Mak. 1858. ■ STBONG GALES, &7 



I sympathise with its constant groanings; the 

 ice allows it no rest. 



11 th. — Strong N.W. gale with a return of 

 cold weather. We have drifted 39 miles in the 

 last forty-eight hours ! The lane is open; the 

 whole pack appears to have plenty of room to 

 drift, and, I am happy to add, is taking advan- 

 tage of it, — so much so that the smaller pieces 

 floating freely in the lane can hardly go at the 

 same pace. Our remaining winter companion, 

 the iceberg, was in sight a few days ago, far 

 away to the N.W. ; it may be still visible from 

 aloft, but these March gales cut so keenly, that 

 the crow's-nest is but seldom visited. 



Z\st. — Another N.W. gale; it is also spring- 

 tides, and this conjunction makes one fearful of 

 ice movement and pressure ; but it seems as if 

 the pack had more room to move in, as it does 

 not close much. Seals are often shot, bear tracks 

 are common, and narwhals are frequently seen 

 migrating northward. The bears must prefer 

 the night-time for wandering about, else we 

 could not help seeing them ; we often find their 

 tracks within a few hundred yards of the ship. 



Although the last, yet this is the coldest day 

 of the month — thermometer down to — 27°. The 

 mean temperature for March has been unusually 

 high, — 3° ; whilst Lieutenant De Haven's was 



H 



