In the late autumn of 1674, the whaler St. Martin of Bayonne in France, returning from a successful trip to Greenland, was driven far off course and ran ashore in Caithness.  In a Deed of Disposition and Assignation she is stated as "now lyand in wrack upon the shore of Huna in Canesby" having had on board about 130 barrels of whale oil.  In an early example of an employee profit-sharing scheme "half of the said oyle was to fall and pertaine" to the master and ship's company.  In the Deed, dated 5 December 1674, "Peter Gernoyes, the master gunner" (apparently the most senior surviving officer), sold the wreck and its cargo so "as to maintaine me in Cloathes, meat and drink and carry me home to my own native cuntray".