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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derni&re page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la dernidre image de cheque .riicrofiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ♦-signifie "A SUIVRE". le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche b droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'imnges ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 4 ^ ■a^. 6 i / VOYAGE TO DAVIS' STRAIT. 'm^ ■^- S ! h t 1. i \ 'I?' s -•■^V'*:;-?: Riiw'} I,.' oiK-siii>in dt'l'. -T w»;**t"**-' - I iT>jfiiri- 11^ I ^ w '. ? / t I ARCTIC REGIONS, VOYAGE TO DAVIS' STRAIT, BY DAVID DUNCAN, MASTER OF THE SHIP DUNDEE. Sailed from London 3r(l April, 1820, and returned 25lh June, IS''?- havin" been teset by he more than eight Months ; during seventy-five Days of which, the Sun never rose above the Horison : with an account of the hardships and dangers sustained by the Crew, and many miraculous escapes. DEDICATED BY PERMISSION OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. BNTERBD AT STATIONERS' HALL. -Our infant Winter sinks. Divested of its grandeur, should our eye Astonish'd shoot intotlie Frigid Zone ; "Where, for relentless months, continual night Holds o'er the clitteiing waste her starry reign. Thompson. LONDON : Printed by E. BILLING, 187, Bermondsey Street For the Author, and sold by him at 9, Baltic Place, Lower Road Deptfordi 1827. ■?/'v I l( Pag rii- TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THB ERRATA. I>a-e 108. second line fioni bottom,. /or '« Sea high, running to N. N. W." read " A heavy swell iVom the S.S.E," Page 1 17, fourth line from bottom,/or " getting up the sails," read «' hoisting the jib and fore-top mast stay-sail." rJ inc .ced me to publish them, " by consider- '^ iiig that a plain and clear statement of cir- 4' cumstances attending the successful result " of a Winter's detention in the ice, in so '' high a latitude as 74° 30', may be useful ''to other navigators and interesting to '' the public/' I I i nl' fH HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE v.l I I DUKE OF CLARENCE, LORD HIGH ADMIRAL OF ENGLAND, &c. &c. &c. Your Royal Highness having been condescendingly pleased to accept a Dedica- tion of the following sheets, and to express your approbation of the motives that have inc .ced me to publish them, " by consider- ^' ing that a plain and clear statement of cir- '' cumstanees atteading the successful result " of a Winter's detention in the ice, in so " high a latitude as 74° 30', may be useful "to other navigators and interesting to <•<• the public." DEDICATION. Impressed with most heartfelt gratitude for so distinguished a patronage, I humbly inscribe this my only effort as an author, to your Royal Highness ; And with every sentiment of loyalty, duty and respect, beg leave to subscribe myself, Your Royal Highness's much obliged, tnost obedient, 1 1 . 1- ' \ ' - ^ f V 1 ■ ) 1 : i \ : 1 1 M k I ! 1 . 1' 1 — - 9, Baltic Place, Lower Road, Deptjord. Oct. 22nd. 1827, and devoted Servant, DAVID DUNCAN' I gratitude humbly fi author, ith every pect, beg Servant, OUNCAN' INTRODUCTION- So many books have been pub- lished in the course of the last forty or fifty years, containing descriptions of almost every part of the globe, that I am fully persuaded I should be introducing nothing novel or useful by increasing this little work w^ith an account of Islands and places in the Arctic Regions ; the reader b n viu INTRODUCTION. will therefore not expect to find any such descriptions (except a short account of some Islands before unknown) which were discovered by me in the year 1823, but merely a narrative of the various perils with which we were constantly sur- rounded more than eight months, while beset in the ice in the Frozen Ocean, and the different facts and circumstances connected with the voyage. The Dundee is the only Fishing Ship that ever passed a whole win- 4 I I --A I ,M INTRODUCTION. in to find except a ds before iscovered it merely jrils with tly sur- months, e Frozen facts and »^ith the r Fishing lole win- ter with her crew on board in the same regions, and as I am fully convinced that our being able to endure such great hardships, and to escape that destruction which often appeared inevitable, was entirely owing to a steady perseverance in every precaution that appeared necessary, and the alacrity and good discipline of the officers and crew, in defiance of intense cold and in a state of deprivation of almost every necessax*} comfort. I flatter myself that these details will tend to the safety and success X INTRODUCTION. of future Navigators, be useful to my brother seamen in the hour of danger, and that such unparalleled distresses will excite a lively in- terest in the minds of my readers, These objects obtained I shall be amply gratified, my view in pub- lishing being neither fame or profit. I i / T am also urged to this publication by another consideration. It cannot have escaped general observation with what avidity and m ritorious ' — U. INTRODUCTION. XI useful to 3 hour of )aralleled vely in- readers, I shall be V in pub- [)r profit. jblication It cannot ►servation ^ritorious zeal every extraordinary event in politics, biography, navigation, or any thing likely to excite general interest or feeling, is sought for by the conductors of our Public Jour- nals ; and that those of inferior note or consequence, anxious to be first, frequently insert garbled accounts, obtained from persons who have little or no knowledge of the real facts. This has been the case in the present instance ; several imperfect 1 1 ( 1 I t 1 I xu INTRODUCTION. accounts have appeared in some Scotch newspapers, and very re- cently, the Aberdeen Chronicle published a statement respecting the wreck of the Harlingen, and of the treatment the master and crew received from me on that afflicting* occasion. The paragraph was copied into the New Times (Wednesday, 26 Sept,) ; but the editor, on my point- ing out the misrepresentations in the Caledonian article, has, with his -9 ! INTRO DUCT ION Xlll in some very re- Chronicle ecting the I, and of and crew afflicting" usual urbanity and gentlemanly feeling, inserted in his paper of the 3rd October, a statement of the real facts, as a full and complete contra- diction: for which I beg he will please to accept my best thanks. ^ pied into ?sday, 26 ny point- ons in the with his 1 1 I ! 1 i 1 : i hi I 1 i ■ CONTENTS I' ART Tllli FIRST. Page Sailing of the Dundee from Tiondon— Her arrival at Lerwick in Shetland—llcr departure from thence and the different transactions on board to the end of July, 182G-To which is added an account of some newly discovered Islands in the Arctic Sea by the Author, Capt. Dun- can, and noticed in the Annals of Philosophy, I PART THE SECOND. Journal continued through August, September and October— containing an account of the wreck of the Harl'ngen of Harlingen-Of the master and crew coining over the ice on board the Dundee, and their being received and hos- pitably entertained by Capt. Duncan for six weeks— their departure with boats dragging them over the ice, in hopes of getting into a lane of water, and thereby reaching a Danish settlement, 340 miles distant ^6 XV CONTKNTH. if I ,( J ii 13 ii i'l Page. PART THK THIRD. Journal continued throuj^h November, Decem- ber, 1826, January, and February, 1827, con tainin*!^ an account of many miraculous es- capes 67 t. i. PART THK FOURTH. Journal continued — more dangers and distresses until at length the ship is liberated from her confinement and arrives safe at London.. .. 