^6 JOURNAL. 



July. which we found here in much larger pieces than to the 

 Weft ward. At fix in the morning the variation, by the 

 mean of fix azimuths, was ii° 56' W; the horizon re- 

 markably clear. At noon, being clofe to the main body 

 of the ice, the latitude by obfervation was 80° 36'; we 

 founded in 10 1 fathom, muddy ground. In the after- 

 noon the wind blew frefh at N E, with a thick fog ; the 

 ice hung much about the rigging. The loofe ice being 

 thick and clofe, we found ourfelves fo much engaged in 

 it, as to be obliged to run back a confiderable diftance to 

 the Weftward and Southward, before we could extricate 

 ourfelves : we afterwards had both the fea and the weather 

 clear, and worked up to the North Eaftward. At half 

 part five the longitude of the fhip was 15° i6' 45" E. At 

 feven the Eafternmoll land bore E i N diftant about 

 feven or eight leagues, appearing like deep bays and 

 iflands, probably thofe called in the Dutch charts the 

 Seven IJlandsy they feemed to be furrounded with ice. 

 I flood to the Southward, in hopes of getting to the South- 

 €aftward round the ice, and between it and the land, where 

 the water appeared more open. 



29th. At midnight the latitude by obfervation was 

 80° 21'. At four, tacked clofe to the ice, hauled up the 

 forefail and backed the mizen topfail, having too much 

 way amongft the loofe ice. At noon, latitude obferved 

 So° 24' S^'" ^^ opening, which we fuppofed to be 



the 



