" MARION " EXPEDITIOlSr TO DAVIS STEAIT AND BAFFIN BAY 19 



the scientist at the head of the Danish Arctic station at Godhavn, 

 and the local colonial a<rents, climbed on board. By 11 p. m., on 

 August 7, the Marlon had run in through the narrow entrance of 

 lichen-covered rocks and anchored in the fine harbor, near two Gov- 

 ernment whaling vessels. 



Because of the persistence of daylight, liberty was granted at once 

 to look over the town. As at Godthaab, the natives were for the most 

 part dressed in neat sealskin garments decorated with Ijrightly dyed 

 strips of sealskin from which the hair had been removed. They were 

 most interesting to watch, and apparently they found the sailors 

 from the Marion equally interesting, for a crowd of them surrounded 

 each little group of bluejackets that landed and followed the latter 

 about wherever they Avent while ashore. 



We were told that some 300 natives and 27 Danes now live at 

 Godhavn the year round. At the time of the Marion's visit the 



GODHAVN, GREENLAND 



Figure 14. — Danish flags fly near the well-kept and red-painted Government houses'. A 

 stone and sod hut of a native Greenlander lends local color to this view across the 

 inner portion of the harbor. 



European population was augmented by the officers and crews of 

 the two whaling vessels, but tliese people w^ere to leave for Denmark 

 late in the fall as soon as the Aveather should become too severe for 

 further whale catching. There Were many Eskimo dogs at Godhavn, 

 for here the Avinters are cold enough for solid sea ice to form in the 

 bay. This makes sledging Avith dog teams much more practicable 

 than in South Greenland, Avhere the Avinters are milder and good ice 

 for traveling can not be depended upon. Shortly before midnight 

 the natiA'es gave a dance for tiie crcAv in the cooper shop, Avhile the 

 officers were entertained by the colonial agents and other Government 

 officials in their homes. 



The morning of August 8 Avas A^eiy pleasant, Avith the air temper- 

 ature around 50° F. The connnanding officer exchanged official calls 

 Avith the Danish officials, and the latter kindly agreed to furnish the 

 ship Avith fresh water and Avith 1,400 gallons of good Diesel oil. The 



