Northern Expedition. 227 
“* His Majesty’s Ship Alexander, June 17. 
“ My Dzar S17 —I am now writing in the tent upon the 
north end of Hare or Waygatt Island, with the pendulum clock, 
within one yard of me, and the observatory and all the instru- 
ments within half-a-dozen, We were arrested in our progress 
yesterday by the ice, which forms a complete bar about. three. 
miles to the northward of this island, commencing on the Green- 
land side, from what is called Four Island Point, and extending 
down the straits at a distance not greater than ten miles to the 
westward of this island, and 15 to the westward of Disko. Soon 
after entering the Straits, we found it abselutely impracticable ; 
to go up to the middle, as the ice gradually brought us into the 
land, till a little to the northward of Riskoll (vulgo Reef Koll) 
we were for a day or two totally blockaded. The ice then, by) 
one of those unaccountable changes that so frequently occur 
here, opeued sufficiently to give us a free passage, till yesterday 
we found a second bar in this place. From every account we . 
have received, as well as from what we have already seen, it is 
certain that the last winter has not only been severe, but that 
the frost has lasted much later than has been the case for many | 
years past. You may imagine our surprise when, on coming , 
into this neighbourhood yesterday, we. found upwards of 35 Bri- 
tish ships at anchor upon the ice-bergs, which completely form 
a cluster of innumerable islands from the spot in which I at this.. 
moment view them. They have all been detained here—not. 
days, but weeks, in spite of every exertion to get to the north- 
ward; and the fishery may be considered as hitherto.an unsue- 
ie one, with the exception of a few of the ships in Disko., 
ay. 
** The causes which operate upon the ice producing very sud- 
den changes in it, are so little understood, that it is impossible . 
to judge when any such change may take place as to enable us 
to get to the northward. I have just been to the top of a moun- , 
tain of no inconsiderable height, to determine its altitude by the 
barometer: and I wish I could give you an adequate idea of the 
magnificent sublimity of the scene I have just witnessed. The 
whole horizon to the northward and westward is one complete 
mass of compact field ice ; with the exception of above 500 ices , 
bergs, which, with here and there a small spot of clear blue wa- 
ter, serve to vary the scene, which would otherwise tire the eye 
with the uniformity of its dazzling whiteness, ‘Io the eastward , 
is seen the land of Greeuland, very high, almost entirely covered 
with snow, and frowning, as it were, upon the ocean of ice , 
which environs its shores. To the southward is the island of 
Disko, with its summit (which we have never clearly seen) com- 
P2 pletely 
