API'. N° V.] OF THE SHIP HERCULES. 
445 
our partner was out of sight, having, as I supposed, stood 
to the eastward. 
Wednesday, Aug. 28.—Strong ENE. winds and cloudy 
weather. We plyed to the NE. amongst floes and loose 
ice, without seeing a-fish. It was dark and cloudy all night, 
and we dodged under easy sail until morning. 
Thursday, Aug. 29.—All this day had light ENE. 
winds anti fog, which opportunity we took to make-off our 
fish, while lying fast to a floe. Gloomy weather all night. 
Friday, Aug. SO. — This day commenced with light SW. 
winds and fog. Cast off at daylight, and drifted to the 
NE. amongst loose ice. At 9 a. m. made fast to a floe, 
and sounded in 83 fathoms mud, latitude supposed 74° 15' 
N. Had gloomy weather and intervals of calm through 
the night. 
Saturday, Aug. SI. commenced with more favourable 
weather, and light ESE. winds. At 5 a. m. cast off anti 
proceeded to the NE. amongst sailing ice. At noon had 
clear weather, and strong ENE. winds. A great change 
had now taken place in the situation of the ice, the floes 
having set more in-shore, and the land-water being in a 
great measure covered with drift ice, which had evidently 
come from the NE. We had yet, however, plenty of 
room to sail in any direction, and I stood in-shore amongst 
sailing ice. At 3 p. m. was within three miles of the land, 
without seeing a fish. It was my design to have plved 
to windward into a large lane of water, entirely free from 
ice in-shore, in order to dodge there all night, with an 
intention, il the morning was fine, to send the boats in. 
shore in search of fish. Hut, on seeing the King George 
to leeward, I endeavoured to join him, if possible, before 
dark ; but at 4 r. m. coming on thick, I stood to the SE 
being the most likely road to fall in with him, for he was 
