Northward: Peary’s 1908-09 Expedition

Another dirty night

  • 07-30-1909 – Night
  • Robert E. Peary
  • Lady Franklin Bay

Another dirty night, a fine drizzle of damp snow falling constantly. This forenoon foggy. Gained less than a mile on each of 2 starts during night. At 12.30 p.m. with lifting of fog started again + steamed steady till 3.30 reaching + crossing a good sized lake lying the channel off the middle of L.F. Bay [Lady Franklin Bay].
    Made fast to ice on southern side witch [which] is still thinner than that in Robeson Channel but hardly broken up at all. At 11- p.m. we are nearly abreast of C. Baird with a freshening s-ly breeze. C. Union is "hull down" to the north.
    Gave anchor last night to bank one boiler + run under the other. Today have given strict orders in regard to economy of coal, + that all ashes are to be saved for an emergency.
    We are through Robeson Channel, + conditions seen favorable, but we are ahead of the season, + it may be a long time yet before we reach Etah. We are now in a position where there seems little likelihood of our being again pocketed in L.F. Bay + we are tonight 28 days ahead of 3 yrs. ago.
    A sounding off middle of L.F. Bay gave 438 faths., soft shiny mud.
    A small seal killed this morning.
    Dictated to MacMillan today the introduction + conclusion to "Notes on Birds of the Western Hemisphere north of the 82° parallel".
    Three years ago this morning I stepped on board the R- at Shelter River, from my western trip.  

« Back | Northward Journal Home | Acknowledgements | Terms and conditions