Preparing to Sail: May 14, 1811

A strong gale blew up on Tuesday, accompanied by snow showers and a heavy frost, the temperature dropping to 11 degrees (around -12 Celcius). The Resolution was secured with towlines, to prevent “falling foul” of the Aimwell, which was just half a ship’s length astern. Then, in the evening, the ice began to break up:

In the morning [of the 15th] this opening had so increased as to be of considerable size. supposing it might lead to the NE which we could not ascertain from the constant snow about noon prepared to sail.