Having arrived abreast of Point Humphreys, we steered to seaward, for the
purpose of avoiding the shallows that extend across Beaufort Bay, intending
to direct our course in a line for Mount Conybeare, which was in sight.
We were then exposed to a long rolling swell, and we soon afterwards
perceived that it had driven the ice upon the reefs at the eastern extremity
of the bay, which would have precluded our retreat to the shore in the
event of a wind rising. It therefore became necessary to penetrate the
pack, and keep by the side of the reefs; but in doing so, the boats
were exposed to no little danger of being broken in passing through
the narrow channels between the masses of ice which were tossing with
the swell, and from which large pieces frequently fell. [Franklin, pp.
169-170.]