308 siege of the south pole 
and separated before we drifted down amongst the foam- 
ing breakers, and we had the gratification of seeing her 
clear the end of the berg, and of feeling that she was 
safe. But she left us completely disabled; the wreck of 
the spars so encumbered the lower yards, that we were 
unable to make sail, so as to get headway on the ship; 
nor had we room to wear round, being by this time so 
close to the berg that the waves, when they struck against 
it, threw back their sprays into the ship. The only way 
left to us to extricate ourselves from this awful and 
appalling situation was by resorting to the hazardous 
expedient of a stern board, which nothing could justify 
during such a gale and with so high a sea running, but 
to avert the danger which every moment threatened us 
of being dashed to pieces. The heavy rolling of the 
vessel, and the probability of the masts giving way each 
time the lower yard-arms struck against the cliffs, which 
were towering high above our mastheads, rendered it 
a service of extreme danger to loose the main-sail; but 
no sooner was the order given, than the daring spirit of 
the British seaman manifested itself — the men ran up 
the rigging with as much alacrity as on any ordinary 
occasion; and although more than once driven off the 
yard, they after a short time succeeded in loosing the 
sail. Amidst the roar of the wind and sea, it was diffi- 
cult both to hear and to execute the orders that were 
given, so that it was three-quarters of an hour before we 
could get the yards braced bye,: and the maintack hauled 
on board sharp aback — an expedient that perhaps had 
never before been resorted to by seamen in such weather : 
but it had the desired effect; the ship gathered stern- 
way, plunging her stern into the sea, washing away the 
gig and quarter boats, and with her lower yard-arms 
