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 transparency, 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 the 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 aspect; exhibiting in some places a scene of black, stupendous precipices; and in others lofty eminences covered with snow.
The ears of people approaching this island are incessantly assailed with the sounds of the impetuous waves dashing against the rugged shores; the crashing collision of floating ice; the discordant notes of innumerable birds; the barking of arctic foxes; the snorting of walruses[8], and the dreadful roaring of the polar bears.
The currents near the island are remarkably rapid, which renders it impracticable to cast anchor within two miles of it, where soundings can be had in twenty or thirty fathoms. Vid. Forster, p. 329.
In 1604, this island was visited by a ship commanded by Stephen Bennet, who, in this and many succeeding voyages, killed prodigious numbers of sea-horses, or walruses. He discovered also abundance of lead ore under a mountain, (by him named Mount Misery, from its truly wretched and forlorn appearance,) of which he brought upwards of thirty tons home to England. Here are also found coals of an excellent quality, and very fine virgin silver of different forms. Vid. Forster, p. 332.
Near to Cherry Island is a small spot called Gull Island, on which were likewise found several veins of lead ore and coals.
25th, Clear weather and hard frost.
26th, Clear weather, and a considerable quantity of ice.