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THREE VOYAGES FOR THE DISCOVERY OF A NORTHWEST PASSAGE FROM THE ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC, AND NARRATIVE OF AN ATTEMPT TO REACH THE NORTH POLE, VOLUME I
THREE VOYAGES FOR THE DISCOVERY OF A NORTHWEST PASSAGE FROM THE ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC, AND NARRATIVE OF AN ATTEMPT TO REACH THE NORTH POLE, VOLUME I
by In Two Volumes. 1844 [Illustration CAPTAIN W.E. PARRY R.N.] The two volumes herewith presented to the public contain an uninterrupted narrative, in Captain Parry's own words, of the five voyages made by that distinguished navigator, under the sanction of the British government, in search of a passage from the eastern to the western side of the American Continent, through the Arctic Ocean. Although abbreviated, the curtailment has been effected, not by any change in the language of the origina
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INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I.
Passage across the Atlantic.—Enter Davis's Strait.—Unsuccessful Attempt to penetrate the Ice to the Western Coast.—Voyage up the Strait.—Passage through the Ice to the Western Coast.—Arrival off Possession Bay, on the Southern Side of the Entrance into Sir James Lancaster's Sound....
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Entrance into Sir James Lancaster's Sound of Baffin.—Uninterrupted Passage to the Westward.—Discovery and Examination of Prince Regent's Inlet.—Progress to the Southward stopped by Ice.—Return to the Northward.—Pass Barrow's Strait, and enter the Polar Sea....
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Favourable Appearances of an open Westerly Passage.—Land to the Northward, a Series of Islands.—General Appearance of them.—Meet with some Obstruction from low Islands surrounded with Ice.—Remains of Esquimaux Huts, and natural Productions of Byam Martin Island.—Tedious Navigation from Fogs and Ice.—Difficulty of Steering a Proper Course.—Arrival and Landing on Melville Island.—Proceed to the Westward, and reach the Meridian of 110° W. Long., the first Stage in the Scale of Rewards granted by Ac
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Further Examination of Melville Island.—Continuation of our Progress to the Westward.—Long detention by the Ice.—Party sent on Shore to hunt Deer and Musk-oxen.—Return in three Days, after losing their Way.—Anxiety on their Account.—Proceed to the Westward till finally stopped by the Ice.—In returning to the Eastward, the Griper forced on the Beach by the Ice.—Search for, and Discovery of, a Winter Harbour on Melville Island.—Operations for securing the Ships in their Winter Quarters....
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Precautions for securing the Ships and Stores.—For promoting Good Order, Cleanliness, Health, and Good-Humour among the Ships' Companies.—Establishment of a Theatre and of the North Georgia Gazette.—Erection of an Observatory on Shore.—Commence our Winter's Amusements.—State of the Temperature, and various Meteorological Phenomena.—Miscellaneous Occurrences to the Close of the Year 1819....
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
First Appearance of Scurvy.—The Aurora Borealis and other Meteorological Phenomena.—Visits of the Wolves.—Reappearance of the Sun.—Extreme low Temperature.—Destruction of the House on Shore by Fire.—Severe Frostbites occasioned by this Accident....
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
More temperate Weather.—House rebuilt.—Quantity of Ice collected on the Hecla's lower Deck.—Meteorological Phenomena.—Conclusion of Theatrical Entertainments.—Increased Sickness on board the Griper.—Clothes first dried in the open Air.—Remarkable Halos and Parhelia.—Snow Blindness.—Cutting the Ice round the Ships, and other Occurrences to the Close of May....
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Journey across Melville Island to the Northern Shore, and Return to the Ships by a different Route....
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Occurrences at Winter Harbour in the early Part of June.—Gradual Dissolution of the Ice upon the Sea and of the Snow upon the Land.—Decease and Burial of William Scott.—Equipment of the Ships completed.—Temperate Weather during the Month of July.—Breaking up of the Ice near the Ships.—Move to the lower Part of the Harbour.—Separation of the Ice at the Entrance.—Prepare to Sail.—Abstract of Observations made in Winter Harbour....
