The weather did not clear until the 16th.

We saw then that the appearance of the surrounding pack had been altered completely by the blizzard.

The "island" floe containing the 'Endurance' still stood fast, but cracks and masses of ice thrown up by pressure could be seen in all directions.

An area of open water was visible on the horizon to the north, with a water indication in the northern sky.
The ice-pressure, which was indicated by distant rumblings and the appearance of formidable ridges, was increasingly a cause of anxiety.
The areas of disturbance were gradually approaching the ship.

During July 21 we could bear the grinding and crashing of the working floes to the south-west and west and could see cracks opening, working, and closing ahead.
"The ice is rafting up to a height of 10 or 15 ft.