.514 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 



on the borders of the ice, ahout sixty miles to the 

 eastward of the island of Jan Mayen. On the 2;9th 

 of March, when the weather was moderate, the 

 whole fleet Denetratdd within some streams of ice, 

 and sent out their boats in search for seals. While 

 thus engaged, a dreadful storm suddenly arose. So 

 sudden and furious, indeed, was the commencement, 

 and so tremendous and lasting the continuance, 

 that almost all the people who were at a distance 

 from their ships perished. The Duke of York, 

 Captain Petere, had two boats at that time down. 

 The crews of tliese having, by their utmost exer- 

 tions, rowed up to the ship, got hold of the rudder 

 rings, but were unable to make their way along side ; 

 they held fast for some time, until the force of the 

 sea became too great for their benumbed grasp, 

 when they lost their hold and fell astern. Though 

 the ship was laid too, yet such was the increase of 

 the sea, and such their debility from excessive cold 

 and previous exertion, that they were unable to re- 

 cover their position. The chief .mate of the ship, a 

 resolute and noble tar, seeing that his shipmates, if 

 not immediately succoured, would perish, determin- 

 ed to rescue them at the peril of his ovm life. Ha- 

 ving manned a boat with six stout seamen besides 

 himself, he proceeded to their assistance. On reach- 

 ing them, he exchanged four of his vigorous crew 

 for two of his fainting comrades in each boat. Thus 

 reinforced, the three boats, by the powerful exertions 