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Leave Winter Harbour.—Flattering Appearance of the Sea to the Westward.—Stopped by the Ice near Cape Hay.—Farther Progress to the Longitude of 113° 48' 22.5", being the Westernmost Meridian hitherto reached in the Polar Sea, to the North of America.—Banks's Land discovered.—Increased Extent and Dimensions of the Ice.—Return to the Eastward, to endeavour to penetrate the Ice to the Southward.—Re-enter Barrow's Strait, and Survey its South Coast.—Pass through Sir James Lancaster's Sound on our Ret
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Progress down the Western Coast of Baffin's Bay.—Meet with the Whalers.—Account of some Esquimaux in the Inlet called the River Clyde.—Continue the Survey of the Coast till stopped by Ice in the Latitude of 68¼°.—Obliged to run to the Eastward.—Fruitless Attempts to regain the Land, and final Departure from the Ice.—Remarks upon the probable Existence and Practicability of a Northwest Passage, and upon the Whale Fishery.—Boisterous Weather in Crossing the Atlantic.—Loss of the Hecla's Bowsprit a
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SECOND VOYAGE.
SECOND VOYAGE.
Passage across the Atlantic.—Removal of Stores from the Nautilus Transport, at the Margin of the Ice.—Departure of the Nautilus for England.—Enter the Ice in Hudson's Strait.—Perilous Situation of the Hecla, and Loss of her Anchor.—Meet with the Hudson's Bay Ships.—Passage up the Strait, and Communication with the Natives inhabiting the Northern Shores.—Pass the Trinity Islands of Fox.—Arrival off Southampton Island, where the Researches of the Expedition commence. Review of the Geographical Inf
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TECHNICAL TERMS PECULIAR TO THE NAVIGATION AMONG ICE
TECHNICAL TERMS PECULIAR TO THE NAVIGATION AMONG ICE
BAY-ICE.—Ice newly formed upon the surface of the sea. The expression is, however, applied also to ice a foot or two in thickness. BESET.—The situation of a ship when closely surrounded by ice. BIGHT.—An indentation in a floe of ice, like a bay, by which name it is sometimes called. BLINK.—A peculiar brightness in the atmosphere, often assuming an arch-like form, which is generally perceptible over ice or land covered with snow. The blink of land, as well as that over large quantities of ice, is
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VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY OF A NORTHWEST PASSAGE INTRODUCTION.
VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY OF A NORTHWEST PASSAGE INTRODUCTION.
Lieutenant Parry was appointed to the command of his majesty's ship the Hecla, a bomb of 375 tons, on the 16th of January, 1819; and the Griper, gun brig, 180 tons, commissioned by Lieutenant Matthew Liddon, was at the same time directed to put herself under his orders. The object of the expedition was to attempt the discovery of a Northwest Passage into the Pacific. The vessels were rigged after the manner of a bark, as being the most convenient among the ice, and requiring the smallest number
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
Passage across the Atlantic.—Enter Davis's Strait.—Unsuccessful Attempt to penetrate the Ice to the Western Coast.—Voyage up the Strait.—Passage through the Ice to the Western Coast.—Arrival off Possession Bay, on the Southern Side of the Entrance into Sir James Lancaster's Sound. In the beginning of May, 1819, the Hecla and Griper were towed down the river; the guns and gunner's stores were received on board on the 6th; and the instruments and chronometers were embarked on the evening of the 8t
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Entrance into Sir James Lancaster's Sound of Baffin.—Uninterrupted Passage to the Westward.—Discovery and Examination of Prince Regent's Inlet.—Progress to the Southward stopped by Ice.—Return to the Northward.—Pass Barrow's Strait, and enter the Polar Sea. We were now about to enter and to explore that great sound or inlet which has obtained a degree of celebrity beyond what it might otherwise have been considered to possess, from the very opposite opinions which have been held with regard to i
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Favourable Appearances of an open Westerly Passage.—Land to the Northward, a Series of Islands.—General Appearance of them.—Meet with some Obstruction from low Islands surrounded with Ice.—Remains of Esquimaux Huts, and natural Productions of Byam Martin Island.—Tedious Navigation from Fogs and Ice.—Difficulty of Steering a Proper Course.—Arrival and Landing on Melville Island.—Proceed to the Westward, and reach the Meridian of 110° W. Long., the first Stage in the Scale of Rewards granted by Ac
