OLD WHALING DAYS. 35 



tance by putting blasts of powder in the most critical cases, 

 and relieving the greatest pressures. There is no doubt that 

 their timely aid saved some ships from sharing the same 

 fate as the McLellan. 



The gale ceased at last, and the weather became again 

 calm. The crew of the wrecked ship distributed themselves 

 amongst the other vessels, the captain and his boat's crew 

 coming on board our ship. Then came the bustle in 

 getting the boats, provisions, and clothes nearer to the 

 ships, and we were thankful we were able sleep on board. 

 There had been no rest during the gale, for an open boat is 

 not a pleasant place to sleep in, especially when it is 

 blowing, snowing, and raining. The ships had a most 

 singular appearance. Some listed one way, and some 

 another, and all were headed in different directions, giving 

 one the impression that they had been pitched out of a bag 

 on to the packed ice. The McLellan became a total 

 wreck. Our own ship had not had the same heavy pressures 

 on as the other ships. In addition, she was much stronger 

 built, and able to resist more pressure. Next followed the 

 petty plundering of the wreck. The captain of the 

 McLellan sold her to Sir E. Belcher for one hundred 

 pounds. When the marines went on board to take charge, 

 it was amusing to see the plunderers run. Some had a bit 

 of canvas or rope with them, not worth sixpence. The 

 wrecked vessel was upright, leaving her cabin bare, and 

 also her 'tween decks. The expedition took everything that 

 was necessary for themselves. One morning Sir E. Belcher 

 went to the wreck. The ship's name was scratched out, 

 and somebody had painted in its place, "John Bull's prize, 

 by Ned Belcher, the pirate." I was close to Sir Edward, 

 delivering a message to him from our captain, when he read 

 the words. His annoyance at the insult was such that if he 

 could have found the culprit he would have triced him up, 

 and given him a round dozen. 



