IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

1.0

1.1

lU 12.2

tlS. 12.0

IL25 1111.4

III

1.6

S^J>'

PhotDgraphic

Sdences

Corporation

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. M580

(716) 872-4503

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques

The Institute has attempted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy which may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checked below.

□
D
D
D
D

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

I I Covers damaged/

Couverture endommagde

Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaur^e et/ou pellicuide

I I Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

Coloured maps/

Cartes g^ographiques en couleur

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

Coloured plates and/or illustrations/
Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
Relid avec d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La re Mure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge intdrieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pa'jes blanches ajout6es
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6t6 filmdes.

Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppl^mentaires:

L'Institut a microfilmd le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-§tre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage
sont indiquds ci-dessous.

I I Coloured pages/

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est U\m6 au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous.

Pages de couleur

Pages damaged/
Pages endommarides

□ Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul6es

r~1 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/

Pages ddcolordes, tachet^es ou piqu6es

Pages detached/
Pages d6tach6es

Showthroughy
Transparence

Quality of prir

Qualiti in6gale de I'impression

Includes supplementary materii
Comprend du matdriel suppl^mentaire

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

I I Pages detached/

nn Showthrough/

I I Quality of print varies/

I I Includes supplementary material/

I I Only edition available/

Pages wholly or partially ol soured by errata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont 6t^ filmdes d .nouveau de fapon d
obtenir la meilleure image possible.

10X

14X

18X

22X

26X

30X

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

■aire
s details
|ues du
It modifier
iger une
e filmage

The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks
to the generosity of:

National Library of Canada

The images appearing here are the best quality
possible considerirg the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.

L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce A la
g6n6rosit6 de:

Bibliothdque nationale du Canada

Les images suivantes ont dtd reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et
de la nettet6 de l'exemplaire filmd, et en
conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.

i/
iu6es

Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprimde sont film6s en commenpant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont film6s en commen^ant par la
premidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la dernidre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol ^»> (meaning "CON-
TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

Un des symboles suivants apparaTtra sur la
dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbole -^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbole V signifie "FIN".

aire

IVIaps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diagrams illustrate the
method:

Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre
filmis i des taux de reduction diffdrents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre
reproduit en un seul cliche, il est filmd d partir
de Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite,
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la m^thode.

by errata
ned to

lent

une pelure,

fapon d

1 2 3

32X

NARRATIVE

or THE

SHIPWRECK AND SUFFERINGS

'I WV>^

fmm of i^( ^^ckm of ^^tt^fi^c,

'VmECXSD Oir TBE coast or XASlliiDOllB,

WHO HAD BOTH HIS

LEGS AND ARMS AMPUTATED FOR THE THIRD TIME.

UDES. (D®mKIIHIE)iiIl.ffi AMID (GOTHIf ,

OF QLASGOW.

EDITED BY JAMES SMITH, ESQ., OF JOROANHILL.

GREENOCK:

PRINTED FOR NEIL DEWAR.

1843.

, 'v:^

Price Sixpence,

tl
C

lu
I

at
oi

T
I

Ic
fc

PRINTED BY JOHN MALCOW, GREENOCK.

tl
t

NARRATIVE, &c.

I was born at Locligilphead, in Argyllshire, in the year
1793. My father, who was a wright in the employment
of Mr M'Neill of Oakfield, wished to bring me up to his
own trade, but my inr^'nation for the sea was so strong,
that after a few months, I bound myself apprentice to
Captain M'Lachlan of the brig Lord Collingwood, be-
longing to Greenock. Having served my apprenticeship,
I engaged in the Robust, Captain Landells, for Jamaica,
at which place I was impressed into the Navy, and put
on board the Cleopatra frigate. Captain Gill, where I
continued three years cruizing off the Spanish Main.
This frigate was ordered home, and for two years after
I served in several of his Majesty's ships, when I was at
length paid off from the Sophia sloop of war, at Dept-
ford. Having again returned to Greenock, I embarked
on board the Montreal, Captain Rayside, of that port, for
Montreal, in Canada.

