For what use would it be to launch a ship stripped of her planks, which would go to the bottom at once ?" We complied with the boatswain's just demand.
The fog having cleared off, a bright sun then illumined the eastern side of the iceberg, whence the sea was visible round a large part of the horizon.

Here the sides of the iceberg showed rugged projections, ledges, shoulders, and even flat instead of smooth surfaces, giving no foothold.

However, caution would be necessary in order to avoid the falling of those unbalanced blocks, which a single shock might set loose.

And, as a matter of fact, during the morning, several of these blocks did roll into the sea with a frightful noise just like an avalanche.
On the whole, the iceberg seemed to be very steady on its new base.
So long as the centre of gravity was below the level of the water-line, there was no fear of a fresh capsize.
I had not yet had an opportunity of speaking to Dirk Peters since the catastrophe.

As he had answered to his name, I knew he was not numbered among the victims.