101 Phk(> VOYAGE er, Deceni- , 1827, con- aculoiis OS- i TO ; when com- hardships I nd 1827, and the following 326, I agreed ake a voyage if their Ship, Ing liberally [^visions, and v'lng engaged and men, on Nh the river 3 and proceeded with variable but tolerable fair weather to the Shetland Islands. We came to anchor off Lerwick in seven fathom water on the 10th; here we staid several days, during which I was employed en- gaging some additional seamen for the voyage, to make the number of our crew complete. Which having effected, our ship's company consisted of forty-eight, • While I was on shore collecting the Shetland men, the crew were employed setting up the main rigging and ^her necessary work, and on the 18th having every thing ready we hoisted the signal for a pilot, weighed anchor and with fair and propitious breezes proceeded to the west- ward through Yeell Sound. The next day we discharged our pilot, Ronas-head bear- ing S.S.E. distant 12 miles. From which, and the happy shores of Britain, I took my departure, being in latitude 60° 32' N. long. 1° 16' E. ■' .-^r It appears to rate unnecessary, and tha Cape, bearing E.S.E., dis- tance abou ity miles. 20th. Latitude 66° 16' N. Running to the North East. Four sail in sight. 21st. Ranging about among ice ; all the boats towing the ship to the South East. This day about ten A.M. John Tullock, another of our Shetland men, departed this life. 12 22nd. i^atitude 66° 64' N. Hoisted Ike boats up ; reaching to the E.N.E. 23rd. Latitude 67° I' N. Plying to wind- ward among heavy i6e. Committed the remains of poor Tullock to the deep. Middle and latter part of the day plying to the North East in clear water, but obliged to tack ship occasionally to avoid the ice. 24th. Latitude 67° 1' N. Plying to North East among streams of ice,- and after- wards plying to windward among several icebergs. 25th. Running North East among several icebergs. 26th. Latitude 69° 00' N. Running to the North East among straggling ice. One sail in sight. 13 Hoisted ike E. i^ingtowind- mmitted the I the deep. ly plying to but obliged id the ice. Plying to ;e, and after- long several nong several Running to ig ice. One 27th. Making the best of our way to North East along the ice. 28th. Ranging about among ice. One sail in sight. 29tb. Plying to windward among a great number of icebergs. Run through Weygat. Two ships in sight. 30th. Running into the North East Bay ; several ships in sight; ice setting round very fast ; fastened the ship to an iceberg, Peter Slater and John Thompson, who had been both wrecked in the early part of the season, in the Cicero, of Hull, Thomas Lee, Master, came on board our ship from the William, of Hull. July 1st. Beset among ice. Several vessels in sight. 1 I I \ ' ■ ^ I ■r.i '■1 \ K 14 2nd. Let go from the iceberg and reached farther in shore ; made fast to another ice- berg aground. 3rd. Remained fast to the berg, sur- rounded with ice; in the hitter part of the day the ice opened. Let go from the ice, all hands employed towing and warping. Several ships in company. 4th. All hands employed towing the ship to the North East. 6th. Latitude 71° 20' N. All hands em- ployed towing to the North East along the land ; set our studding sails running to the North East. At meridian abreast of Black Hook, 6th. Running to the North East in the East land water. At four hove the ship too, not being able to proceed any further for ice. 15 another ice- r, sur- le berg r part of the from the ice, and warping. swing the ship All hands em- ilast along the running to the reast of Black 7th. Employed plying in towards the land. Woman's Island bearing S.E., dis- tance about thirty miles. Forty-four ships in sight. 8th. Plying towards the land. 9th. Latitude 72° 15' N. Plying to wind- ward among straggling ice. Dark Head bearing South, distance about fifteen miles. Thirty-four ships in sight. 10th. Running to the North East among floes of ice ; middle part made fast to the ice ; and in the latter part, plying to the North East among heavy ice. Several ships in sight. 11th. At four A. M. saw the Froo Islands , ^ • .u bearine; about East, distant twenty miles, h East m the ^ i ^t t , . ^ All boats employed towing ship to the North ve the ship too, ^ -^ or iny further for East. i ) I i ■ ti A 16 12th. Running to the North East among the islands, and dodging under an island for shelter. shi 13th. Made fast to a floe of ice, having very little room. All hands employed - towing the ship to a small iceberg ; latter ^^ part, lying made fast to the berg. Several gg ships in sight. ^ 14th. Cast off from the ice and turned into a hole of water to the Westward ; latter part, lying made fast to a floe of ice. Berry's Island bearing N. E., distant one mile. 15th. Dodging in a hole of water sur- ^^ rounded with ice. I cc 16th. Dodging among floes of ice. All hands towing the ship in shore, and after- wards made fast to an iceberg aground. Several ships in sight. fl d i< I East among: der an island of ice, having ids employed 17 irth. Lying, made fast to the berg. 18th. Carpenter overhauling round the ship. - - 19th. Lying, made fast ; very little water ceberg; latter ^^ y^^ seen any vv^ay from the mast head. 3erg. Several Several ships in sight. 20th. Latitude 73° 6' N. Lying as before. Several ships in sight. ce and turned stward; latter floe of ice. 21st. Lying, made fast to an iceberg; L, distant one ^ould not proceed any further for ice. Several ships in sight. Carpenter employed Wking a sprit-sail yard, having sprung the old one against the ice. of water sur- es of ice. All ore, and after- eberg aground. 23rd. Called all hands ; run to the North East among a great number of icebergs and floes. Fourteen sail in sight. Latter part dodging in a hole of water surrounded with ice. k c 18 ■ 1 1 II--' 24th. Hove too on account of the ice. Made the ship fast to a small iceberg lying iaground, close under the lee of an island. 26th. Let go from the ice ; reached in shore ; ice closing in very fast ; made fast again to another berg. Fourteen sail in sight, 26th. Lying, made fast to the ice: no passage to the Northward. Fourteen sail in sight. * 2;^th At midnight let go from the ice, and towed three or four miles further to the Northward. 28th. At midnight towed further in shore and made fast to an iceberg, there being no appearance of a passage to the North East on acrx)unt of the ice. Twenty-two sail in sight. it' 19 29th. and 30th. Lying, made fast to the ice. 31st. Cast loose from the ice and pro- ceeded to the Northward. Several ships in sight. Having gone through my journal of transactions to the end of July, I beg leave by way of conclusion to this part to insert a copy of a letter which will be found in page 379 of the Annals of Philosophy, (new series) No. 35, November, 1823. PrirJed in Numbers, by C. Baldwin, New Bridge Street; for Baldwin, Craddock and Joy, Paternoster Row, ■.I'. '*W Bpf ( " Article XI." *' Notice of some netvly discovered Islands iti the Arctic Sea^ hy Captain Duncan^ commu' Plicated in a letter from L. Edmonston, Esq*' 20 (.i To the Editor of the Annals of Philosophy 5T !■!.■ so Zetland, Balta Sound, Sept. 12th 1823. '* 2'he public attention has been recenth/ much directed to Arctic discoveries, that I flatter myself the follotcing communication may be acceptable to your Journal,'' «' The Greenland ship, Dundee, of L mdon, arrived here on the lOth. instant, and her very enterprising Commander, Capt. Duncan, obligingly furnished me with the following in- formation, which is contained almost verbatim in his diary. Sept, 2nd. in latitude about 68° 40' longitude 2^''S0' W. foggy neat her, and East winds(lattei^ part of the day clearer) blowing very fresh, Ship running in North West toivards the land. At 9 A.M. got ivithin twomiles of a small Island, bearing North West, which 1 7iamed Sayers Island, after theMaster of the Harmony ^ of Hull, then in company; the main land running- about N.N.E, and S.S.W., distant 21 about fourteen miles. The nearest head-land on it in rights hearing JS'orth^ I named Cape Despair., distant six leagues; Cape Barclay of Scoreshfs charts bore North East and by East J distance fifty miles ; and the most South- ern head-land on the main, bore West and by Souths distance sixty miles; this I named Duncansby Head, All the main land seen from the ship betiveen this point and Cape Barclay,, I named Gales* Land, in compliment to my owners. About ten miles S.E.from Dun- aansby Head there is a loiv fiat Island, ivhich I termed Robison's Island, after the ship's managing Agent, Here we lay too hoping to see fish, but fell in with none; and the sea setting in heavy towards the land, and the wind bloiving fresh, we stood off to the South. M ¥'.'