CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWTN". 9 



From Kotzebue Sound we cruised along the coast to the northward and touched at Point 

 Hoj^e, watered ship at Cape Lewis, and anchored off Cape Lisburne coaling station. This 

 station we supplied Avith a small quantity of medicines and a few other necessary articles, then 

 resumed our cruising to the northward along the coast. At :S o'clock in the afternoon of 

 August 0, when about fifteen miles north of Icy Cape, we encountered heavy drift-ice, but suc- 

 ceeded in working our way through it, and at 7.45 that evening came to anchor off Point 

 Marsh, amongst the whaling fleet of about thirty vessels. 



The captain of the first vessel spoken reported that some of the fleet were in the ice-pack 

 and could not get out. After cruising amongst the fleet I found that the report was without 

 foundation, all of the vessels being out of danger. Some of them, however, were compelled 

 to shift anchor occasionally to avoid the heavy ice, which was then drifting to the northward 

 about one and one-half miles per hour. 



The following day, August 10, was the most eventful of the season, and will long be remem- 

 bered by the whaling fleet and the crew of the Corivin as a day of calamities. The day com- 

 menced bright and clear, with a light to gentle breeze blowing from the east. Aboiit 11 o'clock 

 in the morning the weather was very squally, the wind haiiling gradually to the southward 

 and increasing in force every moment. 



At noon a boat belonging to the bark Abraiii Barker, having brought mail on l)oard the 

 Corivin, started to return to the bark. She had jiroceeded but a short distance when she was 

 suddenly capsized by a heaA'-y squall, and the occui)ants. consisting of the second mate and five 

 men, were left struggling in the water. The accident being observed on board this vessel, the 

 surf-boat was promjitly lowered, anti, in charge of Third Lieutenant Kennedy, went to the 

 rescue. The men were all hauled in the boat and after much hard iDulling against the wind and 

 sea were safely landed on board the bark Helen Mar, that being the nearest vessel to the scene 

 of the accident, and on board of which the doctor was then ofBcially visiting. 



The wind contini;ed to increase, and l)y i o'clock in the afternoon had developed into a 

 strong SSW. gale. The majority of the whaling fleet were now under way, working under 

 short sail. Some of them parted and others slipped their cables, not being able to heave them 

 in on account of the very rough sea and strong tide. 



At 'i o'clock the bark George and Hiisaii. which was at auclun-. parted one of her caliles and 

 began to drag. Sail was put on her and every eft'oi't made to gethei- out of danger, but before 

 she could l>e got under way she dragged afoul of the bark Mabel. Avhich was at anchor near 

 by, carrying away the jiblioom and all the head gear of the Geonje and Susan, and breaking 

 the Mabel's mainyard. 



The George and Susan then went ashore, striking very hard on the beach, and in less than 

 three hours had seven feet of water in her hold. When she struck, some of her creAv, in their 

 excitement, cleared away two boats, jumped into them, and headed for the shore. 



A very heavy surf was running on the beach, which swamped both boats and drowned 

 three of their crew. The remainder succeeded in landing on shore in an exhausted and semi- 

 conscious state ; in fact, some of them were in an exceedingly critical condition for sevei'al 

 hours after landing. 



At 3. 45 we got under Avay and steamed down toAvard the George and Susan to see if we 

 could render any assistance to her or any other A^essel of the fleet. Observing that the Mabel 

 was in what I considered an extremely dangerous jDosition, we entered the breakers and anchored 

 near her in four and a quarter fathoms of Avater Avith ninety fathoms of chain. While in tlie 

 breakers the Corwin shipped a A'ery lieaA-y sea over her starboard qi;arter Avhich SAvept 

 clear forAA-ard to the forecastle. Our surf-boat was made ready with a picked crew, and then, 

 steaming ahead to Avindward of the Mabel to a full scope of chain, the boat Avas lowered. Avith 

 Mr. Douglass, the pilot, in charge, to run a small line to the Mahel. Notwithstanding the 

 heaA^y sea and the strong wind and tide, he succeeded in running the line in a most admirable 

 and seamanlike manner. A large liaAvser Avas bent to the running line, but before it could be 

 hauled on board the Jifabel she parted her cable and drifted toAvards the shore. Her head 

 sails wei'e hoisted and every endeaA-or used to work her into deep Avater. Before she could be 

 got about she struck very hard on the l)ar and then Avent ashore broadside on, about one 

 H. Ex. 153 i 



