stefansson-wrangel-09-38-002-002

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The same year, however, the schooner Herman, (Captain Louis
Lane), on board of which the writer sailed, left Nome for Wrangel
on Sept. 7 by the northern route and failed to get through.

The Herman remained in the vicinity of Wrangel and Herald
Islands from Sept. 15 to Oct. 5 waiting for a lead to open up
that might provide a passage through to Wrangel. The ice was
continually in motion during all that time; once a lead did
open allowing the vessel to approach within six miles of Cape
Hawaii, but night coming on, the captain deemed it prudent to
withdraw to open water till morning. The wind changed during
the night, closing the lead, and the nearest the vessel could
get to the island next day was probably not less than 30 miles.

According to the above data it would seem that the most
likely time to reach Wrangel Island is between August 1 and
September 15. It may also be observed that the movements of
the ice during one season may not be taken as a criterion for
the next, excepting in a very general manner. The floes drift
with the currents which, in turn, seem to depend mainly on Arctic winds.

At present very little is known about the
arctic currents. Sone day, possibly, and perhaps from a station
on Wrangel Island (for it seems to be eminently well situated for
such a purpose) information may be made available for navigators
which will render it possible for them to anticipate the
movements of the ice. Given this, and adequate wireless facil-
ities, there seems little reason to doubt that vessels might
reach Wrangel almost any time between July 15 and October 15.

Until that time comes, however, it seems a reasonable
inference that vessels hoping to reach Wrangel Island should
get as early a start as possible. With no information to depend