s s
d ’ 79*- tributed' this eircumftance to the fmoke having come from the fhore;
i ...... i and this opinion, very incpniiderately-and without reflection had been
generally adopted, until Mr. Hergeft, after the fhip had cleared the
points of the Bay, in going into the cabin was convinced that the fmoke
originated from a nearer and more alarming -cattle. On lifting up the
gun room fcuttle, there immediately ifiued an immenfe column of fmoke,
which left ho doubt of their perilous fituation, as the fire was clofe to
the magazine. Not a moment was loft in getting out the powder, and
putting it into a boat alongfide, but this was no eafytafkto perform ; as
the gun room was extremely hot and full of fmoke, and the powder, very
injudicioufly, had been promifcuoufly flowed amongft the. fhip’s provi-
fions. On this occafion there appears to- have been no exertion wanting
in the crew of the Daedalus, to whofe credit Mr.'Hergeft obferves, that
in that trying moment every man flood firm to his duty, without buffering
fear or panic to fwerve them from its execution ; although on fome
other occafions they had given him much trouble and ferious concern.
A t firft the fire was fuppofed to have been occafioned by fome oakum,
flowed in the fore part of the gun room, taking fire, by accidentally getting
w e t; fince no lights had ever been near it. After a large quantity
o f provifions had been hoifted up to get out the powder, the fmoke was
flill found to afcend from below;; ithis eircumftance, with that o f the
deck being fo hot as not to allow the people keeping their hands upon
fome lead that was laid upon it, convinced them that the fire muft be in
the lazaretto below, where fome purfers beds were now recollefted to
have been very improperly flowed; and from the feas they had fhipped during
the tempefluous weather which they had experienced in their paffage
round cape Horn, no doubt was entertained that thefe beds had got wet
and had taken fire. Every minute confirming Mr. Hergeft in this opinion,
care was immediately taken to flop every avenue and crevice
about the after hatch-way, to prevent any communication o f air before
they ventured to fcuttle the deck for the purpofe o f extinguifhing the
fire by pouring water over it. Happily they had day-light for executing
this ; and were foon convinced, that the fire had originated as
they had laft conjeftured, from the appearance of the afeending fmoke,
4 on
bn fcuttling the deck, as alfo of the good effect o f their judicious labours. ‘ 79*-
Other holes were now bored immediately over the beds, and after pour- .Dcc°” ber'.
ing down large quantities o f water, they foon had reafon to be gratefully
thankful to divine Providence for fo timely and critical a prefer-
vation. Some of the beds were intirely confumed; a cafe on which thev
were laid, as alfo the deck -over them, were burnt fome wav into the
wood to a black cinder. Little elfe was flowed with thefe beds but rum
and o il; fo that had the fire once broke out into a blaze, the extinguifhing
it, or preventing its communication with thefe inflammable fubftances,
would have been morally impoffible, and their deftruftion would have
been inevitable.
The fire thus providentially difeovered and happily exfinguifhed, all
the bedding, being either burnt or rotten, was got up and thrown overt
board. Fearful o f drifting too far to leeward, they were obliged to
make fail in order to work into the Bay, although the decks at this time
were very much encumbered. Many of the natives were about the fhip,
employed in picking up the rotten bedding that had been thrown into
the fea. A t eleven in the fdrenoon they anchored near their former fta-
tion. The natives had taken away the buoy, but had faftened a piece
o f wood to the buoy-rope, which anfwered all the purpofes o f recover-
ing their anchor ; this was foon effected, and the fhip: fleadied with the
kedge anchor to the fouthward ; the fouth point o f the Bay bearing by
compafs s.w., the north point n.w ., and the watering place e. by n.
one mile diftant. The village in the fouth cove being the neareft fhore,
was at the diftance o f about a quarter o f a mile.
In the afternoon Mr. .Hergeft in the cutter, attended by the fecond
mate in the long boat, went to procure water, and landed With the mate
and three men, though not without much difficulty on account o f the
f c f . This did not permit them to put more than two calks on fhore.
Many of the natives were affembled, and in confrquen.ee of there being
no chief amongft them were foon found to be very troublefome, as tliev
Itole every thing they could make off with, fo that not a bucket was
left them to fill the calks with water. Mr. Hergeft, • finding that his party
on fhore would require confiderable reinforcement to e f fe a his purpofe,