■ ■ ll'i.' ' At noon latitude observed 68° 41', longitude 24° 30' W. by the bearings of Cape Barclay ; sounded in 100 fathoms water, rocky bottom. Saiv all this neiv land for tiventyfour hours ; 22 the Harmony, of Hull, hi . - wv all the time, hut the gale and sea prevented any attempts at landing. Had intended prosecuting investigation further Southward, hit the late- ness of the season, and the unfortunate accident of being beset nearly ttvo months this smnmer, made all thoughts of such a view imprudent. Gales Land, Capt. Duncan states, resembles in general appearance the South side of Scores- hys Sound. It is very high and precipitous quite to the sea shore; the mountains running in ridges South East and North West, hut their peaks are not so prominent or conical as in Scoresbys Sound, The North sides of the mountains were snowy, the South green, with the exception of a very deep inlet. South from Robison's Island; the coast was little in- dented*' '* Capt, Duncan was at one time within six or seven miles of the main land, about forty miles ^^ 23 North from Robisons Island^ which was considerably verdant^ very flat^ and apparently about ten miles long", and five broad,'* " Sayers Island is rocky and barren^ about half a mile long and one quarter broad.'' " There was little fast and not much drift ice to he met with ; a good deal of drift timber was observed floating, and several icebergs grounded along the shore. The current was setting ivithout interruption during the twenty' four hours that the two vessels were in that quarter., South and by West^ at the rate of one and a half mile per hour. There was no inset or offset of the tides observed. No ivhales were seen, and few seals or birds, except Kittawakes, these ivere abundant, Jfo appear^ ance of natives. The iveather was very sleety" mi '* Gales Land therefore seems to form the ima<^inary line of coast laid down in Scoresby*s ■ ''SB 24 chart, published v his recent * Journal of Discoveries in the Arctic Regions,' extending from Cape Barclaij, in the North, to Ollum- longni Frith, on the South ; and the island laid down tliere North of this Frith, ivould seem to be what Capt. Duncan has termed Rohisons Island ; it lies in about 67° latitude, 25° longitude. He was at one time of the day within five miles of it. In the years 1821 and 1822, he had coasted almost all the Land de- scribed by Scoiesby, North of Cape Barclay ; and ims as far as forty miles up Scoresby's Sound, and he bears testimony to the accuracy of that intelligent Navigator,'' " Jamesons Land he believes to be an Island. " This voyage which reflects so much credit on the enterprise and skill of Capt. Duncan, promises to be highly interesting to Arctic Geography; and may throw light on the fate ^. -Xr 25 of the lost colonies of Greenland; for it is highly probable that in Gales Land^ rather than any where else, they may be sought Jor ivith some chance of success. From Capt, Duncan's description^ neither the climate or the land seems to be inhospitable or inaccessible, if visited at a favorable period of the year," 1 am Sir, fi. Your obedient Servant, Lawrence Edmonston. f.-, t; 26 PART II. JOURNAL CONTINUED THROUGH AUGUST, SEPTEM- BER AND OCTOBER, CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE WRECK OF THE HARLINGEN, OF HAR- LINGEN.— OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW COMING OVER THE ICE ON BOARD THE DUNDEE, AND THEIR BEING HOSPITABLY RECEIVED AND ENTERTAINED BY CAPT. DUNCAN FOR SIX WEEKS. — THEIR DEPARTURE WITH BOATS, DRAGGIKG THEM OVER THE ICB IN HOPES OF GETTING INTO .: LANE OF WATER, AND THERE- BY REACHING A DANISH SETTLEMENT, 340 MILES DISTANT. H ■ " 111 fares the bark with trembling wretches charg'd. That, toss'd amid the floating fragments, moors Beneath the shelter of an icy isle. While night o'erwhelms the sea, and horror looks More horrible." Thompson, ■'1 ■ August 1st. Mad fast to an iceberg; could not proceed any further Northward 27 for ice ; saw one of the Duck Islands, bear- ing East. 2nd. Ice closing very fast ; let go from the berg, and drifted away with the loose ice; fell in with the Harlingen, of Har- lingen. Captain Hockstra; unshipped the rudder to prevent its being injured by ice. 3rd. Ice beginning to slacken ; shipped the rudder ; set all sail possible, and bored the ship through the ice into a small hole of water, to the N.N.W. ; latter part plying to windward and at times laying too. Har- lingen in company. 4th. Dodging in a hole of water among heavy ice. 5th. Dodging about among heavy ice. Two sail in company. 28 6th. Latitude 73° 28' N. Uuii to the South West amonii; a great quantity of loose ire, there beini^ uo appearance of a passage through to the North West at pn3- sent. Harlingen still in company. 7th. Running to the Westward among loose ice. One sail (a stranger) in sight. Harlingen still in company. i - 8th. Latitude 72° 54', longitude 54° W. This day we fell in with the Ariel, of Hull, Capt. Watson, who informed us that he had been as far to the Southward as 71° 00', and no appearance of any passage through to the Westward, that he had seen several vessels and they were all running further to the Southward ; so we agreed to accompany the Ariel and Harlingen; and return back again in hopes of procuring a Northerly passage towards the West Land, as the •i:- 29 wind had prevailed a little time from the South East. 9th. Reaching to the Eastward among a great quantity of loose ice, running to the N.N.E. Ariel and Harlingen in company. 10th. Latitude 73° N., longitude 63° W. Boring through a luose pack of ice to the Northward. Aiiel and Harlingen in com- pany. 11th. Boring to the North East among a great quantity of loose ice. Dundee and Harlingen made fast to a small floe of ice, finding it impossible to get any further, Ariel beset about a mile from us. 12.th Ice coming down from the North- ward at a tremendous rate ; unshipped the rudder, and slacked round to the lee side of the floe. Ariel still lying beset ; Harlingen -i 30 ('■ '\? / l ■ i ■ ' 1 i • k \ is .^ :;.' ^ made fast beside us. At this time there were a great many icebergs around us. 13th. Shipped the rudder, and reached the ship into a small hole of water ; ice closing very fast ; made the ship fast to an iceberg. Harlingen in company ; the Ariel lying beset with ice, about six miles from us. 14th. Endeavouring to warp to the Southward ; lying close beset among heavy floes of ice and icebergs . Watch employed sawing ice and unshipping the rudder. Harlingen in company, 15th. Lying close beset among heavy floes of ice. 16th. Latitude 73°, longitude 63°. All hands employed sawing the ice all round the ship, in order to form a dock for her. !i'^> 17th. Latitude 73°, longitude 61°. Lying close beset. 18th. Warped the ship to the Westward ; close beset with ice. Three sail in sight. 19th. Close beset among heavy ice. Three sails in sight. No water seen from the mast-head. •■jfii 31 Harlingen in company. The immense labour and fatigue attending this operation may be easily imagined, when it is considered that the ice was full seven feet in thickness, and nearly as hard as granite. The crew of the Harlingen also endeavoured to saw a dock in like manner, but the floe was so thick and heavy, they could not succeed. ,'. • ' i 20th. Latitude 73° 39'. Lying beset ; no water to be seen any way. Harlingen in company. 