THE FINWHALE FISHERY. 207 



the 0x6 light was seen, as supposed, and the course shaped 

 more westerly to pass the ' Kyvingen' at a proper distance ; but 

 about 1 a.m. Mathias Andersen, the harpooner, who was on the 

 look-out, had just reported some suspicious breakers to the pilot 

 and captain on the bridge, when the vessel struck on a rock. 

 Mathias immediately ran to the whale-boat, but he found so 

 many men already there, that he turned to the 'Pram' on the 

 other side, cut it down from the davits, and jumped into it, 

 followed by one sailor. The ' Pram' drifted off from the steamer, 

 nearly full of water, and with no oars in it. The two men 

 thought they saw the big boat smash alongside the vessel; very 

 soon afterwards a scream was heard from the crew, the steam- 

 whistle ceased, and the ' Vardohus' had sunk. Mathias says that 

 all this passed so quickly that he has only an imperfect recol- 

 lection of the details. With the assistance of the other man he 

 baled the boat with his hat, and tore a piece of board from 

 the ' Pram,' which helped them to keep it clear of the breakers, 

 and eventually they managed to get into smooth water, and 

 about G a.m. they landed near Mandal. The pilot was an old 

 and experienced man, and the accident can only be attributed 

 to strong currents, and possibly an error of the compass. The 

 ship was subsequently raised by divers, who found her lying 

 in eight fathoms water, about four miles to the eastward of 

 Ryvingen. Most of the bodies were recovered and buried at 

 Mandal, and a subscription was got up for the widows (about 

 twenty-eight) and the numerous children, who were left in the 

 poorest circumstances. 



Referring to the Table on the next page, I have already 

 (p. 201) explained the use of the Roman figures for some of the 

 items ; the new names of Managers are in italics. The whole 

 yield of oil, judging by the returns now printed, would be nearly 

 23,500 petroleum-casksful of all qualities ; this at 42 gallons to a 

 cask, would give about 987,000 gallons, which is equal to about 

 3945 tons. Capt. Castberg, in addition, obtained 4100 sacks of 

 guano; the Haabet Co., 3400 ; and Capt. Bull, 3400. I do not 

 know the amounts at the other guano factories. 



