A thousand times it appeared as though the 'James Caird' must be engulfed; but the boat lived.

The south-westerly gale had its birthplace above the Antarctic Continent, and its freezing breath lowered the temperature far towards zero.

The sprays froze upon the boat and gave bows, sides, and decking a heavy coat of mail.

This accumulation of ice reduced the buoyancy of the boat, and to that extent was an added peril; but it possessed a notable advantage from one point of view.

The water ceased to drop and trickle from the canvas, and the spray came in solely at the well in the after part of the boat.