After midnight on the 27th the wind began to moderate, and, by degrees,
also drew more to the southward than before. At daylight, therefore, we
found ourselves seven or eight miles from the land; but no ice was in
sight, except the "sludge," of honey-like consistence, with which almost
the whole sea was covered. A strong blink, extending along the eastern
horizon, pointed out the position of the main body of ice, which was
farther distant from the eastern shore of the inlet than I ever saw it.
Being assisted by a fine working breeze, which, at the same time,
prevented the formation of any more ice to obstruct us, we made
considerable progress along the land, and at noon were nearly abreast of
Jackson Inlet, which we now saw to be considerably larger than our
distant view of it on the former voyage had led us to suppose. A few
more tacks brought us to the entrance of Port Bowen, which, for two or
three days past, I had determined to make our wintering-place, if, as
there was but little reason to expect, we should be so fortunate as to
push the ships thus far. Beating up, therefore, to Port Bowen, we found
it filled with "old" and "hummocky" ice, attached to the shores on both
sides, as low down as about three-quarters of a mile below Stony Island.
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