96 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 
The temperature is very uniform. The lowest observed was 36° Fahr. and the highest 52° 
Fahr. The extremes of surface temperatures were 382° and 434° Fahr. There were no sudden 
changes, as the tables will show. The temperature was thus very favorable for work, though per- 
haps a little chilly in foggy weather, but nevertheless much better than the sweltering heat of 
summer in our own latitude. The men found, on sunny days, even a temperature of 48° Fabr. 
uncomfortably warm for work. On chilly days a fire was kept in the cabin, so that all could be 
comfortable when not working. 
A reference to the tables of the condition of the sky will show that we had very little rain on 
- the banks. Clouds were common and fogs not rare, but it only rained four or five times, and then 
mostly in the shape of fine misty rain, lasting at the longest only four or five hours. 
The tables of the wind need explanation. The directions expressed are those of the compass, 
which here varies about 70°; for not knowing the exact variation, I thought this the best way of 
expressing them. The estimate of the velocity is much of it guess-work, founded on remembrance 
of former estimates and comparisons of the wind’s velocity made by myself, and, on this account, 
not much reliance can be placed on them except for the relative velocities of the winds observed. 
The hardest blow was August 14, on which day I have put the velocity down as between 45 and 55 
miles, and am well satisfied it could not have been any greater. Between this and a perfect calm 
I have used six numbers to designate as many different velocities: 2 for air just perceptible; 5 for 
a breeze of 3 to 10 miles an hour; 13 for a breeze of 10 to 15 miles an hour; 20 for a breeze of 15 to 
25 miles an hour; 30 for a breeze of 25 to 35 miles an hour; 40 for a breeze of 35 to 45 miles an 
hour; and 50 for a breeze of 45 to 55 miles an hour. 
The temperature, sky, and winds were quite différent in the harbor. The land on all but the 
sea side of the harbor rises abruptly, and not only protects it from the winds, but also permits the 
sun to warm the surface of land and water more than in an exposed place. The thermometer is, 
therefore, more variable than in the strait, and the wind is seldom felt. The mountains, by caus- 
ing the condensation of the vapors of the sea breezes, make fogs and showers frequent. 
I have also given tables of the-height of the barometer, made from an aneroid belonging to 
the captain. This was hung up in the cabin, and I noticed considerable variation in the instrument 
whenever a fire was built there. When this variation was very marked, I have indicated the 
same in the tables by an asterisk. 
The season of 1879 was, however, uncommonly mild for Davis’ Strait, and the weather that 
summer more favorable for fishing than it has been since. In 1880 the Herman Babson was started 
for Greenland, but was turned back in 52° north latitude by immense quantities of icebergs and field 
ice. The Mary E. succeeded in getting through by going farther to the eastward. 
In 1881 the three vessels which went to Davis’ Strait skirted the ice 200 to 300 miles before suc- 
ceeding in getting through, and, even after reaching the fishing grounds, they were obliged several 
times during the summer to change their positions on account of drifting bergs. 
This ice is carried by the currents down the east coast of Greenland, and thence across to the 
Straits of Belle Isle, and the fishermen will probably encounter more or less of it every year. 
