416 VOYAGE TO THE 



was fortunate the ship did not continue near the 

 ice, as she would have been unable to beat suc- 

 ?826. cessfully against the current, and the violence of 

 the gale would probably have either entangled her 

 amongst the ice, or have driven her on shore. 



The narrative was kept by Mr. Smyth under the 

 superintendence of his commander, whose more im- 

 portant duties of surveying prevented his recording 

 more than the necessary detail of a log-book. In 

 publishing it, I have given the most important parts 

 of it in Mr. Smyth's own words, and have only com- 

 pressed the matter where it could be done with pro- 

 priety and advantage. 



