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NEIL DEWAR.

/yi-H- •></' ic't/y^ce

^tri

NARRATIVE

OP THK

SHIPWRECK AND SUFFERINGS

HrKII. DKll^AR,

(WHO HAS LOST BOTH HIS LEGS AND ARMS)

! t»

^iEAHAlV

OP THE

REBECCA OF QUEBEC,

WRECKED ON THE COAST OF LABRADORE,

/
20^ NOVEMBER, 1816.

GREENOCK: '
PRINTED FOR NEIL DEWAR.

Price Sixpence,

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NARRATIVE, &c.

I was born at Lochgilphead, in Argyllshire, in the year
1793. My father, who was a wright in the employment
of Mr. McNeill of Oakfield, wished to bring me up to his
own trade, but my inclination for the sea was so strong,
that afte^ a few months, I bound myself apprentice to
Captain M'Lachlan of the brig Lord Collingwood, belong-
ing to Greenock. Having served my apprenticeship, I
engaged in the Robust, Captain Landells, for Jamaica,
at which place I W5\s impressed into the Navy, and put
on board the Cleopatra Frigate, Captain Gill, where I
continued three years cruizing off the Spanish Main.
Thid 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 Deptford.
Having again returned to Greenock, I embarked on board
the Montreal, Captain Rayside, of that port, for Montreal,
in Canada.

Here, I and ibur 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 afterwards 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 again sailed
from thence, oa the 8th of October, 1816 ; and, as the
vessel was not full. Captain Maxwell intended to complete
the cargo with fish at Cape Charles. On the 17th No-
vember, we were off the harbour of that place ; but a

i -\

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^Uilt

MJivKi

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 Ensign, Union-
down, as a signal of distress, but the inhabitants made us
a signal to reply, that they could afford us no assistance ;
and being on the larbour tack, we run 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 tremendously, accompanied 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 pur-
pose of clearing the land ; we bore up, accordingly, about
seven in the evening, 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 to cry to the watch
below, " Bear a hand upon deck 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 masts
fell over the side, close by the deck. Nothing could be
more dreadful than our situtation at this moment ; our
vessel was fast filling with water, and the sea broke over
her with such violence, that we expected every instant
she would be dashed to pieces.

We could discern the land covered with snow, about a
gun-shot a-head, and in order to reach it, the jolly-boat,

irboiir,
t carry
Union-
lade U8
stance ;
.N.E.
e were
le same
e days,
1 heavy
m N.E.
the pur-
y, about
till near
the gale
)\vers of

5elleisle,
who was
tie watch
<re close
3 words,
she then
le masts
30uld be
ent ; our
•oke over
y instant

', about a
oUy-boat,

which was stowed inside of the long- bout, was launched
overboard, but was swamped and sunk alon«^-side. Mr.
Thomson, a passenger, and two of the crew, then attempt-
ed to reach t' e shore by a boltsprit, but a heavy sea in-
stantly swept them off, and they perished. Soon after,
the boltsprit itself was carried away, loosening the stern-
head, and tearing up the forecastle. In a few minutes,
the vessel filled and went down, by the liead ; the keel
still resting upon the rock, left; the taffrail above the water ;
the survivors now got into the long boat, and the gripes
which fastened her, having been previously cut, she drove
clear of the wreck, and reached tlie 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 contrived to clam-
ber to an eminence out of the reach of the sea.

The spot on which we were thrown, was a small island,
not more than a quarter of a mile in circumference, com-
pletely covered with ice and snow, and affording us neither
provision nor shelter from the storm, which continued to
rage with unabated violence. Our spirits were somewhat
revived when the day dawned, at finding 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 afforded us* a certain de-
gree of shelter, and we were supported by the hopes that
she would afford us the means of escape, when the gale
should abate.

Th^ only sustenance afforded from the wreck, was a

iM»

mhii iiilMf

cask of ciicrry brandy ; on opening it, it was found frozen
into a solid mass ; we broke it, and constantly kept a
I)iece of it in our nioutlis. We remained in tliis 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 wc^re washed 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 New-
foundland, 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 Belleisle, which separates
Labradore from Newfoundland. At nine o'clock in the
morning, Captain Maxwell, Charles Donaldson, Richard
M'Fie, and myself, the only survivors of our crew, em-
barked 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, but 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 suc-
ceeded 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-suflerers.
In vain did we lament our helpless condition, in vain
did we look in every direction for an asylum to our house-
less heads, surrounded on one side by a barren wilder-
ness, and on the other by inland lakes and rivers. Don-
aldson and M'Fie, compelled by hunger, left me in the

col
thf
tal
a.

