FLOE CRACKS. 169 



accumulated weight fell ; but the end of the spar 

 fortunately striking the windlass, was stopped in 

 its descent, and thus saved the barge, which 

 otherwise must have been severely if not irre- 

 parably injured. As the wind was directly 

 off shore, there was no great cause for appre- 

 hension as to the holding together of the floe, 

 unless indeed the drift should cause sufficient 

 open water to admit of any sea rising, for in 

 that case the result was certain. Though the 

 fury of the tempest gradually abated, it was not 

 entirely exhausted until the 24th. Then the sky 

 was again serene, and a tolerably clear view 

 showed us that instead of having been driven 

 out towards Frozen Strait, we were actually 

 twelve or fourteen miles to the eastward of 

 Cape Comfort. This can be accounted for only 

 on the supposition that the flood-tide had come 

 from the Welcome through Fury and Hecla 

 Straits, and, taking the channel of the Frozen 

 Strait, had met the course of the gale nearly at 

 right angles, and thus produced a mean line 

 of direction for the ship between the two, which 

 in fact answered to the position. 



Our floe was slightly cracked within a few yards 

 from either side ; but in other respects it looked 

 more extensive and firmer than ever. This was 

 verified by examination, for the high tide had 

 raised the entire body of old and young ice to 



