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National Geographic : 1925 Jun
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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE rnotograpn by D TAH-TAH-RAH TAKES AN ARCTIC S This "costume" is not uncomfortable for Smith August. north as land goes-380 miles from the North Pole. TIHE SHIP IS FREED FROM A 330-DAY IMPRISONMENT IN TIIE ICE On July 29, we hoisted our flags and decided to make an attempt to break through the harbor ice, where we had been imprisoned for 330 days. I had carefully sounded every foot of the way and knew that the Bowdoin, with her 1o foot draft, could make it, if not prevented by the thickness of the ice. Just before we started off, the wind changed directions, and the harbor ice moved some 10 to 14 feet to the north. Our channel between the ice and the land was thus so narrowed that, lupon endeavor ing to round a point of ice, we touched, at about high tide, upon a pinnacle of rock. In spite of all our efforts to dislodge the vessel with engine and strong lines, we stuck fast. Realizing that upon dead low water the ship would fall flat on its side and probably fill, it was necessary to hold it up, if possi ble, upon an even keel. Therefore we ran masthead lines to the cliff on the starboard side, and to anchors imbedded in the har bor ice on the port side. \Ve succeeded in our attempt for about five hours, at which time the Bow doin seemed to be completely out of water and perched upon a rock about midship (see page 717). )onald B. MacMillan Then without warn UN BATH ing came a cracking Sound children in and finally a snapping of the ropes leading to the cliff, and away went the vessel down upon her port side. The water poured over the rail and splashed against the cabin house. Everything, even two of my men, went flying off the deck and disappeared be neath the water. Considering the fact that the harbor water was three degrees below the freezing point of fresh water, the unfortunates lost no time in coming to the surface and struggling to the edge of the ice. Realizing that the Bowdoin might fill on the succeeding flood tide and be lost, we relieved it of all possible weight. We dropped both anchors and 90 fathoms of chain under the bow, emptied all water tanks, and cleared the hold. As a further 720
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