498 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. XIII. 



The shock ended by the ice breaking up into 

 masses, and striking the ship violently every mo- 

 ment ; and that which remained all round was so 

 splintered and jagged that to put a boat upon it 

 was out of the question. No means therefore were 

 left to convey any thing to the land, distant at least 

 seven or nine miles ; and Back says — " I think it 

 at least doubtful whether any one, even without 

 incumbrance, could have reached it." On the 20th 

 of February the whole of the ice was again in 

 motion, and separated itself entirely from the star- 

 board side of the ship, throwing down and carrying 

 away these embankments, galleries, and walls of 

 snow which had been erected for their convenience, 

 exercise, and amusement ; " some of the galleries," 

 says Back, " were now floating in the water, look- 

 ing like tunnels. To find ourselves at freedom to 

 move would, two months later, have been the summit 

 of our wishes ; but now we saw it with reluctance, as 

 it only mocked us with a hope which could not be 

 realized, while it involved us in immediate peril." 

 The ship, however, was now in the water, and sub- 

 ject to the nips and rubs of the masses, which are 

 stated to have returned against her with accumu- 

 lated force, and " to make her crack fore and aft 

 with hideous creaking that for some seconds held 

 us in suspense for the result." 



It would appear, however, from the continued 

 cracking of the ship when the ice was still, and 



