At Midnight We Fell In With Loose Ice, Which Soon After Obliged Us To
Tack, And Stretch To The Southward.
At half an hour past two o'clock in the
morning of the 31st, we stood for it again, thinking
To take some on board,
but this was found impracticable; for the wind, which had been at N.E, now
veered to S.E., and increasing to a fresh gale, brought with it such a sea
as made it very dangerous for the ships to remain among the ice. The danger
was yet farther increased by discovering an immense field to the north,
extending from N.E. by E. to S.W. by W. farther than the eye could reach.
As we were not above two or three miles from this, and surrounded by loose
ice, there was no time to deliberate. We presently wore; got our tacks on
board; hauled to the south, and soon got clear; but not before we had
received several hard knocks from the loose pieces, which were of the
largest sort, and among which we saw a seal. In the afternoon the wind
increased in such a manner, as to oblige us to hand the top-sails, and
strike top-gallant-yards. At eight o'clock we tacked and stood to the east
till midnight; when being in the latitude of 60 deg. 21' S., longitude 13 deg. 32'
E, we stood again to the west.
Next day, towards noon, the gale abated, so that we could carry close-
reefed top-sails.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 91 of 885
Words from 24444 to 24699
of 239428