Here, I and four of the crew, entered on board the
schooner Rebecca, Captain Maxwell, about to sail for
the coast of Labradore, for a cargo of fish, and after-
wards to proceed to Cadiz. We accordingly sailed for
Cape Charles, where we took in part of our cargo, and
returned to Quebec to take in some other goods. We

ttg&in sailed from thence, on the 8th of October, 1816 ;
and, as the vessel was not full, Captain Maxwell intend-
ed to complete his cargo with fish at Cape Charles. On
the 17th November, we were off the harbour of that
place; but a heavy gale coming on, blowing right out
of the harbour, and the entrance being very narrow, we
could not carry sail to beat the vessel in, we hoisted the
JElnsign« Union down, as a signal of distress, but the in-
habitants made us a signal to reply, that they could
afford us no assistance ; and being on the larboard tack,
we ran along shore E.N.E. a few leagues farther ; the
gale still increasing, we were obliged to heave the vessel
to, about six o'clock, the same evening. We lay to for
the long space of three days, the gale blowing tremen-
dously, accom{)anied with heavy falls of snow. On the
20th, the wind shifted from N.E. to N. W". and it became
necessary to bear up, for the purpose of clearing the
land ; we bore up, accordingly, about seven in the even-
ing, and ran under bare poles till near midnight.
The night was completely dark, and the gale continued
with unabated fury, with heavy showers of hail and sleet.
Being now off Cape Norman, in the Straits of Belleisle,
the starboard watch being now on deck, the man who
was keeping a look-out forward, was heard cry to the
watch below, <* Bear a hand upon dock men, for we are
close upon a rock." No sooner had he uttered these
words, then the vessel struck with a tremendous crash ;
she then recoiled, and on continuing to strike, both of
the mas' ^ fell over the side, close by the deck. Nothing
could be more dreadful than our situation at this rao«
ment ; our vessel was fast filling with water, and the
sea broke over her with such vioionce, that we expected
every instant she would be dashed to pieces.

We could discern the land covered with snow, about
n gun-shot a-head, and in order to reach it, the jolly-
boat, which was stowed inside of the long-boat, was
launched overboard, but was swamped and sunk a)oirg<
side. Mr Thomson, a passenger, and two of tie crew,
then attempted to reach ttie shore by a boltsprit, but a
heavy sea instautly swept them off, and they perished.
Soon after, the boltsprit it&elf was carried away, loosen-
ing the stemhead, and tearing up the forecastle. Iti ;v
few minutes, the vessel filled and wenf down, by tin*
head; the keel still resting upon the ro^ ., left the tatV-
rail above the water; the survivors now got into the
long-boat, and the gripes which fastened her, haviiit^
been previously cut, she drove clear of the wreck, and
reached the shore in safety, but immediately went to
pieces: I was dashed against the rocks and ice, with
which it was environed, with such violence, as to be
completely stunned, and lay for some time insensible.
On recovering myself, I found both my knees and elbows
severely wounded, but contriving to clamber to an enii-
rionce out of the reach of the sea.

The spot on vhich we were thrown, was a small island,
not 'nore thr.n a quarter of a mile in circumference,
completely covered with ice and snow, and affording its
neither provision, nor shelter from the storm, which
continued to rage with unabated violence. Our spirits
were somewhat revived when the day dawned, at find-
ing the jolly-boat had been thrown ashore without much
damage ; we crept under her, and although we could
not prevent the wind blowing under the gunnel, she af-
forded us a certain degree of shelter, and we were sup-
ported by the hopo that she would afford as the means
of escap^; when the gale should abate.

The only sustenance afforded from the wreck, was a
cask of cherry brandy ; on opening it, it was found
frozen into a solid mass ; we broke it, and constantly
kept a piece of it in our mouths. We remained in this
dreadful situation three days and three nights ; during
which time, the mate and two of the men perished from
cold and hunger. We buried them, and the bodies of
the two sailors who were dashed off the boltsprit, which
were thrown ashore, in the snow.

On the morning of the 24th, the gale had greatly
abated, and we determined to attempt to reach the coast
of Newfoundland, which is about two leagues to leeward.
The Island on which we were wrecked, is named Duck
Island, and is situated in the Straits of Bellcisle, which
separates Labradore from Newfoundland. At nine
o'clock in the morning, Captain Maxwell, Charles Don-
aldson, Richard M*Fie and myself, the only survivors
of our crew, embarked in the jolly-boat; as we had only
one oar, we were obliged to run before the wind, and to
land upon whatever spot we might be driven. In about
three hours we reached the land, hut the surf ran so
high, that the boat instantly filled, and Captain Maxwell
was swept into deep water. From the state of my
wounds I could give no assistance, but Donaldson and
M^Fie succeeded in bringing him to the beach. He
remained speechless for a few moments, then dropping
down, and giving a deep sigh, bade a last adieu to his
fellow-sufferers.

