140 



SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 



Decemb c i rcumstances > lt ma y easily be imagined how light the winter sat upon us, 

 and with what comparative indifference we now regarded the passing of 

 the shortest day. 



Mon. 24. On the evening of the 24th, being Christmas-eve, the ship's companies 

 were amused by the officers performing the two farces of " A Roland for an 



Tues. 25. Oliver," and the "Mayor of Garratt." On Christmas-day, divine service 

 on board the Fury was attended by the officers and crews of both ships. 

 A certain increase was also made in the allowance of provisions, to enable 

 the people to partake of Christmas festivities to the utmost extent which our 

 situation and means Avould allow ; and the day was marked by the most 

 cheerful hilarity, accompanied by the utmost regularity and good order. 

 Among the luxuries which our Christmas dinner afforded was that of a joint 

 of English roast beef, of which a few quarters had been preserved for such 

 occasions, by rubbing the outside with salt, and hanging it on deck covered 

 with canvass. The low latitude in which our last summer's navigation was 

 performed would have rendered its preservation doubtful without the salt. 



Considering it interesting to try whether any difference could be detected 

 in the rate at which sound travels at low temperatures, as compared with 

 that usually assigned to it, we commenced a series of experiments for 

 that purpose, by measuring a base completely across the ice in the bay, 

 and noting by a chronometer the interval between the flash and report of a 

 six-pounder gun fired several times at the extremity of it. An account of 

 these experiments will be given in its proper place. 



Sun. 30. For the last two days with the thermometer on the ice indicating a tem- 

 perature of — 27° to — 30°, that of the Fury's lower deck continued from 61 

 to 64°, affording a convincing proof of the efficacy of our warming apparatus. 

 To assist in preventing the escape of warm air, and the consequent conden- 

 sation of the vapour near the ladder-hatchways, which must unavoidably be 

 frequently opened during the day, screens had been in the early part of the 

 winter fixed round the lower part of them, and this plan will I believe be 

 always found necessary under similar circumstances. In spite of every pre- 

 caution however, the immediate neighbourhood of the ladders must always 

 be colder than the rest of the deck, owing to the rush of cold air which in- 

 variably takes place on the opening of the doors. I may here take the op- 

 portunity of remarking, that the construction of a ship appears in one respect 

 unfavourable for preventing the escape of the warm air generated by the fires, 

 and the admission of cold from the external atmosphere. I allude to all the 



