DANGEROUS SITUATION. 
259 
effect, that we were within ten yards of doubling 
the point lying to the eastward; but, on attempt¬ 
ing another tack, we found the widtli diminished 
to sixty yards, which, defying all our efforts, 
obliged us to push into the bay-ice to the westward, 
and endeavour to force a passage through it. A 
pressure of canvas, aud the best possible manage¬ 
ment were indispensable for success. Though it 
blew a strong gale at the time, we set top-gallant 
sails upon double-reefed topsails, and gave the ship 
every sail that her masts could sustain. Thus im¬ 
pelled, she accomplished an entrance into the 
ice, and still more powerfully urged by keeping 
off the wind with the yards a little squared, she 
continued to advance, though the ice in many 
places proved to be from 12 to 18 inches in 
thickness. Sometimes, indeed, our progress seem¬ 
ing to be suspended, occasioned the most anxious 
feelings of apprehension ; but eventually, the ex¬ 
terior edge of the ice gave way under the pressure 
of the ship, and released us into a more navigable 
situation. Still, however, we were in jeopardy, as 
in this delay we had been carried by the tide deep 
into the bight, where it was contracted to very 
small dimensions. Here the excellent properties 
of the ship availed us ; and after a tack or two, 
which called forth all the dexterity of which we 
were capable, we happily gained ground, (though 
