478 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT ROSS 
CHAPTER VI. 
PROCEEDINGS ON BOARD THE VICTORY, DURING HER PASSAGE FROM 
TO HER SECOND WINTER HARBOUR. - 
1S30-1. 
On the 17th of September, the ice opened in a most extra¬ 
ordinary manner, with the wind from the north-north-west, 
and the Aurora shining most brilliantly. A boat was despatched 
to examine the ice, and, from the report, that was received on 
its return, at 2. o’clock p.m., the Victory was once more under 
sail, and she stretched along the land until 4 p.m., when, having 
made nearly four miles, a boat was sent a-head with a whale 
line, and the ship was made fast to a berg, with the intention 
of remaining in that position until the following morning. 
A considerable degree of censure was attached to Capt. Ross, 
by the whole of the crew, for the most injudicious act of fasten¬ 
ing the ship to a berg, under the circumstances, in which they 
were then placed, nor does it appear, that the censure so passed, 
was not in every respect well founded. This was, however, not 
the only error of judgment, of which Capt. Ross was accused, 
in the management of the ship, through the difficult and intricate 
navigation, which he had to encounter, and which required not 
only the most consummate skill, but a most extraordinary degree 
of presence of mind, which are seldom found combined in the 
same person. 
