482 APPENDIX. 



a half miles from the shore in thirty fathoms. The icebergs being 

 aground, form good shelters ; but I was too much exposed to venture 

 to remain, and my object was to trace the land and the icy barrier, 

 which I have done, as you will see it laid down on my chart. 



We had delightful and clear weather ten days or a fortnight along 

 the coast, with the wind at from southeast to south-southwest ; the 

 two latter points particularly. The drift-ice is in large pieces, so large 

 as to give a ship an awkward thump ; but when I found it tolerably 

 open I have run through it to get to clear water, and in hopes of 

 making the land, but our progress was soon stopped by the firm 

 barrier, impenetrable, through which there is no passing. 



I am of opinion that there is little movement of the ice during the 

 season. Strong gales may change its position a trifle, but I think not 

 materially. 



The only prospect of nearing the land is through a sea well studded 

 with large icebergs, nearly thirty or forty miles in width ; and I 

 generally found that we got nearer to the shore in those places than 

 elsewhere. One thing I must tell you, as inspects filling your 

 water : you will sometimes find a pond of delicious water on the 

 top of an old iceberg, frozen over, but on cutting through it you will 

 see a supply sufficient for a navy. It will save you fuel, and discom- 

 fort and cold to you, your vessels, and their crews. 



I was very fortunate in the weather the latter part of the time; and 

 indeed altogether I was scarcely a day without some observation, 

 (except during the gales, of which we had three, occupying about 

 eight days,) and generally half a dozen. 



My time for six weeks was passed on deck, and having all day- 

 light, I of course had constant employment, and with the many 

 assistants, I could make rapid progress ; and you will find that no 

 opportunity ought to be lost in this navigation, if one is to do any 

 thing. One's ship is in constant danger, and the Vincennes, a first- 

 class sloop of seven hundred and eighty tons, it requires all the 

 foresight and activity one is possessed of to look out for her. 



I consider that I have had a most providential escape ; and if this 

 ship had not been enabled to "do every thing but talk," I should not 

 have been where I now am ; but she had inspired me with so much 

 confidence, among the coral reefs last summer, that I could put full 

 faith in her doing her duty. I must refer you to the chart, on which 

 I have noted remarks, variations, &c. 



I should have mentioned that in 1838 and 1839 I went south in 



