INTRODUCTION. 7 



aging circumstances, the results of his labors cannot fail to be very val- 

 uable and do justice to Mr. Sherman's indefatigable perseverance and 

 scholarly attainments. We spent our time in procuring and taking care 

 of specimens, as well as taking our " watch " at the observatory when 

 not too busy with other work. 



From our ijeculiar surroundings and the isolation to which we were 

 necessarily subjected, we lost much of oui- wonted enthusiasm during the 

 long, dreary winter, and found rest only in continual work. 



The spring of 1878 was stormy and backward, and the prevalence of 

 southerly gales kept the ice closely packed about us till the fore part of 

 July. This treacherous condition of the ice, and early departure from 

 the winter harbor, robbed us of any opportunity to prosecute extended 

 researches, except in the immediate vicinity of the harbor ; thus the 

 most valuable season was completely lost to us. 



The Florence left her winter harbor on the 6th of July, having all the 

 collected material for the future Arctic colony stored in her hold, and 

 sixteen Eskimo and twenty-eight dogs on deck. 



In the unnecessary haste of departure many valuable preparations had 

 to be abandoned for want of time to get them aboard, as well as space 

 to store them. 



Short stoppages were made at two or three points on the outward 

 passage from the sound, and on the 19th of July we rounded Cape Mercy 

 and took the pack-ice of Davis Straits. It was on this day that the 

 echooner received the bump which afterwards cost us so much trouble 

 and anxiety. 



The pack proved to be quite loose, but extensive, and the floes rather 

 small, but the winds were invariably contrary and quite stiff, and the 

 almost impenetrable fog made the navigation dangerous and tedious ; 

 we were often obliged to tie up to a floe and await a "lead" inthepat-k, 

 or the lifting of the murky fog veil. 



Godhavn Harbor, Disko Island, Greenland, was reached on the 31st 

 of July. We were all in high spirits in anticipation of news from home, 

 if not the presence of tlie expected expedition steamer. Of course the 

 double disappointment was sorely felt. 



The advent of the expedition was awaited with great anxiety, m(>ro 

 especially as no word had been sent us via Denmark, so we naturally 

 concluded the vessel or vessels were belated from some cause ; but when 

 three weeks of waiting brought us no news, the anchor was weighed, and 

 the Florence put on a course for Cumberland once more, to return the 

 Eskimo and tlieir effects to their country. 



