402 THE JEANNETTE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



from reaching the flames. Fires were burning under the 

 donkey boiler to heat the ship, and the steam pump was 

 quickly connected thereto. The deck force-pump was also 

 immediately utilized. Two streams of water were soon 

 playing, but owing to the dense smoke it was for some time 

 impossible to get them directed on the fire. The main 

 engine was also quickly put in working order ; and when, as 

 the fire spread, it became necessary to abandon the donkey 

 boiler, the pumps were connected with and worked from the 

 main boiler without any break in the flow of water. 



The fire was in the lower hold, and the place was so closely 

 filled with stores that it was next to impossible to get any 

 water on it ; and the dense smoke prevented the men from 

 going into the hold. So much smoke escaped that the hose- 

 men had to be frequently relieved, and the fireman at the 

 donkey boiler had to quit his post. 



As the vessel was lying head to the wind with a fresh 

 breeze, hawsers were made fast to the chains, the chains 

 were shipped, and the ship was brought round stern to the 

 wind to prevent, if possible, the fire from spreading aft. 

 The steam pipe running from the main boiler to the main 

 windlass was broken, two sections of hose were fitted to the 

 pipe, and steam was forced into the hold. This seemed to 

 stay the fire, but it was only for a moment ; the hose was 

 melted by the intense heat, and smoke began to rush into the 

 fire room and coal bunkers. The officers and crew worked 

 bravely and unremittingly, but the fire continued to increase, 

 and in the afternoon it became apparent that all efforts to 

 save the ship would be unavailing. 



About four P. M. Lieutenant Berry gave orders to make 

 sail and run the ship on to the beach, where he hoped by 

 scuttling her to save a supply of provisions. The chains 

 were buoyed by the upper topsail yards, and the hawsers 

 were cut. Lower topsails, foresail, jib, and spanker were set, 

 and the ship was headed for the beach ; but the wind failed, 

 the ship was drifted by the ice and tide, and ran aground before 

 reaching the desired position. A hawser was made fast to a 



