passed, then hauling up again.  In this manner we succeeded in getting them off, nine in all, in about forty minutes, making them lie in the bottom of the boat as ballast till it was covered.  We then pulled to the ship.  When we reached her, they had a block at the spanker-boom-end, with a single line rove and bowline, into which the men got and were hoisted one by one on deck.  After they were all up, I sent one of the boat’s crew up, and then went alongside and hooked on the boat, which was quickly run up.  There was no other mishap than the breaking of an oar in coming alongside.  We had on board about three hundred invalid soldiers and sailors from the Canton war at this time.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

A. E. Knights.

Inscription on Telescope.

Presented by the British Government

To

Mr. Arthur Knights
Second Officer of the “Northfleet”
In Acknowledgment of
His Gallant Conduct
In Rescuing the Master and Crew
Of the “Hebe”
In November, 1858.

The Ship “Bombay.”