Story of Arctic Adventure.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 105, 8 April 1885, Page 4

Story of Arctic Adventure.

A correspondent sends the following narrative of the privations suffered by a Scotch whaler to the Tall Mall Gazzete: " Now that so much discussion has been raised on tlm subject of the alleged cannibalism m the Greely expedition, some interest may be felt m another dreadful story of privation and danger, where a similar temptation was heroically ressted, as told by James M'lntosli sole survivor from one of the boats of the whaler Chieftain. On May 26 last the Chieftain sent out boats m chase of a whale, two of which, one commanded by Alexander Bain, the harpooner, lost the ship, and failing to find her, shaped their course for Iceland. Some days later two of Bain's crew died, and iVPIntosh then came into Bain's boat from the other to act as steersman. The only other occupants of the boat then were Bain and a seaman named McGregor. On the following day Bain thought he saw land, and they altered their course to it, but found it to be only the reflection of a cloud. By so doing they lost their consort, which did not follow them. Next day McGregor died, i and his body was committed to the deep. The same evening a storm arose which lasted three days, during all of which time M'lntosh remained at his post as steersman, while Bain lay helpless and despairing m the bows. At last the storm abated, and the undaunted steersman addressed some cheering words to his comrade, but without rousing him from his lethargy, which continued so long that M'lntosh at last grew anxious, and though hardly able to move, his legs being quite benumbed with the cold, managed to crawl along on his hands and knees to the bow of the boat and found Bain quite dead. A terrible sense of utter loneliness came over him mingled with fear that m his desperate condition (he had not tasted food for several daysj he might yield to the temptation of supporting himself on the awful means of nourishment within his reach. Determined to avoid this danger, at all events, he, with a great effort, weak as he was, succeeded m heaving his dead comrade's body over-board. After this he thought no more of steering, but let the boat drift as it might for about, he thinks, another week, during which he lay helpless, sleeping at times, but generally conscious. One morning after a hard frost he observed the piece of cloth he had hung up for a flag to be covered with icicles, and he tore it m half, and ate part of it for the sake of the ice clinging to it. At last, on the fourteenth day after he entered the boat, he perceived a small schooner, and made a desperate attempt to wave his hat to direct attention. He was seen, and picked up by the ship, but it was found necessary to amputate both his legs, mortification having set m. He finally arrived at Dundee on Friday week. This gallant fellow, who is married and has one child, is now m a perfectly destitute condition, as the loss of his legs precludes his returning to his former seafaring occupation, and he has never learned any other trade.