Excursions in and Aabout Newfoundland During the Years 1839 and 1840 (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1842 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. Return of Dr. Stuwitz, and departure with him to the Ice--Appearance of the Ice, and difficulty of getting through it--Capture of the first Seal--Grand slaughter amongst the Seals--Icehergs--Aurora Borealis--Capture of a Shark--Description of the different species of Seal found near Newfoundland--Effects of a Swell upon the Ice--Return and arrival at St. John's. Towards the end of the month of February, 1840, I began anxiously to expect the return of Professor Stuwitz, of whom I had heard no intelligence during the winter. In seasons of ordinary severity his return by sea to St. John's would have been impossible; and he intended to have made for the nearest port that was free from ice, and have come on overland. The mildness of the weather, hitherto, had prevented any great accumulation of ice along the coast, although the harbour was frequently skinned over, and its mouth alternately opened and blocked up by ice and frozen snow on each influx and reflux of the tide. Two or three severe days would have been sufficient to close it entirely, or a field of ice from the northward might drift down and beset the whole coast. However, on the 25th, I had the satisfaction of seeing his boat making her way into the harbour, and he soon landed on the wharf. He had suffered greatly, having frequently been out at sea all night in his open boat in the severest weather: he had, however, made many good observations, and collected specimens of the land and sea fauna both of St. Peter's and Fortune Bay. There was now but little time left to make arrangements for our voyage to the ice. The generality of the vessels "going to the ice" are schooners and brigs from 80 to 150 tons, manned by a stout crew of rough fishermen, with a skipper at their head of their own ...