338 PROCEEDINGS COTTESWOLD CLUB 1912 



The sun came out as we approached the shore and some- 

 what dispelled the gloom ; it certainly helped to make the 

 austere coast-line seem a little more inviting. We came in 

 close to the shore, passing a little way from the " Pilot Boat 

 Rock " of the Austrian map — a natural reproduction in dark 

 volcanic rock of a boat under full sail. After some manoeu- 

 vring, and due care being taken on account of the more or less 

 uncharted coast, we anchored in Driftwood Bay about one 

 thousand yards from the shore. The line of contact between sea 

 and land was marked everywhere by surf. The lower slopes of 

 Mount Beerenberg were already visible to the northward, the 

 crevasses of a huge glacier being plainly visible through glasses 

 from the deck. Gently-moving masses of impenetrable fog 

 and cloud obscured for the present the upper slopes and sum- 

 mit of the imposing mountain which we were to see to such 

 advantage a few hours later. 



We lowered a boat with a landing-party — carrying pro- 

 visions, guns, cameras, sleeping-bags, &c. Very anxiously we 

 watched its progress from the deck and bridge. That fine white 

 line of surf was to be our undoing, however ! The boat' ap- 

 proached the shore, but at each attempt to secure a landing 

 the same difficulty was met with — dangerous surf ; the fatal 

 white line was there to tell its own tale to the rest of us out 

 on the " Matador." We were not in a position to run any 

 risks by smashing a boat. There was of course no life-boat 

 station handy in case of trouble ; nothing but the irresponsive 

 cliffs and shore, with a line of sea-birds sitting upon the latter 

 and holding perhaps their final parliament before rising for 

 the south. This beach was of dark volcanic sand. Upon it, 

 besides the aforesaid sea-fowl, was a large quantity of the 

 driftwood previously referred to. The shore at this point 

 was protected by a submerged barrier of black rock, over 

 which the surf and spray were driving. 



To return to the " Matador " (which, alas, is just what 

 the boat and its occupants now had to do !). The surf had 

 proved too obdurate to be overcome, and with hearts sinking 



I The boats of the "Matador" were unfortunately too heavy for landing on an open beach like 

 that of Jan Mayen. There is no protected anchorage to be found there. 



