154 THE VOYAGE OF THE JE ANNETTE. 



azimuth for that celebrated spot. The air is yet so 

 filled with snow crystals that judging of distance is out 

 of the question ; and our view not lasting over a half 

 hour, with intervals of concealment, w^e put off guessing 

 to a more propitious moment. Discontinued the daily 

 hauling of the dredge on account of the small amount 

 of the proceeds and their sameness. Fired up again 

 on the Baxter engine, but Edison's generator failed to 

 make a light. I am afraid this is irretrievably worth- 

 less, and our electric light this winter has remained, 

 not gone, " where the woodbine twineth." Collins, 

 however, hopes to make it work yet. 



October IM, Wednesday. — Already we are begin- 

 ning to experience the moisture between decks common 

 to Arctic ships. Although I w^as careful to have the 

 cabin lined in England with felt, and the poop deck ■ 

 •covered at Mare Island with three thicknesses of canvas, 

 the upper thickness painted, my room shows beads of 

 condensed vapor on every plank of the ceiling, and I 

 suppose it will soon show in other places. I have shut 

 off the after part of the cabin, and thus reduced the 

 space to be heated. This after part is so cool that pass- 

 ing into it from the cabin is like stepping into a cold 

 bath, but yet it is generally dripping with moisture. 

 The temperature at which the cabin and berth deck are 

 kept is 50°. The ward-room is as yet perfectly dry, 

 and as it is used for sleeping only I have not considered 

 it necessary to light a fire in that stove. The berth 

 deck remains dry and comfortable. Of course there is 

 difficulty about proper ventilation and keej)ing down 

 the carbonic acid gas, but I am hopeful of being able 

 to make everything as satisfactory as possible. When- 

 ever I see a chance to improve matters, I do so. The 

 deck-house is finished excepting the felt lining. 



