The
harassing and laborious nature of this operation is such as nothing but
experience can possibly give an idea of, especially when, as in this
case, we had only a small pool of clear water near the margin in which
the detached pieces could be floated out. However, we continued at work,
with only the necessary intermissions for rest and meals, during this
and the two following days, and on the evening of the 3d had
accomplished all that the closeness of the ice would permit; but the
ship was still by no means free, numberless masses of ice being doubled
under her, even below her keel, which could not be moved without more
space for working.
Painful as was this protracted delay in setting out upon the principal
object of the expedition, the absolute necessity of it will scarcely, I
think, be doubted by any person conversant in such matters. So long as
the ship continued undisturbed by the ice, nearly stationary, and in
deep water, for several days together, I had, in my anxiety to lose not
a moment's time, ventured to flatter myself with the hope that, in a
case of such unlooked-for emergency, when every moment of our short and
uncertain season was of importance, I might be justified in quitting my
ship at sea; and in this opinion the zeal of my officers, both those who
were to accompany me and those who were to remain on board, induced them
unanimously to concur.
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