serious difficulty presented itself—the mouth of a river into which the C H A P ,
current set with great velocity, carrying with it large masses of ice.
After many attempts wo succeeded in getting a line across ; but had Narrative
no sooner accomplished it, than it broke, and our repeated trials for Ba,P
a long time were unsuccessful. Eventually we managed to overcome
this obstacle, and had just got the boat to the opposite shore when she
grounded ; and the current setting strong against iier, all our exertions
to get lier afloat were iiieifectual. A few minutes before this accident,
Mr. Elson, who was on board, hailed me, saying that the channel after
crossing the river looked more favourable than ever. Cheered by this
report, we worked harder; but so quick was the ice in its movement,
that in a few moments we were enclosed on all sides. Nothing more
towards freeing the boat could now be done, therefore we carried out
her anchors to the shore and secured her, contemplating a retreat by
land should we not be so fortunate as to get clear. On looking to
the southward, w e found the ice perfectly compact, and connected with
the shore, not leaving visible a space of water three yards iu diameter.
The crew now enjoyed a little rest; and Mr. Elson decided that we
should remain by the boat until the 1st of September, on which day,
should no chance appear of liberating her, we were to start by land for
Kotzebue Sound.
Some lai’gc ice grounding to windward partially sheltered the boat;
but as her situation was on the southern bank of the entrance to the river,
the current swept with force round, bringing occasionally some heavy
ice in contact w-ith the boat, the violence of which hove her into a foot
and a half less water than she drew; and the sand soon formed a bank
on the outside, leaving her quite bedded. At six p . m . the current
had almost subsided, xi most cheerless prospect presented itself, the
wliole sea being covered with ice sufficiently compact to walk upon ; and
the clouds becoming heavy and flying swiftly from the S. W. offered
not the smallest hope of our escape. The water had likewise flilleii a
foot and a half, leaving the boat nearly dry. Our feelings now were
indescribable, as it appeared very evident that w-e should be obliged to
abandon our little vessel, and perform the journey to Chamisso Island
on foot—an undertaking we were by no means adequate to, and which
s s