64 



Auguft. 



JOURNAL. 



the hopes we had hitherto entertained of the immediate 

 effe£t of an Eafterly wind in clearing the bay. We had but 

 one alternative ; either patiently to wait the event of the 

 weather upon the fhips, in hopes of getting them out, 

 or to betake ourfelves to the boats. The lliips had driven 

 into flioal water, having but fourteen fathom. Should 

 they, or the ice to which they were fafl:, take the ground, 

 they mull be inevitably loft, and probably overfct. The 

 hopes of getting the fhips out was not haftily to be re- 

 linquifhed, nor obftinately adhered to, till all other 

 means of retreat were cut ofF. Having no harbour to 

 lodge them in, it would be impoflible to winter them 

 here, with any probability of their being again fervice- 

 able ; our provifions would be very fhort for fuch an un- 

 dertaking, were it othervvife feadble ; and fuppofing, what 

 appeared impoiTible, that we could get to the neareft rocks, 

 and make fome conveniences for wintering, being now in 

 an unfrequented part, where fliips never even attempt to 

 come, we Ihould have the fame difficulties to encounter the 

 next year, without the fame refources ; the remains of the 

 fhip's company, in all probability, not in health ; no 

 provifions ; and the fea not fo open, this year having cer- 

 tainly been uncommonly clear. Indeed it could not 

 have been expe£ted that more than a very fmall part fhould 

 furvive the hardihips of fuch a winter with every 

 advantage ; much lefs in our prefent fituation. On the 

 other hand, the undertaking to move fo large a body for 



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