The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-03-16
IN TOW OF AN ICEBERG.
A. Bark Pulled Through an Icefield by
Frozen Mountain.

A. Bari; Pulled Through an Icedeld by q
Frozen Mountain.
When the captain Of the Norwegian
! bark Wave King sailed for the port of New
| York on one of his trips, he expected as
matter of course to meet some icebergs on
/ the way. He also expected to engage a
| tugboat to tow him into the harbor if he
found the weather at Sandy Hook bois
ferrous or the wind too strong against him
to sail in alone, but as for having pres
ent of a tow in the middle of the Atlantic
and free of charge, that was a piece of
good fortune of which he never dreamed
in his most economical moments. Yet
improbable rs it seems, that was the treat
he unexpectedly received.
Everything went very well with the
bark until half through her voyage, when
Dne day the mate-who was an arctic
weather prophet-reported that iceieds
end iceberys were near. He knew it, he
said, because of the light loom along the
oceans rim-also from the look and cold
ness of the sea water A bright lookout
was therefore kept. and sure enough, about
noon n great icefield or foe became visi-
BILE in the haze, dead ahead. There it lay
right in their track and extended us far
on each side as their best telescope was
able to make it out.
For several miles on both sides the bark
now sailed back and forth, the lookouts
searching for an opening in the beautiful,
trembling, glistening white fields, but
none could be found, although the fair
blue water lay temptingly beyond in full
sight.
Presently the captain noticed that the
icefcld, under the pressure Of the fresh
breeze, was advancing toward them, and
he gave orders to bout ship"
As the vessel went about, a large ice.
berg was noticed right astern in the light
haze, and, strange to relate, it also appear
ed to be coming toward them. At first
this caused the sailors much uneasiness,
for they feared to be caught between it
and the field of ice.
A little careful steering, however, plac-
ed them safely to one side of the berg, and
the men gathered along the ships side
to watch the monster as it went majestic
ally by.
The captain knew that some strong low
er current was pushing against the I'M
der water portion of this berg and urging
it along against the winds and surface
currents. He wondered what would re-
suit when tie berg and icefield met.
Which would gain the mastery? Why, the
heavy berg, of course .-...
Then bright idea flashed through his
mind, which he instantly began to put in
execution by ordering the steersman to
turn the bark and run her right in be
hind the berg.
Going as close as he dared to the great
ice mountain, he ordered the crew to low
er a boat and take rope and hitch on to
it. This they did, making fast to low
pinnacle, or foOthill. Then sail was short
ened to flying jib and spanker, just enough
to keep her steady and take some strain
off the rope, and, lol the ship was towing
kindly in the wake of the berg, while all
hands awaited developments.
They had not long to wait. Steadily
and surely the ice mountain bore down ON
the icefield. There came great crash,
and little shiver of the berg that could
be felt on the towline. With hang and
smash and roar the mighty contest went
on. But the berg proceeded serenely, leav-
ing broad swath behind in which the
bark rode safely until clear water was
once more reached. Then, as quickly as
possible, the rope was cast off, all sail set
and "a respectful distance put between the
bark and the berg.-J. o. Davidson in St.
Nicholas.