1852.] PREPARATION FOR FLITTING. 51 



We had now reached " Melville Bay," and the remark- 

 able objects known as "Devil's Thumb," "Sugar-loaf," 

 " Melville Monument,"and Cape Walker, familiar to Arctic 

 navigators, were all clearly defined, and apparently very 

 near. But the positions on the chart, if they be truly 

 placed and we have reason to doubt it would place us 

 about forty miles from them. 



June 26. Lat. 74 34' N., long. 59 23' W. We had 

 a most beautiful day, the sun bright, temperature 36, and 

 were able to determine our advance to have been about 

 thirty-five miles north and twenty-five miles west during 

 the last twenty-four hours we obtained soundings, with 

 320 fathoms ; bottom, coarse ground, with stones and 

 coral. Our arrangements for " flitting," or deserting ship, 

 in the event of getting nipped by the ice, were already 

 made, and the necessary provisions for each boat stowed 

 on deck in readiness. Each person was supplied with 

 a bag, in which a complete suit and change of under- 

 clothing were kept stowed, so as to prevent confusion ; 

 officers and men were told off to their respective boats ; 

 in fact, every arrangement complete for leaving the ship 

 in the most orderly manner. 



I think I can perceive the curl of lip of some fastidious 

 friends, who may deem these matters absurd ; but there 

 is always an ajjinul mode in burning, sinking, blowing 

 up, or abandoning a ship of war. Whatever happens in 

 a well-disciplined ship, becomes less inconvenient by every 

 man knowing his duty ; no confusion then results, and 

 less loss of life or property is heard of. 



It may appear strange, but doubtless it will be remarked 

 in the course of our expedition, that " coming events cast 



E 2 



