ARCTIC VOYAGES. 
167 
to me, and I think to all of ns, the most unendurable of the whole; 
drifting into the Atlantic at the rate of twenty miles daily. 
“ A heavy gale of wind threw in such a high sea against the ice on 
the 24th, that, although we were twenty miles within its margin, the 
ice was suddenly broken up into small pieces—that is, averaging about 
half the area of the ship’s deck; with sail and steam, and God’s help, 
we got out, after eighteen hours of such battering as I hope not to see 
again. As we advanced to the edge of the pack, the sea became more 
violent, and the ice still so closely pressed together that we could hardly 
force the masses aside, much less escape the fearful shocks they gave us. 
I shall never forget the 25th of April, and hope some day to describe to 
you our escape, if such a scene can be described. 
“'Well, here we are, safe and sound; no sickness has at any time visited 
any of us. The ‘ antiscorbutic specific’ from Hew York has not been 
called into requisition; our provisions have been excellent and ample, 
and with attention to cleanliness, and clothing, and exercise, we have 
retained unbroken health. 
“Building snow-huts gave us useful occupation, and we are now 
very good architects ; four or five of us can house ourselves in less 
than half an hour. I feel indebted to all my companions for their good 
will and cheerfulness, and devotion to the expedition. This year we 
hope to carry out our purpose, God willing. My plans are unchanged 
with respect to the search; but being so early in the field, and the winter 
having been mild, I hope to reach Lancaster Sound early. Of provi¬ 
sions we have abundance for another winter, and at Beechy Island I 
shall take on board enough for a third winter, as a measure of precau¬ 
tion against forced detention. I will write to you again before leaving 
Greenland, but hope to get this home by an early vessel. 
“ April 29th. We arrived in Holsteinborg yesterday evening, and are 
now enjoying a calm, warm day in quiet and security, the first for a long, 
long time. The Danish vessel is daily expected here, and should she 
arrive before we sail, we shall have European news of this year. If 
Lady Eranklin has sent out letters this year to me through the Danish 
ships (which I do not expect), we shall probably receive them before we 
again leave Greenland. In about a fortnight I propose sailing for Disco. 
It is strange that the winter we have experienced in the pack should 
differ so widely from that which the people here have had. Ours was 
mild, but stormy: here it has been cold and calm. 
“ May 5th. Hardly any supplies to be got here; the Danish ship has 
not arrived, and now the Governor fears she has gone to a more southern 
port instead. However, our letters must go in either case. I shall sail 
in two or three days for Goodhavn, Disco, from which port, or by the 
whalers, I will write again. 
“ Pray remember me most affectionately to all dear friends; to ask 
you questions would not relieve my anxiety respecting them. 
“ Believe me ever affectionately yours, 
“ F. L. M'Clixtock.” 
