USS Jeannette (1879–1881)

Wednesday, 2 February 1881

Beset and drifting in the pack ice about 295 miles N.W. of Herald Island, Arctic Ocean


Entry Index: 588
Position: No position
Date by Position: 3 February 1881
Logbook Volume: 3 of 4
Logbook Metadata: Volume 3

Events & Observations

This entry contains remarks related to the following subjects: Animals Sea Ice
No observations 

Water expended during the preceding 24 hours: 35 gallons
Water distilled during the preceding 24 hours: 35 gallons
Coal consumed during the preceding 24 hours: 400 lbs
Coal remaining on hand at noon: 32 tons 2138 lbs 

Max. temperature = -6.2°
Min. temperature = -13°

The pumping forward is done by hand at the spar deck bilge pump, and such water as filters aft through 
and under the bulkhead into the fire room is pumped out by hand at the bilge pump attached to the main 
engine.
The steam cutter's boiler is used for distilling.
Sounded in 36 fathoms. Muddy bottom. A rapid drift to N.N.W. being indicated by the lead line.
Strong S.E. wind all day with rapidly falling barometer and slowly rising temperature. What little snow is 
left on the surface of the ice is swept along in drifts here and there.
During the forenoon the old lead 1/2 mile astern of the ship opens to a width of 50 yards, and extending in 
a curve from N.W. to east. 
Alexey and Aniguin, going out to the lead, see, kill and bring in a seal.

Water temperatures and specific gravities
Surface temperature = 29° - Specific gravity = 1.0250 at 41.5°
2 fathoms = 29° - Specific gravity = 1.0250 at 42.5° 

Moon 10° N. 
New moon

Related Materials

Published Journals of George W. DeLong

See full digitized page provided by the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Excerpt:

The old lead astern is opened to-day, and before ice can form Alexey and Aniguin go out to it 
and fortunately get a seal.

Jeannette Ship's Journal

See digitized manuscript page provided by NOAA PMEL.

Weather Observations

Hour
Wind
Pressure
Att'd
Dry
Wet
Sea
Code
3 ese 30.65 58.0 -13.0 ocz
6 sexe 30.59 52.0 -12.5 bc
9 sexe 30.57 56.0 -11.5 bc
12 se 30.48 45.0 -10.0 bc
15 se 30.42 42.0 -7.2 oc
18 se 30.36 36.0 -8.0 oc
21 se 30.28 57.0 -6.5 oc
24 se 30.19 55.0 -6.2 oc