112 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



on the Siberian coast. Although this land is sixty 

 miles from our position, I can account for our seeing 

 it only by mirage. It did not really seem over thirty 

 miles. A considerable amount of pack ice was between 

 us and this land. We were favored with a beautiful 

 sunset, and a moonlight and starlight night. 



SejJtember 2d, Tuesday. — On our course from eight 

 last evening until seven this morning, — N. W. (at 

 which time we were about one hundred miles from 

 the southeast cape of Wrangel Land). But at the 

 last-named hour made the ice-pack ahead, and extend- 

 ing as far to the westward as we could see. During the 

 forenoon watch we ran through a lot of loose ice, mak- 

 ing a true north course as well as possible. At 11.30, 

 being through the loose ice, were confronted by the 

 solid pack, which headed us off to the N. E, true during 

 the afternoon watch while we were skirting it. 



At noon sounded in twenty -four fathoms, — thick 

 blue mud and shells. A fine S. E. breeze had sprung 

 up by this time, to which we made all sail, and were 

 slipping along six knots while coasting the pack. Be- 

 ing headed off to N. E. true, and increasing our dis- 

 tance from Wrangel Land instead of diminishing it, I 

 decided at nine p. M. to bank fires, save coal, and let 

 her go under sail for the night. Stopped engines there- 

 fore at 9.50. To-day, having bright sunlight all day, 

 were able to locate our position by observation. Lati- 

 tude 69° 10' N., longitude 176° 6' 30'' W. 



September od, Wednesday. — A lively day. At one 

 A. M. sighted the ice ahead and on the weather bow. 

 Hauled sharp by the wind, but before we could get 

 steam had closed in on the ice, striking it easily with 

 our port side, and we lay there until we had steam 

 enough to crawl off. No damage done. Found we had 



