28 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. .July 



Kingatak Islands into view, and enabled us to ascer- 

 tain our position with sufficient accuracy ' to steer in 

 towards Proven ; but the headlands along the coast 

 are all so much alike in form and colour that in misty 

 weather, with only one in sight, a stranger would be 

 puzzled to ascertain his whereabouts. 



After passing between Kingatak and Tukingarsuk 

 the south-westerly wind died away, and a strong tidal 

 current obliged us to get up steam. Taking the 

 ' Discovery ' in tow, the harbour was entered about an 

 hour before midnight, when we were received by the 

 few inhabitants, who clustered upon the slopes about 

 the settlement, in their many coloured picturesque 

 clothing. Following the chart, it would appear prac- 

 ticable to enter the anchorage direct from the south- 

 ward, but a sunken reef blocks the channel and 

 obliges vessels to pass round on the western side of 

 the outer island and to enter by the northern channel. 

 The water being very deep, except on one ledge close 

 to the shore near the settlement, a pilot is necessary to 

 point out the anchorage, which after all is very rocky 

 and untrustworthy holding ground. During the night 

 a southerly wind, force five to six, causing squalls off 

 the high land, made me rather anxious, but the anchors 

 held on, the cables, however, grinding a good deal 

 against the rocky bottom. 



The inhabitants of Proven amount to about 106 

 souls, and were presided over at the time of our visit 

 by Governor Moldrup, who obligingly assisted us in 

 completing our supplies. The island on which the 

 settlement is built is composed of gneiss, but the 

 islands that lie more to the southward, and the great 





