318 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, it and the southern extremity of the ice at the distance of a mile and a 
half. At three it again fell calm — Cape Franklin, W. S. W. one mile. 
Narrative We were preparing to go on shore to deposit a bottle for Captain 
Barege. Franklin, which we had not done on our way to the northward, when 
a fresh gale suddenly rising at W. S. W. obliged us to abandon the pro- 
ject, as not a moment was to be lost in getting out of the bight, lest 
the ice (which experience had now taught us was quick in its motion) 
might again enclose us. The weather continued very unsettled during 
the night. 
Wednesday, 30th Aug. Having rounded the point, we ran fifty 
miles on a S. W. course. The wind then suddenly shifted to the S. W., 
and blew very strong. We shortened sail to the close-reefed mainsail and 
storm-jib, and stood off and on shore. In the evening we had showers 
of snow and sleet, and at midnight strong gales with squalls of snow. 
Thursday, 3 1st Aug. At two a. m. a heavy squall came on which 
split the mainsail, and a little before four the staysail shared the same 
fate. Tow-ards the morning the weather was more moderate, accom- 
panied with rain. Shortly after eight the wind suddenly veered to 
W. N. W. and blew strong. Set the close-reefed foresail, and furled 
the other sails, steering S. S.W. Hoon, more moderate. Latitude ob- 
served, 70° £3' N. The remainder of the day w’as fine. 
Friday, 1st Sept. Our stock of wood and water being expended, we 
hauled tow ards the land and made all sail ; but as we drew in, the wind 
gradually decreased in strength, and before we obtained sight of the land 
it was almost calm. The breeze, however, again favoured us, and about 
sunset we reached within a short distance of the shore, on that part 
where the high land recedes from the coast. The boat was soon de- 
spatched to procure what we wanted ; but in our thirsty moments Ave 
did not perceive that the pool from which we procured the water was 
brackish ; having, however, filled our casks with it, and olitained some 
fuel, w e again put to sea, with the wind from the southward. 
Saturday, 2d Sept. Working along shore. Noon calm and fine. 
Sent the boat on shore to get a supply of better water. F ound all the 
pools near the beach very brackish ; from wLich we concluded that the 
recent westerly gales had thrown the surf so high that it became 
