CHAP. V.] BOLTS, &C. LOOSENED. Q6o 



of the iloe remained, cracked here and there, but 

 yet adhering in firm and solid bodies. These of 

 course were irresistible ; and after much groaning, 

 splitting, and cracking, accompanied by sounds 

 like the explosion of cannon, the ship rose fore and 

 aft, and heeled over about 10° to starboard. On 

 sounding the well there appeared a trifling in- 

 crease of water, amounting in the day to c l\ 

 inches, a proof that she was loosened. Below 

 indeed, during the pressure, a part of the bulkhead 

 of the steward's room had fallen out into the after 

 cockpit ; while three of the lower deck beams 

 eighteen inches square, abreast of the larboard 

 fore chains, had been lifted half an inch from the 

 shelf-piece : the bolts that fastened them were 

 drawn a quarter of an inch, and several treenails 

 also were much loosened. Even when the 

 weather became calm the agitation of the ice did 

 not subside, but continued up to midnight, assail- 

 ing the ship with almost unremitted violence. 



Nor on the following day, 8th March, was there 

 much abatement; and at 7 h a.m. the ice closed, and 

 again straining the ship, raised her several inches 

 higher, making in the whole four feet three inches. 

 A light air was now blowing from the S. W. 

 which was nearly off shore, but wedged as the 

 vessel now was we could scarcely expect to 

 escape all annoyance. In fact, not a hole of 

 water was visible from the mast-head \ and, with 



s 4 