4| .,■1 32 21st. All hands employed warping to the North West. Harlingen in company. 22nd. Called all hands and began to saw a dock into the ice. Ship lying beset among floes, the ice running very fast ; our ship in great danger. 23rd. Lying close beset ; all hands em- ployed sawing the ice. And here I have to relate the afflicting loss of our companion the Harlingen. About two A.M. I observed the Harlingen's ensign hoisted in distress, and sent a party of our men over the ice to their assistance; but before they got a .hip's length, the Harlingen fell on her broadside, occasioned b> two large lloes of ice meeting together. The people, forty-six in number, came on board the Dundee, and were all readily and kindly received by my- self and our whole crew, and treated in every respect as our own people. Captain i' I 33 Hockslra, his son, and nephew, chief mate, sui'i^eon, and a boy shared the cabin with me. The Harlingen was an entire wreck, and the accident so very sudden, that the men could save but very little even of their clothes. t f to 24th. Our ship lying, for the pres^^nt, safe in the dock we had made in the ice ; our whole attention was given to the v^reck, to get every thing that was possible from her ; but part of the vessel being under water, the carpenters were employed cutting away the deck, in hopes of getting at some of the provisions, but it proved useless. Saw one whale this day, but it disappeared immediately afterwards. 25th. Watch employed sawing the ice ; and both ship's companies endeavouring to save what they could from the wreck, which was still lying under water. D tf " I k ki "*.• 34 26lh. Latitude 73° 67' N. Lying close beset among floes of ice ; part of the people em- ployed at the wreck ; the rest sawing still further into the ice. 27th. Latitude 74° r. Finished our dock, after sawing five hundred feet into the ice. Put the Dutchmen on the same allowance as the English. Saw the Devil's Thumb, bearing F.. S. E., distance about thirty-six miles. The making a dock is thus performed. The floe of ice is on its edge, sawed inwards in a triangular form, of a greater length and width than the ship, and then by various cross cuts, the whole of the ice is forced 10th. Latitude 74° 10'. Employed at the wreck ; no water seen from the mast-head ; saw the devil's thumb bearing S.S.E., dis- tance about sixty miles. 11th. Latitude 74° 9' N. Lying close beset, surrounded by icebergs and heavy ice ; employed at the wreck ; no water seen from the mast-head. ■^>i! 1 11 t ( . '1 i ■ S ■ 9 I , i 1 1 ... ■ J- It ' 38 nth. Latitude 74° 6'. No water to te seen. 13th. At tHree A.M. called all hands; began to saw further Into the ice, the pressure being very heavy ; breakmg the floes in different directions ; the ship appa- rently in great danger. 14th. and I5th. Saw the land bearing as before, but at a greater distance. 16th; Lying close beset ; no water seen from the mast-head; the Devil's Thumb bearing S.S.E. distant about fifty miles. 17th. Still lying in the same manner ; no water to be seen. 18th. Latitude 74°9'i Frost very severe ; no water to be seen from the mast-head. ■1-. •^9 19tli. Latitude 74° 3', longitude 03^ Lying beset by an immense body of ice all around ; the Devil's Thumb bearing S. E. by E., distance about fifty miles. All hands on short allowancet , 4 .-.: ^i\ 20th. Saw a few small holes of wnU^v to the S.W. 21st. Lying still close beset. 22nd. Latitude 74° 8' N. Still close beset ; sunk a small cask of powder in the wreck, and blew up part of her decks. 23rd. Latitude 74° 30', longitude 63° 5'. About ten P. M. a very heavy pressure, the ice run over the top of the wreck. Our ship apparently in very great danger ; every thing on deck in readiness, in case of any accident happening to our ship. ■i-r 40 24tli. Blew up part of the wreck with gunpowder, but still no provisions appeared ; surrounded by a barrier of ice in every direction ; and no water to bo seen from the mast-head. 26th. Latitude 74° 16' N. This day weighed out every man three pounds of bread for seven days; no appearance of water. 26th. Latitude 74° 18' N. Still no water to be seen from the mast-head. 27th. Latitude 74° 30' N., longitude 64° 30' W. Severe frost ; no water to be seen in any direction. Appearances very alarm- ing, and the people began preparing boats to leave the ship, in case of any accident happening to her. ^^^^^^B ■ 'X ^Hf , ^^^^^^^^^Bi ;*: ■ ■ ■ 28th. Latitude 74° 14'. Saw a little .r.i ,1 ■% m 41 water making from N. to S.E. ; the Kast land in sight, distant about fifty miles. Frost very severe, and onr ship frozen in fast, and no possibility at this time of making any progress. 29th. Latitude 74° 7' N. Water still in sight to the North Eastward, but we were prevented getting into it by the quantity of ice that surrounded us. 30th. Latitude 74° 8'. Water still in sight to the North and Eastward, so that we were for several days tortured with a view of relief, but it was not in our power to reach it. October 1st. Latitude 74° 4' N. Water still continued to be seen; frost very severe ; ice completely frozen together ; every thing had a most awful appearance. ':'l\ 42 2nd. and 3rd. No alteration in the ice. ^m H ii'i: ■ ^^^Hi i ^H '^\ 4th. Latitude 73° 59' N. Th*e ice still continuing in the same state, and the Dutchmen being fully convinced that there was no possibility of getting up their ship, and but little probability of obtaining provi- sions from her of any consequence ; and there being every prospect of our ship remaining frozen up during the winter, and as our stock of provisions was totally inadequate to the support of both ships companies, these unfor- tunate men, actuated by an independent spirit and from feelings highly honorable, held fre- quent consultations among themselves, how they might relieve us from the charge of their support, which we had no means of continuing much longer ; and proposed to take their departure with boats over the ice, till they could get into some water; by which means they hoped to reach a Danish settlement, called Leevly, a distance of 43 about three hundred and forty mi les. They soon conmmunicated to us their intention, and the necessary arrangements were made for commencing their hazardous enterprize the next day. Thermometer 10° below zero. 5th. At four in the morning called all hands ; weighed out four hundred and a half of bread, and gave to the Dutchmen, also three casks of pork and a quantity of spirits, for each of their three boats; and ordered a party of our people to assist them in dragging their boats over the ice. They proceeded on the ice about six miles ; where leaving the boats, they all returned to our ship, and rested for the night; early next morning they again proceeded, accompanied by our people to assist them, as before. 6th. The Dutchmen, assisted by some of our people, employed launching the boats over the ice, towards a lane of water to the "., i 44 Eastward. About meridian our people left them to their hazardous undertaking. 7th. Still close beset ; no expectation of getting liberated out of the ice. One of the Cicero's men, John Thompson, voluntered to go with the Dutchmen, but after launch- in o^ over the ice with them aH night, returned back in the morning. The boats still in sight from the mast-head ; every person on short allowance. 