George Howland  Ship Corinthian  Source  Whalesite

H. M. Whitney: –

      Sir.   Thinking you would like a report of my cruise this season in the Arctic Ocean, I send the following: We sailed from this port April 1st, and Waimea April 6th; made the ice April 28th, Cape Navarine insight. On the 29th put the ship into the ice. The wind at this time was blowing, from the S W, accompanied by a heavy swell from the S E. Started considerable copper and sheathing. On the 2d of May a heavy snow-storm came on from the N E, and the ship froze in. I did not make sail again until the 21st of May. The ice then commenced opening in strips, enabling us to make some headway; saw quite a numher of whales, but could not work our boats in the ice, and consequently there was not much whaling done. Took my first whale May 23d, in lat 63° 30' N, long 176° W. Ships have gone into the ice more this season than I ever knew them to before, and the consequence is, plenty of work for the carpenters, with little to pay for it. The natives report seeing plenty of whales passing St. Lawrence Island about the lst of June going into the Arctic No whales have been seen on the west shore this year, where all the whaling has been done for the last three seasons back. I took my first whale inside the Arctic August 18th, in lat 70° 25' N, long 162° W, and saw scattering whales every day until I left, Sept 8th; took four in all. On the 29th of August a heavy snow-storm set in from the north, and the ice made around the ship so wc could hardly work her; got into four fathoms of water, and was nearly on shore on Blossom Shoals. On the 30th it moderated; on Sept lst Capt Cogan, of ship Josephine, spoke me, and informed me of the loss of the ship Corinthian. which went ashore the day before on Blossom Shoals, and was a total wreck. My boats were off whaling at the time; when they returned, took them right up, and made all sail in search of the wreck, which I found and boarded the same day; found the third mate, cooper, steward, cook and some fourteen or fifteen men on board; the Captain and wife, mate, second mate and fourth mate has left the ship the night before. Capt Lewis intended to come back to the ship, but I believe was not able to on account of his men not wishing to pull him back. Soon after I got on board she floated off the shoals, and they anchored her in seven fathoms of water. Captains Jones, Homan, Cogan, Frazer and Smith soon came on board. My boats striking a whale at the same time, I had to leave and secure my whale, supposing they would come to some understanding regarding what was best to do under the circumstances. The next morning saw them all get under way and leave, the ice shutting in round the shoals again, making it dangerous for any ship to lay there. They all very kindly offered to take the crew off, or render any assistance they could. My ship during this lime had drifted to the N E of the shoals, and I had to anchor, seeing a signal still flying on board the Corinthian, I took my boat and went on board, and found all hands getting ready to leave. Mr. Mitchell, with his boat's crew, went on board the Florida, Capt Frazer, and the rest wishing to come on board my ship, I took them, and also the bone, with the exception of one boat load and a half, taken by Mr. Mitchell on board the Florida on his own account.

      After getting the bone and crew out, I started to abandon her, but finding my officiers and crew all willing to help save her oil on salvage, I thought I couldn't do better for my owners than make a trial. So I put my second mate on board to slip her cables; got a hawser to her and took her in tow. The next day I went on board, and with some spare yards rigged jury-masts, and that night by taking my storm-sails from my own ship, got a fore, main and mizzen staysail set on her, and found I could work her so well, I made up my mind to take her to St. Lawrence Bay, and if possible, to the Islands. During a thick snow-storm on the 5th, we run into the ice, but had the good luck to get out of it without any damage. I had to beat nearly the whole distance to Cape East. From Cape East to St. Lawrence Bay had fresh northerly winds, and averaged eight knots an hour, where I arrived the 19th of September, having been fast to the wreck sixteen days. I calculate that during this time I had towed the wreck 1,500 miles. On the 20th I commenced taking out her oil, and that night there came on a heavy blow from N N E, and the ship commenced dragging. I let two anchors go from my ship, and three from the Corinthian, and succeeded in bringing her up broadside on to the beach in seven fathoms of water (so close in that I could have thrown a biscuit on shore), and rode out the gale, still hoisting out oil. On the night of the 22d the wind hauled to the east, and rained continually until I left. Large bodies of ice commenced drifting into the bay on the 22d. The natives all told me if the north winds set in it would block me in for the winter, which made us uneasy, as we had not sufficient provisions to last through the winter. On the night of the 24th got all the oil on board, after working night and day. Hove up my anchors, and with a kedge warped off from alongside. In the morning the Corinthian was completely blocked in with ice, and the natives walking around her. Got under way, and after working through several walls of ice, got out of the bay.

      I left the Corinthian in what is called a safe harbor, with three anchors down; and the natives promised to stop on board and take care of her until next spring for the bread and molasses, and next summer I think I shall be able to save a great deal from her. She is quite tight in her bottom, but in the top is badly strained, and in bad weather keeps her pumps going most of the time. In her present condition I do not consider her sufficiently seaworthy to take to this or any other port. The following are the names of the men now on board my ship belonging to the Corinthian: R H K Hedden, Augustus Van Metter, Andrew Eckler, Manuel S Brazil, Antone Silva, Marks, Robert Green, Joe Rorotonga, Bill Rorotonga, Charles Simmons, John Peters, Jack Spunyarn, and Paul.

      I send you a list of whales taken in the Arctic as far as known up to the time of my leaving, Sept 8th. Passed through the 72d Passage, Fox Islands, Oct 2d, and from thence to this port have had favorable winds and a pleasant passage. Spoke bark Seine off St. Paul's. Her report is one right whale this season; fleet doing poorly.

"Report of Ship George Howland."
      The Friend. (Honolulu)
New Series, Vol. 18, No. 11.
    p.96.

George Howland  Ship Corinthian  Source  Whalesite