468 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
be interpreted as decidedly conclusive of the measures, that were 
to be adopted, yet it was determined, that the provisions should 
be immediately re-shipped; of course, all hands were set to 
work, and a heavy labor it was, which they had to perform. The 
whole of the 6th and 7th, was employed in bringing the things 
on board ; although, during the greater part of the latter day, 
the Victory lay aground, and in a most awkward and dangerous 
situation. In the words of one of the officers of the ship, if any 
pressure had now come on from the ice, it would have been their 
fate to say to the Victory, as was said to the Fury, “ Good bye, 
Victory.” In fact, dangers appeared to accumulate around them, 
in every quarter; and their only chance of emancipating them¬ 
selves from their perilous situation, was to cut through the ice¬ 
bergs, and thereby obtain a passage for the ship. 
On the 8th> the re-shipment of the stores was completed, and 
the men were set to work with the ice saws, to cut the bergs to 
pieces. The wind, however, still continuing to blow from the 
north and the north-east, contributed not a little to retard their 
operations, for the ice was continually impelled with the tide 
into the bay, and, in a short time, formed such heavy masses, that 
it was in vain to attempt to force a passage through them. By 
dint of great labor and perseverance, however, a channel was 
made through that part of the ice, immediately on the bows of 
the ship, and the hawsers were heaved on the head, for the purpose 
of w r arping her through the channel; but, notwithstanding all 
their united exertions, not a single haul or square of the capstern 
could be got, indeed it appeared, as if the ship were immove- 
ably wedged in between the ice, and that it defied all human 
power to advance her a single fathom from her present position. 
On the 11th, the wind came round to the south, which in- 
pired the crew with some hope, that their emancipation was 
at hand, but the ice remained every where stationary, and the 
frost was so severe, that every particle of water was covered 
with young ice. This was a most disheartening prospect to 
the whole crew, and excited in the breast of Capt. Ross, the 
most serious apprehensions for their future fate; for it appeared 
to him, that no other destiny awaited them, than passing another 
