31.12.1935 Cumberland Sound 65°9’N, 65°25’W, 121st. day at sea
Schiff 30 completed her meteorological expedition on 15.12. The specialists will begin preparing their reports and packing their suitcases.
Reg.Rat. Bey and Reg.Rat. Hoffmann intended to survey Hudson and Morris Islands but a reconnaissance flight carried out by aircraft determined that the approaches were obstructed by ice so the specialists instead decided to survey Monumental Island and Lady Franklin Island. Schiff 30 arrived off the first island at 11:00 hrs. and by 22:30 hrs. both had been surveyed and the ship was sailing for Cumberland Sound to spend Christmas and New Year’s. Schiff 30 arrived on the 16th. and anchored in the middle of Cumberland Sound. Here she was isolated from the world. the 3 V-Boots were launched and 3 aircraft were put in the water for pilots to conduct trial flights.
The expedition team decided to carryout an expedition on Baffin Island beginning at Hall Peninsula and ending at Cumberland Peninsula on the other side of the island. From the 17th.-20th. the crew carried out gunnery and camouflage exercises then proceeded to give the superstructure, hull, and smokestack a new coat of paint. With the current paint scheme used by Schiff 30 she can be camouflaged as a British, Norwegian, or Dutch freighter.
21st.-31st. The crew of Schiff 30 rested and celebrated Christmas and New Year’s. On Boxing Day, a radio message finally came through from operations indicating that arrangements had been made with the German Embassies in Montevideo and Buenos Aires and clearance had been granted by port authorities to dock at the respective ports. Transit through the Atlantic is anticipated to begin after 5.1.1936. Hartmann’s objective is to be in Yokohama Harbor by the beginning of June.
On 26.12. Freg.Kpt. Hartmann was promoted to Kapitän zur See.
