CHAPTER II. 



PENDULUM ISLAND. STATE OF THE ICE NORTHWARDS. 

 LANDING ON SHANNON ISLAND. 



Accident to Dr. Pansch. — Boat voyage to the mainland. — Scientific 

 operations. — Attempt of the Germania to advance northwards. — 

 Musk-oxen. 



The group of islands known under the name of Pendulum 

 Islands were first discovered and appropriated by Claver- 

 ing in the year 1823. He anchored his ship, the Griper, 

 on the south side of the largest island, between it and 

 the mainland. On this side of the island is good anchor 

 ground ; several glacier streams debouche here, bringing 

 with them soil and mud, and the roads are protected from 

 heavy ice by a small island lying in front, which, from 

 the number of walrus seen there, we called Walrus Island. 

 According to our instructions, the position of Sabine's 

 Observatory was to be sought for and newly marked, after 

 which we were to advance northward; this, of course, 

 caused a stay of some days. The astronomers brought 

 out their instruments to determine our exact position, 

 and settling the magnetic constants on land, especially 

 towards the tongue of land eastward from our harbour 

 (Cau'n Point), where we conjectured Sabine's Observatory 

 to have been, but of which, with all our seeking, we could 

 find not the slightest trace, nor of anything else which 



