"Two years ago last May I shipped as mate of the bark _Speedie_, of Poole, outward bound for the Tagus.  The same night as we cleared Poole harbour we were overtaken by a gale from the south’ard, and soon got into difficulties close to the Purbeck coast.  Seven times did we ’bout ship to try and claw off the shore, but at daybreak we struck close to Anvil Point."