4& DRIFTING IN THE PACK. Chap. III. 



remained stationary. Twenty seals liave been 

 shot up to this time. 



On comparing Petersen's experience with my 

 own and that of the * North Star ' in 1849, it 

 seems probable that the ice along the shores of 

 Melville Bay, at this season, will drift north- 

 ward close along the land as far as Cape Parry, 

 where, meeting with a S.W. current out of 

 Whale or Smith's Sound, it will be carried away 

 into the middle of Baffin's Bay, and thence 

 during the winter down Davis' Strait into the 

 Atlantic. From Cape Dudley Digges to Cape 

 Parry, including Wolstenholme Sound, open 

 water remains until October. It is strange that 

 we have ceased to drift lately to the westward. 



Qth. — During the last week we have only 

 drifted 9 miles to the west. Obtained soundings 

 in 88 fathoms; this is a discovery, and not an 

 agreeable one. Of the six or seven icebergs in 

 sight, the nearest are to the west of us ; they are 

 very large, and appear to be aground; we 

 approach them slowly. Pleasant weather, but 

 the winds are much too gentle to be of service 

 to us ; although the nights are cold, yet during 

 the day our men occasionally do their sewing 

 on deck. Our companions the seals are larger 

 and fatter than formerly, therefore they float 

 when shot ; we are disposed to attribute their 



