On the 28th we tacked to avoid an extensive stream of sailing ice.  The temperature of the water fell to 39.5 degrees when we were near it, but was at 41 degrees when at the distance of half a mile.  The thermometer in the air remained steadily at 40 degrees.  Thus the proximity of this ice was not so decidedly indicated by the decrease of the temperature of either the air or water as I have before witnessed, which was probably owing to the recent arrival of the stream at this point and its passing at too quick a rate for the effectual diffusion of its chilling influence beyond a short distance.  Still the decrease in both cases was sufficient to have given timely warning for a ship’s performing any evolution that would have prevented the coming in contact with it had the thickness of the weather precluded a distant view of the danger.

The approach to ice would be more evidently pointed out in the Atlantic, or wherever the surface is not so continually chilled by the passing and the melting of ice as in this sea; and I should strongly recommend a strict hourly attention to the thermometrical state of the water at the surface in all parts where ships are exposed to the dangerous concussion of sailing icebergs, as a principal means of security.

The following day our ship came near another stream of ice and the approach to it was indicated by a decrease of the temperature of the water at the surface from 44 to 42 degrees.  A small pine-tree was picked up much shattered by the ice.  In the afternoon of the 30th a very dense fog came on; and about six P.M. when sailing before a fresh breeze we were suddenly involved in a heavy stream of ice.  Considerable difficulty was experienced in steering through the narrow channels between the different masses in this foggy weather, and the ship received several severe blows.

The water, as usual in the centre of the stream, was quite smooth, but we heard the waves beating violently against the outer edge of the ice.  There was some earthy matter on several of the pieces, and the whole body bore the appearance of recent separation from the land.  In the space of two hours we again got into the open sea, but had left our two consorts far behind; they followed our track by the guns we discharged.  The temperature of the surface water was 35 degrees when amongst the ice, 38 degrees when just clear of it, and 41.5 degrees at two miles distant.

On the 4th of August, when in latitude 59 degrees 58 minutes North, longitude 59 degrees 53 minutes West, we first fell in with large icebergs; and in the evening were encompassed by several of considerable magnitude, which obliged us to tack the ship in order to prevent our getting entangled amongst them.  The estimated distance from the nearest part of the Labrador coast was then eighty-eight miles; here we tried for soundings without gaining the bottom.  The ship passed through some strong ripplings, which evidently indicated a current, but its direction was not ascertained.  We found however by the recent observations that the ship had been set daily to the southward since we had opened Davis Straits.  The variation of the compass was observed to be 52 degrees 41 minutes West.