338 SHIP LEAKY. [CHAP.V. 



and at Fort Reliance in 1834, in latitude 62° 46' 

 29" N. and longitude 109° 00' 39" W., rain fell about 

 the same period; and now off Nottingham Island, in 

 latitude 63° 11' 44" N. and longitude 78° 56' SO" W., 

 it came on the 12th May 1837 ; so that, in this 

 respect, two degrees of latitude and forty-four 

 of longitude occasioned far less difference than 

 might have been expected under circumstances 

 and modifications so various. A solitary raven 

 and some large flocks of ducks or loons were 

 seen going to the north-west, probably to open 

 water somewhere thereabouts. The rain, which 

 ran down the rigging and across the deck, 

 served to tighten the former, and to prove the 

 leaky condition of the latter. It was, indeed, to 

 be expected that, twisted and shaken as the ship 

 had been, to say nothing of the chinks occasioned 

 by the climate, some leaks would show them- 

 selves, especially about the butt ends ; but the 

 water found its way through so many places, that 

 unfavourable as the position of the ship was 

 for caulking, it seemed prudent to do so at 

 once, even though a further repair might be 

 required hereafter when she came upright. 

 Accordingly on the 13 th the carpenter com- 

 menced operations, and the temperature being 

 much higher than usual, the opportunity was 

 taken to rattle down the rigging. No open 

 water was made out, but many dark clouds were 



