OF THE POLAR SEA. 



27 



if the masts should be carried away. 

 After the first concussion, the ship was 

 driven along the steep and rugged side of 

 this iceberg with such amazing rapidity, 

 that the destruction of the masts seemed 

 inevitable, and every one expected we should 

 again be forced on the rocks in the most 

 disabled state; but we providentially es- 

 caped this perilous result, which must have 

 been decisive. 



The dense fog now cleared away for a 

 short time, and we discovered the Eddy- 

 stone close to some rocks, having three 

 boats employed in towing; but the Wear 

 was not visible. 



Our ship received water very fast; the 

 pumps were instantly manned and kept in 

 continual use, and signals of distress were 

 made to the Eddystone, whose commander 

 promptly came on board, and then ordered 

 to our assistance his carpenter and all the 

 men he could spare, together with the car- 

 penter and boat's crew of the Wear, who 

 had gone on board the Eddystone in the 

 morning, and were prevented from return- 



