CHAP. VI.] SHATTERED CONDITION OF SHIP. 433 



tiscorbutics. It had been observed, indeed, that 

 the apprehension of sickness had induced most 

 of the men to go without food, except such 

 as they could save up of fresh provision, 

 rather than take their regular allowance of salt 

 meat. We now went cheerily along between 

 ice bergs of an extent and altitude such as I 

 had never before witnessed, until, leaving them 

 far behind, the temperature of the sea-water 

 gradually increased from 36° to 41° + , and indi- 

 cated our entrance into a warmer climate. 



August 9th. The shattered condition of the 

 after part of the ship forced itself hourly more 

 on our notice, and, though yet unexposed to any 

 thing beyond a moderate sea, the rickety state of 

 the stern-post and other parts, such as the dead- 

 wood, heel-hook, and heel-knee, as well as the 

 increased leakage between the lining, rendered 

 immediate attention necessary, before the arrival 

 of a gale should put us to too severe a test. Con- 

 sequently the heel chains were again set up, and 

 being brought over each quarter were hove tight 

 by the capstan ; and in order to prevent the 

 scarphing of the doubling on the keel from break- 

 ing adrift, as was apprehended by the carpenter, 

 as well as to secure the doubling itself, a length 

 of the stream-chain cable was passed under the 

 bottom of the ship, four feet before the mizen 

 mast, hove tight by the capstan, and finally im- 



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