188 SECOND LATERAL POWER EFFECTIVE. \June, 



Further measures, for powers little short of dangerous, 

 were prepared, and on the morning of the 9th I had 

 made my mind up for a result before I retired to rest. 

 Before six we had succeeded, by saws and by using a 

 seventy-two feet hand-mast as a vertical battering ram, 

 in dislodging the ice along the port side up to the bend 

 of the counter; powder was also used to an alarming 

 extent, as far as crockery and pier-glasses were con- 

 cerned. 



The matter now resolved itself into one of power by 

 purchases. We had built a new purchase-block capable 

 of resistance. The direct ahead purchase was composed 

 of two threefold and one leading block, or three by four, 

 brought to Phillips's capstan with the full power, and 

 double runner luff on the standing parts. Yet she 

 moved not; and the falls would bear no more. My 

 rectangular purchase of similar power, direct through 

 the bow port, and secured to the grounded ice by iron 

 necklaces, was now brought into action ; this was also led 

 to the capstan, and when well taut I paused, shifting my 

 position to the starboard cathead, and there watching 

 the effect on the parallel saw cuts along that side. In 

 all such operations the principal actor is in a degree on 

 the stage; he calculates that he is intently watched by 

 every eye, and he knows when to be silent, when to 

 order, and when to cheer, or ask for that power which 

 none but excited hearts can afford. 



I saw the influence ; I saw she moved. " Silence ! 

 " Heave taut ! " " Off she goes ! " One rallying cheer, and 

 with such an impetus did she leap out of her cradle, that 

 in her headlong career she tore out the slip ring-bolt of 



