FEESH-HALIBUT FISHERY. 87 



sail. The wind at this time had backed to K. by W. and began to freshen up. In the northwest the 

 sky looked squally and unsettled. Under such circumstances I did not dare set our gear, for fear 

 of losing it if the wind should blow up strong. Seeing the crew of the Phillips turning their dories 

 over, I concluded to do the same and start with her for home. All hands were called and we 

 swayed up the lower sails, and after having lashed the backstay out rigger to the after cross-tree, 

 so that the backstay would support the topmast and prevent it from being carried away, we set 

 the staysail. We were astein and a little to leeward of the Phillips when we set the staysail, but 

 soon caught up with her and passed to leeward of her. At noon she was nearly hull down astern. 



I have rarely ever started for home feeling so much dissatisfied as now. I was confident of 

 getting a good fare of fish this time, and ain quite sure we would have succeeded in doing so if we had 

 not lost our cable. What influenced me to start for home to-day aside from the loss of our cable 

 is because I think we will probably reach there about the first of Lent, and may possibly get a 

 better price for our fish at that time than if we arrive later. The wind in the afternoon was puffy 

 and extremely variable, with snow and hail showers. At 5.30 p. in., began to have strong snow- 

 squalls, so we took in the staysail. At 6 p. m. the wind changed very suddenly, in a puff, from WNW. 

 to NJx'W. It struck our vessel a hard full (the sheets were flat aft), and before she came to the 

 wind it made her show her mettle, for she had all she could stand up under. After this we made 

 an average course W. for about two hours, when it knocked her off again. Barometer, at 8 p. m., 

 30.30. 



Sunday, February 10, 1879. We had strong puffs of wind all of last night, and at times the 

 vessel had all she could stagger under. At 6 a. m. the wind was steadier and not quite so strong, 

 so all hands were called to sway up the lower sails and set the staysail. Barometer, 30.40 at G. 



We could see the Phillips astern this morning. She was a little to leeward of our wake 

 and probably about 8 or 9 miles distant. Two steamships and a sailing ship passed us this fore- 

 noon going east. During the forenoon the wind was extremely variable, and we headed all the 

 way from SW. to NW. on the same tack. Latitude, at noon, 42 45' N. Longitude, 56 54' W. 

 Barometer, 30.50. Longitude, at 3.15 p. m., 57 04' W. It was very moderate in the first part of 

 the afternoon and calm and fine towards evening. At 9 p. m. a light easterly breeze sprang up and 

 we squared our booms to make all the sails draw. At 11.30 p. m. the cry came down the gangway, 

 "Hear the news there below. The main halyards have parted, and you'll have to turn out and 

 fix 'em." All hands accordingly roused out and haultd down the mainsail. We then spliced the 

 halyards and put a mat over the copper on the jaws of the gaff, which had worn through, and being 

 "rucked up," cut the rope like a knife. 



Monday, February 17, 1879. At 1 a. m. we had the mainsail and gaff-topsail set again. At 

 this time there was a light southeast breeze, which, at 7 a. m., had increased so that we ran along 

 5 or 6 knots. The sky was overcast with, stormy looking clouds; barometer, 30.40. The wind grad- 

 ually backed to the eastward, and from that northerly until 10.30 a. m., at which time it was NE., 

 blowing a smart breeze, and snowing. The snow cleared off toward noon, and, though the sky was 

 overcast, the weather was clear all the afternoon, with a fine, steady northeast breeze and smooth 

 sea. The barometer remains steady at 30.40. It has been more like summer sailing to-day than 

 anything else, but cue may expect that these mild breezes will soon be succeeded by gales that will 

 be anything but gentle in force or pleasant to encounter. 



Tuesday, February 18, 1879. At 2.30 a, m. the barometer had fallen to 30.25. The wind at this 

 time was veering easterly, and blowing a strong breeze accompanied with snow. We took in the 

 staysail and gaff-topsail. At 7.30 a. m. the wiud had increased still more and was so far to the 