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Further Examination of Melville Island.—Continuation of our Progress to the Westward.—Long detention by the Ice.—Party sent on Shore to hunt Deer and Musk-oxen.—Return in three Days, after losing their Way.—Anxiety on their Account.—Proceed to the Westward till finally stopped by the Ice.—In returning to the Eastward, the Griper forced on the Beach by the Ice.—Search for, and Discovery of, a Winter Harbour on Melville Island.—Operations for securing the Ships in their Winter Quarters. As the win
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Precautions for securing the Ships and Stores.—For promoting Good Order, Cleanliness, Health, and Good-Humour among the Ships' Companies.—Establishment of a Theatre and of the North Georgia Gazette.—Erection of an Observatory on Shore.—Commence our Winter's Amusements.—State of the Temperature, and various Meteorological Phenomena.—Miscellaneous Occurrences to the Close of the Year 1819. Having, on the 19th October, reached the station where, in all probability, we were destined to remain for at
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
First Appearance of Scurvy.—The Aurora Borealis and other Meteorological Phenomena.—Visits of the Wolves.—Reappearance of the Sun.—Extreme low Temperature.—Destruction of the House on Shore by Fire.—Severe Frostbites occasioned by this Accident. January 1, 1820.—I received this morning the first unpleasant report of the scurvy having made its appearance among us: Mr. Scallon, the gunner of the Hecla, had for some days past been complaining of pains in his legs, which Mr. Edwards at first took to
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
More temperate Weather.—House rebuilt.—Quantity of Ice collected on the Hecla's lower Deck.—Meteorological Phenomena.—Conclusion of Theatrical Entertainments.—Increased Sickness on board the Griper.—Clothes first dried in the open Air.—Remarkable Halos and Parhelia.—Snow Blindness.—Cutting the Ice round the Ships, and other Occurrences to the Close of May. Before sunrise on the morning of the 1st of March, Lieutenant Beechey remarked so much bright red light near the southeastern horizon, that h
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Journey across Melville Island to the Northern Shore, and Return to the Ships by a different Route. The weather being favourable on the morning of the 1st of June, I made such arrangements as were necessary previous to my departure on our intended journey. I directed Lieutenants Liddon and Beechey to proceed with all possible despatch in the equipment of the ships for sea, having them ready to sail by the end of June, in order that we might be able to take advantage of any favourable alteration
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Occurrences at Winter Harbour in the early Part of June.—Gradual Dissolution of the Ice upon the Sea and of the Snow upon the Land.—Decease and Burial of William Scott.—Equipment of the Ships completed.—Temperate Weather during the Month of July.—Breaking up of the Ice near the Ships.—Move to the lower Part of the Harbour.—Separation of the Ice at the Entrance.—Prepare to Sail.—Abstract of Observations made in Winter Harbour. I had the happiness to find, on my return, that the officers and men i
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Leave Winter Harbour.—Flattering Appearance of the Sea to the Westward.—Stopped by the Ice near Cape Hay.—Farther Progress to the Longitude of 113° 48' 22.5", being the Westernmost Meridian hitherto reached in the Polar Sea, to the North of America.—Banks's Land discovered.—Increased Extent and Dimensions of the Ice.—Return to the Eastward, to endeavour to penetrate the Ice to the Southward.—Re-enter Barrow's Strait, and Survey its South Coast.—Pass through Sir James Lancaster's Sound on our Ret
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Progress down the Western Coast of Baffin's Bay.—Meet with the Whalers.—Account of some Esquimaux in the Inlet called the River Clyde.—Continue the Survey of the Coast till stopped by Ice in the Latitude of 68¼°.—Obliged to run to the Eastward.—Fruitless Attempts to regain the Land, and final Departure from the Ice.—Remarks upon the probable Existence and Practicability of a Northwest Passage, and upon the Whale Fishery.—Boisterous Weather in Crossing the Atlantic.—Loss of the Hecla's Bowsprit a
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SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY OF A NORTHWEST PASAGE PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.
SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY OF A NORTHWEST PASAGE PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.
