74 SEVERE PRESSURE OF ICE. 



direction, and the pieces were thought to be 

 considerably smaller and lighter ; still there was 

 no continuous 'lead' of which advantage could be 

 taken. As the day advanced, and the breeze be- 

 came more southerly and moderate, little further 

 effect was produced on the ice. At noon, the ob- 

 servations made us rather to the southward ; and 

 as the ice appeared inclined to return from that 

 quarter, and the wind was drawing gradually to 

 the eastward, it was necessary to make sail and 

 get as far as the openings would allow. This 

 was speedily accomplished; and, with much 

 trouble from the closing of the ice, we contrived 

 to gain a mile or two from the floe, which had 

 been left, and found ourselves again brought 

 to a full stop, and in a more awkward situation 

 than before. Warps were immediately put into 

 requisition ; and with the aid of the capstan the 

 ship was wedged between the opposing masses, 

 until finding less obstruction the sails once more 

 pressed her onwards. The severity of the shocks 

 as we encountered the ice, notwithstanding our 

 familiarity with them, was on this occasion ab- 

 solutely startling. But there was no help for it, 

 nor any other chance of getting on ; for the 

 channel we ploughed before us closed ere the 

 ship had gone twice her length, and cut off all 

 retreat, even had retreat been thought of. 



To complete the catalogue of annoyances the 



i 



