[Journal of the Crocker Land Expedition]
Page 19
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Transcription
Wednesday July 16 - 1913 11 Wrecked on Baroe Pt. Labrador. (Baron which contacted 5 P.M.T.) 12/13 8.45 I was awoken by ship's striking. One shot threw her over to Starboard, then two sharp ones in succession right which she rose and listed heavily to port. I rolled out of my hammock in time to see the Captain rushing on deck & in his under clothes. I immediately observed an iceberg grounded alongside, the heavy fog that shrouded ahead. These facts with the list to port convin- ced me we were on the beach & that there was no immediate danger. I then went below to find the time and the state of the tide. The crew were panic stricken. I watched them from the pulpit as they shouted frantically to one another in their attempt to get the boats over board. One sail tore near wind - track striking bottom now first in a boat 1/2 fathom 7 minutes, then the four men & whole boat. I have never seen men so frightened. At got 8.30 it was light enough to see the rocks 100 yds ahead of us. We hoist our deck boat & coal over board & commenced landing our stores. Taking boats were hauled off three survivors pressed into service to take our cases. The little cove was rocky and partly filled with ice. However we worked all day. In the afternoon I put up my non-magnetic tent in a shelter. Oh, thank God that I stayed where to watch the stuff on the rocks. We slept all night, but Gillian continued the unloading with out a rest.