CHAP. V.] FLOE DAMAGED. 219 



seemed to be fast drifting to the south. During 

 the early part of the night a lunar halo, slightly 

 prismatic, and of 48° diameter was observed. 

 Shortly after the wind veered more to the north, 

 and with a rising barometer blew a strong gale, 

 which remained unabated till morning of the 15th. 

 From a severe shock, that was felt on board 

 sometime in the middle watch, as well as various 

 dull crackings about the stern frame and counter, 

 I inferred that some commotion had been in ope- 

 ration among the ice. I was not, however, pre- 

 pared to hear that an opening, commencing 

 within a short distance of the larboard bow, had 

 made its way to within forty paces of the 

 ship, and then running diagonally across had 

 absolutely bisected the floe - y nor, on further 

 examination, was this all, since, at the southern 

 extreme, we had lost another large portion, 

 broken off in a parallel line, while to the 

 north innumerable cracks appeared in every 

 direction. This was the most unpromising sight 

 experienced from the time of our being frozen in, 

 for there could be no doubt that the bulwark 

 of our security had been shattered ; and, as no 

 instance had been known of a reunion of parts 

 once separated from the mass, we could not but 

 feel, though with an humble reliance on the 

 mercy of that Providence which had hitherto 

 sustained us, how precarious was henceforth our 