The discoveries made by the expedition to the northwest in the years 1819-20 being such as to afford a strong presumption in favour of the existence of a passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific in that direction, his majesty commanded another attempt to be made to effect that object; and the lords commissioners of the admiralty were pleased once more to honour me with the command of an expedition, to be equipped at Deptford for that purpose. The Hecla having been found well adapted to this serv
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
Passage across the Atlantic.—Removal of Stores from the Nautilus Transport, at the Margin of the Ice.—Departure of the Nautilus for England.—Enter the Ice in Hudson's Strait.—Perilous Situation of the Hecla, and Loss of her Anchor.—Meet with the Hudson's Bay Ships.—Passage up the Strait, and Communication with the Natives inhabiting the Northern Shores.—Pass the Trinity Islands of Fox.—Arrival off Southampton Island, where the Researches of the Expedition commence. The FURY, HECLA, and NAUTILUS
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Review of the Geographical Information obtained by the Researches of former Navigators on the Coast of the American Continent, in the Neighbourhood of Wager River.—Discover and enter the Duke of York's Bay, supposing it to be a Passage into the Sea called the Welcome.—Leave the Duke of York's Bay, and proceed to the Northwestward.—Passage of the Frozen Strait and Arrival in Repulse Bay.—Continuity of Land there.—Observations on Shore.—Remarks concerning the Geography, Tides, and Natural History
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Return to the Eastward through the Frozen Strait.—Discovery of Hurd Channel.—Examined in a Boat.—Loss of the Fury's Anchor.—Providential Escape of the Fury from Shipwreck.—Anchor in Duckett Cove.—Farther Examination of the Coast by Boats and Walking-parties.—Ships proceed through Hurd Channel.—Are drifted by the Ice back to Southampton Island.—Unobstructed Run to the Entrance of a large Inlet leading to the Northwestward.—Ships made fast by Hawsers to the Rocks.—Farther Examination of the Inlet
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Hoppner's Inlet entered and surveyed by the Boats.—Continuity of Land there determined.—Proceed to examine another Opening leading to the Westward.—Favourable Appearance of a continued Passage in that direction.—Meet with some Esquimaux.—Arrival in Ross Bay, being the Termination of Lyon Inlet.—Discovery and Examination of various Creeks.—Return to the Ships, after finding the Land entirely continuous.—Some Account of the Natural History of this Part of the Coast. A thick fog unfortunately comin
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Farther Examination in the Boats for the Purpose of Connecting the Shores of Lyon Inlet with that of Gore Bay.—Continuity of the Land determined.—Fresh Detention by the Ice.—Boats carried over Land.—Return to the Ships.—Progress out of the Inlet prevented by the Ice.—The Fury grounds upon a Rock.—Anchor in Safety Cove.—Heavy Easterly Gales.—Proceed out of the Inlet.—Arrival in a Bay on the south Side of Winter Island.—Ships secured in Winter-quarters. Again leaving the ships on the 15th, we rowe
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
Precautions for the Security of the Ships and their Stores—And for the Health and Comfort of the Crews.—Establishment of Theatrical Entertainments and Schools.—Erection of an Observatory and House on Shore.—State of Health at this Period.—Partial Disruption of the Ice in the Bay.—Anchors and Cables taken to the Shore.—Gradual Increase of Cold, Appearance of the Aurora Borealis on several Occasions, and various other Meteorological Phenomena to the Close of the Year 1821. Our operations at sea be
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Many Foxes caught.—Continued Open Water in the Offing.—Partial Disruption of the Ice in the Bay.—Meteorological Phenomena, and Temperature of Animals.—Arrival of a Tribe of Esquimaux.—First Meeting and subsequent Intercourse with them.—Esquimaux in Want of Provisions.—Supplied with Bread-dust.—Some Account of a Sealing Excursion with them.—Fresh Disruption of the Ice in the Bay.—Closing of the Winter Theatre.—Meteorological Phenomena till the End of February, 1822. The first day of the new year
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
A Journey performed across Winter Island.—Sufferings of the Party by Frost.—Departure of Some of the Esquimaux, and a separate Village established on the Ice.—Various Meteorological Phenomena.—Okotook and his Wife brought on board.—Anecdotes relating to them.—Ships released from the Ice by sawing. Our intercourse with the Esquimaux continued, and many occasions occurred in which they displayed great good humour, and a degree of archness for which we could have scarcely given them credit. On the
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Departure from Winter Island.—Meet with some Esquimaux travelling to the Northward.—Obstruction and Danger from the Ice and Tides.—Discovery of the Barrow River, and its Fall.—Favourable Passage to the Northward.—Arrival off the Strait of the Fury and Hecla.—Progress opposed by a fixed barrier of Ice.—Communicate with the Natives of Igloolik.—Unsuccessful Attempt to get between the Ice and the Land—Land upon the Calthorpe Islands.—The Fury drifted by the Ice between two Islands.—Account of a Jou
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
A Whale killed.—Other Charts drawn by the Esquimaux.—Account of a Journey to the Narrows of the Strait.—Discovery of the Sea to the Westward.—Total Disruption of the Ice at the Eastern Entrance of the Strait.—Instance of local Attraction on the Compasses.—Sail through the Narrows, and again stopped by fixed Ice.—Account of several Land Journeys and Boat Excursions.—Observations on the Tides.—Continued Obstacles from fixed Ice. Aug. 1.—The information obtained by Captain Lyon on his late journey
