The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 3, June, 1851Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 3, June, 1851
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
Our Phantom Ship stands fairly now along the western coast of
Greenland into Davis Straits. We observe that upon this western coast
there is, by a great deal, less ice than on the eastern. That is a
rule generally. Not only the configuration of the straits and bays,
but also the earth's rotation from west to east, causes the currents
here to set towards the west, and wash the western coasts, while they
act very little on the eastern. We steer across Davis Strait, among
"an infinite number of great countreys and islands of yee;" there,
near the entrance, we find Hudson Strait, which does not now concern
us. Islands probably separate this well-known channel from Frobisher
Strait to the north of it, yet unexplored. Here let us recall to mind
the fleet of fifteen sail, under Sir Martin Frobisher, in 1578,
tossing about and parting company among the ice. Let us remember how
the crew of the "Anne Frances," in that expedition, built a pinnace
when their vessel struck upon a rock, although they wanted main timber
and nails. How they made a mimic forge, and "for the easier making of
nails, were forced to break their tongs, gridiron, and fire-shovel, in
pieces." How Master Captain Best, in this frail bark, with its
imperfect timbers held together by the metamorphosed gridiron and
fire-shovel, continued in his duty, and did "depart up the straights
as before was pretended." How a terrific storm arose, and the fleet
parted, and the intrepid captain was towed "in his small pinnace, at
the stern of the 'Michael,' thorow the raging seas; for the bark was
not able to receive or relieve half its company." The "tongs,
gridyron, and fire-shovell," performed their work only for as many
minutes as were absolutely necessary, for "the pinesse came no sooner
aboord the ship, and the men entred, but she presently shivered and
fell in pieces, and sunke at the ship's stern with all the poor men's
furniture."
Now, too, as we sail up the strait, explored a few years after these
events by Master John Davis, how proudly we remember him as a right
worthy forerunner of those countrymen of his and ours who since have
sailed over his track. Nor ought we to pass without calling to mind
the melancholy fate, in 1606, of Master John Knight, driven, in the
"Hopwell," among huge masses of ice, with a tremendous surf, his
rudder knocked away, his ship half full of water, at the entrance to
these straits. Hoping to find a harbor, he set forth to explore a
large island, and landed, leaving two men to watch the boat, while he,
with three men and the mate, set forth and disappeared over a hill.
For thirteen hours the watchers kept their post; one had his trumpet
with him, for he was a trumpeter, the other had a gun. They trumpeted
often and loudly, they fired, but no answer came. They watched ashore
all night for the return of their captain and his party, "but they
came not at all."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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