286 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXrEDITION. 



set the sluggisli masses in motion, further advance to the 

 north would be amongst the impossibilities. 



We were all of opinion that in order to avoid the 

 dangerous pressure of the ice fields, we should withdraw 

 at once to the south side of Shannon Island, investigate 

 it scientifically, and from the hills watch for a favourable 

 opportunity of advancing. 



As a light breeze from the north-west sprang up on 

 the morning of the 15th, we set sail to carry out our plan ; 

 but in order to be sure that there was no opening to the 

 north, we sailed along the northern border of the ice as 

 far as the closely-packed end in the east, but without 

 finding a way through.' 



At about ten p.m. we were once more to the east of the 

 island, and the mean height of the firm ice above the 

 water was from two to five feet, and large blocks of from 

 thirty to forty feet were piled upon the shore in all direc- 

 tions — proof of the enormous force of the pressure of the 

 fields in their revolving motion to the south. Our strait 

 was very narrow in many places, and we sailed round Cape 



^ The question has becu raised several times, especially inland, as to 

 why, being unable to advance along tlie land ice, I did not re-enter tlie 

 pack and work my way through it northwards, and, in a higher latitude, 

 again try to reach the coast. This is opposed to all experience : it 

 has long been known that in a stream of heavy ice, in fact in the 

 so-called pack, never, nor at any place, with the strongest and best 

 steamer, has any considerable progress been made without the coast 

 as a support. Had I wished to have reached the coast at a more 

 northerly point, I should have had to penetrate the ice-bariier, again 

 to steer along the northern border, and force my way into the pack 

 once more in 78°. Such a proceeding would certainly never have been 

 followed by the desired I'esult, and it would have been unjustifiable to 

 giv^e up a basis, leached with so much trouble, to follow a phantom. — 

 Kohhwiij. 



