54 BLASTINCi ICE. \JuH, 



It is therefore customary, by the use of ice-saws, varying 

 from ten to seventeen or eighteen feet in length, from 

 a quarter to half an inch in thickness, and about nine 

 inches wide, to saw out a space which will admit a vessel 

 twice her own length, and a few feet wider than her ex- 

 treme breadth, within the irregular edge, and which will 

 become completely sealed, should an adverse floe close its 

 mouth ; or, to refer very simply to every-day practice, it 

 is just backing up some alley, if one is in the way of a 

 runaway beer-dray in the Strand. 



In the present case we discovered, even with three 

 ice-masters in each vessel, and much other assembled 

 talent and experience, that there is always much to learn, 

 and moreover, to facilitate any uncommon service, that 

 method is imperatively required. Our docks, constructed 

 in haste, and without previous organization, were imper- 

 fect, and therefore we were compelled to cut deeper, 

 incurring double labour. 



As our men and officers were now stationed to each 

 saw-gang, I had the opportunity, as this work was ///- 

 surely done by one loatch, of determining the rate of work 

 on which I could rely in ordinary cases. The average cut- 

 ting of three-feet ice I found to be at the rate of ten feet 

 in three minutes, which, if no obstacles opposed, and there 

 was external space into which the masses could be floated, 

 would allow of "cutting in" in forty minutes,* or less, 

 if danger threatened. Every officer in command should, 

 whatever may be the service required, estimate, nay de- 

 termine, truly, the power at his disposal; and not until 

 then is he competent to order, decide on, or reject any 

 contemplated movement where time is involved. 



* Later experiments ; 1.40, docked; 1258 tons ice removed. 



