It was absolutely impossible either to wear or tack the ship,
on account of its proximity, and our only resource was to keep as near
the wind as possible, and to try to weather the danger. We were in the
most dreadful suspension for a few minutes, and though we fortunately
succeeded, yet the ship passed within her own length to windward of
it," - G.F.
[5] On a moderate calculation, one may reckon the bulk of immersed ice
to be ten times greater than that which appears above the surface.
This will afford the reader some notion of the prodigious magnitude of
these floating islands; and he will readily comprehend the hazard of
sailing amongst them, when he considers the mischief occasioned by the
collision of a large ship and a small boat. - E.
[6] "About this time many persons were afflicted with violent
rheumatic pains, headaches, swelled glands, and catarrhal fevers,
which some attributed to the use of ice-water." - G.F.
Without any way calling in question, what is so often said of the
injurious effects of sea-water, when long used, it is evidently more
rational, in the present instance, to ascribe these complaints to the
inclemency of the weather.
