OLD WHALING DAYS. 147 



lengths broad between the land and ice. We brought up 

 not a moment too soon, as it was packed quite full two 

 hours later. The shipwrecked men left us for their 

 respective homes, some belonging to St. John's, which was 

 about eighteen miles away, and the transit was by sledge. 



The following day the engineer went to see if there was a 

 possibility of having a new propeller cast. We were 

 dubious at first whether it could be done, as the foundry at 

 St. John's had not cast so large a piece of metal before. 

 We remained here two weeks, and saw no prospect of 

 getting to that place while the ice was so closely packed 

 upon the land. The crew were kept employed in watering 

 and other work. The blacksmith and mechanics prepared 

 a new blade for the propeller. It consisted of two pieces 

 of boiler plate, with the twist or pitch of the blade, and 

 firmly bolted to the boss. Between the two pieces 

 of plates it was solidly filled with wood and bolted tight 

 together. We were ready whenever a change took place. 

 Some of the officers went to the top of the hill morning 

 and evening with a spy-glass to look at the state of the ice 

 outside the harbour. 



One evening they observed a vessel in flames, and three 

 more apparently in distress among the ice about six miles 

 away, and a number of men travelling towards the land. 

 Our men at once returned on board. The boats were 

 quickly manned and pulled to the ice edge, and rescued 

 about sixty men. It was a fortunate thing that they were 

 seen before dark, or they must have perished, as the state 

 of the ice would not have permitted them to reach the 

 land. They were supplied with hot coffee and a hearty 

 meal. Our crew gave up their berths for them that they 

 might get the rest which they so much needed. 



In the morning, after breakfast, they went on shore to 

 their homes, some having many miles to travel. This 

 place contained 300 inhabitants, who were most kind 



