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 Icy Sound, near Dinner 

 Cove, where we found a very convenient anchorage for small 

 vessels. Through Icy Sound we found some difficulty in pe^ie- 

 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 to a 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. 



