USS Jeannette (1879–1881)

Tuesday, 21 October 1879

Beset in the pack


Entry Index: 118
Position: No position
Date by Position: 21 October 1879
Logbook Volume: 1 of 4
Logbook Metadata: Volume 1

Events & Observations

This entry contains remarks related to the following subject: Aurora
Latitude by observation at noon: no observation 
Longitude by chronometer from forenoon observations: no observation 
Variation of the compass by amplitude at 3.45pm 19° 00' 00" E.

Snow used for water 
Coal consumed during the preceding 24 hours: 300 lbs
Coal remaining on hand at noon: 107 tons 1883 lbs

Com. and until 4am
First hour overcast, then clear with moderate breeze from the W. Faint display of aurora last hour.
[signed] Ed Star

4 to 8am
Overcast and hazy first two hours, then cloudy. Light W.S.W. breeze.
[signed] Luis P. Noros

8am to meridian
Clear. Light breeze from W. by S. At 12 sounded in 23 1/2 fathoms. Blue mud. No drift indicated by line. 
Ship heeling 4° to starboard.
[signed] John Cole

Meridian to 4pm
Clear and pleasant. Light breeze from the W. During watch land was in sight to the southward and from 
deck it appeared like three islands. From aloft the land joining the apparent islands was distinctly seen 
and it was concluded that they were distant mountains. At 3.45 got bearing of the highest and best 
defined peak S. 9° W. (magnetic) = S. 28° W. (true). Estimated distance 50 to 60 miles. Sunset at 3.45.
[signed] Hans Erichsen

4 to 6pm
Clear and pleasant. Light airs from W. by S. At 4.30 the atmospheric refraction was very great and a 
high mountain having two peaks with a saddle between and bearing S. 5° W. (mag.) = S. 24° W. (true) 
was seen above a stratum of clouds about 1 degree above the horizon.
[signed] Ed Star

6 to 8pm
Bright blue sky and starlit overhead. Hazy in lower parts of atmosphere. At 7 the liquid compasses were 
found to be freezing. Removed them to cabin. Light airs from W. by S.
[signed] Luis P. Noros 

8pm to midnight
Overcast and hazy. Light airs from N.W. and N.N.W.
[signed] John Cole

Soundings 23 1/2 fathoms 
At 22 1/2 fathoms = 31° - Salinometer 1.0240 at 46.5° - Hydrometer 1.0240 at 46.5° 
At 8 1/2 fathoms = 29 1/2° - Salinometer 1.02460 at 46.5° - Hydrometer 1.02430 at 46.5°

Moon 19° S. 
New moon

Related Materials

There are no additional materials associated with this entry.

Weather Observations

Hour
Wind
Pressure
Att'd
Dry
Wet
Sea
Code
1 w 30.11 54.0 4.5 32.0 o
2 w 30.13 57.0 4.0 32.0 bc
3 w 30.13 58.0 3.0 32.0 bc
4 w 30.13 56.0 1.5 32.0 bc
5 wxs 30.13 52.0 2.0 32.0 oz
6 wxs 30.13 50.0 3.0 32.0 oz
7 w 30.12 48.0 2.5 32.0 oc
8 swxw 30.12 48.0 3.0 32.0 bcz
9 wxs 30.12 48.0 2.5 32.0 bc
10 wxs 30.12 52.0 2.0 32.0 bc
11 wxs 30.12 52.0 1.5 32.0 bc
12 wxs 30.12 52.0 0.0 32.0 bc
13 w 30.1 52.0 0.0 32.0 bc
14 w 30.1 50.0 -4.0 32.0 bc
15 w 30.09 50.0 -6.0 32.0 bc
16 w 30.09 52.0 -6.5 32.0 bc
17 wxs 30.09 52.0 -8.0 32.0 bc
18 wxs 30.09 53.0 -9.0 32.0 bc
19 wxs 30.08 54.0 -11.0 32.0 bz
20 wxs 30.08 54.0 -10.5 32.0 bz
21 nw 30.08 54.0 -7.0 32.0 oz
22 nw 30.08 54.0 -5.0 32.0 oz
23 nnw 30.06 55.0 -5.0 32.0 oz
24 nnw 30.05 55.0 -4.0 32.0 oz