482 WHALE-FISHEllY. 



These estimates, great as they may appear, do 

 not, I believe, exceed the truth ; especially as they 

 are confirmed by the mensuration of the internal 

 cavity of the Esk's hold, which affords results cor- 

 responding with the above, to a surprising nicety. 



The l6th of July was a calm day. An oblong 

 thrumbed sail, whicli had been several days in pre- 

 paration, was, after many trials, placed and secured 

 beneath- the wounded part of the ship. It consist- 

 ed of strong canvas, 8 yards in length and 3 in 

 breadth; and was covered completely with long 

 thrumbs of rope-yarns. The two edges were marled 

 to two pieces of a hawser ; and these ropes connect- 

 ed by a short piece of chain. The chain being then 

 introduced between the rudder and the stern-post, 

 was drawn closely upward ; and the hawsers being 

 extended to the bows, stretched the canvas firmly 

 across the damaged place. The leak, in consequence, 

 became for a time inconsiderable ; but on the follow- 

 ing day, having a fresh gale of wind from the east- 

 w^ard and considerable swell, under which we were 

 sometimes towed with the velocity of 9 knots per 

 hour, this well-adapted sail was rent, and shortly 

 shared the same fate as those that preceded it. The 

 leak immediately increased. The Phoenix joined 

 us. 



Our distance run on the 18th, was 184 miles, on 

 a S. W. course. The water again alarmed us, by its 

 accumulation in the iec-bilge, and the iippearance 



