CHAP. frozen during the night to the thickness of half an inch. After eight
A. M. Mr. Elson and myself ivalked along the beach to reconnoitre the
Narrative state of the Icc. W e found that, if we could cut the boat through about
Barge. a quarter of a mile ofice, we should get into about double that distance
of clear water, and returned on board witli the determination to
accomplish this. Having got the boat afloat, we began our arduous
task of cutting and hauling her through the ice. The natives, seeing
us thus employed, very kindly came (unasked) and lent their assistance.
YY"e persevered in our labours till half past three, by which time we
had moved the boat a mile and a half south of her former position.
Another and more formidable barrier w'as now opposed to us, consisting
of extensive pieces of ice aground, closely wedged together by
smaller masses, under which we anchored. After dinner Mr. Elson and
myself again visited the cliffs, and thought we could perceive a zigzag
channel which afforded a hope of liberation, provided we could force her
through the present obstacle. Immediately we got on board, we commenced
cutting a passage; but had no sooner made an opening, than
it was filled by the current drifting smaller pieces of ice down. These
Yve for some time kept cutting and clearing away; but after two liours
and a half of hard work, we found our exertions endless, and relinquished
the attempt. In the evening the wind veered to the S. E., and
the breeze, though light from this quarter, put some of the smaller
pieces of ice in motion off the land. We remained up till midnight,
although fatigued with the toils of the day, and the wind having increased
to a fresh breeze, had the consolation to witness the moving
of several of the larger pieces. The collision that now took place, owing
to the shift of wind (the ice in the offing still holding its former course,
w'hilst that in shore w'as opposed to it), occasioned a grinding noise not
unlike to that of a heavy roaring surf. Having I'ully satisfied ourselves
of the departure of the ice, if the wind should hold its present direction
and force, we retired to rest, anxiously waiting the following morning.
Monday, 28th Aug. Rising early, we had the great satisfaction
to see that the formidable barrier which yesterday afternoon had
been proof against our attempts, had nearly all drifted to sea, and
that the coast, as far as we could discern, was fast clearing of icc. The
lli.»
wind blew strong at S. S. E.; a n d e v e r y preparation being made for weigh- CHAPino
after a hasty breakfast the anchor was got up, and our httle vesse
agtin bounded through the waters. Our tacking now was very uncertain, N»r,«.ivc
as in some places the icc still remained thick, and obhged us to periorm
that evolution twice or thrice in the space of a few minutes; and as we
made it a rule not to bear up for any thing, we had some close rubs.
By two p. M. we could see the southern termination of the mam body
ofice. There were still a number of large pieces aground, and much
drift ahout us; the current setting to the northward at the rate of a
mile and a half an hour. At three the wind fell light. A heavy swel
from the S occasioned a furious surf along the beach, and obliged
us to keep well out to sea. The ice still extending far to windward
made our situation very critical should the wind blow hard from the
s W It now fell calm, with heavy clouds in the S. Y\ .; and being in
want of water, we procured a supply from the bergs that were near us.
YY"e watched every cloud with the greatest anxiety, and at eight observed
them coming steadily from the westward, bringing with them a
thick fog. We then stood to the northward until we reached * 6 ice,
when we tacked to the southward, and sailed along its margin. There
were several walruses upon i t ; which at our approach bundled into the
water. YVe had scarcely got clear of this field or body of ice, when it
ao-ain fell calm—the clouds very heavy, and a thick fog. I Hiding that
the current was again setting us to the northward at the rate o two
miles and a half aii hour, we anchored, and had no sooner done so, than
several large detached bergs were seen driving rapidly down ill our
hawse. YVe again got up the anchor, and towed the boat in shore,
where we anchored again, and kept a vigilant look-out.
Tuesday, 29th Aug. In the course of the night the S. YY . swell
went down, and at one this morning a light air sprang up from the S. E.
Y\"eio hed and stood in shore, the wind gradually freshening. 1 n ruimiiig
alon" the laud, passed a quantity of drift ice. At noon, saw another
body ofice about two miles distant, extending about eleven miks'S.
and S . ; and as we were not yet far enough south to see Cape Irankhn,
we were apprehensive the ice might join it, iu wluch case we should
be again beset. In the afternoon, with great pleasure, we passed betw een