61 
exposed to accidents from becalming in 
a heavy sea; and from their height, they 
have more power to steady the ship, than 
a sail of treble size nearer to the deck: 
top-sails used for laying-to should bemade 
of stouter canvas than usual. 
22d, The Greenland fleet in sight. 
23d, Eighteen sail in company. Lay- 
to about three quarters of an hour to get 
some fresh water ice, which is known from 
that of salt water by its crystalline trans¬ 
parency, the other being very opaque. 
We occasionally brought large pieces of it 
on board in a boat, which were piled upon 
the deck to serve as water for the use of 
the men, and had also a hogshead filled 
with it for our tea-water in the cabin. 
24th, Several showers of snow. To¬ 
day we passed that solitary spot called 
Bear, or Cherry Island, in Lat. 74° 30'N. 
Long. 19° 5' E. The surface of this island 
is mountainous, craggy, and dreary in its 
prospect; exhibiting in some places a scene 
