[38] A field of thirty nautical miles square surface, and thirteen feet in thickness, would weigh somewhat more than is here mentioned. Allowing it to displace the water in which it floats, to the depth of eleven feet, the weight would appear to be 10,182,857,142, nearly in the proportion of a cubic foot of sea water to 64 lbs.
[39] “I accompanied my father, on this voyage, in the capacity of chief mate.”
[40] The sledges might consist of slender frames of wood, with the ribs of some quadruped, and coverings of water-proof skins, or other materials equally light.
[41] “See Shipwrecks and Disasters at Sea.”
Transcriber’s Notes
Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Other variations in spelling, punctuation and hyphenation remain unchanged.