10 CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIN. 



quarter of a mile north of the George and Susan. The sea broke over her from stem to stern, - 

 and in less than thirty minutes her masts liad gone, she bilged and filled with water, and 

 became a total wreck. 



After she strixck we shifted our position to a more safe and secure anchorage. At 8 o'clock 

 that evening, when the gale had somewhat abated, a boat from this vessel, in charge of First 

 Lieutenant Hall, accompanied by Dr. Yemans, visited the wrecked men on shore and both of 

 the wrecked vessels. ( )n shore the sui'geon rendered valuable medical aid to those men of the 

 George and Susan's crew that were sutfering from the severe exposure which they had under- 

 gone. 



The Mabel's crew abandoned the vessel after she was wi'eckcd and took refuge in a tent 

 which they had erected on shore, or in some of the Indian huts. Their passage to the 

 shore was attended with great difficulty, on account of the heavy surf, and they were obliged 

 to run a line from the vessel to the sliore for the guidance of their boats. 



On board the George and Susan the conditions were more favorable, and her crew, with 

 the exception of those that took to the boats in the excitement when the vessel first struck, 

 were enabled to remain on board dui'ing the night. Although she was also bilged, her between- 

 decks and cabin were dry ami comparatively comfortable. 



At 11 o'clock that night, at the request of the captains of the wrecked vessels, we got 

 under way and steamed to the northward for the purpose of asking the steamer Belvidere to 

 take the oil from the Mabel, and the bark Ohio to take that of the George and Susan, or that 

 piu'tion of theii- cargoes that could l)e saved. 



The Belridere in response steamed down to the vicinity of the Mabel. Tint the cajitain of 

 the Ohio said it was then impossible for him to goto the George and Susan on account of the 

 head wind and tide, and that he might not be able to do so for a week. 



At a o'clock the following morning we anchoi'ed alongside the Ohio, and at 4 (/clock, at 

 the request of the captain, got under way with that vessel in tow, he being desirous of i)ro- 

 curing, for the benefit of his owners, that jiortion of the cargo of the George and Susan that 

 could be saved. 



After towing the Ohio and anchoring her near the George and Susan, we went about to 

 the northward toward Point Franklin to assist those vessels that had either parted or slipped 

 their cables during the gale and had thus become virtually disabled. This assistance I deemed 

 necessary, knowing if the wind slioidd come from the southward the vessels would either have 

 to go on the beach or enter the ice-pack, which in either case would prove their destruction. 

 Owing to the ice and strong tides a vessel (ui the east coast is just as much disabled without 

 anchors as if she were without a rudder. As we steamed amongst the fleet the captains of those 

 vessels that were without anchoi-s requested our assistance in towing them back to their anchor- 

 age. They also stated that the Ijark Franeis Palmer was farthest to the northward, and con- 

 setiuently in the greatest danger. They were then informed that we would first go to the 

 assistance of the Pahuer. and on our return would take them in tow. 



We found t he /'ff//*/c/- brought tooff Point Franklin, in close proximity to the ice, fluke-chains, 

 blubber -hooks, and othei' heavy articles having been improvised for use as anchors. Seeing the 

 dangerous position of the vessel, and at the request of her captain for assistance, she was taken 

 by us and towed to her former anchorage off:" Wainwright Inlet, where she soon after succeeded 

 in securing her anchors and cables, which she had parted during the gale. 



We then steamed amongst the remainder of the fleet, but our services were not further 

 required, as a fair wind had in tlie mean time sprung uj) which enabled the vessels to return 

 against the tide to their lost anchors. 



The three deserters from the bark I)an-n. before mentioned as having 1>een taken on lioard 

 at Point Spencer, were returned to that vessel in charge of an officer. 



Allegations having been made by the deserters against the captain of the Dauii concerning 

 liis treatment of them, the officer was instructed to inform the captain of the charges and to 

 warn him that if there was any truth in them he would be held accountable by us, as it was a 

 part of our duty to secure projjer tr(>atnient of crews from their superiors. 



At the request of the commanders of the two wrecked vessels for transportation ior them- 