8th. Latitude 74« 6' N. Still lying fast bound in the ice. About four P. M. had the satisfaction of seeing the Dutch people with their boats apparently under sail, bearing about South by West, from us at a distance about twelve miles ; which gave us hopes they had found water. Though the Dutchmen leaving us was dieir own proposal, and in which imperious If) ' i ■■ ''|m 45 necessity had compelled us to acquiesce ; yet, when the hour of final separation arrived, the scene was truly distressing ; and it was evident that each party felt deep and sincere regret, at the perils to which the other was likely to be exposed ; after repeated shakes by the hand, tears ran down their manly cheeks, and I believe every individual was greatly affected by the parting. i '\i\ I From the time the Dutchmen came on board, our constant endeavours were used to get up the wreck, but finding that to be impossible, we tried various means, by firing down rockets alid blowing up part of the decks with gunpowder, to get at some of the provisions ; but in this we were also disap- pointed, not being able to obtain any thing of consequence, except a number of old blubber casks ; but even these were, to us, of the utmost importance, by serving to M m ^^F "l' . I t- 46 increase our stock of fuel, which was so nearly exhausted, that we were obliged to use as fire-wood, all the masts, yards, spars, &c, that belonged to the wreck ; but for which, long before the winter would have passed over, we must have been reduced to the dreadful necessity of burning our own masts, yards, and every thing combustible above the deck; and thus have become totally defenceless against the fury of the ice, the winds, or the waves. Many days while the Hollanders were with us, we were in great danger, and on several occasions had our boats and every thing prepared to leave the ship, thinking it next to impossible she could escape being wrecked also ; par- ticularly as before stated, on the 23rd. and 27th. of September, and the 1st. of October. But it is time to proceed with our journal. 9th. Latitude 74°, longitude 62° 30' Lying completely frozen up in the ice. No J' 47 water to be seen. People employed cover- ing the quarter deck over with sails, to keep the frost from penetrating through the decks ; put the people on the scanty allowance at the rate of two pounds of bread for seven days, with a similar quan- tity of beef and pork. Thermometer 8° below zero. 10th. Frost very severe ; making all possible preparations for the approaching winter. y.'i 11th, Latitude 73° 56' N. Frost very severe ; no water seen from the mast-head ; the people employed grappling into the wreck. 12th. Latitude 78° 65'. Frost very severe; saw a good deal of water to the South West, but no possibility of getting into it. -SB ti'.lf h'4 48 13lh. Frost very severe ; still water seen to the South West, but no possibility of getting towards it, the ship being completely frozen fast. Built a small place of conve- nience on the ice, for the people, to keep the nuisance from the ship. 14th. Frost very severe; grappled out of the wreck, several thin blubber casks, which answered very well for fire-wood. 15th. Latitude 74° N. Ship completely frozen in, in the middle of an immense quantity of ice ; saw the East-land bearing to the South Eastward from us, distant about seventy miles. 16th. Latitude 73° 54' N. Grappled a few empty blubber casks from the wreck, fit only to burn. 17th. Latitude 13° 53\ Frost very severe ; thermometer 14° below zero. This 49 (lay haw led the lines out of all the boats, then turned them bottom upwards a little distance from the ship. 18th. and 19th. Thermometer 10° below zero ; ice ranging about a little. 20th. Latitude 73° 46' N. Frost very severe. People employed at I he wreck grappling for wood, or any thing else they could hook. Ship completely frozen up; nothing to be seen from the mast-head but ice, except a small hole of water here and there. 21st. The weather and thermometer the same. V- , i 22nd. The weather and thermometer the same, nothing to be seen from the mast- head but an immense barrier of ice. E u 50 23rd. Latitude 73° 37' N. About seven P. M. fired at a fox from the ship ; the musket bursted and shattered Robert Ford's hand in a most desperate manner, too shocking to describe. By the constant care and attention of the surgeon, this man's wounds were healed; rmd I have great pleasure in stating, that I have lately pro- cured a small pension for him from the Mercliant-seamen's Society. 24th. Nothing particular happened ex. cept our being occasionally visited by the foxes. 25th. No alteration in the weather or thermometer. People employed grappling ; procured from the wreck a few empty casks for fire- wood. W- 26th. Completely frozen up. Nothing but ice to be seen. 51 27th, Nothing to be seen but a complete barrier of ice. At this time we had about sixteen hours of night. 28th and 29th. No alteration for the better, frost very severe. At times visited by foxes. 30th. Latitude 73° 21' N. Nothing to be seen but an extended barrier of ice. ex. the 31st. Frost very severe. Thermometer 13° below zero. Having stated that the last time we saw the Ariel, viz. 14th August, beset about six miles from us, it may be satisfactory to the reader to be informed, that she had the good fortune to escape the ice, and got safe to Hull before the most severe part of the winter had set in. i iiiH B^r^^S ^^H ^«l _" f'|^nH| ^^H '^^^S^^^^l 52 There is I am convinced, no part of the duty of a commander which he performs with ^rreater reluctance, than abridging his crew of part .)f their daily allowance of food. As soon as it became probable that we should be compelled to pass the winter among ice, almost beyond a hope of human succour, my attention was naturally be- stowed on the best means of economising our remaining stock of provisions, so as to make it last through the many long and dreary months until the approach of Spring ; and thinking it better to begin early, I in- tended a small reduction in ihe allowance, and indulged in the pleasing reflection that no further diminution would be necessary. But the unfortunate accident that befel the Harlingen, which compelled her crew to seek shelter on board our ship, (by which our number was nearly doubled, and they continuing with us six weeks) had nearly baffled all my anticipations of making our 5.S provisions sufiicieiii to the wants ot'oui* i>wii people during the winter. Apathetic mortals, enjoying all the com- forts and luxuries of life by their own tire side, may probably exclaim, "- Charity be- gins at home." It was wrong the giving to foreigners what was essential, not only to the comfort but even to the existence of the English crew ! But to the honour of British seamen, they are strangers to such sordid calculations; generosity and courage have long been their leading cha- racteristics ; may they continue to be so to the end of time, which will ever insure to the British Navy that proud and exalted station in the annals of fame, which it has held for ages even without a rival. - ii \ Under the auspicious direction of the il- lustrious Prince, to whom, by virtue of his !• 54 I high office, the !)est and most inipoi tant in- terests of the British empire are confided, it requires not the gilt of Prophecy to foresee that seamen will be sure to receive encou- ragement and protection, and that the glory of the navy will be encreased, and shiiu^ with brilliant radiance over the whole sur- face of the universe. When the grateful Dutchmen were about to leuve us, had the preservation of life been our first consideration, we should have felt little hesitation in joining their enterprise across the ice, but a sense of duty forbade the thought. 