Accidents > Dangers of the deep, or, Narratives of shipwreck and adventure at sea

w EAST INDIAMAX. 221
seamen, Hendrick Scantz, a Swede, having
picked up an old pair of bellows, brought
them to his companions, telling them that he
had been a smith by profession, and that with
these bellows and a forge, which he hoped by
his direction they should be able to build, he
could furnish the carpenter with all necessary
tools, nails included, as plenty of iron might
be obtained by burning it out of the timber
of the wreck coming ashore. This account
was received with a transport of joy; the smith
immediately set himself to mend the bellows;
and the three following days were occupied in
building a tent and forge, and in collecting
the timber and plank for the carpenter’s use,
who also was employed in preparing the few
tools already in his possession, that the boat
might be begun as soon as possible.
On Thursday the 24th of July, the carpen¬
ter, assisted by Chisholm the quarter-master,
began to work on the keel of the vessel, which
it was determined should be a sloop thirty
feet long, and twelve feet wide. This day
also the smith finished his forge, and laid in a
quantity of fir for fuel. He and the carpen¬
ter thenceforward continued to work with in¬
defatigable diligence, except when prevented
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