THE NOKTH-EAST PASSAGE. 17 



as 1821-23. The map -was, besides, more a land 

 than a sea chart. The depth was indicated in very 

 few instances, and these were usually at fault. It was 

 necessary, therefore, to proceed with the utmost cau- 

 tion. Our regulations were to sound every hour as 

 long as we were in deep water that is to say, as 

 long as the depth was not less than seven to ten 

 fathoms. At a less depth we sounded every quarter 

 of an hour ; and often, when we Avere sailing along 

 the coast, in from three to four fathoms of water, or 

 even less, the hand-line was constantly employed for 

 days in succession. As soon as the depth decreased 

 to about four fathoms, the steam-launch, which was 

 always kept with steam up, was put out and sent 

 before the Vega. This could be easily done in water 

 free from ice, or in spread drift-ice ; but when the 

 ice was so compact that the Vega had to force a 

 passage through, the steam-launch, of course, could 

 not be used. 



Only upon one occasion, when we stood eastward 

 from Cape Tchelyuskin, we sounded and found 

 seventy fathoms ; at no other place, even when far 

 out at sea, had we more than twenty fathoms, and 

 as soon as we neared the coast, the depth gradually 

 decreased to three or four fathoms and under. 

 Usually we sailed in a depth of from five to seven 

 fathoms. 



On the llth of August we anchored near an un- 

 known island to await better weather, there being a 



VOL. II. B 



