IN THE ICE. 
105 
obstacles with greater care, backing off, filling again, 
heaving about, twisting this way and that, and by the 
help of ropes and poles, turning the schooner whenever 
the ice ahead is too thick to contend with. When 
once a wall of ice is formed by the combination of, a 
number of pieces getting packed closely together, it 
entirely breaks the swell of the sea, and leaves the 
w r ater perfectly calm within. Another remarkable effect 
we now noticed for the first time, although we had 
read of it in Arctic records, was the curious effect of 
the ice upon the wind, even though a gale may be 
blowing. At a short distance from the outside edge 
the force of the wind is stayed, and its influence is no 
longer felt. We now felt sure some accident must occur. 
Several of the ice fields were an acre in extent, and as 
they float above the surface, their thickness can easily 
be calculated, for we only see one-tenth of the sub¬ 
merged mass above the sea. A block of ice of twelve 
feet elevation presents its front to the approaching 
ship. We must ever bear in mind that this twelve 
feet represents a thickness of one hundred and eight 
feet below the surface. Great and irresistible as this 
obstacle may appear, it is easily dealt with. The 
united efforts of two intelligent men soon divert its 
threatening course ; but men experienced in dealing 
with ice should alone attempt to cope with difficulties 
