NARRATIVE OF A VOYAGE TO SPITZBEKGEN. 473 



vance, which, on account of the concavity of the 

 ship near the stern, was particularly' requisite. First, 

 two ring-bolts were driven into the stern-post at 

 the water's edge, one in each side, and the same at 

 the bows. Two thick ropes were then connected, 

 by means of several similar pieces of whale-line, 

 placed at equal distances on each, in the form of a 

 rope-ladder, in which the steps or connecting pieces 

 of whale-line were 11 feet in length. The ends of 

 the thick ropes being then fixed to the ring-bolts 

 in the stern-post, the ropes themselves were extend- 

 ed along the bottom of the ship, put through the 

 bow-ring bolts, and by the hawse-holes connected 

 with the windlass. When, therefore, they were 

 drawn tight, the connecting pieces of the whale- 

 line embraced the sails, pressed them closely to the 

 ship, and had a surprising effect in diminishing the 

 influx of water into the hold. 



On the 5th, assisted by all hands from the John, 

 our people, after four hours rest, applied them- 

 selves with such vigour, that the stowing of the 

 hold and the rigging of the ship were completed ; 

 the materials of every description removed from 

 the ice, and the sails set, before seven o'clock in the 

 morning. The ice having then cleared away in a 

 most favourable manner, under a moderate breeze 

 of wind, we left the floe ; but what was our asto- 

 nishment and mortification to find, that the ship 



