FURTHER COASTING OP THE GERMANIA. 301 



Pendulum islands. According to our astronomers, wlio 

 had been constantly watching the ice from the eastern 

 hill, there remained only one open channel to the east of 

 Shannon. As far as they could judge, the ice to the 

 north had not begun to move yet. Under these circum- 

 stances, our chances of further explorations to the north 

 this autumn became fainter and fainter. 



On the return of Lieutenant Payer and his men on the 

 morning of the 29th, the captain summoned a council of 

 the scientific staff and ofiicers, to obtain their opinions 

 as to the feasibility of penetrating further. Taking into 

 consideration all circumstances, the utter improbability 

 of our being able to advance further north, the danger 

 of our present anchorage, and the 'n on -arrival of the 

 Hansa, which we had now given up altogether, it was 

 unanimously resolved, as being most in accordance with 

 the object of the Expedition; to return to the safe 

 anchorage on the south side of Klein-Pendulum, there to 

 complete the survey of the surrounding country; and, 

 if possible, to undertake a sledge-expedition to the main- 

 land. 



We had on that island the additional advantage of the 

 mountain, whence we were enabled to observe the move- 

 ments of the ice, and at once avail • ourselves of any 

 favourable opportunity. We still hoped that the au- 

 tumnal storms would bring about a general breaking-up. 



August 27, at four p.m., we raised anchor and steered 

 southwards. The sea was now everywhere frozen over, 

 and mostly covered with inch-ice, through which we 

 could only force a passage with full steam power 

 up. We found open water only near Bass Rock, and 

 could sail freely and quickly round the island. We 



