1884.] Recent Literature. 1019 
of white ice. This was hard as a rock, and had no doubt been 
caused by the flooding of the snow when the water rose, and its 
subsequent freezing. On the top of the white ice was about 
eighteen inches of clear snow which had evidently never been 
flooded. Everything remained in statu quo during the rest of 
the day. The river was certainly rising, but slowly..* * * 
We turned into our berths at half-past nine, having first in- 
stituted an anchor-watch in case any further movement of the 
ice should take place. We had but just fallen asleep when 
we were suddenly roused by the report that the river was 
rising rapidly, and the ice beginning to break up. We imme- 
diately dressed and went on deck. The position of affairs 
Was at once obvious. The melting of the snow down south 
chattels to their comrades ashore, until finally an immense ice- 
floe struck the ship, is well told. “ At length an immense ice-floe 
of irresistible weight struck the ship. There was no alternative 
but to slip the anchor and allow her to drive with the ice. Away 
Until we were finally jammed into a slight bay, wedged between 
blocks of pack-ice. Soon afterwards the river fell some five or six 
relieve the whole of the pressure. The water in the Koo-ray -i-ka 
once more rose rapidly. The immense field of pack-ice began to 
up stream at the rate of five or six knots an hour.” The 
stream rose and fell during the day; by noon of the next day, 
alter various vicissitudes to the ship, the water had sunk five or 
Six feet, and the vessel lay on her side, with her bow at least three 
