OLD WHALING DAYS. 71 



motion, there was eight ships within a radius of half a mile, 

 and all were laid in different positions as the ice forced 

 them, there was no time for sawing docks or any room 

 to move, so we had to trust to Providence to protect us and 

 help us out of our difficulties. To make it more uncom- 

 fortable, it came to snow and sleet that you could not see a 

 ship's length, and blew a perfect gale, the ice now and 

 again giving an extra squeeze, making the ships groan and 

 jump; it was a most anxious time, as every pressure we 

 expected would be the last of us. 



This continued for fourteen hours, and then gradually the 

 gale died away, leaving a most desolate scene behind, and 

 kept us tightly packed four days. As no water was to be seen 

 from the crow's nest, we took the opportunity of getting the 

 provisions on board and making ready when the ice slacked. 

 The different boats' crews of the wrecked ship went on 

 board of the other vessels, the second mate with his men 

 came to us. I am sorry to relate the conduct of the men 

 belonging to one boat. They would not go on board of any 

 ship, but presented one of the most beastly pictures I ever be- 

 held. Some of them had evidently been concerned in a scuffle, 

 their clothes were torn, one or two with black and inflamed 

 eyes, staring at us who had come to rescue a man belonging 

 to their own vessel who had imprudently gone to persuade 

 them to give up their drinking and go on board the ship 

 which was allotted them. They had erected the boat's sail 

 tent-like for shelter. Their clothes were strewn about, and 

 the lances were laid on the ice, ready to act on the offensive 

 or defensive should anyone attempt to meddle with or 

 advise them ; also part of the whale lines were hacked and 

 chopped in pieces for fuel, whereas if they had taken them 

 on board of the vessel which was to be their future home 

 it would have partly recompensed the owners of that ship, but 

 no, they deliberately let the remainder go overboard and 

 sink to the bottom rather than anybody should benefit the 



