The south-westerly breeze freshened to a gale on the 14th, and the
temperature fell from +31° Fahr. to -1° Fahr. At midnight the ship
came free from the floe and drifted rapidly astern. Her head fell off
before the wind until she lay nearly at right-angles across the narrow
lead. This was a dangerous position for rudder and propeller. The
spanker was set, but the weight of the wind on the ship gradually
forced the floes open until the 'Endurance' swung right round and drove
100 yds. along the lead. Then the ice closed and at 3 a.m. we were
fast again. The wind died down during the day and the pack opened for
five or six miles to the north. It was still loose on the following
morning, and I had the boiler pumped up with the intention of
attempting to clear the propeller; but one of the manholes developed a
leak, the packing being perished by cold or loosened by contraction,
and the boiler had to be emptied out again.

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.