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Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not
used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad
quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are
images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to
keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the
original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain
imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made
available for future generations to enjoy.
PREFACE TO A NEW EDITION the weather, that has been fine since we
left New York, has thickened. The TO-DAY brisk north wind that kept
the sea-line clear died away to fitful airs during the night. Fog
has closed in on us and we go slowly, blindly, tapping our way by
soundings of the depths, over the undersea ridges and gullies that
lead on to Cape Race. Since an hour before daybreak we have seen
nothing, heard nothing, of sea- neighbours or of the world beyond
the limits of our bulwarks. The horizon, blurred indefinite circle
of a ships length, shows little sign of ex- panding to the hard
blue division of sea and sky that is at present chiefly our desire.
North Atlantic weather Nine months winter and three months fog
Monotonous in its persistence, the fog has yet a certain quality of
variety. With the passing of a fine quiet night, came dense cloudy
vapours that hung closely to the ship, shrouding the decks and
ugperworks in an impenetrable pall. Roused, perhaps cheerful by
benison of a sound nights rest, we were optimistic. Morning
vapours, said we, as we rang slow to the engine room. The pride o
th morning, no doubt 1 Huh The sun will clear this off when he has
a good look at it. ., . Two hours, . t, three hours, four, . . the
clouds of vapour ., . that had robbed us of our sight turned to wet
mist, grey and de- pressing. Hoar formed on the awning spars and
stanchions moisture trickled to the decks and soaked the planking
underfoot it was time to turn up coat collars and settle caps.
Scotch mist we called it, thinking hopefully of a drying up in
process with the sun climbing over the mast- heads. Vain hope. Now
in waning afternoonit has settled to a deep white haze and through
it thetreacherous sunlight dapples and shimmers on the near sea to
madden us by rousing thoughts of a clear and sunny horizon far
beyond. At rare intervals, a breath of wholesome north wind blows
over and routs the lingering wraiths for a brief space of time. As
a diver coming up for breath, we lean a modest mile of sea around.
Then the breeze dies, and the mists return. Burr-r-r-r-r-aah-oopf
Strident and challenging, the bold blast of our syren thunders out
in the still air- the exhaust spurting a brilliant feather of white
steam to join forces with the haze. masterful compelling ear-lash
The cut-off acts sharply on the sustained note. . . . aah-oop
sounds like the final barking jeer in a vicious argument. The
brazen cylinder ends its raucous clamour as though there is no more
to be said. Alas, our argument with the elements is not readily
concluded At timely intervals, the steam again throws out and up in
a blinding curl Burr-r-r-r-r-aah-oop Caught up by some angle of the
wheelhouse, a mocking echo carries the refrain. Eyes One might as
well have no eyes. Outboard the ship there is nothing to be seen
save the swell breaking at the bows as the vessel moves slowly on
her course. Only ears are of use to us and the heads of the
watchkeepers trim and cant, thisway and that, in our efforts to
catch a whisper from beyond the curtain that enshrouds us. The
tension of expectancy relaxes in time. For hours we have listened
under immediate strain and no sound has come out of the fog.
Sub-con- sciously, our hearing sense has been trained to an
acuteness that is independent of an effort of will almost, one is
become a machine with the bell set to ring at mental contact. Our
eyes relieved from activeservice have liberty to rove. Debarred
from a long sea-view, they focus the more sharply on the near
prospect the spaces of the fore-deck where ship life has the calm
and normal atmosphere of a good voyage...
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