W. then immediately succeeded. We
instantly took advantage of this circumstance, and, casting off at six
A.M., ran eight or nine miles without obstruction, when we were stopped
by the ice, which, in a closely packed and impenetrable body, stretched
close into the shore as far as the eye could reach from the crow's nest.
Being anxious to gain every foot of distance that we could, and
perceiving some grounded ice which appeared favourable for making fast
to, just at a point where the clear water terminated, the ships were run
to the utmost extent of it, and a boat prepared from each to examine the
water at the intended anchoring place. Just as I was about to leave the
Hecla for that purpose, the ice was observed, to be in rapid motion
towards the shore. The Fury was immediately hauled in by some grounded
masses, and placed to the best advantage; but the Hecla, being more
advanced, was immediately beset in spite of every exertion, and, after
breaking two of the largest ice-anchors in endeavouring to heave in to
the shore, was obliged to drift with the ice, several masses of which
had fortunately interposed themselves between us and the land. The ice
slackening around us a little in the evening, we were enabled, with
considerable labour, to get to some grounded masses, where we lay much
exposed, as the Fury also did.
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