216 THE VOYAGE .OF THE JEANNETTE. 



at four, our position was within a small floe with water 

 all around us. Of course, the ice will close up again, 

 and then it is a question of strength. If the small floe 

 is squeezed on two sides it will collapse, and then the 

 ship gets the pressure ; if squeezed on one side it will 

 go to the main floe on the other, and the edges will 

 break up and pile up until the broken masses reach the 

 ship's side. In any case, the ship comes in for some 

 unpleasantness, so there is not much choice. Ice forty 

 inches thick is a powerful enemy but a weak defender. 



January 16^/i, Friday. — Although the wind did not 

 attain a high velocity, it seemed to be peculiarly search- 

 ing and very loud. While we have been able to take 

 our usual walking exercise with less wind and minus 29° 

 temperature, to-day a temperature of minus 16° was 

 unbearable. I accordingly dispensed with the enforced 

 exercise, although I make it a general rule to keep it 

 up as long as the thermometer stands above minus 30°. 



At 12.30 A. M. the familiar grinding and groaning 

 made itself heard on our starboard side. Examination 

 showed that the floes which separated yesterday were 

 coming together again, and breaking up the new ice 

 which had already formed in the crack. Beyond an 

 occasional jar and shock, the ship did not move. At 

 three the ice again began its movement, and this con- 

 tinued at intervals all day until seven p. m. Jars and 

 shocks were frequent, but the ship did not move, keep- 

 ing the same heel 2h° to starboard, although she was 

 receiving considerable pressure on her underwater body. 

 We had, therefore, nothing to worry us but a constant 

 state of tension and anxiety. The auroral display was 

 extraordinary. 



January 17th, Saturday. — The day opened pleasant 

 and clear with a N. W. wind. The barometer rose stead- 



