CHAP. V.] SHIP STRAINED. 271 



with their respective crews stationed at their 

 boats, ready for lowering and securing them on 

 the larger parts of the floe. All this was done 

 by the first Lieutenant, under my inspection, 

 with the utmost coolness and promptitude ; and 

 thus prepared, we waited the result. Heaven, 

 however, again protected us, and at ll h p. m. all 

 was in dead repose. 



An examination for the purpose of ascer- 

 taining what injury had been sustained was 

 immediately commenced by clearing the bread- 

 room ; and, so far as our compact and heavy 

 cargo would permit the inspection (for we 

 were afraid to move it lest the solidity and 

 means of resistance should be weakened below), 

 little was detected on the larboard side and 

 right aft. But on the other, at eight feet 

 from the round of the quarter, one of the 

 stringers, nine inches thick, was found severely 

 split, though the extent of the mischief could 

 not be seen, owing to the diagonal doubling 

 across it. Four of the lower- deck beams also had 

 been lifted from their pillars three-eighths of an 

 inch. The well was sounded every five minutes, 

 and at first we thought she did not leak \ but the 

 unwelcome truth was forced upon us, when, 

 from five to ten inches were reported. This was 

 soon cleared out, and subsequently she made 

 about an inch and a half of water an hour. It 

 was now, therefore, certain that the ship had 



