340 
ICE-BLASTING. 
direct congelation of sixty-three feet. It had so closed 
in with the shore, too, as to rear up a barricade of 
crushed ice which it was futile to attempt to pass. All 
prospect of forcing a passage ceased north of Six-mile 
Ravine. 
APPROACH TO OBSERVATORY. 
“On reaching the brig, I found that the blasting had 
succeeded: one canister cracked and uplifted two 
hundred square yards of ice with but five pounds of 
powder. A prospect showed itself of getting inside the 
island at high-water; and I determined to attempt it at 
the highest spring-tide, which takes place on the 12th. 
“August 12, Saturday.—The brig bore the strain of 
