68 THE JEANNETTE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



lagoons, sounding in that way for a channel to reach the 

 land, or cross the water in the direction of their course. 



The run home, when reluctantly enforced, was made in 

 five days. The 10th of September, the day assigned for re- 

 porting back, had passed, and the day of grace was drawing 

 to a close, when a little whale-boat was seen beating in from 

 the south and west, and we were soon cheering the returned 

 explorers as they drew along side. The result of their labor- 

 was perfectly satisfactory, as they had reached positions 

 within easy view of each other's furthest points, and, though 

 no traces that we could identify as of the Jeannette or the 

 lost whalers were found, an accurate survey had been made 

 of this land, and its character ascertained. The necessary 

 scientific data had been collected, and a harbor found which 

 may sometime be of inestimable value to ice-imprisoned 

 whalemen. 



Along the sand spit, near the Rodger's harbor, as well 

 as on the entire coast of Wrangel Island, is strewn drift- 

 wood, among which may often be found utensils of wood, 

 made by the natives of the Siberian or American coast, and 

 some are of very ancient date, as are attested by their ven- 

 erable appearance. A number of specimens were gathered 

 by members of the expedition as relics. Among them can be 

 recognized portions of vessels and articles of civilized man- 

 ufacture, but whether keeping the sad tale of wrecks and 

 human suffering, or merely washed from the deck of some 

 passing whaler, it would be difficult to tell. 



The explorers left Rogers Harbor, September 13th, and 

 the same evening visited the bay, where the whale-boat had 

 been left, but were unable to get near the land owing to 

 ground ice and shoal water. 



An attempt was made to examine Herald Island, but no 

 landing could be effected. The ship was then headed due 

 north, and, on the morning of the 16th, ran into loose ice, 

 and soon came up to a dense pack. A lead to the northwest 

 was entered, but it ended in an impenetrable pack, with 

 smooth, new, unbroken field ice beyond, as far as the eye 