1 1 frozen

kopt a

Urcadtul

!h time,

|ul(l atul

:\\o two

;h were

abated,
of New-
d. The
k Island,
separates
k in the
Richard
rew, em-
e oar, we
ind upon
ree hours
that the
^as swept
rounds I
'Fie suc-
remained
own, and
■sufierers.
1, in vain
ur house-
in wilder-
's. Don-
ne in the

evening, \\hiU\ they went in search of some subsistence
or place of refuge, promising to return, if in life, the fol-
lowing day. Being unable, owing to my wounded knees
and elbows, to go with them, I sat down by the remains
of my Captain, brooding over my helpless situation ; the
night freezing very hard, with strong easterly wind. Now
again the day appearing in the East, aftering passing a
long and dangerous night, expecting every moment to be
devoured by some wild beast, I got up on my feet, and
looking around me, I saw the jolly-boat tossing 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 considerfid it best to follow. Accordingly 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 under a leafless tree. I passed
a very restless night, being frequently disturbed by the
howling of a wolf, and imagined by the sound that the
animal 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 fal-
len through the night, had filled up their footsteps. Be-
ing now without any guide whereby I could trace the
course of my shipmates, I resolved on my departure from
the tree, and returned to the place where I lefl my Cap-
tain's remains under the cliff, where I arrived about eleven
fl. m. I sat myself down by the back of the cliff, and
soon fell fast asleep. My Companions returned about

"mmtrt

noon that day, with the intelligence 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 evening, and next morning determined
to tra^^el in one direction, 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
t" Tie 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 o the bottom of th.e 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 h'^ to rest ourselves,
uncertain whither it was inhabited or not. We then
saw a person coming down towards the b^ach 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
ns, the distance 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,
journeying round the head of the bay, till we came to

ig fallen
ice they
reached
ermined
er death

ir, about
I for ten
; all the
hich we
; to each
eleventh
we came
; so high
ught we
IS unable

way un-
lowever,
this time
id began
i^ing seen
ed speed.
)urselves,
We then
;h on the
d to him,
I boat to

leagues :
gain, and
)m, began,
i came to

a narrow part that divided the island from the mainland ;
here we saw the marks of men and dog*s 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 Inhabitants might come to our assistance. In a short
time, four large dogs came up barking furiously, and were
followed by two Indians, armed with muskets. We en-
treated them to lead us t / a habitation, which, after some
hesitation, they agreed to, and led us to a hut, at a short
distance, which we found inhabited by a fisherman, nam-
ed Isaac Isaacs; the natives whom we had met with,
formed part of his establishment. It was situated at Cape
Carpoon, 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 1 4th day after our shipwreck,
and were kindly received by Mr. Isaacs, who placed U8 by
a good fire, and treated us with some bread and spruce
beer. He then ordered one of his Indians to bring a tub-
ful of ice-water to soak our boots, and with a knife he
ripped them down behind, and turned them over our feet,
and in drawing off the 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 de-
lirium. M*Fie and I were now looking to meet with the
same fate as poor Donaldson, both our arms and legs hav-

ki.

iriMMMi«iMMlriH£itaitfMM

■'■*^'""-'----it- r ( i -W MM

ing mortified, and our host told us, that to save our lives
we must lose our limbs. Poor Richard, with a regard-
lessness 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 spreading,
and from my natural timidity, I begged Richard to suffer
first, which he did, but no stoppage could be made to the
great effusion of blood, and death in a short time termi-
nated his existence. I then was placed for the awful ope-
ration, which was performed on Christmas morning.

The surgeon, being a fisherman, first began with a large
seal knife, by carving the flesh 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. He 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, in-
sensible to every act, save the amputation of my left
hand, which, as well as right hand, was cut off by the
wrist. Next morning, my extreme personal torture,
and the reflection of my miserable condition, unable to
convey a particle of food to my lips, lying at once a com-
plete object of sympathy and disgust, the prospect of a
lingering death, in a desolate region, far from the consol-
ation of a friend, excited 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 bear a journey of twenty miles, to a
hut in the midst of a forest, to which it was usual ta~re-

inivinirwii

lur lives
regard-
my fate,
ivhat we
ireading,
to suffer
de to the
ae termi-
wful ope-
ning,
ithaiarge

ut an inch
he bones,
hot pitch
scharge of
)ce6ded to
)uring this
f death, in-
of my left

off by the
lal torture,
, unable to
once a com-
[■ospect of a
a the consol-

ideas which

jrations, my
I a very few
Y miles, to a
usual ta~re-

II /

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 fire, on a bench, and
covered with a boat's sail.

The winter party consisted of Mr. Isaacs, three English-
men, one Dutch sailor, and the two Indians already men-
tioned. 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
mokassons, or Canadian boots. As the season advanced,
I began 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 I 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 return-
ed to our former residence, where I remained from the
20th May, 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
dreaaed my sores in the best manner he was able.

mtmtmmiiifBU

■ i... Jtg'HH

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 fWrget. 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 pillow
in two to make cushions for my knees, bringing me on
deck every favourable day, and by this kind treatment,
my health was greatly restored. We arrived at Quebec
on the 23d September, I was convoyed to the hospital of
St. Roque, a^d attended by nuns, by whose care 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 Homes : I remain-
ed here till the 28th of June, 1818. My wounds being
only partially cured, broke out again on the passage, and
on my arrival in this country, I was sent to Glasgow In-
firmary, where it was found necessary to amputate both
my legs for the third time ; the amputation was perform-
ed by Doctors Corkindale and Cumin : and, thank God,
my limbs are at length skinned over. I am still, how-
ever, in a state of great debility, and must remain for life
a helpless object, dependent on the bounty of the humane.

Q-^i iyO,c

PRINTED BT W. JOHNSTON & SON.

C%.

ut eight
Quebec,
ind who
He had
he even
tiis pillow
g me on
peatment,
t Quebec
lospital of
care the
aecessary,
operation
I remain-
nds being
issage, and
lasgow In-
)utate both
as perform-
thankGod,
still, how-
aiain for life
;he humane.

Cm.'4J