Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-05-28

curely In the Ice, and bringing the ca
bles to the MINDLESS, hove them taut.
Doing this occupied us nearly the
whole of the day. ua
Again night approached, and again
wesassembled-this time on board the
schooner-to offer up our prayers for
deliverance and then, having set
watch, turned in and slept the sleep
of the tired. E3. L r'
10, Another dawn brought no change
in the weather, the fog hanging like a
pail around us, and the sea continuing
smooth and calm; but towards night
the wind sprang up again from the
north, and clearing the fog off, gave
us hopes of being able on the morrow
to determine our position, which l had
every reason to believe was not very
far from the frequented fishing
grounds; but we were again disap-
pointed, for before day-break the fog
came down again, and another day
was passed in uncertainty and doubt.
During the afternoon, l endeayored
to form some idea of the size of the
berg, but was unable to do so. The
highest point we could see appeared to
be about one hundred and fifty feet in
altitude; but it rose so precipitously
from the little plain on which we spent
our first night, that we could not as
cend it, SO we were unable to form
any conjecture as to its shape or size.
One fear alone haunted me, and that
was that it might capsize, and l could
not help remembering that had on
previous occasions seen icebergs do so
without giving any warning, save a
premopitory rocking; but this was not
destined to be odr fate, and our third
night passed unmarked by any acci-
dent. I'rL
About noon of the fourth day the
glorious sun shone out and quickly
dispelled the fog, and our eyes we're
gladdened by tic sight of the distant
shores of Newfoundland.
Anxiously was the horizon scanned
for fishing-vessels, but none were seer;
and then / remembered that il was
Sunday, and that most of the boats
would have made their ports the night
before. Our own boats were stove and
useless, 80 all we could do was to hold
the usual Sunday service, and patient
ly await the advent of another day.
Next morning we were up betimes |;
but hour after hour pissed and still no
welcome sail hove in sight, and we felt
the full truth of "hope deferred
maketh the heart sick !" but just be-
fare sun set, the welcome cry of "Sail,
oh I" sent food of joy to our bosoms,
and couple of dshingboats were seen
heading well up for US.
To change our remaining mounted
gun and fire it was but the work of a
moment, and before the smoke had
cleared away, we had the joy of see
ing them steer direct for us.
All was now happiness and joy, and
I thought no better time could be
chosen for sending up our thanks for
our almost miraculous preservation.
Soon after this was done the boats
hove to close under the schooner's
stern, and heaving lines to us we were
brought along side. osaa l,iu &
h Unbounded was the astonishment of
the fishermen, and hearty and warm
their congratulations on our escape, b.
at once chartered them to convey
ourselves and as many Of our stores as
could be saved, to Saint Johns, and
the next day, having removed into
them as much as they could carry, we
set fire to the wreck, and sailed for
port, where we arrived safely, and
from whence ! returned to Halifax by
packet. Arriving there, we were tried
by the Court of inquiry for the loss of
the schooner, fully acquitted of all
blame, and congratulated on our fortu-
nate escape. e ~
Do my readers wonder that I shud-
der at ice oIl