CHAP. VI.] PUMPS AT WORK. 407 



finding their way by the stern-post, fell over the 

 transom with a gush. Every thing was imme- 

 diately cleared out to enable the carpenter to 

 get at the leak, and most of the things were 

 wet from having been under water. The casks 

 in which bread was stowed, being water-tight, 

 little or no injury had been sustained by this 

 important article. The water in the well had 

 been kept under, at first with three, and sub- 

 sequently with two pumps, constantly at work ; 

 and, even when the carpenters seemed to check 

 the stream, which rushed through the leak, still 

 those on deck could not relax in their efforts. 



July 15th. To the N.E. there was a pack of 

 solid ice, and the drift ice was too thick to allow 

 the ship to yaw about amongst it ; the little head- 

 sail, therefore, that had been set, was taken in, 

 and we began to pass a chain round and under 

 the projecting part of the stern-post, heaving it 

 so tight as to secure it against the effect of a 

 heavy sea. The old rudder was now, by the 

 help of the sheers erected for that purpose, 

 taken on board, and the new one hoisted out 

 and hung in its proper place. Sail was then set, 

 and, having tacked under some disadvantage, we 

 entertained a very favourable opinion of the 

 result of the experiment. The ship, however, 

 was very leewardly, and the shock occasioned by 

 the first piece of ice that struck against her, 



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