CHAP. VI.] UNDERMINING SHIP. 363 



so much under, that the work could be con- 

 tinued, while a second party, co-operating with 

 the former, went on steadily undermining the 

 fore-foot, which has been described as resting 

 upon the surface of the ice. It will be readily 

 understood that the object of these proceedings 

 was to remedy, as effectually and speedily as pos- 

 sible, whatever portion was accessible of the seri- 

 ous injuries which it was probable the keel and 

 lower section of the hull had sustained ; and, 

 though nature would in time have effected the 

 same thing without labour of ours, yet it was 

 of moment to be ready for any of those extraor- 

 dinary changes which, through the disruption of 

 the surrounding ice, would sooner or later launch 

 us into freedom. 



Three swans, a flock or two of ducks, and an 

 occasional plover or snipe passed towards the 

 north, while a few loons and two or three kinds 

 of gulls flew round or hovered over the different 

 holes of water. At noon Charles Island was 

 just distinguishable from aloft, and soundings 

 were obtained in forty-six fathoms on a rocky 

 bottom with small pebbles, and a part of some 

 crustaceous animal. This corresponded exactly 

 with the soundings, as given in Captain Lyon's 

 chart, and also those of the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany in our possession. 



The labour of excavation was carried on with 



