ATMOSPHEROLpGY.^-WINDS. 401 



The (lay following it subsided, and a moderate 

 breeze prevailed, veering from N. N. W., gradually 

 to W.> S., E., and finally settling again at N. N. W., 

 after touching on every point of the compass. The 

 barometer, meanwhile, was depressed. In the even- 

 ing it was nearly calm. While we were in the act 

 of towing the ship through a narrow opening be- 

 tween two floes, a heavy shower was observed 

 in the N. W., advancing towards the ship. On its 

 approach, the vane at the mast-head whirled round, 

 the sails were violently shaken, and in a moment 

 the snow enveloped the ship in obscurity, and a 

 violent storm of wind dashed her, spite of every 

 exertion, stern first, against a fioc of ice which she 

 was in the act of doubling. The concussion, though 

 violent, was prevented, by the prompt activity of 

 the sailors, in getting out a rope to one of the ad- 

 joining slieets of i,ice, from producing any particular 

 injury. After enduring considerable pressure from 

 the two floes, which, at the same instant, collapsed, 

 ^ve were enabled to make our escape, from a situa- 

 tion of the most perilous nature, and happily without 

 any serious damage being sustained by the ship. 



May the 10th 1813, the barometer indicated a 

 storm ; and the singular appearance of the atmo- 

 sphere strengthened the indication. After twelve 

 or eighteen hours of calm and variable weather, oc- 

 casioned evidently by conflicting winds, a sudden 

 and impetuous storm arose, which continued with 

 little intermission for six days. 



VOL. I. c c 



