RISK AMONG ICEBERGS. 159 ~ 



slowly under the impulse of its dread plunge, the 

 first iceberg floated off to sea ! 



It is right to remark here that this explanation 

 is, to some extent, disputed at leafct there is a 

 difference of opinion as to the manner in which the 

 iceberg leaves its parent glacier. There is no 

 dispute as to its origin. This difference will be 

 explained shortly in a quotation from Dr. Kane's 

 work ; meanwhile, in support of the present theory, 

 let us listen to the words of one who saw with his 

 own eyes something similar to what has been 

 described. Dr. Scoresby, than whom a better man 

 never explored the arctic seas, says : 



" In July 1818, I was particularly fortunate in 

 witnessing one of the grandest effects which these 

 polar glaciers ever present. A strong north- 

 westerly swell, having for some hours been beating 

 on the shore, had loosened a number of fragments 

 attached to the iceberg, and various heaps of broken 

 ice denoted recent shoots of the seaward edge. As 

 we advanced towards it, with a view of proceeding 

 close to its base, I observed a few little pieces fall 

 from the top; and while my eye was fixed upon 

 the place, an immense column, probably fifty feet 

 square, and one hundred and fifty feet high, began 

 to leave the parent ice at the top, and, leaning 

 majestically forward, with an accelerated velocity 

 fell, with an awful crash, into the sea. 



" The water into which it plunged was converted 

 into an appearance of vapour or smoke, like that 



