NARRATIVE OF A VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEX. 447 



water, concealed beneath the surface of the sea, at 

 the depth of 10 or 12 feet, a hard pointed projection 

 of ice (called by the Grcenlandmen a tongue,) ^yhich 

 pressed against the keel, lifted the rudder, and caus- 

 ed a damage that had nearly occasioned the loss of 

 the ship. Yet so perfectly unconscious were we of 

 any danger, that we employed ourselves about an 

 hour and a-half after the accident, endeavouring to 

 heave the ship a-head, into the adjoining indenta- 

 tion or bay at which we originally aimed, as a place 

 of greater security ; and it was not until the pres- 

 sure relaxed, and tlie ship began to sink in the 

 water, that we became in any degree sensible of our 

 danger. The carpenter then having sounded the 

 pump, discovered, to our great concern, a depth of 

 8^ feet water in the hold ! This amazing flow of 

 water in so short a time, was most alarming. With 

 despair pictured in every face, the crew set on the 

 pumps. A signal of distress v^as at the same time 

 hoisted, which was no sooner seen, than a dozen 

 boats - approached us from the surrounding ships. 

 Bailing, by means of tubs and buckets at the fore- 

 hatch-way, fore-scuttle and companion, was resorted 

 to, to assist tlie effect of the pumps. These means, 

 together with the two principal pumps, (of 9 inches 

 bore or diameter,) and a spare pump in the fore- 

 hatch- way, delivered such an astonishing quantity 

 of water, that in a very short time, the men were 

 enlivened by the intelligence, that the water dimi- 



