A Cruise on the S.Y. Vectis. 22^, 



They were a most cosmopolitan lot. I should think that every 

 country in Europe was represented on the passeuijer list, and 

 as many of them w'ore their national costume, they looked most 

 weird in their present surroundings. We were told that they 

 were a very happy family, and that dances and other entertain- 

 ments were of frequent occurrence on board. They certainly 

 looked an interesting crowd. 



In the afternoon we steamed away for the North Cape 

 which we reached soon after dinner. Those of us who were 

 energetic enough were taken on shore in the launch. This 

 short trip was hardly a picnic. Most of us got wet, and quite a 

 few of us lost our dinners. However, once on shore we were 

 all right. The climb to the top was a stiff one. I should think 

 that it must be at least 1,500 ft. above sea level. The nature 

 of the ground on the summit reminded me of the more barren 

 parts of Dartmoor. There was really very little to see, and but 

 for the fact that it is the most northerly point in Europe, it 

 would not be worth a visit. A few Lapland Buntings were the 

 only birds noticed. The " Vectis " was now headed for 

 Spitzbergen and the northern ice. All kinds of sea fowl were 

 very numerous. Razorbills, Guillemots and Puflfins were always 

 in sight upon the water, and many Gulls kept flying around the 

 ship. About midway between the Cape and Spitzbergen we 

 sighted our first whale, but it was at a considerable distance. 

 We also now began to meet with large seals. To what particular 

 variety they belonged I cannot say. They were larger than the 

 seals usually found around the English coasts, but were not so 

 large as the Sealion found in California. A very common bird 

 now was the little Black Guillemot. The only place I had met 

 these birds previously was the Isle of Man, where many years 

 ago I shot a pair in their pretty spotted immature plumage. They 

 were evidently breeding on the Spitzbergen coast. Unfortun- 

 ately we were prevented from landing here, as a fog sprang up. 

 We " lay to " all day off Bell's Sound, with our Siren going 

 We were joined later on by the " Ophir.'' As she had twm 

 screws, they decided to try and find their way in, but our captain 

 wouldn't risk it, and gave orders to continue slowly to the 

 northwards. Whilst we were " lying to " birds were continually 

 flying over and around the ship, and, had the light been good, 

 many fine photos could liave been taken. Later in the day the 



