OLD WHALING DAYS. 51 



lines running foul, capsizing the boat. We eventually 

 secured nine whales, making about no tons of oil, and 

 seven tons of whalebone. We had lost during the season 

 ten large whales, without counting several misses with the 

 gun and hand harpoon. 



We gradually drifted down the country with the ice, 

 having our boats away frequently, but not succeeding in 

 getting any more fish. We intended going to Cumberland 

 Sound for the remaining part of the season, and got as far 

 as Cape Dyer, nearly all the ships being in our company, 

 among numerous icebergs, but clear of the other ice, when 

 we met with a heavy gale. It blew some of the sails away 

 that were stowed, and split others. Our only remaining 

 sails were a close-reefed main topsail, fore staysail, and 

 main trysail. A very heavy sea was running, and thick 

 snow falling. To add to our misery, darkness was coming 

 on. Never before or since have I experienced such a night, 

 and I hope I never shall again, or anyone else. All hands 

 were up, looking out and managing the ship, which took 

 their utmost skill to do. We succeeded in keeping clear of 

 many bergs until about midnight, when in the act of 

 wearing the ship for a very large iceberg, we struck a piece 

 of one, which stove in our port bow, and broke twelve 

 timbers. We immediately got swabs, with which the 

 vessels are well provided, and an old sail over the damaged 

 part. The carpenter put some shores inside, and with a 

 good force at the pumps we kept the water under until day- 

 light. The gale then moderated a little, and we got the bow 

 made more secure. At noon we set the watch ; there was a 

 very high sea running, with misty weather. The ship was 

 laid to. Suddenly there was a cry of " a man overboard." 

 Everybody rushed on deck instantly. It was one of the 

 harpooners, named McKenzie, who had gone over the bows 

 to see what extent of damage was done. Being muffled up 

 and wearing oilskins and sea boots, also a pair of Esquimaux 