1 have ever cons, lered that the person intrusted with a nautical command should never quit the ship under any circum- stances while her timbers continue together, and she is capable of remaining on the sea ; and that every individual of the crew is bound to continue with the commander, and assist his eflforts, to the very last extremity. l- it le 1- •y lit; ir- ut en elt ise ide the ind im- ler, ea; r is [ind ity. 65 That the ultimate fate of the poor Foreign- ers has excited great interest in the minds of my readers, there cannot be a doubt, and 1 have great pleasure in being able to remove their anxiety by stating, that 1 took the first opportunity of writing to the Owners of the Harlingen, from whom I have received two letters in answer ; and as they will afford very ample information, I shall, by way of conclusion to this Chapter, insert Copies of them. Letter from Capt, Duiican to the Owners of the Harlingen. Gentlemen, I think it my duty to inform you of the loss of the Harlingen, whon. I spoke to in the latitude of Cape Fairwell, coming to I 66 the Straits ; aj^ain I met her at the South- west, when I ^ot two lar^e whales ; we kept company the remainder of the year ; I pur- sued to the Northward, and endeavoured to procure a passage to the West land, which I was successful in doing a few years past, and towed a French ship after the Green land- ers, Capt. Gedion ; they were the first ships at the West land, Capt. Hockstra had a mostpartic ular wish to keep company with me, but most unfor- tunately we were beset in latitude 73^, and drove as far as 74^ 30'. At this time we had every hopes of procuring a passage to the West land; the ice lapped round us, and a heavy gale of wind sprung up on the 22nd of August, which obliged me to saw a dock 600 feet in length. About a mile from us Capt. Hockstra attempted to saw a dock in the same floe, but the ice was so thick and heavy he could not succeed. On the 23rd. 57 jibout four in the morniiiij;, I perceived the Harlin^reii'8 ensign flying. I s(Mit a party oi" my men across tlie ici5 to set' what was the matter ; before th(^y got a ship's length the Harlingen fell on her broadside ; she was lost by two floes meeting together, no ship in sight but the Dundee' ; all hands came on board of mfe directly, and lived as we did; the captain, his son, and nepliew, chief mate, surgeon, and a boy, called Peter, lived in the cabin with me ; they saved a very small portion of their clothes. I was in great hopes that we should be liberated in August or September, and be able to distribute some of the men among the otht' ships. Our pro- visions were getting very low in consequence of two ships* companies living upon the allowance of one. On the ith of October there was a consultation by both ships' com- panies what was best to be done, not having provisions to support ninety-two men, and a long and dreary winter fast approaching ; .■fS ..■'5 ' they intimated leaving us the 1st of October, but the weather not being favorable they left us the 6tb, with an intention of going to Lr^vley. I gave them three casks of pork» a part of .which they returned, stating, that they had as much as they thought they should want. I gave them twelve gallons of rum, and as much bread as they could carry. On the 5th of October I sent my ship's com- pany to assist them in dragging their boats across the ice, about six miles. In the even- ing they returned and rested for the night. On the 6th our people went wjth them to their boats, and assisted them in getting their boats into a lane of water : the next day we saw them with their sails set in water ; we have every hopes they will arrive safe at Leevley. There are Danish ships at Leevley every year, with a supply of pro- visions. I have no doubt if their lives are spared, they will come home in some of the Danish ships. We were beset hi latitude 59 73°, and liberated on the 16th of April, in latitude 63°. What we have suffered all the winter, no one can imagine. Our ship's company have been upon an allowance of two lbs. of bread, and a very small quantity of meat a man, per week. On the 1st of February I got a whale, which was a very great relief to the people ; they eat the crang of the whale and sharks that came to feed on the dead fish. At this time we were all frost-bitten ; the cold was so intense we could not stop five minutes on deck at one time ; it is impossi- ble to describe our sufferings. For nine days after the men left us it was fine weather. The captain desired to be remembered to his wife and family^ I should feel happy if you will write me a few lines, direct to David Duncan, care of Messrs. Gale and Son, Merchants, London. I am, &c. D.DUNCAN. 4 "■- ''i "■ ji ^'i F fV 60 Letter from Mr, Bcrnandcr Heicic to Capt. Duncan. Harlingen, June 30, 1827. Dear Sir, Your esteemed lines of the 2nd Inst, have been duly received ; we remain, indeed, much indebted to you, not only for the noble assistance you rendered the master and crew of the unfortunate whale ship, Harlingen, as well as for the intelligence you have given Us of ^.he fate of the ship ; indeed it is a most melancholy event. I-'-.*' This vessel was not entirely belonging to us, but to the Dutch Fishing Society, of which our chief, Mr. S. Roden Lius, whose death, we have to lament, was chief Pre- sident. ■f!' 61 However, the Committee of the Society will do themselves the pleasure to address you, and explain their thankful feelings for all the humanities you have shewn to the crew of the Harlingen. We cannot deny that we are still living in great sorrow for the further fate of the crew ; because it is very uncertain if they can ever reach the Danish settlement, and how will they pass the long and horrible winter. We are hoping now to receive some further intelligence by the Danish vessels, and will not fail to communicate them to you, being fully persuaded that they will be of great interest to you. We avail ourselves of this opportunity to congratulate you on your safe arrival at hon^e, and that the Almighty has guarded you and all your hands, during that long and dreadful season, in that far-off and dreadful quarter of the globe. We were struck with reading what you have suffered, and agree with you, that no nian is able to describe your fatigues. As soon as wc hear any thing further from Hockstra, we will have the pleasure of wri- ting you again ; and remain, meanwhile, Most respectfully, &c. &c. Letier from Mr, Barend Disser a Zoon, and Mr. B, Vander Heide, to Capt. Duncan, Harlingen, July 31st, 1827. Sir, Begging reference to our last respects, of the 20th, ult . we are reckoning it our duty ' 63 to inform you that we, a few days ago, got some accounts from the crew of the Harlin- gen by the way of Copenhagen. Ten days after they had left you, they ar- rived at Opiernawick, having one man lost by the fatigues ; here they left five men, who were too much fatigued and indisposed to follow them. On the 28rd of October they went to Narsvak ; where they arrived, after a very dangerous passage, on the 27th of October. From here they tryed to cross the Waygat, and to go into lUtterback, but, this not being possible, they were obliged to return, Ti^en the commander went with twenty-seven men to Omenak and Miakovnak, thirteen men, who were sick, he left at Narsvak. On the 18th. a feker, they were distributed at the places Omenak, Rilterback, and Claushavenr If til' ■"'l. 64 and three men were transported to God- haven, from where the governor of the Da- nish settlement should try to send them home. Of tb« five men who were left at Opiernavik, one man is dead. We are think- ing, to receive these; intelligences will be in- teresting to you, therefore we are hastening ourselves to communicate them to you. We have no doubt they will now all safe come home. We remain, respectfully, &c. P. S. One of our Greenlandmen is re- turned with five fishe? being Com. Adriam^ s ship, the Veederlaii^, having a part of the crew on board; of the other one, called Willen the First, Com. Zan Corn Groendyth, which is supposed to be lost about 79J degrees. When the hardships and dangers to which these unfortunate Foreigners were exposed, m'mr ()5 are considered the concluding sentence in the fori ooing letter. ^^ We have no doubt they will now all safe come home," must afford oreat pleasure and satisfr.ction to every feeling mind. Had tiuy not adopted the judicious, though hazardous, ])lan, which they did, but continued on board the Dun- dee, the provisions, even at the smallest allowance with which life can be sustained, would have been soon totally exhausted, and then (humanity must shudder at. the thought) ninety-four persons (cut ofl' from the reach of luiman assistance by impenetrahle barri- ers) would have had no alternative, but the horrible one of casting lots to determine which should be the first sacrifice to supply the craving hunger of his ship-mates ; but as a kind and merciful Providence has spared us this dreadful infliction, let us hope that the rewards and future comforts of those who have escaped the dangers, may more than compensate their almost unexampled ■. j»B 66 sufferings and that the two, whom it ap- pears have been taken from this world, are now in the realms of everlasting bliss. The conduct of Captain Hockstra in re- maining with, and, by his presence, anima- ting his men through every danger, is be- yond all praise. May he live long, and enjoy the pleasing reflection, thai his efforts have been crowned with success. 