LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
m 
more ice was obtained, and as there was now an abundance o** 
fresh water, soap was distributed to all the crew, and nearly the 
whole of the 5th was employed in the washing* of their clothes 
The wind still was fair and on the 15th, the engine was got ready 
for starting, but a heavy sea running on the following day, with 
strong breezes, it could not be brought into action. On the 17th 
the weather having moderated, preparations were made for get¬ 
ting up the steam; the fires were lighted and all hands blowing 
at the small bellows. The steam being up sufficiently to work 
the small engine, the larboard paddle wheel was lowered, and the 
steam set on. For about three hours, the engine appeared to 
work well, but then on a sudden it gave way and the steam was 
let off. Not a moment was lost in attempting to discover where 
the defect lay, when it was ascertained by the engineer, that 
two of the pipes in the fore and aft boiler had burst, and were 
as flat as a pancake. It was mentioned by the engineer that the 
steam had been too high at some period in the river, for the pipes 
to bear, and that the water was also too low. Capt. Ross, the 
engineers, and the armourer were up all night, endeavouring to 
repair the damage, and on the following day water was pumped 
into them to see if they were tight, but they were found to be as 
leaky as before. In two hours the water had all leaked out, but 
by great exertion the engineer succeeded in getting the steam 
up with a fair pressure, but the steam came roaring out of the 
larboard boiler, just by the furnace door, as well as at the lower 
part of the boiler; at the same time that there was not steam 
enough to work the small engine, wherewith to blow the small 
bellows; in a short time afterwards the starboard key broke and 
the engine stopped altogether; this was the more disastrous as 
the weather was highly favourable for the operation of the en¬ 
gine, light winds and smooth water. 
The 19lh being Sunday, divine service was performed, but lit¬ 
tle progress was made as the weather was almost calm, with 
very light winds; a number of whales were seen at a distance, 
playing about a large iceberg, and from their motions they ap¬ 
peared to be in search of their prey. Judging that they might 
be in search of fish, soundings were taken, and the depth was 
35 fathoms, with coarse shells and coral. A fishing line wa** 
