The pack was rather closer on Sunday the 17th. Top-sails and head-
sails were set in the afternoon, and with a moderate north-easterly
breeze we tried to force the ship ahead out of the lead; but she was
held fast. Later that day heavy pressure developed. The two floes
between which the 'Endurance' was lying began to close and the ship was
subjected to a series of tremendously heavy strains. In the engine-
room, the weakest point, loud groans, crashes, and hammering sounds
were heard. The iron plates on the floor buckled up and overrode with
loud clangs. Meanwhile the floes were grinding off each other's
projecting points and throwing up pressure-ridges. The ship stood the
strain well for nearly an hour and then, to my great relief, began to
rise with heavy jerks and jars. She lifted ten inches forward and
three feet four inches aft, at the same time heeling six degrees to
port. The ice was getting below us and the immediate danger had
passed. The position was lat. 69° 19? S., long. 50° 40? W.
The next attack of the ice came on the afternoon of October 18th. The
two floes began to move laterally, exerting great pressure on the ship.
Suddenly the floe on the port side cracked and huge pieces of ice shot
up from under the port bilge. Within a few seconds the ship heeled
over until she had a list of thirty degrees to port, being held under
the starboard bilge by the opposing floe.
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