67 PART 111. JOURNAL CONTINUED THROUGH NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, AND JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 1827, CONTAINING MANY MIRACULOUS ES- CAPES. Miserable they ! Who, here entangled in the gathering ice. Take their last look of the descending sun ; While, full of death, and fierce with tenfold frost. The long, long night, incumbent o'er t! eir heads. Falls horrible !" -ii November 1st. Latitude 73^ iO', long. 62° 40'. Thermometer ten degrees below zero. Some holes of water broke out in dif- ferent directions, but they froze up imme- diately the frost rind between the decks, being at the time nearly an inch thick. ■ ■si ^ii 68 2nd., 3rd., t;nd 4lh. Ice drifting to th- Southward, very fast. Thermometer 46 de- iirees below zero. 5th. Ldtiiude 73^ 12', longitude 62° 44'. The floe we wero frozen in, driving to the Southward at a tremendous rate ; the bergs tearing the points of the floe in different places. A great deal of water seen to the Southward ; but we were completely frozen over in bay ice. Thermometer 44 degrees below zero. ()th. Driving very fast among the ice- bergs ; we were much afraid of their tearing the floe all to pieces. Employed sawing all round the ship, and clearing the ice from the rudder, a great deal of water seen to the Southward. The east land in sight. This day we had the misfortune to break our only thermometer, so that we were afterwards without any mean except by its effec 7th. All handj the floe, in hope land water; but. ment, found it w 8th. Carpente were rent by th sight. Hove the ice. 9th. Discontii no use, the bay fast. 10th. We ga getting liberate< water we saw i " crystal paveme ven, cemented fi ^^ • (i9 without any means of ascertaininj^ the cold, except by its ettect on our own bodies. 7th. All hands employe(' wing through the floe, in hopes of getting into the east land water; but, to our great disappoint- ment, found it was all bay ice. 8th. Carpenter caulked the seams that were rent by the frost ; the east land in sight. Hove the ship down a little to the ice. :."/- 9th. Discontinued sawing, finding it of no use, the bay ice accumulating so very fast. 10th. We gave up every faint hope of getting liberated during the winter ; the water we saw two days back was now a "■ crystal pavement, by the breath of Hea- ven, cemented firm." Our situation at this '/^ -, v] e /} % ^ ^-^ w th. Frost very severe. People em- ployed breaking out theafterhoid, the casks being- all bursted with the frost. Cooper employed repairing them. Ice ranging about a little. '^rth. Latitude 68° 16' N. Saw a ffreat many large icebergs to the southvv^ard of us. Frost very severe. Ship frozen fast all round again. 28th. Latitude 68° 12' N. The ship was apparently driving down fast towards some very large icebergs. Hauled the lines out of two of the boats, and filled several small casks with bread, to be handy in case of any accident. Very little water seen in any direction. Our situation was at tlu^ time very precarious. It will be seen by perusing this Chapter, is ••1 Cl m ;i i.lill 100 llr' that we were, on different days, exposed to great dangers ; but as they were greatly inferior to that of the 23rd. February, which is already so fully described, it seems unnecessary to say any thing respecting them beyond what is contained in the preceding JournaL 101 PART IV. JOURNAL CONTINUED. — MORE DANGERS AND DISTRESSES, UNTIL AT LENGTH THE SHIP IP LIBERATED FROM HER CONFINEMENT, AND ARRIVES SAFE AT LONDON. Yet Providence, that ever v,aking eye ! Looks down with pity on the feeble toil Of Mortals lost to hope ; and lights them safe Through all this dreary labyrinth of fate. Thompson. March 1st. Frost very severe. Ice ranging about. Began to approach near a great number of icebergs, which we supposed to be lying aground on the reef. We had no means of preventing the ship being ao-ain frozen fast. Our only hope was, that we : I 4 :m ItrV 102 might drive cl'- r of them. Every person on the alert, and every thing ready at a moment's warning. '■¥■' m ■!■*?" W' 2nd. Latitude 68° 7' N. We v^^ere close down upon several very large icebergs; counted fifty from north-west to south from us, all of which, we supposed, were lying aground ; every person on the alert. Sails and every thing on deck ready for making a tent, in case the ship was lost. 3rd. Driving through amongst a great number of large icebergs. At six A.M., called all hands, and run four boats across the ice with a quantity of provisions, and the men's clothes, one of the bergs coming right towards the snip, at a tremendous rate, breaking and tearing away the ice in various directions. About nine A.M., it went past our stern, distance about twenty yards, with- ■^^K 103 out doing us any injury. Dragged the boats to the ship again with the provisions, &c. 4th. Among icebergs innumerable. Ship driving through them in a wonderful manner. Every person on the alert. The weather very severe. Our situation was extremely precarious. 5th. Latitude 67° 58' N. Drove through the thickest of the icebergs ; but there were still several more seen to the southward. 6th. Latitude 67° 63' N. Frost very severe. Driving down among the ridge of icebergs, and the ship settling very fast to the S.E., owing to the heavy pressure of the icebergs. 7th. Latitude 67° 50', longitude 62° 35'. Still a great many icebergs in sight. Ship i u I 104 again frozen completely fast. This day saw the land about south from us, distant about seventy miles. 8th. Latitude 67° 60'. Saw the land to the southward from us. Several icebergs in sight. Frost very severe. 9th. Latitude 67° 43'. People employed sawing round the ship. Several icebergs, and the land still in sight. 10th. Latitude 67° 40'. Empioyet >. - ing out ice round the ship. Several icefc in sight. nth. Latitude 67° 34' N. Very little water seen in any direction. Saw one whale in a lane of water among bay ice. 12th. Latitude 67° 25'. Frost very severe. Several icebergs in sight. Lii. 105 13lh. Saw two whales among the bay ice, but no possibility of getting at them. People employed cutting the ice round the ship. 14th. People employed cutting out the ice round the ship. A large iceberg setting up very fast. Saw several whales, but no possibility of getting at them. ii I6th. Driving to the N.E., from the pressure of the iceberg on the ice. Saw one whale, coiled one more boat's lines; then launched two boats in a lane of water, in hopes of the fish coming up. Ice ranging about very much. 16th. Latitude 67° 24'. Frost very severe. Ice ranging about very much. Saw some whales, but could not get near them. 106 17th. At two AM., alariiied by a lar^e iceberg setting up towards the ship ; called all hands to be in readiness, there appearing great danger ; but fortunately it passed at a small distance to the westward of us. 18th. Latitude 66° 65'. severe. Frost very ': : » From ihis day to the 30th., we remained in nearly the same latitude. The weather continued very severe ; but there were no occurrences worth noticing, except that we ' saw the land to the S.E., aftdbut little water in any direction. .m/utki 30th. We had tren- idous ga!es, with showers of snow ; the drift flying off the ice, so that we could scarcely put our faces to windward. % 107 31st. Latitude OS*^ 37' N. Tremendous gales, with squalls. Several holes of water seen in different directions ; but no possi- bility of jj;ettinf»; into them with the ship, as we were completely frozen in the middle of one solid sheet of ice, full five miles round. From the end of March to the 17th April. Nothing particular occurred necessary to mention ; the weather continued very severe ; lanes of water were frequently seen, and we were gradually drifting into a more southern latitude, being April 6th. in latitude 64° 49'. Land in sight." April 15th. Latitude 63°. Saw the land, distance between fifty and sixty miles. 