OF THE POLAR SEA. 



29 



from the pumps, and appoint them to the 

 management of the ship. 



Fatigue, indeed, had caused us to relax 

 in our exertions at the pumps during a part 

 of the night of the 8th, and on the following 

 morning upwards of five feet water was 

 found in the well. Renewed exertions were 

 now put forth by every person, and before 

 eight A.M. the water was so much reduced 

 as to enable the carpenters to get at other 

 defective places; but the remedies they 

 could apply were insufficient to repress the 

 water from rushing in, and our labours 

 could but just keep the ship in the same 

 state throughout the day, until six P. M. ; 

 when the strength of every one began to 

 fail, the expedient of thrusting in felt, as 

 well as oakum, was resorted to, and a plank 

 nailed over all. After this operation a per- 

 ceptible diminution in the water was made, 

 and being encouraged by the change, we 

 put forth our utmost exertion in bailing and 

 pumping; and before night, to our infinite 

 joy, the leak was so overpowered that the 

 pumps were only required to be used at 



