OFFICIAL REPORT. 507 
lier, we were rejoiced to find letters and papers from home, transmitted by tlie 
kindness of Mr. Grinnell. 
We remained by tlie M'Lellan several hours, in order to close our letters 
and dispatch them by her. Several articles that we stood much in need of 
were purchased from her. 
On the 10th, the Baffin's Islands being in sight to the north, we met the re- 
mainder of the whaling fleet returning. They confirmed the accounts given 
us by the Pacific and Jane in regard to the unfavorable condition of the ice for 
an early passage through Melville Bay. 
The following are the names of the vessels communicated with, viz. : Joseph 
Green, of Peterhead ; Alexander, of Dundee ; Advice, of do. ; Princess Char- 
lotte, of do. ; Horn, of do. ; Ann, of Hull ; Regalia, of Kirkaldy ; Chieftain, of 
do. ; and Lord Gambler, of . My notes are unfortunately at fault as to the 
names of their enterprising and warm-hearted commanders, each of whom 
vied with the other in showering upon us such articles as they knew we must 
be in want of, consisting of potatoes, turnips, fresh beef, &c. My proposition 
to compensate them they would not entertain for a moment, and I take this 
occasion of making public acknowledgment of the valuable aid rendered us, to 
which no doubt much of our subsequent good health is owing. 
On the 11th, in attempting to run between the Baffin's Islands, the Advance 
grounded on a rocky shoal. The Rescue barely escaped the same fate, by 
hauling by the wind on discovering our mishap. Fortunately, there was a large 
grounded berg near, to which our hawsers could be taken for hauhng off, which 
we succeeded in doing after twenty-four hours' hard work. The vessel had 
not, apparently, received any injury ; but a few days later another piece of her 
false keel came off, supposed to have been loosened on this occasion. 
The ice to the north of the islands was too closely packed to be penetrated, and 
the prevalence of southerly winds afforded but little prospect of a speedy opening. 
On the 16th, the searching yacht Prince Albert succeeded in reaching near 
to our position, after having been in sight for several days. Mr. Kennedy, her 
commander, came on board and brought us letters. 
The berth in which our vessels were made fast in this place was alongside 
of a low tongue of an immense berg, which by accurate measurement towered 
up to the height of two hundred and forty-five feet above the water level. It 
was aground in ninety-six fathoms water, thus making the whole distance from 
top to bottom eight hundred and twenty-one feet. We saw many bergs equally 
as large as this, and some much larger ; but this was the only one we had so 
good an opportunity of measuring with accuracy. 
On the 17th the ice opened a little, and we got under way. Hence till the 
27th, with almost incessant work, by watching every opening, we continued to 
make a few miles each day, the Prince Albert keeping company with us. On 
this day, while running through a narrow lead, the ice closed suddenly. The 
Advance was caught in a tight place, and pretty severely nipped. We man- 
aged to unship her rudder, but before it could be secured the crashing ice car- 
ried it under. We had lines fast to it, however, and after the action of the ice 
ceased, it was extricated without injury. The Rescue and Prince Albert, al- 
though near us, were in better berths, and escaped the severe nip the Advance 
received. 
We were closely beset in this position, and utterly unable to move until the 
(v 
