226 THE VOYAGE OF THE JE ANNETTE. 



feet from the keelson, and towards the close of the day 

 they seemed to have the effect of diminishing the leak. 

 We had to keep the auxiliary steam-pump, in the old 

 galley-room, going all the time, however, and in the 

 afternoon discovered a crack in its suction pipe. Re- 

 paired it, and at the same time Melville added two 

 lengths to it, so as to make the end piece lie horizon- 

 tally in the bilge. This seemed to add to the efficiency 

 of the pump, and we materially reduced the water. 

 The limber holes under the coal bunkers seemed to have 

 become more thawed or otherwise cleared, for the accu- 

 mulated water flowed aft more freely, and was pumped 

 out by the engine-room pump running one half the 

 time. After noon only water enough came aft to en- 

 gine-room to feed the boiler. The engineer's force are 

 having plenty of work ; for in addition to tending the 

 boiler and steam-pumps, Melville keeps them at work 

 making forgings and other fittings for our proposed 

 connection of the Baxter boiler to the deck bilge-pump. 

 Edison's electro-dynamic machine comes in handy, for 

 we have taken its shaft to fit as a counter-shaft for the 

 pumping. 



Upon digging out the fire-hole to-day, preparatory to 

 recommencing soundings, we struck hard, solid ice at a 

 depth of four feet, which so completely closed the fire- 

 hole from below that we could not get a lead down. I 

 believe now that wdien we sustained the severe longi- 

 tudinal pressure the advancing floe slid under the floe 

 in which the ship is imbedded (for she lifted forward 

 two inches), and now lies under her as far aft as her 

 mainmast. No doubt it was this advancing floe which 

 broke the forefoot. 



The depth of water in the ship to-day is as fol- 

 lows — ■ 



