LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
119 
the name of the sheerwaters, and like the awks, abound in 
prodigious numbers on the coasts of Greenland, and some of tha 
islands in Baffins Bay. 
As they were now approaching the latitudes, where fresh 
water ice w r as to be obtained for the boilers of the steam engine, 
the engineer was busily employed in connecting the feed pump 
to the small engine, from which a great benefit was expected, 
not only in alleviating the labor of the crew, but in expediting 
the progress of the vessel. The Norway yawl was also got in 
repair, and every preparation was made for overcoming the 
obstacles, and providing for the difficulties which they were 
on the eve of encountering, and to which they looked forwards 
with a truly noble spirit, resolving to show that, although success 
might not attend their efforts, the failure should not be attri¬ 
buted to want of energy or resolution. 
The 23th being Sunday, the whole crew attended divine 
service, a practice which much to the credit of Capt. Ross, was 
religiously observed during the whole of the voyage, excepting 
on those pressing occasions, when the navigation of the vessel 
peremptorily demanded the services of the crew. 
A quantity of fern was now seen floating on the water, a cer¬ 
tain indication of the vicinity of land, and a good look out was 
kept for Cape Farewell. On the 1st July a suit of warm cloth¬ 
ing was issued to every man, and other necessaries provided as 
protectors against the inclemency of the climate, which it would 
shortly be their lot to endure. 
On the 4th Commander James shot a solan goose, which 
formed a dainty dish for the inmates of the cabin, but the sailors 
gave the preference to the usual fare. The weight of the goose 
without the feathers was 61b 2oz. 
On the 6th they had strong breezes from the southward and 
the eastward, by which the ship made one hundred and thirty 
miles in twenty-four hours; but they were obliged to shorten 
sail on account of the great strain which was on the tow ropes 
of the launch. On the same day a bottle was hove over-board, 
with a letter m it, detailing the proceedings of the vessel, the 
latitude being 60° 10'. N. The wind continuing fair, the ship 
