TROUBLES OF EXPLORER 163 



"April 28, — Gale of wind sprung up from the west. Heavy sea running ; 

 water washing over the floe. All ready and standing by our boat all night. 

 Not quite so bad as the other night. Snow squalls all night and during 

 forenoon. Launched the boat at daylight (3.30 a. m.), but could get nowhere 

 for the ice. Heavy sea and head wind ; blowing a gale right in our teeth. 

 Hauled up on a piece of ice at 6 a. m. and had a few hours' sleep, but were 

 threatened to be smashed to pieces by some bergs. They were fighting quite 

 a battle in the water, and bearing right for us. We called the watch, launched 

 the boat and got away, the wind blowing moderately and the sea going down. 

 We left at i p. m. The ice is much slacker, and there is more water than 

 I have seen yet. Joe shot three young bladder-nosed seals on the ice coming 

 along, which we took in the boat. 4.30, steamer right ahead and a little to 

 the north of us. We hoisted the colors, pulled until dark, trying to cut her 

 off, but she does not see us. She is a sealer, bearing southwest. Once she 

 appeared to be bearing right down upon us, but I suppose she was working 

 through the ice. What joy she caused ! We found a small piece of ice and 

 boarded it for the night. Night calm and clear. The stars are out the first 

 time for a week, and there is a new moon. The sea quiet, and splendid 

 northern lights. Divided into two watches, four hours' sleep each; intend 

 to start early. Had a good pull this afternoon; made some westing. Cooked 

 with blubber fire. Kept a good one all night, so that we could be seen." 



The morning of the 29th Herron says: — "Morning fine and calm; the 

 water quiet. At daylight sighted the steamer five miles off. Called the watch, 

 launched the boat and made for her. After an hour's pull gained on her a 

 good deal." And they finally reached the steamer and were rescued, in latitude 

 53 •35- The vessel was the Tiqess, of St. John's, N. F. 



Sometimes polar explorers are able to save lives. The loss of the transport 

 Bredalbane, in Aug. 21, 1853, near Cape Riley, was such an instance, the 

 steamer Phoenix being the agent of rescue. Mr. Fowekher, agent for the 

 Bredalbane, tells the story thus : 



About ten minutes past four the ice passing the ship awoke me. I put on 

 my clothes, and on getting up, found some hands on the ice endeavoring to 

 save the boats, but these were Instantly crushed to pieces. I went forward 

 to hail the Phoenix, for men to save the boats ; and whilst doing so the ropes 

 by which we were secured parted, and a heavy nip took the ship, making her 

 tremble all over, and every timber in her creak. I looked in the main hold, 

 and saw the beams giving way ; I hailed those on the ice, and told them of our 



