CHAP, VI. J DIFFICULTY OF STEERING. 411 



of it ; and, unmanageable as the ship was, and 

 always going to leeward, the utmost attention on 

 the part of those on deck could not prevent her 

 striking or grazing against various pieces, from 

 the concussion of which she suffered greatly. 

 Observing that the ice opened out to the north- 

 east, in which direction I wished to go, for the pur- 

 pose of returning along the known track of the 

 north shore, rather than by the unfrequented, and 

 almost unknown navigation of the south one, ad- 

 vantage was taken of the circumstance ; and, though 

 greatly annoyed by numerous unavoidable shocks 

 from the drift ice, sufficient distance was gained 

 to bring in sight the coast along which we had 

 passed last year. Such, however, was the diffi- 

 culty of steering clear of concussions, and 

 so great the importance of saving our new 

 rudder, which was in danger of being carried 

 away, that further progress was impossible; and 

 as by good fortune an extensive floe was near, 

 the ship was got to it and made fast by the 

 usual means of ice anchors. At that time, one 

 compact sheet of ice filled the Straits from shore 

 to shore, and extended to the utmost limit of 

 view to the eastward. At noon Charles Island 

 bore (east end) W.S.W. and the Labrador shore 

 stretched to the south and east, terminating in a 

 point. The temperature was 37°-\- , and 44° + in 

 the sun. That of the sea water which in a free 



