current, the strength of which depends in a great measure on the winds. Tuesday 18th. For the last few days we have had moderate, but variable winds. At noon we found ourselves nearly due south of Cape Farewell, distant about 100 miles, which is considered a good offing by the whalers, who dread nearing the Cape, in consequence of the heavy "washing pieces," which are to be met with in its vicinity. A "washing piece," according to the whaling definition, is a piece of ice (varying in size) broken from a berg, by the combined action of the winds and waves, and floating only a few feet above the water. Now it must be evident, even to an unprofessional mind, that on dark nights, and in a heavy gale, it would be difficult to distinguish the crested top of a wave, from a "washing or straggling piece," striking which would, in all probability prove fatal to the ship and crew; for although the ice may only be a few feet above, it would be many feet below the surface. The specific gravity of ice as determined by actual experiment, is as nearly as possible ; therefore if only four feet be above the level, there would be twenty-eight feet below, the whole form WASHING OR STRAGGLING PIECES. 19 ing a solid mass, almost as hard as rock, of thirtytwo feet in depth. Connected with this subject, one of our icequarter-masters (Collins) who has been employed in the Greenland trade for many years, related the following interesting but melancholy tale, which illustrates too faithfully the dangers to which our adventurous countrymen are exposed. The "Shannon" of Hull, when outward bound, fell in with a gale of wind, about 200 miles N. W. of Cape Farewell. At midnight the ship was under snug sail, but the dark masses of heavy clouds, driving across a wild looking sky, cast a dense shadow on the heaving sea, relieved only by the snowy crest of the toppling waves. The watch had just been relieved, when a fearful crash told the awful tale, the ship had struck a "washing piece!" the bows of the illfated ship were stove in instantaneously, and horrible to relate, the men of the watch below, who had just lain down, were crushed to death by the ice, whose progress was at length arrested by the A foremast. The men on deck rushed to the rigging, but the ship commenced filling; and falling over on her broadside, launched the men on that side of 20 แ the rigging into eternity. Few only now survived, and they were in momentary expectation of the ship sinking; fortunately she did not*, but they remained in this fearful state of suspense for many days, and were obliged to have recourse to sucking their own and each other's blood to sustain life. They were eventually rescued by a Danish vessel, and landed at Elsinore, where my informant then was. Strange to say, the Captain of the Danish vessel had for several nights dreamt some dreadful catastrophe had befallen a ship, in a certain latitude and longitude, and this vision had such an effect on his mind, as to induce him to steer in the direction pointed out, although quite out of his course; which was usually along the coast, as they were accustomed to call at all the settlements. If the assigned cause for his altering course be true, the result proved the special interposition of Providence. * I can only attribute her not sinking to the buoyancy of the casks on board. CHAP. II. First sight of Ice and Land.-West Coast of Greenland laid down incorrectly. Experience a sudden Squall.- Arrive at the Whale-Fish Islands. Their Value to Denmark.— Esquimaux Costume. Visit Kron-Prins Islands. The Burial Ground. - Esquimaux Canoe.- Leave Whale-Fish Islands. Arrive off Godhaven.-" Pioneer" fouls a Berg.Arrive at Lievely. Each Ship grounds. The "Resolute's" Ball.-Settlement of Lievely.-The town of Lievely. - THURSDAY, 20th. At 4 A. M. the first berg was seen, about eighty miles S. E. of Cape Desolation, and was gazed at with great interest by those who now saw ice for the first time. During the day some washing pieces" were seen as well as a few bottle-nosed whales. The wind during the day was westerly, but towards night drew round to south, with light winds and misty weather. Friday, 21st. -Wind S.E., increased at 8 A.M. to a moderate gale, with thick misty weather, and a heavy fall of snow, which rendered it necessary to keep a more than ordinary look-out for icebergs, many of which we passed close to, looming like so many islands through the mist. At 10 A. M. we caught a glimpse of the land, but only for a few minutes; the thick weather again hid it from our view, and prevented our ascertaining its locality. Towards evening the wind moderated and veered round to N.E.; the barometer fell to 30°, and we all felt the cold searching wind, which brought with it the temperature of those eternal glaciers over which it must have swept. For some days past we have been visited by several species of land birds; we succeeded in entrapping several; one of them proved to be a red-pole (Sylvicola petechia), all the others were snow buntings (Emberiza nivalis) clad in their summer plumage. We have also observed looms (Alcapica), mollemauks (Procellaria glacialis), kittywakes (Larus tridactylus), and other birds which frequent the coast of Greenland. Sunday, 23rd.-Wind S. and S.E. with a heavy fall of snow, and cold weather, which continued during the whole day. Monday, 24th.-At daylight, observed the land, composed of high and rugged snow-clad peaks, extending from E.N.E. to S.E. Found the longitude, at noon, to be 52° 18′ W., which placed us a mile or two on shore according to the chart. |