Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-11-14
Passing through an Iceberg.
Ertraet from Journal kept by Seaman avho servec
in the Arctic Erpedition of l85O-51.

Extract from Journal kept By a Seaman u0ho serued
an the arctic Expedition Of 1850-5l.
SUNDAY, June 80, 1S50.-Moored to iceberg
weather calm sky clou iIess and beautifully blue
surrounded by a number of stupendous be- gs,
gitterng and gstening beneath the refugent rays OF
mid day sun.
A great portion of the crew had gone on shore to
gather the eggs of the wild sea birds that frequent
the lonely icebound precipces of Bathns 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 SEEM
ed hushed in universal repose, While thus contem
plating the stiffness of the monoonous scene around
me- observed in the otfng large iceberg, complete
y formed, exhibiting in the distance arch, or
tunnel. apparently uniform in lis conformation that
induced TO call two of the seamen 10 look at it,
at the time telling them that had read
heard OF any Of our Attic voyagers passing though
one of those arches so frequently through large
bergs, and that there would be novelty in doing so,
and if they chose TO accompany me | would get per-
mission 10 take the dngy IA small boat) and endeavor
to accomplish the unprecedented feat. They readily
agreed, and away went.
On nearing the arch, and ascertanng that there
suffciency of water for the boat TO pass through,
rowed slowly and silently under, when there burst
upon view one of the most magnificent specimens
OF natures handy -work exhibited to mortal eyes,
the subIimy and grandeur of which no language can
de scibe-- no imagination conceive
Fancy immense arch of 80 feet span SO feet high
and upward of 100 in breadth-as in its conor
nation if il had been constructed by the scen-
tic ast-formed of solid ice of beautiful emerald
green its whole eXpanse of surface smoother than the
most polished aIabaSer, and you may form slight
conception of the architectural beauties of this icy tenn
pie, the wonderful workmanship of time and the ele-
ments
When we had got about halfway through the NIGH
tY structure, on looking upward observed that the
berg split the whole breadth of the arch, and in a
perpendicular direction TO its summit. showing two
vertical sections Of regular surfaces, darkiy, deeply.
beautifully blue, here and there illumned by
tic which dared its golden rays between, present
ing TO the eye picture of ethereal grandeur which no
poet could describe. painter portray. was 50 en-
raptured with the sight that for moment fancled the
" blue vault of heaven had opened, and that actually
gaZed the celestial splendor of world beyond
this But. alas! in an instant the scene changed. and
awoke il were from delightful dream exp peri
ence all the horrors of terrible reality. observed
the fracture rapidly close, then again slowly open
This stupendious mass Of ice, millions of tuns in
weight was afoat, consequently in motion, and APP
pareny about TO lose lis equilibrium capsZe, or burst
into fragments. Our position truly awful my
feelings at the moment may be conceived hut cannot
be described looked downward and around me; the
sight equally appalling; the very seemed ag
ltaed al last shut my eyes from scene so terrible
the at the if by instinct gave way" and
our little craft swiftly gded from beneath the ggan
tic mass. ...
We then rowed round the berg, keeping at a respec
table distance from it, in order to Judge of lis magn
and IFS highest pinnacle $50 feet.
Thus ended excursion. the bare recollection oil
which at this moment awakens in me shudder
ertheless, would not have lost the opportunity o
witnessing scene awfully sublime. ragieally
grand. for thousands sterling, but would agar
run such risk for world.
We passed through the berg about two P NJ and a
ten o'clock the night burst agtatng the Sc;
for miles around
| may also observe that the two men who were will
me in the boat did not observe that the berg rem
! until told them, after out OF danger. WI
having agreed previously TO entering the arch, not II
speak word to each other, lest echo itself SHOULD
:, disturb The fragile mass.
: N. B.-Arcic voyagers differ 10 what portion o
an iceberg is under water. Some say one filth; som
one SEVENTH some | refer the reader 10 th
! works of Ross and Parry the best authorities.
prisoner being brought up TO the police court, th
following dialogue passed between him and the sittin
magistrate:
How do you liver
Pretty well sir; generally joint and pudding
dinner " a.
n 81 mean. sir. how do you get your bread ?
d = / beg your Worships pardon: sometimes at th
), bake r's, and sometimes at The chandlei's shop
e = Yoa may be as witty as you please, sir but
e mean simply TO ask you how you do
e $ Tolerably well thank your Worship; hope yer
Worship is we'll! a~ ~ no ~.