The anchorage at ——­ was reached before darkness set in, and a vessel which had left four days previously was observed to be ashore, with the ice drifting up against her port side, forcing her farther on to the bank.  Signals were hoisted offering assistance, but before the reply could be made a blinding snowstorm came on, which lasted all through the night.  The next morning, at daylight, signals were again made by the Claverhouse to the stranded vessel asking if they would accept assistance.  The reply came, “I want lighters.”  The crew were jettisoning the cargo of wheat on to the ice as it flowed past, but the more they lightened the farther the vessel was forced on to the bank by the rushing current.  The master of the Claverhouse, observing the critical position, sent a boat away with a small line.  A communication was effected, but not without great difficulty.  The master of the Aureola was worn out with anxiety and want of rest, for his vessel had been ashore for forty-eight hours.  He very wisely accepted the assistance which had opportunely come to him.  A tow-rope was attached to the small line, and by this means a thick tow-line was got aboard, and she was dragged off the bank; then orders were unaccountably given to cut the tow-rope.  This very nearly resulted in a more serious disaster, as the engineers in the confusion kept the engines going astern, and the rope drifting with the current, became entangled round the propeller.  If the anchor and chains had not held the great strain that was put on them, she would have gone ashore again in a worse position, and inevitably have broken her back.  As it was, the propeller was cleared in about a couple of hours.  The captain of the Aureola was not well acquainted with the locality, and arranged that he should follow the other steamer to——.  Suitable plans and signals were settled, and both vessels weighed anchor and proceeded as fast through the ice as was compatible with safety.  Once out of the narrows and clear of the obstruction, the engines were put at full speed and kept going until they were forced to slow down on account of the snow squalls, which obscured everything.  The sea had become rough, and the utmost resources of the commanders were taxed in their efforts to navigate the coast and yet keep together.  They groped their way until ——­ town lights were visible.  It was then seen that the gunboat anchored at the south end of the mine-field was signalling to them to stop; but still they went slowly on, feeling their way by the lead, while those aboard the gunboat began to fire rockets with exciting rapidity.  Regardless of the warning, the two steamers kept on their way until they got to the anchorage, when the warship was hidden from view.