140 GLACIERS—AVALANCHES. April 1828. 
its south end by a channel leading to the open sea, but crowded 
with islands and rocks. A deep inlet or chasm in the land, at 
the N.W. corner of this basin, was filled with masses of float- 
ing ice, broken from an enormous glacier. 
After obtaining all the bearings and embarking, we pulled 
three miles to the westward, and took a round of angles at 
Point Cairncross, the south-west point of Field’s Bay, and 
again another set at the south head of Icey Sound, near Dinner 
Cove, where we found a very convenient anchorage for small 
vessels. Through Icy Sound we found some difficulty in pene- 
trating, as the channel was much obstructed by ice. 
Three miles within this sound the rocky shore became more 
precipitous, and at two miles farther, where the width across 
was not more than one hundred and fifty yards, the rocks rise 
perpendicularly on each side to the height of seven or eight 
hundred feet. Beyond this remarkable part the channel opens 
out toa basin about half a mile in diameter, bounded by a 
sloping glacier, from which immense masses of ice broke off 
frequently, and falling with a noise like the discharge of a 
ship’s broadside, threw up the foaming water with terrific 
violence. 
As we entered the basin, we were startled by a sudden roar, 
occasioned by the fall of one of these avalanches, followed by 
echoes which reverberated round the basin and among the 
mountains. We remained for half an hour afterwards waiting 
for another fall, but were not gratified. Several were heard at 
a distance, probably high up the sides of the glacier. The 
examination of Icy Sound occupied us until dark, when we 
returned to the schooner. 
During our absence, Indians had again visited the Adelaide, 
the greater number of whom were strangers. We had also seen 
a party in a canoe close to Mount Woodcock, who were strik- 
ing seal, and too intent upon their object to pay much attention 
to any thing else. 
On the 16th, the term of our absence having expired, we 
left Dighton Bay on our return: at night we anchored in 
St. Nicholas Bay, and the day after arrived at Port Famine. 
