DRIFTING IN ICE OFF HERALD ISLAND. HI 



shore, and Alexey was of no more use in this countiy 

 than ourselves), the Vega left here for the eastward 

 two or three months ago. Tokens of the Vega were 

 bought by Chipp, he using his vest buttons as ready 

 cash, and brought off to the ship. [Among other 

 things there were three navy buttons, — Swedish, Dan- 

 ish, and Russian.] These navy buttons alone would be 

 proof enough of the Vega having wintered here, be- 

 cause no other ship was in this part of the world with 

 Swedish, Danish, and Russian naval officers on board. 



Hoisted the whaleboat and steamed out to the north- 

 ward at 1.10; at two held divine service, and I believe 

 all our hearts were thankful that at last we knew Nor- 

 denskjuld was safe, and we might proceed on our way 

 toward Wrangel Land.^ 



The ice on the western side of our funnel - shaped 

 opening made out from the land, so that it was 5.15 

 p. M. before we were clear enough of the pack to shape 

 our course N. W. by N. At six we sighted a large 

 island, supposed to be Koliutchin Island. During the 

 first watch we were much bothered by loose ice in large 

 lumps, requiring constant conning to avoid trouble. iVt 

 ten p. M., finding the ice growing heavier, I put her on 

 the other tack to N. E. true, and stood out of it, stop- 

 ping the engines from 11.40 to twelve, to let the ship 

 drift through some small openings into open water. 



Septemher 1st, Monday. — An ordinary day, so far 

 as events go. During the afternoon land was sighted 

 bearing S. W., — probably the land around Cape North 



1 Baron Nordenskjold, after wintering -at this place, was released from the 

 ice July 18, 1879, passed Serdze Kamen on the 19th, anchored off St. Law- 

 rence Island on the 31st, and again off Behring Island August 14th, reach- 

 ing Yokohama September 2d. When Captain De Long saw Chief George, 

 therefore, the Vega had been gone a month only, and not three, as he 

 gathered from the chief. — Ed. 



