M PRECAUTIONS AGAINST 



pieces and icebergs, before he was clear of them. 

 I examined his chart, on which his track was laid 

 down with every appearance of exactness ; the ice 

 and ice islands were severally sketched in a business- 

 like manner on the chart. The high island which we 

 saw on the morning of the 15th was probably one 

 of the same group, and the smaller ones fragments. 



There are few things in navigation more dan- 

 gerous than one of these low ice islands, in a dark 

 ni£;"ht, when blowing hard, and with a high sea ; 

 all circumstances which unfortunately are likely 

 enough to come together at this particular season, 

 when the ice is most frequently observed to be 

 floating about, off Cape Horn. In bad weather it 

 might be prudent to lie-to. But in fine weather, 

 although dark, as it was with us, a leisurely course 

 may be followed, provided uncommon vigilance be 

 used. On this occasion I thought of a precaution, 

 which it may perhaps be worth while stating. Hav- 

 ing reefed the courses, that the officer of the watch 

 might have a free view, the yards were braced 

 sharp up, bowlines hauled, and everything prepared 

 for tacking, and always kept so at night, from what- 

 ever direction the wind might blow. On an ice 

 island being seen a-head, and near us, in the case 



