294 



ANTARCTIC CRUISE, 



SKETCH OF LAND AND FIELD-ICE, 



This night we were beating with frequent tacks, in order to gain 

 as much southing as possible. Previous to its becoming broad day- 

 light, the fog rendered every thing obscure, even at a short distance 

 from the ship. I knew that we were in close proximity to icebergs 

 and field-ice, but, from the report of the look-out at sunset, believed 

 that there was an opening or large bay leading to the southward, 

 The ship had rapid way on her, and was much tossed about, when in 

 an instant all was perfectly still and quiet ; the transition was so sudden 

 that many were awakened by it from sound sleep, and all well knew, 

 from the short experience we had had, that the cessation of the sound and 

 motion usual at sea, was a proof that we had run within a line of ice, 

 — an occurrence from which the feeling of great danger is inseparable. 

 The watch was called by the officer of the deck, to be in readiness to 

 execute such orders as might be necessary for the safety of the ship. 

 Many of those from below were seen hurrying up the hatches, and 

 those on deck straining their eyes to discover the barrier in time to 

 avoid accident. The ship still moving rapidly along, some faint hope 

 remained that the bay might prove a deep one, and enable me to satisfy 

 my sanguine hopes and belief relative to the land. 



The feeling is awful and the uncertainty most trying thus to enter 

 within the icy barrier blindfolded as it were by an impenetrable fog, 

 and the thought constantly recurring that both ship and crew were 

 in imminent danger ; yet I was satisfied that nothing could be gained 

 but by pursuing this course. On we kept, until it was reported to me, 

 by attentive listeners, that they heard the low and distant rustling of 

 the ice : suddenly a dozen voices proclaimed the barrier to be in sight, 

 just ahead. The ship, which a moment before seemed as if unpeopled, 

 from the stillness of all on board, was instantly alive with the bustle of 

 performing the evolutions necessary to bring her to the wind, which 

 was unfavourable to a return on the same track by which we had 

 entered. After a quarter of an hour, the ice was again made ahead, 

 and the full danger of our situation was realized. The ship was 

 certainly embayed ; and although the extent of sea-room to which we 

 were limited, was rendered invisible by the dark and murky weather. 



