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"The following morning being calm, and very fine, the boats were
launched at three A. M., and we set off in high spirits ; but after
pulling three miles, we perceived the channel of open water
becoming narrow, and the pieces of ice heavier than any we had
before seen, some of them being aground in three fathoms water.
At six A. M., after having gone five miles and a half, we were
stopped by the ice which adhered to the reef, and was unbroken
to seaward. Imagining we saw water at some distance beyond this barrier, we were induced to drag the boats across the reef, and launch them into the channel on the inside, in the hope of reaching it. This proved to be a bay, at the head of which we arrived in a short time. It was then discovered that a fog hanging over the ice had been mistaken for water. The boats were, therefore, reconveyed across the reef, the tents pitched, and we had to draw largely on our nearly exhausted stock of patience, as we contemplated the dreary view of this compact icy field. A herd of rein-deer appeared very opportunely to afford some employment, and most of the men were dispatched on the chase, but only one was successful." |
