300 MILD WEATHER. [CHAP.V. 



the shade ; and, such was the effect of the transi- 

 tion, that large well trodden cakes of ice adher- 

 ing to the anchors and round the bows, which 

 a week before would have remained firm under 

 the blows of a sledge hammer, now peeled off 

 with little effort, enabling us entirely to clear the 

 upper works. The breeze increased to a gale 

 during the night, and at one time a faint aurora 

 was visible in the N. W. 



During the 2d of April we were set rather 

 to the west tinder the influence of the easterly 

 wind. In the night the wind veered to N.N.E., 

 and on the 3d, a slight commotion was heard 

 to windward, but without result. At daylight 

 several small holes of water were seen, and there 

 was a manifest diminution in the height of some 

 of the waves and mounds, though in other 

 respects the ice was perfectly close. The 

 weather continued overcast, though the tempera- 

 ture was 25° + and even 30 on the south side. 

 A slight difference was perceptible on the hills 

 from the effect of the mild weather. 



The season was now rapidly advancing, and 

 under different circumstances I should have 

 commenced making the necessary preparations 

 for more active employment. As it was, although 

 the ship remained cradled precisely as before, 

 it was deemed prudent to caulk where there 

 was no strain from external pressure. Accord- 



