1852.] DANGER FROM OVERLAPPING ICE. 121 



Commander Richards was noticed making good pro- 

 gress down a lane which had opened, and, by the time 

 we were about to quit the Point, landed to receive his 

 final orders. We then moved on to Pioneer Island, 

 to complete our work, and thence to the ship ; but ex- 

 perienced very difficult work in crossing the young ice, 

 which threatened several times to press the boat by a 

 sliear-Uke movement, one sheet overlapping the other, 

 but she escaped with one hole only in her bows, which I 

 succeeded in stopping with my silk handkerchief. Un- 

 fortunately we did not reach the ship this night, but en- 

 camped on the floe, and fired a rocket almost over their 

 heads, to warn them of our being near : this, however, 

 was not seen. 



In the morning we pushed forward, and soon joined, 

 or came upon the track of, the other party, which, by not 

 having any off-shore duty to execute, had avoided our 

 difficulties. On opening Mount Beaufort, we noticed 

 parties from the ship advancing to aid our men ; but I 

 believe that in the succeeding two hours, until we 

 reached the ship, more damage and wettings were ex- 

 perienced than during our whole cruise. This resulted 

 from the ice being much weaker in this direct line of 

 greatest tidal force : it is the last portion frozen, and 

 the earliest thawed. About 4.30 I re-entered my cabin, 

 quite prepared to enjoy every comfort it might offer. 



// inter Operations. The winter had now been com- 

 pletely established, and the 'Assistance' and tender firmly 

 frozen in. The customary preparations were made for 

 housing in the ships ; but as we considered the vessels 

 tuo secure to require any extraordinary preparations, the 



