As soon as the hulk was clear, Roswell directed his men to take everything out of it; the remains of cargo, water-casks, and some frozen provisions, in order that it might float as light as possible.  The ice was frozen close to every part of the vessel’s bottom to a depth of several feet, following her mould, a circumstance that would necessarily prevent her settling in the water below her timbers; but, as there was no telling when this ice might begin to recede by melting, it was deemed prudent to use this precaution.  It was found that the experiment succeeded, the hulk actually rising, when relieved from the weight in it, no less than four inches.

A consultation was held that night, between Gardiner, his officers, and the oldest of the seamen.  The question presented was whether the party should attempt to quit the group in the boats, or whether they should build a little on the hulk, deck her over, and make use of this altered craft, to return to the northward.  There was a good deal to be said on both sides.  If the boats were used, the party might leave as soon as the weather became settled, and the season a little more advanced, by dragging the boats on sledges across the ice to the open water, which was supposed to be some ten or twenty miles to the northward, and a large amount of provisions might thus be saved.  On the other hand, however, as it regarded the provisions, the boats would hold so little, that no great gain would be made by going early in them, and leaving a sufficient supply behind to keep all hands two or three months.  This was a consideration that presented itself, and it had its weight in the decision.  Then there was the chance of the winter’s returning, bringing with it the absolute necessity of using a great deal more fuel.  This was a matter of life and death.  Comparatively pleasant as the weather had become, there was no security for its so continuing.  One entire spring month was before the sealers, and a shift of wind might convert the weather into a wintry temperature.  Should such be the case, it might become indispensable to burn the very materials that would be required to build up and deck over the hulk.  There were, therefore, many things to be taken into the account; nor was the question settled without a great deal of debate and reflection.

After discussing all these points, the decision was as follows.  It was at least a month too soon to think of trusting themselves in that stormy ocean, on the high seas and in the open boats; and this so much the more because nature, as if expressly to send back a reasonable amount of warm air into the polar regions, with a view to preserve the distinction of the seasons, caused the wind to blow most of the time from the northward.  As this month, in all prudence, must be passed on the island, it might as well be occupied with building upon the hulk, as in any other occupation.  Should the cold weather return, the materials would still be there, and might be burned, in the last extremity, just as well, or even with greater facility, after being brought over to the cove, as if left where they then were, or at the wreck.  Should the winter not return, the work done on the vessel would be so much gained, and they would be ready for an earlier start, when the ice should move.