84 
FIRST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
was lifted several feet out of the water ; the concussion lasted 
fifteen minutes, but after two hours incessant labour, she was 
Hove through by purchases brought from each quarter and bow, 
to the windlass and capstan. 
On the 21st, land was descried, and an open passage through 
the ice leading northwards. This land was determined to bf. 
the Horse’s Head, and the Red Head, in 75° 12', being the high¬ 
est latitude to which the ships employed in the whale trade, 
were known positively to have penetrated. The 24th was wholly 
employed in tracking through the ice, a proceedings which be¬ 
comes necessary when the channel is too narrow to allow a ves¬ 
sel to beat, or to be towed against the wind. In executing this 
service, the whole ship’s company were sent on the ice, and a 
rope was thrown to them, one end of which was fastened to the 
head of the fore mast, for the purpose of keeping the bight clear 
of the uneven and sharp pieces of ice, usually found at the edge 
of the field The men having hold of the other end, then pulled 
the ship ahead, the musician always leading the way. As it 
sometimes happened that a hole, covered with snow, or a weak 
part was found, the men occasionally fell in, but as they never 
let go the rope, they were immediately pulled out. When this 
accident happened to the leader, it afforded the sailors great, 
amusement, and they never failed to exercise their wit on the 
occasion. 
On the 25th, they arrived at a point, between which and 
Cape Dudley, Digges Land had not been seen by former naviga¬ 
tors. The shore forms a spaicous bay, in the midst of which 
rose a remarkable spiral rock. This was named Melville’s 
Monument, and the bay was called Melville’s Bay, out of 
compliment to the then first Lord of the Admiralty. It is 
situated between latitude 75° 12, and 76°, and abounds with 
whales. 
On the 31st, they parted company with the last whaler, the 
Bon Accord of Aberdeen, with three cheers. On the 6th August, 
the ships were exposed to the most imminent danger; the ice 
began to move, the wind increased to a gale, and the only 
chance left was to endeavour to force the ship through it to the 
