APPENDIX I 339 



most sounding taken by the Fram, at a point north of 

 Franz Josef Land and in latitude about 85° 20', viz., 

 1640 fathoms and no bottom. 



Tides. — Tidal observations upon the arctic coasts 

 of Grant Land and Greenland were carried out under 

 instructions from the Coast and Geodetic Survey, this 

 Bureau having been ordered by President Roosevelt 

 through the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to have 

 such work undertaken. 



The object was to secure observations along the 

 northern coasts of Grant Land and Greenland at a 

 sufficient number of places for determining the tides 

 in this region; it being the belief that such observations 

 might throw light upon the possible existence of a 

 "considerable land mass in the unknown area of the 

 Arctic Ocean." 



Systematic tidal and meteorological observations 

 were carried on day and night at Cape Sheridan, Point 

 Aldrich (near Cape Columbia), Cape Bryant, Cape 

 Morris Jesup, and Fort Conger — the periods of time 

 covered at these stations being about 231, 29, 28, 10, 

 and 15 days, respectively. 1 



The tides were observed upon vertical staves or 

 poles held in position by means of stones placed around 

 them at the bottom of the shallow water along the 

 coast. At Cape Sheridan, Point Aldrich, and Cape 

 Bryant igloos were built over the tide staves. These 

 being heated, usually by means of oil-stoves, the ob- 

 servers were enabled to maintain open well-holes with 

 comparative ease. 



1 These observations were made by Marvin and MacMillan, assisted by Borup, 

 seaman Barnes, and fireman Wiseman. — R.E.P. 



