106 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



lection of native houses on the port hand on a high 

 bluff, and another collection of native houses right 

 ahead on the beach at the foot of the bay. At the 

 same moment the sun appeared, and Mr. Dansnhower, 

 by using the given latitude of Cape Serdze Kamen, N. 

 67° 12', obtained the longitude as given that place on 

 the chart. This bay appeared to have a general north 

 and south direction, to be about seven miles in width 

 at its entrance, with fine large headlands. All around 

 the edge of the bay was fringed with broken pieces of 

 bay ice in a soft and rotten condition. The bay was in 

 depth about four miles, I should say. Stood in care- 

 fully, keeping lead going, and at 5.10 P. M. anchored in 

 8 1-2 fathoms water, hard bottom, sand, and stones. 

 We kept steam ready for a start at a moment's warning, 

 for a fresh N. W. wind, rough sea, and hard bottom 

 made our anchorage a little precarious. 



As soon as the crew had supper, I took whaleboat, 

 and, accompanied by Lieutenant Chipp, Mr. Dunbar, 

 Mr. Collins, and the Alaskan, Alexey, went in towards 

 the settlement at the foot of the bay. I drew up the 

 following paper to be left with the natives, addressed 

 " To the Commanding Officer of any Ship visiting Cape 

 Serdze Kamen : " — 



United States Arctic Steamer Jeannette, 

 Cai^e Serdze Kamen, August 29, 1879. 



This vessel stopped in here this day at five P. M. to endeavor 

 to learn something about the Swedish Exploring Expedition 

 under the command of Professor Nordenskjold. We arrived 

 at St. Lawrence Bay on the 25th inst., and learned from the 

 natives there that a steamer which had wintered in Koliutchin 

 Bay had come to St. Lawrence Bay and remained one day, 

 saiUng, three months before our arrival, for home by way of 

 the Kamtchatkan coast. Her captain was an old man with a 



