OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 
9 
no traces either of dogs or of one human foot appeared, they were perhaps 1819. 
. , June, 
mistaken. 
The observations made here on the dip and variation of the magnetic 
needle, and on the intensity of the magnetic force, as well as the result 
of a number of lunar distances, obtained on this and the two following 
days, while thus beset, will be found in the Appendix. The wind increased 
to a strong gale from the northward, which continued the whole of the 
following day; when we found by observation that the ships had drifted Sun. 27. 
S. 23° W., thirteen miles and a quarter, the soundings having decreased to 
one hundred and twenty fathoms. 
A large black whale, ( Balcena Mysticetus,) being the first, was seen near 
the ships. It is usual for these animals to descend head-foremost, displaying 
the broad fork of their enormous tail above the surface of the water ; but, 
on this occasion, the ice was so close as not to admit of this mode of descent, 
and the fish went down tail-foremost, to the great amusement of our Green- 
land sailors. 
As long as the wind continued to blow strong towards the ice, so as to 
keep it close, the ships lay securely sheltered from the sea ; but at nine in 
the evening, when it veered a little to the westward, the ice became more 
slack, and we began to feel the effects of the swell which was thus admitted 
from without : each roll of the sea forced the heavy masses of ice against 
the rudder and counter with such violence as would have greatly endan- 
gered a ship built in the ordinary way ; strengthened as ours were, however, 
they escaped without damage. Frequent endeavours were made to heave 
the heads of the ships round, in order that they might receive the heaviest 
pressure on their bows, but every attempt proved unsuccessful, and we re- 
mained in the same unpleasant situation during the whole of the 28th. Mon. 23 
While in this state, a large white bear came near the Griper, and was 
killed by her people, but he sunk between the pieces of ice. This animal 
had, probably, been attracted by the smell of some red herrings which the 
men were frying at the time. It is a common practice with the Greenland 
sailors to take advantage of the strong sense of smelling which these creatures 
possess, by enticing them near the ships in this manner. 
The swell had somewhat subsided on the 29th, but the ships remained Tues. 29 
firmly fixed in the ice as before. In the course of the day we saw land 
bearing N. 69° W. about thirteen leagues distant, appearing from the mast- 
head like a group of islands, and situated near to the entrance of Cumber- 
c 
