CHARLES WILKES 
237 
Another furious gale struck the ship and she was able 
to show only a close-reefed main-topsail and fore-storm- 
staysail, and once more she had to run before it amongst 
the maze of ice-islands through another dreadful night 
of watchfulness and fear, this time with added anxiety 
for the wind was blowing toward the barrier, and with 
every tack the ship drew nearer the impenetrable ice. At 
6 p. m., on January 31st, the wind abated and Wilkes was 
anxious to return to Piner’s Bay, now some sixty miles 
astern, in order to attempt a landing. Another difficulty 
arose from an entirely unexpected quarter: The ship’s 
company appeared to the leader to be in very fair health 
and fit and willing for their work; but two of the sur- 
geons (the third at the time was under suspension from 
duty) presented a written report to the captain, stating 
that the health of the crew was so seriously impaired 
that a few days more of such trying work as they had 
recently had would increase the sick list to such an extent 
as to hazard the safety of the ship. 
In order to deal with this sudden crisis, Wilkes re- 
stored the suspended surgeon to duty so as to get an 
additional report, and also asked the opinion in writing 
of the ward-room officers. A majority of the officers 
supported the medical report, nevertheless Wilkes felt 
that he would fail in his duty to his country if he re- 
linquished his cruise along the barrier while the sea was 
open and the crew not absolutely disabled. So after 
full consideration he did not adopt the advice for which 
he had asked, and ordered sail to be made to the west- 
ward. On February 2nd the ship was sailing along the 
icy barrier at a distance sometimes as little as 2J miles, 
and the high land was seen beyond it. Rows of 
grounded icebergs were in sight and the water was 
