The 7th of January, 1820, was one of the most severe days to the feelings which our voyagers experienced during the winter; the wind, in the morning, blowing strong from the northward, with a heavy snow-drift; and the temperature of the atmosphere, at noon, having got down to 49° below zero, being the greatest degree of cold which they had yet experienced. On the evening of the 16th, the atmosphere being clear and serene, they were gratified by a sight of the only very brilliant and diversified display of Aurora Borealis, which occurred during their stay in Winter Harbour. It is almost impossible for words to give an idea of the beauty and variety which this magnificent phenomenon displayed.
On the 3rd of February, at 20 minutes before apparent noon, the sun was seen from the Hecla’s main-top, being the first time that this luminary had been visible since the 11th of November, a period of exactly twelve weeks. The time of its remaining actually beneath the horizon, independently of the effects of atmospherical refraction, was 96 days. In the course of the winter, there was often an appearance in the southern horizon very much resembling land at a distance. This appearance was unusually well defined, on the 3rd Feb., and seemed to terminate in a very abrupt and decided manner, on a S.b.E. bearing from the Hecla. On the 24th of that month. Captain Sabine’s observatory on shore was burnt down, but fortunately the clocks, transit, and other valuable instruments were saved, and nothing of any material consequence suffered injury. This house had been built of fir-plank, intended for the future construction of spare boats, and its sides being double, with moss placed between the inner and outer planks, a high temperature could be kept up in it without difficulty by a single stove. Speaking of its destruction, Lieutenant Parry says:–
