DAY 14 - Science & Port Leopold

Overnight sail from Beechey Island to Port Leopold

Out with the scientists this morning helping to take samples from the water of temperature, depth (the bay is uncharted), salinity, plankton.

The readout from this £20,000 piece of kit can be seen in real time.

Salinity is measured by analysing the conductivity of the water.

Mrs M ready for scooping up wee beasties

Mrs M lowering the plankton net for "catch of the day"

Later analysis would show a lot of creatures.

Finally, a hydrophone was deployed and for a short time we could hear a bearded seal chatting away until the noise from the zodiacs drowned out the sound.

Peps Log : Science boat - brilliant

Once the science mission was completed, we were dropped ashore to explore the area where a lonely Hudson Bay Company trading shack was still standing.

Constructed in 1926 from an ancient Ikea flat pack design, it was abandoned a year later as it was deemed "too isolated" to make profitable trade from.

Afternoon BBQ on the aft deck

Some close up photography

Mrs M's Catch of the Day under the microscope that afternoon.

A coffee pot, or copepod as the scientists like to say

A baby jellyfish...probably

FRANKLIN FACT

James Clark Ross wintered here in 1848 whilst searching for Franklin.

The day was completed by a tour of the bridge. As expected, lots of computer screens, joysticks and roller balls.

The Captain didn't even have to look where he was going

291 m depth of water. Ship experiencing a push to the right from 11m/s wind, wants to steer a course of 205° so points the ship to the left at 201° to compensate. Easy life.

Gliding along on one engine out of four

The stabilisers are deployed when soup is served