56 WRECK OF THE ' REGALTA.' \Jutie, 



lines are then cut by the saw-gangs ; and, as soon as they 

 have fairly commenced, diagonal lines are followed up ; tri- 

 angles or jib-pieces (for which see Appendix) are shaped 

 out, which are removed as cut. On the pipe " Dock ship ! ' 

 the officers with their saw-gangs immediately repair to 

 their proper saws and triangles, and march off to the 

 floe, two to the saw, two to the triangle, and four to the 

 " gins" and " bell-ropes," in much the same order as ar- 

 tillerymen to their gun-gear, and await orders. The first 

 few feet is a silent duty ; but " Now, my lads, for a song!" 

 and at it they go cheerily, never forgetting those nearest 

 their hearts, as " Sally is the girl I love so dearly," and 

 similar improvised measures, cheering on the duty, oc- 

 casionally interrupted by a simultaneous burst, or yell, 

 from some, at least to us, unknown cause. 



The icemen of the 'Resolute' consider that vessel to 

 have had a very narrow escape, and I perfectly believe, 

 with them, that no whaler could have withstood the 

 pressure to which she was subjected. The result has 

 produced a more serious preparation for " flitting," and 

 greater attention to boat-fittings. What I had foreseen 

 happened : a shift of wind set our floe in motion ; the 

 docks broke up, owing to numerous cracks occasioned by 

 the explosions by gunpowder, and a general movement 

 resulted. A polar bear approached the ' North Star/ but 

 her sportsmen, too eager to get the first shot, fired be- 

 fore he was within range, upon which he very wisely 

 withdrew from such uncourteous company. 



June 30. We had succeeded, after much toil, in cut- 

 ting and blasting through several necks of ice which 

 separated the vessels, and were again collected, when the 