16th. In latitude 63° 00', longitude 61^ 30'. i 1 .;' lr;H ri 17th. Swell very strong, which, at one P.M., was the cause of the ice breaking into 108 ten thousand pieces, with a tremendous and horrific explosion. Called all hands, set the sails, shipped the rudder, and boared the ship through a pack of ice, to the S.W., the sea was very strong. About two, got into sailing ice, after being beset eight months and five days, during which we had many hair-breadth escapes. Reaching to the S.W., among straggling ice. Every person in great spirits at their liberation. I8th. Latitude 62° 30' N. Reaching to the W.S.W., among ice and icebergs. Sea very stroni.'; from the S.W. 'I I 19th. Tremendous gaks. Sea very high. Hoisted the waist boats on deck. Ship reaching to the W.N.W. 20th. Reaching to the N.W. Sea high, running to N.N.W; 109 2l8t. Reaching about among several ice- bergs. Wearing ship as necessary. 22nd. Passed several very large icebergs. 23rd. Sea high, wearing ship as neces- sary. This day allowed the people four lbs. ol' bread per week a man, with a small addition of beef and pork, in hopes of falling in with some vessel, to obtain relief. JShip made a good deal of water. 1^ 24th. Spoke the Bon Accord, of Aber- deen, Capt. Parker, who promised to relieve us as much as lay in his power when the weather permitted. Longitude by Chro- nometer, Capt. Parker, 61° W. 25th. Latitude 61° 37', longitude 61°. Reached to the pack edge. Saw one whale, lowered two boats after her. Received from Capt, Parker seven cwt. of beef, four cwt. ti: 110 of bread, a small quantity of coals, potatoes, and turnips ; in return we gave him twelve whale lines, a small jib, and a top-sail yard and spar, which we had got from the Dutch ship. Several of our men ill with the scurvy and rheumatism, and many of them appeared to be very weak. 26th. Saw several whales ; three and four boats down, constantly after them. Got from Capt. Parker two barrels of oatmeal, and one ton-cask of fresh water. 27th. Three and four boats down after whales. Several of the men very poorly this day, came aft, and requested to go home, as they were all very weak, and not able to begin another fishing. 28th. Spoke the Rambler, of Kirkaldy ; iw Ill received some provisions from her in ex- change for five whale lines. Many of our men ill with pains and weakness, and some with bleeding at the nose. Ice closed in upon us, and we got beset again. 29th Soaring to southward among heavy cross ice ; afterwards made fast to a large piece of ice, and filled all our fresh-water casks, in order to go home as soon as liberated. Several icebergs all round us. Cumberland Island bearing N.W. by N. 30th. Boaring to the east. Ice very heavy and close. One sail in sight. M May 1st. Boaring to the east among heavy ice. 2nd. Close beset among heavy ice. Dispatched a party of our men over the ice to the vessel in sight, to know if she could 112 supply us with any provisions we stood in need of. She proved to be the Lee, of Hull, Capt. Lee, who promised to assist us as far as possible, to enable us to return home when we get out of the ice. 3rd. Lying beset among heavy ice. The Lee still in sight. 4th. Soaring to the N.E., among heavy ice. The Lee still in sight. 5th. Received irom Capt. Lee one barrel of pork, two bags of bread, some flour, peas, a small quantity of barley, some coals, and a few other necessary articles. Soaring to the E.S.E., among heavy ice. Four sail in sight. 0th. Soaring to the eastward, among heavy ice. Four sail still in sight. 113 7th. Latitude 60° 22'. Boaring to the eastward, among heavy ice. At eleven P.M., got the ship into the sea ; hoisted four boats on deck, stowed them, and began to make the best of our way towards Old England. Five sail in sight. 8th. At four A.M. saw four ships bound to the N.E., and fell in company with them, they proved to be the Cove, of South Shields ; the Princess of Wales, of Aberdeen ; the Triad, of Kirkaldy ; and the Phoenix, : Whitby : their masters supplied us to our wishes, which was a very great consolation to every one on board, and enabled us to pursue our homeward voyage with renewed health and vigor. 14th. Latitude 56° 14', longitude 37° 5'. Spoke the Dorothy, of Dundee ; she was lying to in a gale of wind from N.W. Li 114 And now having arrived in a comparatively mild climate from that which we had left* where Boreas governs with despotic sway» and having laid in a good stock of provisions for the remainder of the voyage, it may not be amiss to take a retrospective view of the dangers we have so miraculously escaped. ■m At an unusually early period, (the begin- ning of August) the frost became so severe that we were completely beset in the ice, and the greatest exertions that could be used were unavailing to effect our liberation, so that we were compelled to remain in such a deplorable state upwards of eight months ; an ic fliction never yet experienced by any other navigator for half so long a period, and, it will be readily admitted, that all the horrors of our situation were more than doubled by the afflicting circumstances of our stock of provisions running short, so as 115 to compel us to subsist a considerable part of the time upon the very scanty allowance of two lbs. of bread, and a like quantity of meat, per week for each man, and frequently in a temperature of 60° below zero ; and that, when the most alarming of our long experienced dangers were arrived at their highest pitch, and horrors upon horrors were every day accumulating ; when our labours were incessant, in the hope of averting even for a few hours the dreadful fate that impended over our heads, and which appeared inevitable. But still all seemed to be im- pressed with this useful and important truth, that safety can never be promoted by repining, but by activity, resolution and perseverance; and, I am fully convinced, that our having acted on this impression, has been the ultimate cause of our de- liverance. if AfidT the unfortunate wreck of the Har. ' n . Pi'*^,:l: • r: 116 lingen, v> emed to stand alone in the frozen ocean, the devoted victims to its rage and fury. While we had another ship in company, our calamities appeared less for- midable ; since, in every kind of danger, there is a probability that one ship may escape, and be capable of preserving or relieving the crew of the other; but we seemed to be deprived of every prospect of succour or comfort. Even sleep ("nature's soft nurse") could not afford us much refresh- ment, our riiinds were too intent on the dangers we had escaped in the day to let us rest soundly at night ; and, whether sleeping or waking, it was impossible to forget for a moment the horrors with which we were surrounded. 4 Our incessant toils were generally rendered ineffectual by the cruel frost which seemed to frown indignant on our vain atten