Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-12-15

PASSING THROUGH AN ICEBERG.-EEx-
tract from Journal kept by seaman who serv-
ed in the Arctic Expedition of lS50-5l. Sun
day, June 80, 1850, -Moored to an iceberg;
weather calm; sky cloudless, and beautifully
blue, surrounded by vast number of stupendous
bergs, gittering and glistening beneath the reiul
gent rays of a midday sun.
A great portion of the crew had gone on shore
to gather the eggs of the wild sea-birds that fire.
quent the lonely icebound precipices Of Batfin's
Bay, while those on board, had retired to rest,
wearied with the harrassing tolls of the preceding
day.
To me, walking the deck, and alone, all nature
seemed hushed in universal repose. While thus
contemplating the stillDess of the monotonous
scene around me, observed in the offing, large
iceberg, completely perforated, exhibiting in the
distance an arch, or tunnel, apparently so uniform
In It's conformation, that was induced to call two
OF the seamen to look at it, at the same time tell
ing them that | had never read or heard fanny
ofour arctic voyagers passing through one ofthose
arches so frequently seen through large bergs, and
that there would be novelty in doing so, and if
they chose to accompany me, | would get permis-
sion to take the dingy, Ga small boat,) and en-
deavor to accomplish the unprecedented feat
They readily agreed, and away we went.
On nearing the arch, and sceltaining that there
was sufficiency of water for the boat to pass
through, we rowed slowly and silently under,
when there burst upon our view, one Of the most
magnificent specimens of natures handiwork ever
exhibited to mortal eye; the sublny and gram
deur Of which, no language can describe-no i'm
aginaton conceive.
Fancy an immense arch of eighty foot ePan, IF
ty feet high, aud upward Of one hundred feet in
breadth-as correct in its conformation as if had
been constructed by the most scientific artist.
formed of solid ice OF beautiful emerald green, its
whole expanse OF surface smoother than the most
polished elabaser, and you may form some slight
conception of the architectural beauties of this lev
temple, the wonderful workmanship of time and
the elements $500
When we had got half way through the mighty
structure, on looking upward, observed that the
berg was rent the whole breadth Of tine arch, and
IN perpendicular direction to its summit, show
ing two vertical sections of irregular surfaces.
darkly, deeply, beautifully blue,' here and there
illuminated by an arctic sun, which darted lis
golden rays between, presenting TO the eye pic
ture OF ethereal grandeur which no poet could de-
scribe, no painter portray. | was so enraptured
with the sight, that for moment fancied the
blue vault of heaven had opened, and that | ac-
tnally gazed on the celestial splendor of a world
beyond this. But, alas, in an instant the scene
changed, and | awoke as it were from delight
ful dream, to experience all the horrors Of terri
Bile reality. observed the fracture rapidly close,
and then again slowly open. This stupendous
mass OF ice, millions oftons in weight, was afloat
consequently in motion, and apparently about to
lose its equilibrium, capsize, or burst into frag-
ments. Our position was truly awful; my feel
ngs at the moment may be conceived, but cannot
be described. looked downwards and around
me; the sight was equally appalling, the very
sea seemed agitated. at last shut nv ewes
from scene so terrible, the men at the oars, as
if by instinct gave way, and our little craft swift
ly glided from beneath the gigantic mass.
We then rowed round the berg, keeping at
respectful distance from it., in order to Judge of its
magnitude. supposed it to be about a mile in
circumference, and its highest pinnacle two hun
bred and fifty feet.
Thus ended an excursion, the bare recollection
oil which, at this moment, awakens in me a shud-
der; nevertheless, would not have lost the op-
portuniy of behoding the scene so awfully sub
lime, so tragically grand, for any money; but
would not again run such risk for the world.
We passed through the berg about two p. NJ,
and at ten O'Clock the same night, it bnrst, agi-
tating the sea for miles around
may also observe, that the two men who were
with me in the boat, did not observe that the berg
was rent, until ! told them, after we were out Of
danger, we having agreed, previously to entering
the arch, not to speak a word TO each other, lest
us echoe should disturb the fragile mass
N. B.-Arcc voyagers differ as 10 what por-
ton OF an iceberg is above water. Some say one
nth, some one seventh, some MORE refer the
reader to the works of Ross and Parry, as the
best authority