In the afternoon, after various attempts to get to the
westward, appearances became more unpromising than ever, the
packed ice extending from N.b.E. round to S.W. There were, indeed,
parts of the ice which, with constant daylight, a ship might have
entered with some probability of success; but, with twelve hours'
night, the attempt must have been attended with a degree of risk
which nothing but a very important object could justify. The wind
had now freshened up from the N.N.W., and the mercury in the
barometer fell with unusual rapidity, with every other appearance
of an approaching gale. I was therefore under the necessity of
admitting the conclusion that, under existing circumstances, the
season was now too far advanced, and the state of the ice too
unfavourable, to allow of any farther examination of the coast;
and I determined, therefore, to make the best of my way to
England. The boats were accordingly hoisted in, and the ships made
snug while in smooth water under the lee of the ice, and a course
was then shaped to the E.S.E., in order to obtain an offing before
we bore away to the southward.
On the second of October, in scudding before the wind under the
main-topsail, a heavy sea struck the Hecla on the larboard
quarter, rendering it necessary to press her forward under more
canvass, by which we lost sight of the Griper in the course of the
morning.
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