Arrival at Hammerfest. 7 



between N.E. and N., which was attributed to the local attrac- 

 tion of the ship, agreeing nearly with that found at the Nore. 

 The true variation was considered to be 25" W, 



Till the 26th we had a succession of calms and light winds, 

 which, though accompanied with delightful weather, was ex- 

 tremely irksome, as we all anxiously looked forward to the raoj-e 

 distant objects of the voyage, and considered we had but little 

 time to spare. 



May 31. — A boat came alongside and informed us, as nearly 

 as we could understand, that we were about fifty miles from 

 Hammerfest. Bore up and made all sail along the land. Next 

 day we hoisted out a boat, which was sent ashore for a pilot. 

 In rounding the north end of the Island of Soroe, we experien- 

 ced heavy squalls off the land, which reduced us to double- 

 reefed topsails. On Monday the 2d June, entered Hammerfest 

 liarbour, and anchored in sixteen fathoms, clay bottom. 



No time was lost in disembarking the instruments, and erect- 

 ing the observatory, tents, &c., the whole of which were found 

 to answer exceedingly well, and Captain Sabine was ready to 

 commence his observations the third day afterwards, had the 

 weather continued clear. We saluted the fort with eleven guns, 

 which were returned. 



The natives here are kind and hospitable, and pleased at the 

 idea of a visit from even such a man-of-war as the Griper. 

 The women are fair and pretty, and dress much like our own. 

 Remote from the civilized world, they are untainted by either 

 its vices or its wants. Morality and religion strictly predomi- 

 nate, and deviations from either are rare. Mr Crowe, an Eng- 

 lish merchant, who also acts as consul, resides here, and paid us 

 much attention. By a vessel of his which had been at Cherry 

 Island early in March, we learn that the sea was moie than 

 usually open, and clear from ice, which generally extends in a 

 compact body from thence to Cape Look-Out. We may 

 tlierefore expect an open season, and hope to reach Magdalene 

 Bay without any obstruction. 



This place, built on a small island, named Qualoijn or Whale 

 Island, consists of about a dozen of houses. The bay is small, 

 but the anchorage good and safe. There are no provisions to 

 be got here, with the exception of reindeer, which were cheap, 



