THE OCEAN VOYAGE 125 



beaten by the wind. This happened about one o'clock at 

 night. The next thing was another billow of unusual 

 height and momentum, which came dashing over the 

 helm, throwing two sailors from the wheel, one of whom 

 had his left hand crushed; again the mizzen mast broke 

 and with it the rigging, the whole coming down greatly 

 damaged, hat we managed to place it securely. At four 

 o'clock, having raged for fully live hours, the storm sub- 

 sided, taking along about thirty feet of our backboard 

 trimming as a trophy. The wind calmed down quickly 

 about seven o'clock, giving way to the Sunday sun, which 

 shone bright and warm, while we had only a pleasant 

 Southwestern breeze. 



I hardly ever witnessed a sadder scene than that which 

 oar vessel presented on this morning. It was very cold. 

 The rigging hung in a most dilapidated condition, torn 

 here and there, and again knotted; some of it was lying 

 on deck, which was coated with ice more than an inch 

 thick with the exception of a few spots where the snow- 

 had gathered. Bowsprit, anchor, capstan, in one word, 

 the whole bow of the ship was thickly covered with ice 

 and snow. The masts and tackling were likewise cov- 

 <. red with ice. at least as high. as the spray of the waves 

 had reached, which represented a height at least of 

 twenty to thirty feet. Under the yards, on the ropes and 

 other protruding parts of the running rigging, there were 

 long icicles hanging everywhere. One piece of the broken 

 mizzen mast was lying on deck, while another one fas- 

 tened to the vessel, was trailing along in the water; the 

 sail of the mizzen was on the cabin roof, partly frozen 

 ami partly covered with snow, one end of it reaching con- 

 siderably over hoar-!. Of all the sails there remained 

 only the little bark sail, which was almost useless under 

 the slight breeze and the raging sea. The snow coy 

 deck was seldom crossed by any one this morning, as tie- 

 whole crew was sadly in need of rest after that terrible 

 night's work; everybody was therefore trying to obtain 

 as much comfort in his bunk as was possible under the 

 circum tances. 



