Year: 1879

time. Lieutenant Danenhower Is the navigator, ana
conducts with great ability the necessary observa-
tions and calculations for that purpose. He keeps
the chronometers regulated and checks their rates
daily. He also controls ordnance officer. the reg
uation of daily stores the keeping of the ships log
and other books. DIR. Amber, the surgeon of
course looks after the health of the ships company
which. by the way has been excellent far. He
and have been making investigation OF the
tiaton of the ship the volume of air passing below
and the available air space for breathing between
decks By means of a small pocket thermometer
have measured the currents circulating through the
matches and between the sleeping spaces. This data
affords useful information for furthering the health
Of the party on board. Mr.. Dunbar. the ice pilot.
old and experienced voyaaer in the far north and
south. takes his turn on watch and is an important
addition to our party. When get into the ice it
will be his duty to remain in the "crow's nest"
the manmast head. and pick out the ships
through and around the pack and foes. The 'crow's
nest is long. narrow. barre-shaped shelter fast
ened to the mast by clamps. trap in the bottom
of this barrel allows the lonely watcher at the mast
head to leave or enter his nest" aud cowl or
hood of canvas. movable to windwsrd. protects
him from the biting blasts that sweep the foes.
Our 'crow's nest" will be put in position when
enter the pack ice At present it is the deck and
filled with potato sacks. Mr.. Newcomb our natur-
alist and tsxidermist. has commenced on his pecu-
liar duty of collecting has some bird skins in
course of preparation bv the arsenic process He
an intelligent and enthusiastic young fellow, who
promises remarkably we'll as an industrious col
lector.


Captain De Long exercises general supervision
over the ship. directing her course and regulating
all affairs pertaining to his command. He has
ceeded in making every one on board perfectly at
home and is q charming companion at the
table or when sit around the stove. Playing his
favorite game of cribbage with Lieutenant Chipp
after supper he always insists my torturing the
harmonium and making the cabin resound with
dismal sounds I diligently work the pedal bel
lows and constantly get my fingers on the wrong
keys. On Sundays Captain De Long presides at
divine service on the poop or in the cabin. Many
OF the crew attend. but there is compulsion for
any one. The form Of worship is. believe
the Episcopal service. which the captain reads
Before leaving San Francisco large delegation
OF Episcopal and other Protestant clergymen came
on board. and with much form and prayer presented
q lot OF hymn books and Bibles to the crew. These
were printed in German. Danish and English to suit
the prospective readers Our library also increased
by the addition Of copies Of Moody and Sankey's
hymn books and music. which. doubtless. will come
in very useful some of these days. An incident de-
serving notice occurred about two weeks ago. when
the crew were mustered tor the purpose OF get
ting from the men the names OF their next Of
kin. to whom in case the died on
this expedition their money or allowances
would be payable. Two poor fellows
stated that they had one who could inherit any
thing from them. They utterly alone in the
world and go into this enterprise untrammelled by
any regrets for those at home. The Chinese cook.
.x...,.
the chances she will not beneht much by his
demise.


INDICATIONS OF NEARING LAND.


To return to the subject OF voyage may
mention that north of SO deg. latitude occasionally
big fnback whale would roll and spout near U.S.
afording temporary relief to the monotony Of the
days experiences. But the most interesting occur
renee far has been our making land for the first
time since leaving San Francisco. We left on the
Sth Of July, and on the 1st Of August knew that
must be somewhere the entrance of Akutan Pass
tine eacssry side Of the Isand OF Oonalaska- But
since the 2Sth fogs hung the persistenty
that 1t only by dead reckoning could approx
innate our position. The leads therefore used
often to determine our soundings and . cautious
lookout was kept for the expected coast line. Tho
birds became more numerous about the ship
each day, and We noticed species that are known to
be more at home the coast than far out at sea-
Tangled accumulations of kelp foated by U.S. indi
eating acurrent and land in the direction whence it
flowed. The sea was as smooth as q mirror. the sur
face showing only the very smallest amount of
ground swell. But the fog hung on and around
like . curtain, through which we were
very anxious to peep. After cautiously steaming
some few miles early on the lst the Captain con-
cluded to anchor. We lay for about six hours with
steam ready to start short notice. until the fog
lifted slightly and showed land within three
miles. Then. cup anchor" and ahead we went for
about two hours when the anchor was let go again.
dull. humming sound, mingled with the shrill
cries Of birds. could be heard our starboard
bow. Listening for some few minutes l detected
the noise OF breakers beating . rocky shingle
beach. OF course the land must be close at hand.
The whaleboat was manned under the command Of
Lieutenant Chipp. and I. taking oar. made of
the party OF exploration into the mysteries of fog
bank. Mr.. Nowcomb. naturalist. also "feathered
his ash" with skill and dexterty. like jolly young
waterman and our light boat shot the very
rapidly; the birds came around us in clouds,
screaming their choicest Billingsgate at impu-
dence in disturbing their quiet haunts A lew shot
from the naturalist's and Mr.. Chipps guns brought
several OF the noisiest to the water, dead door
nails. On we pulled. when suddenly, and. as If u
curtain lifted. there lay before the grandly
outlined rocky Ougagau Island. located just one and
half miles from where the ship was at anchor. and
nearby Cooks Rocks. discovered by Cook in 177s A
light surf broke on the rocks and beach. The cliffs
were covered with birds. 1t was first land since
leaving civilization.


Pulling for a little wherein the clear water
enabled to the bottom ut about hfteen fathoms
MIR. Newcomb and landed on the rough beach
formed of rounded granite powders. the smallest
being about the size of potato. while the big
ran to the size of prize pumpkin. The cliffs
majestically on each side Of us for three hundred
feet more. almost perpendicularly. and there
seemed to be way OF climbing except by follow
ing kind OF cleft that filled with loose stones
and earth. the tatG of very lofty ridge by. Up
this 1 tried to climb. rifle in hand: but after
got to height OF about two hundred
and hfty feet the slope became steep
that could get footing among the