20

Cramped Quarters

To make matters worse a severe snow storm accompanied by heavy frost, was now in progress and the suffering of the crew was intensi- fied. A heavy wave had damaged the forecastle and everyone had to go to the cabin aft. Here the entire crew were forced to huddle until the storm died out or the ship went to the bottom. Their condition seemed hopeless.

The sailors remained crouched in the cabin as much as possible but once in a while it became necessary for them to go up on deck. Those who braved the dangers in performing this task made sure that they were well fastened by ropes before crossing the slippery wave— and wind-splashed deck. Their difficult task was to take turn about man- ning the pump to prevent the boat from floundering. However, it was found that the newly-built boat was not taking on much water.

After the first day the crew gave up hope. Mr. MacDonald was also satisfied in his own mind that he would never escape from the storm- tossed ship. Thoughts of home and loved ones kept haunting his mind. When his plight seemed hopeless he became possessed with one last desire; the opportunity to say good-bye to his wife and children. He was convinced that if this wish were granted he would be perfectly satisfied to die.

Minutes seemed like hours as the howling storm continued to rage. The men were cut off from the main store of provisions. Fortunately, however, a barrel of biscuits of the “hard tack” variety were located near the cabin. There was also a supply of fresh water on hand. They were able to relieve their hunger and thirst which was a great help in keeping up their spirits.

The men were able to catch a bit of sleep. However, the danger of being thrown to the floor was present whenever a large wave hit the vessel. Even when they fastened themselves to the bunks their condi- tion was not bettered as the continuous bumping and lurching pre- vented sound sleep.

The men were like prisoners below deck. There was not much room to move about and even if there had been, the continuous pitching of the vessel made it dangerous. As the weary hours dragged on condi- tions failed to improve and the howling blizzard outside seemed to mock the sailors.

The deck was coated with ice and the rigging was covered with about five inches of frozen snow and sleet. Thankfully, the vessel was new and strongly built or it would not have remained afloat after the first few hours.

Then, on the third day, when things looked blackest, the storm abated, and the sea calmed. It was an elated bunch of men who crawled out of the cabin to stretch themselves. Their sense of joy and relief at having lived through the terrible storm was heightened when they discovered that the Barbara MacDonald had weathered the storm without suffering much damage.

The weather had become mild and a heavy mantle of fog had settled over that part of the Atlantic but the snow began melting on the rigging and this made the work of the men on deck rather precarious as hugh chunks of ice fell with a crash, on occasion narrowly missing

crew members. It took about 24 hours of hard labour to complete repairs on the