ICEBERG. An insulated mountain of ice, whether on Arctic lands or
floating in the sea. Some have been known to be aground in 120 fathoms
water, and rise to the height of 150 feet above it. Cook's obtaining
fresh water from floating icebergs was not a new discovery. The Hudson's
Bay ships had long made use of it; and in July, 1585, Captain Davis met
with ice "which melted into very good fresh water."
ICE-BIRDS. Small sea-fowl in the polar regions.
ICE-BLINK. A streak or stratum of lucid whiteness which appears over the
ice in that part of the atmosphere adjoining the horizon, and proceeds
from an extensive aggregation of ice reflecting the rays of light into
the circumambient air.
ICE-BOAT. A peculiar track-schuyt for the Dutch canals in winter.
ICE-BOUND. A vessel so surrounded by ice as to be prevented from
proceeding on her voyage.
ICE-CHISEL. A large socket-chisel into which a pole is inserted, used to
cut holes in the ice.
ICE-CLAWS. A flat claw with two prongs spread like a can-hook; the same
as a single span or claw-dog.
ICE-FENDERS. Fenders of any kind, used to protect a vessel from injury
by ice; usually broken spars hanging vertically where the strain is
expected.
ICE LANE OR VEIN. A narrow temporary channel of water in the packs or
other large collections of ice.
ICE-MASTER. A pilot, or man of experience, for the Arctic Sea.
ICE-PLANK. _See_ SPIKE-PLANK.
ICE-QUAKE. The rending crash which accompanies the breaking of floes of
ice.
ICE-SAW. A huge saw for cutting through ice; it is made of 2/8 to 3/8
inch plates of iron, and varies in length from 10 to 24 feet.
ICE-SLUDGE. Small comminuted ice, or bay-ice broken up by the wind.
ICE-TONGUE. _See_ TONGUE.
ICHNOGRAPHY. A ground plot or plan of a fortification, showing the
details of the construction as if cut horizontally through.
ICK. An Erse or Manx term for a creek or gullet.
IDLER. A general designation for all those on board a ship-of-war, who,
from being liable to constant day duty, are not subjected to keep the
night-watch, but must go on deck if all hands are called during the
night. Surgeons, marine-officers, paymasters, and the civil department,
are also thus denominated.
IDOLEERS. The name by which the Dutch authorities are known in their
oriental colonies, the designation being a corruption of _edle herren_.
IGNORANCE. If a loss happen through the ignorance of the master of a
ship, it is not considered as a peril of the sea; consequently the
assurers are not liable. Nor is his ignorance of admiralty-law
admissible as an excuse.
IGUANA. A large lizard used for food in tropical climates.