In vain did we lament our helpless condition — in vain
did we look in every direction fur an asylum to our
houseless heads, — surrounded on the one side by a barren
wilderness, and on the other by inland lakes and rivers.
Oonaldsoij and M'Fie, compelled by hunger, left me in

f^.

'1- '\

tlie erening, while they went in search of some Bubsitt-
enco or place of refuge, promising to return, if in life, the
following (lay. Being unable, owing to my wonndeJ
knees and elbows, to go with them ; I sat down by the
remains of my Captain, brooding over my helpless situ-
ation ; the night freezing very hard, with strong easterly
wind. Now again the day appearing in the east, after
passing a long and dangerous night, expecting every
moment to be devoured by some wild be<ist ; I gut up on
my feet, and locked around me, 1 saw the joUyboat tos-
sing amidst the surf, upon the beach. I then thought
upon my shipmates who had left me the night before,
what might have become of them, thinking that they had
been killed by the wild animals that inhabit this country.
At a loss what to do, I considered it best to follow. Ac-
cordingly I set out, and crawled to the top of the cliff,
and directed my course to the westward, along the shore,
following their footsteps in the snow for three miles. I
continued my journey till night, and betook to rest upon
a leafless tree. I passed a very restless night, being fre-
quently disturbed by the howling of a wolf, and imagined
by the sound that the anirnal was approaching me, I
climbed up the tree for safety. At daylight I looked
round me, and I was, as it were, completely blockaded,
for the snow which had fallen through the night, had fil-
led up their footsteps. Being now without any guide
whereby I could trace the course of my shipmates, I re-
solved on my departure from the tree, and return to the
place where I left my Captain's remains under the cliff,
where I arrived about eleven a.m ; I sat myself down
by the back of the cliff, and soon fell fast asleep. My
companions returned about noon that day, with the intel-
ligence of their having fallen in with the vacant hut of

an Indian, to which place they conveyed me, supporting
me between them ; we reached it about six in the even-
ing, and next morning determined to travel in one direc-
tion, till we should meet either death or assistance.

We accordingly set out on the 26th of November,
about eight in the morning, and continued journeying for
ten days without seeing a human being, subsisting all the
time on the withered fruit of the rowan tree, which we
easily fell in with, and reposing in the night close to each
other, with the shelter of a leafless tree. On the eleventh
day of our journey, and fifteenth of our calamity, we came
to a place called Nady Bay Head, the hill being so high
and steep, and covered with snow, that we thought we
should never get to the top, and I being lame, was unable
to keep up with my shipmates ; the snow giving way un-
der me, I came down to the bottom of the hill. However,
I tried it again, taking care of my steps. By this time
Donaldson and M*Fie had reached the top, and began
shouting and waving with their hats for joy, having seen
a house. I hurried up towards them with enlivened speed.
We then sat down on the top of the hill to rest ourselves,
uncertain whether it was inhabited or not. We then saw
a person coming down towards the beach on the other
side of a deep inlet or bay ; we shouted to him, thinking
he might hear, and come across with a boat to us, the dis*
tance round being about two or three leagues : however,
he did not hear us. We then set off again, and sliding
down the west side of the hill to the bottom, began journey-
ing round the head of the Bay, till we came to a narrow
part that divided the island from the mainland; here we
saw the marks of men and dogs' feet in the snow, and a
small boat hauled up on the ice. Overcome with fatigue,
we sat down to rest ourselves, in hopes some of the in-

habitant! might come to oar atsistance. In a short time,
four large dogi came up barking furiously, and were fol-
lowed by two Indians, armed with muskets ; we entreated
them to lead us to a habitation, which, after some hesita-
tion, they agreed to, and led us to a hut, at a short dis-
tance, which we found inhabited by a fisherman, named
Isaac Isaacs; the natives whom we met with, formed
part of his establishment. It was situated at Cupe Car-
poon, about fifty miles from the place where we were
wrecked. By this time, I was so far spent, I could hardly
drag one foot after the other, and my legs were swelled
to an unweildy bulk

