THE RETURN TO COLD AND DARKNESS. 481 



Measurements of the ice thickness to-day gave twenty- 

 four inches, direct freezing since August 31st. Bright, 

 pleasant weather until nine P. M., when it became over- 

 cast, and a steady rise of temperature from minus 21° 

 to almost zero. 



Inspected, according to Sunday practice, and found 

 everything dry, warm, neat, and comfortable. We have 

 neither cold nor moisture to complain of this winter at 

 all events. 



November 1st, Monday. — To-day our winter routine 

 was resumed, whereby our meal hours are changed, and 

 an enforced exercise outside of the ship takes place 

 daily from eleven to one. Though the sun has not yet 

 left us, I consider it well to get the exercise resumed 

 now, for it can do no harm, and it will insure a proper 

 ventilation of the ship during the two hours she is 

 cleared. 



I also resume the medical examination of officers and 

 men, and shall be anxious until I get an expression of 

 the doctor's opinion as to our general physical condi- 

 tion. 



November 2d, Tuesday. — With to-day we have a 

 new moon, and in prompt accordance with our experi- 

 ence of last year a crack occurs in the ice about five 

 hundred yards north of the ship, in some places six feet 

 wide, and extending to the eastward for a short dis- 

 tance. Beyond an occasional shriek of newly made ice 

 being moved a little, there is no trouble received from 

 the opening. 



November od, Wednesday. — By Sumner of stars our 

 position is found to be in latitude 73° 44' N., longitude 

 179° 57' E., showing a drift since October 24th of twenty- 

 five and one third miles due west. As I did not change 

 the date when we went to the westward of the 180th 



31 



