OPEN WATER WESTWARDS. 277 



more than five German miles from the coast ; but at half- 

 past ten it cleared again, and the whole group of islands 

 lay clear and distinct before us. The water was open, and 

 we made straight for Griper Roads. 



We were all greatly excited, and, in spite of the severe 

 cold, remained nearly the whole night on deck. In the 

 early morning we had a fall of snow, giving the ship a 

 thick white covering. A few miles from land a large 

 brash lay direct in our course ; this we sailed round, and 

 at last anchored in a small bay, which was afterwards our 

 winter harbour. 



On the 5th of August we dropped anchor on Greenland 

 soil, and a loud " hurrah !" arose as we planted our flag, 

 which also waved proudly from the mainmast. 



In the day-book we find that at the beginning of our 

 voyage strong north-westerly winds prevailed, which of 

 course delayed us. We all noticed the increase of tempe- 

 rature, both in the atmosphere and the water, from the 

 coast of Norway until the latitude of the Shetland Islands, 

 and then a decrease in both after crossing the Arctic 

 circle. The influence of the warm gulf-stream was 

 unmistakable, and was observed by both ships. 



During the first part of the month of July easterly 

 winds prevailed, driving the ice up to the borders, and 

 making it impossible to break through. In the second 

 part of July northerly and southerly winds alternated 

 without bringing any great change in the ice ; but at the 

 beginning of August strong westerly winds set in, so 

 loosening it that we easily made our way through. A 

 glance at the ship's course on the chart will show dis- 

 tinctly how the ice shifted in the beginning of August. 

 Before this time it had been impossible to reach the coast. 



