Year: 1873

/ o4e tCf materials, and It was now pro-


posed to build two boats. A survey, by


Chester, showed that the lining of the


cabin could be used, and this was


accordingly stripped of.


During the spring months, with the


thermometer at % degrees below zero,


and often IN binding drift, the build


ing OF boats went on. The situation


grew daily more discouraging, but work
relaxed and the courage of the men
never failed. Advancing steadily, the
crew was ready to depart by the end Of
June, and determined to push south


ward. just at this moment, when every
thing was in readiness, they were alarm
ed By the appearance of seurvy. Hap
PLY, however, the attack proved slight,


and a plentiful supply of walrus liver,


which they obtained from the Esqui-


maux, enabled them to avert disease.


When the boats were launched they
leaked a good deal, but the men deter
mined to trust them, and slowing aboard
all their remaining provisions and am
munition, they said farewell to Life
boat Cove. If not perfectly tight, the
boats proved themselves excellent sail
ers and remarkably easy to row, and on
the first day the voyagers reached Son
tag bay. After remaining there a short
time to regain their strength, the party
made for Hakenyt island, where the ex-
pedition was brought to a stand still by
tremendous gale, which blew for three
full days, with continuous fall of snow
for all that time. Immense hocls of
auks, bird Of the penguin species,
were encountered here, however, and
the men could easily take up guns and
kill ten of them at a shot. There was
plentiful supply of fresh provisions,
which were very thankfully received.
Occasionally their tiny crafts were
sadly beset, and ib was feared they
would come to grief, but they were
among the ice and there was nothing to
be done but to force a passage south
ward, at all hazards. After enduring
many privations and encountering perils
from which their escape seemed almost
miraeulOus, they succeeded at last,
through great exertions, in reaching
Cape Parry. An encampment was made
every night, and when the labors of the
day were over, their boats were hauled
upon a foe and everything taken out
and the only hot meat of the day pre-
pared. The apparatus employed in
cooking was of the most primitive kind.
Each boat carried quantity of rigging
from the Po1aris and can of oil, and
fire was made in the bottom of an old
bucket. Tea was the only thing that
could be made with such an apparatus.
They state that the privations they suf-
fered were serious. The life was rough
and laborious, but though dangers oc-
casionally presented themselves well
calculated to inspire greatest fear, no
serious accident occurred, and on the 21st
of June the boats reached Cape York in
safety. Here they were again close be-
set with ice, On the 23d their troubles |
came to an end. A whaler was deserted |
q few miles of, and the whole party was
at once in a turmoil of excitement. A
great fear seemed to take possession of |
them at once that the ship might get
away before they could make themselves
seen, and they put forth every effort to
push through the ice with the least pos
sible delay The0 vessel proved to be
the Ravenscraig of Dundee, Capt. Al
Ian, She soon saw their signals and
Capt. Allan sent crew to their assis-
tance and took on board their effects
and one of their boats, the others being
left behind. Capt. Allan treated them,
they all say, in the kindest and most
generous manner.