Before coming up with it, it dived; but soon again making its appearance, the crew succeeded in plunging a harpoon into its body. The wound being less severe than was intended, the whale in its rage struck the boat at the stern with its tail, and knocked the steersman overboard.
As the line in a moment dragged the boat beyond his reach, the crew flung several of their oars towards him, for his support, one of which he fortunately seized. The ship and boats being at a considerable distance from him, the harpooner cut the line, with the view of rescuing him from his dangerous situation.
But no sooner was this done, than they discovered that they had but a single oar remaining in the boat. The wind was high, and with only one oar it was impossible to reach their comrade. Signals were made to the other boats, but it was a long time, owing to their distance, before they could render any assistance, although the crew strained every nerve.
At length a boat reached the now exhausted steersman. He was stretched out upon the oar, but was past exertion, and almost devoid of sensation.
Having taken him in, they pulled for the ship. On their arrival the poor man was found to be in a truly pitiable condition. His clothes were frozen like mail, and his hair looked like a helmet of ice. He was immediately conveyed to the cabin, his clothes taken off, his limbs and body dried and well rubbed, and a cordial administered. These attentions being paid to him, he was put to bed. After a few hours’ sleep he awoke, and appeared considerably restored. But the shock which his constitution received proved to be greater than had been anticipated. In a short time, he again appeared among his fellows, and engaged in his ordinary pursuits; but many months elapsed before he was perfectly restored.
NO. IV.—A BOAT UPSET.
In the year 1810, a vessel, called the Aimwell, while cruising in the Greenland seas, discovered several whales, one of which was harpooned.
It is usual for a whale, on receiving a wound, to sink; but this one dived only for a moment, and came up directly under the boat, which it struck with its fins and tail, upset it, and immediately disappeared.
The crew, consisting of seven, were of course tumbled into the sea; but they contrived to get upon the bottom of the boat. The waves being high, and the lines rolling about, caused the boat itself to roll so much as repeatedly to dislodge the poor seamen, and plunge them into the water. Four of them, after each immersion, recovered themselves, and clung to the boat; but the other three, one of whom was the only person who could swim, were drowned, before assistance could arrive.
At length, the four men on the boat being rescued from their perilous situation, the attack on the whale was renewed, and two more harpoons struck. But having been greatly irritated, and not materially injured, the exasperated creature put forth a surprising exhibition of power. Its lashing of the deep was terrible. On every side, the sea was in a foam. In rage and agony, it burst away, and clearing itself from the flukes of the harpoons, it made its escape.