The expression "fixed ice" appearing better suited to our present obstacle than that of "land ice," I shall in future adopt it in speaking of this barrier.
Lest it should be thought that this account is exaggerated, I may here state, that, as a matter of curiosity, we one day tried how much a lad, scarcely full grown, would, if freely supplied, consume in this way. The under-mentioned articles were weighed before being given to him; he was twenty hours in getting through them, and certainly did not consider the quantity extraordinary.
lb. oz.
Seahorse flesh, hard frozen 4 4
Ditto, boiled 4 4
Bread and bread-dust 1 12
________
Total of solids 10 4
The Fluids were in fair proportion, viz.:
Rich gravy-soup 1-1/4 pint.
Raw spirits 3 wine glasses.
Strong grog. 1 tumbler.
Water 1 gallon 1 pint.
We have since heard that these ships were the Dexterity, of Leith, and the Aurora, of Hull, which were wrecked on the 28th of August, 1821, about the latitude of 72°.