We reached the hut on the I4th day after our ship-
wreck, and were kindly received by Mr. Isaacs, who
placed us by a good fire, and treated us with some bread
and spruce beer. He then ordered one of his Indians to
bring a tub full of ice-water to sjak our boots, and with
a knife he ripped them down behind, and turned them
over our feet, and in drawing off tlie stockings, the skin
and toe-nails came off along with them. He next applied
a poultice of fish blubber and castile soap, and laid us
by the fire, with a boat's sail over us. Our situation now
began to excite the sympathy of our host, and he showed
a great deal of commiseration. Donaldson, in a few days
was seized with mental derangement, and died in a fit of
delirium. M^Fie and I were now looking to meet with
the same fate as poor Donaldson, both our arms and legs
having mortified, and our host told us, that to save our
lives we must lose our limbs. Poor Richard, with a re-
gardlessness of his doom, said, *' I will willingly risk my
fate, hoping one of us may be left to tell our friends what
we experienced." The mortification was rapidly spread-
ing, and from my natural timidity, I begged Richard to

I) 1

suffer first, which he did, but no stoppage could be made
to the great effusion of blood, and death in a short time
terminated bis existence. I then was placed for the awful
operation, which was performed on Christmas morning.

The surgeon, being a fisherman, first began with a large
seal knife, by carvmg the fiesh off both legs about an inch
above the ancle, then breaking and severing the bones,
and afterwards applying a preparation of hot pitch and
rosin, as the only remedy to stop the discharge of blood,
which happily succeeded. H: then proceeded to my arms,
which he treated in like manner. During this torture, I
was lulled as it were into the arms of death, insensible to
every act, save the amputation of my left hand, which, as
well as my right hand, was cut off by the wrist. Next
mornings my extreme personal torture, and the reflection
of my miserable condition, unable to convey a particle of
food to my li} s, lying at once a complete object of sym-
pathy and disgust, the prospect of a lingering death, in a
desolate region, far from the consolation of a friend, ex-
cited a combination of ideas which filled my mind with
despair.

Notwithstanding the severity of the operations, my
health began almost daily to recover, and in a very few
days, I was able to bea; a journey of twenty miles, to a
hut in the midst of a forest, io which it was usual to re-
tire in the depth of winter. I was carried on a sledge,
drawn by twelve dogs, and did not feel any bad effects
from the journey.

Our winter quarters consisted of a large hut built of
logs, which was so completely buried in the snow, that,
on approaching it, nothing could be seen but a flag-staff
erected on the top of a chimney. It was entered by a
large covered porch which protected the entry from cold ;

And, as the windows were blockaded up with snow, it was
only lighted from the chimney, which was made large on
purpose. I was placed near the i.^e on a bench, and co-
yered with a boat's sail.

The winter party consisted of Mr. Isaacs, three Eng-
lishmen, one Dutch sailor, and the two Indians already
mentioned. They employed themselves, during the day,
in cutting wood, and setting traps for deer, beavers, and
other kinds of game; and in the evening, in making mokas-
sons, or Canadian boots. As the season advanced, I be-
gan to recover my strength, and to be able to move from
my bench, rolling myself upon an empty flour barrel,
placed under my breast. Upon one occasion, I ventured
a few paces beyond the porch, when the whole party were
out ; the cask unfortunately gave way, and 1 fell to the
ground, but, by dint of exertion, I was able to creep back
to the hut.

On the return of the fishing season we again returned
to our former residence, where I remained from the 20th
Mayj till the month of September, 1817 ; and was pretty
well taken care of by Mr. Isaacs, who being an old man
was seldom absent with the others, and who dressed my
sores in the best manner he was able.

In this melancholy condition, I remained about eight
months, till the arrival of the schooner Lilly of Quebec,
Captain Stewart, who received me on board, and who
treated me with a kindness I can never forget. He had
a medicine chest, and dressed my sores daily; he even
gave up his own bed in the cabin to me, and cut his pil-
low in two to make cushions for my knees, bringing me
on deck every favourable day, and by this kind treat-
ment, ray health was greatly restored. We arrived at
Quebec on the 23d September ; I was conveyed to the

hospital of St. Roque, and attended by Nuns, hj whose
(:are the sores in my arms were healed ; but it was found
necessary, to have both my legs amputated again. The
operation was performed by Doctors Hicket and Holmes.
I remained here till the 28th of June, 1818. My wounds
only being partially cured, broke out again on the pas-
siage, and on my arrival in this country, I was sent to
Glasgow Infirmary, where it was found necessary to am-
putate both my legs for the third time. The amputation
was performed by Doctors Corkindale and Cumin : and,
thank God, my limbs are at length skinned over. 1 am
still, however, in a state of great debility, and m^st re-
main for life a helpless object, dependent on the bounty
uf the humane.

i-a

ie?43