There is a distinct swell--very long, very low.

I counted the period as about nine seconds.

Everyone says the ice is breaking up.

I have not seen any distinct evidence myself, but Wilson saw a large floe which had recently cracked into four pieces in such a position that the ship could not have caused it.

The breaking up of the big floes is certainly a hopeful sign.
'I have written quite a lot about the pack ice when under ordinary conditions I should have passed it with few words.