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
A Journey performed along the South Shore of Cockburn Island.—Confirmation of an Outlet to the Polar Sea.—Partial Disruption of the Old Ice, and formation of New.—Return through the Narrows to the Eastward.—Proceed to examine the Coast to the Northeastward.—Fury's Anchor broken.—Stand over to Igloolik to look for Winter-quarters.—Excursion to the Head of Quilliam Creek.—Ships forced to the Westward by Gales of Wind—A Canal sawed through the Ice, and the Ships secured in their Winter Station.—Con
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
Preparations for the Winter.—Various Meteorological Phenomena to the close of the year 1822.—Sickness among the Esquimaux.—Meteorological Phenomena to the end of March. November .—The measures now adopted for the security of the ships and their stores, for the maintenance of economy, cleanliness, and health, and for the prosecution of the various observations and experiments, being principally the same as those already detailed in the preceding winter's narrative, I shall be readily excused for
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
Various Journeys to the Esquimaux Stations.—Preparations for the Hecla's Return to England.—Remarkable Halos, &c.—Shooting Parties stationed at Arlagnuk.—Journeys to Quilliam Creek.—Arrival of Esquimaux from the Northward.—Account of a Journey to the Westward for the purpose of reaching the Polar Sea.—The Esquimaux report two Fishing-ships having been Wrecked.—A Journey performed to Cockburn Island.—Discovery of Murray Maxwell Inlet. About the first and second weeks in April, the Esquima
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
Extraordinary Disruption of Ice in Quilliam Creek.—Some Appearance of Scurvy among the Seamen and Marines.—Discovery of Gifford River.—Commence cutting the Ice outside the Ships to release them from their Winter-quarters.—Considerations respecting the Return of the Expedition to England.—Unfavourable State of the Ice at the Eastern Entrance of the Strait.—Proceed to the Southward.—Ships beset and drifted up Lyon Inlet.—Decease of Mr. George Fife.—Final Release from the Ice, and Arrival in Englan
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INTRODUCTION.
INTRODUCTION.
Notwithstanding the want of success of the late expedition to the Polar Seas, it was resolved to make another attempt to effect a passage by sea, between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The chief alterations in the equipment of the present expedition consisted in the placing of Sylvester's warming stove in the very bottom of the ship's hold, in substituting a small quantity of salt beef for a part of the pork, and in furnishing a much larger supply of newly corned beef. Preserved carrots and pa
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
Passage to the Whale-fish Islands, and Removal of Stores from the Transport.—Enter the Ice in Baffin's Bay.—Difficulties of Penetrating to the Westward.—Quit the Ice in Baffin's Bay.—Remarks on the Obstructions encountered by the Ships, and on the Severity of the Season. The equipment of the Hecla and Fury, and the loading of the William Harris transport, being completed, we began to move down the river from Deptford on the 8th of May, 1824, and on the 10th, by the assistance of the steamboat, t
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Enter Sir James Lancaster's Sound.—Land at Cape Warrender.—Meet with young Ice.—Ships beset and carried near the Shore.—Driven back to Navy-board Inlet.—Run to the Westward, and enter Prince Regent's Inlet.—Arrival at Port Bowen. All our past obstacles were in a moment forgotten when we once more saw an open sea before us; but it must be confessed that it was not so easy to forget that the middle of September was already near at hand, without having brought us even to the entrance of Sir James L
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Winter Arrangements.—Improvements in Warming and Ventilating the Ships.—Masquerades adopted as an Amusement to the Men.—Establishment of Schools.—Astronomical Observations.—Meteorological Phenomena. Oct .—Our present winter arrangements so closely resembled, in general, those before adopted, that a fresh description of them would prove little more than a repetition of that already contained in the narratives of our former voyages. To those who read, as well as to those who describe, the account
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Re-equipment of the Ships.—Several Journeys undertaken.—Open Water in the Offing.—Commence sawing a Canal to liberate the Ships.—Disruption of the Ice.—Departure from Port Bowen. The height of the land about Port Bowen deprived us longer than usual of the sun's presence above our horizon. Some of our gentlemen, indeed, who ascended a high hill for the purpose, caught a glimpse of him on the 2d of February; on the 15th it became visible at the observatory, but at the ships not till the 22d, after
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Sail over towards the Western Coast of Prince Regent's Inlet.—Stopped by the Ice.—Reach the Shore about Cape Seppings.—Favourable Progress along the Land.—Fresh and repeated Obstructions from Ice.—Both Ships driven on Shore.—Fury seriously damaged.—Unsuccessful Search for a Harbour for heaving her down to repair. July 20.—On standing out to sea, we sailed, with a light southerly wind, towards the western shore of Prince Regent's Inlet, which it was my first wish to gain, on account of the eviden
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
Formation of a Basin for heaving the Fury down.—Landing of the Fury's Stores, and other Preparations.—The Ships secured within the Basin.—Impediments from the Pressure of the Ice.—Fury hove down.—Securities of the Basin destroyed by a Gale of Wind.—Preparations to tow the Fury out.—Hecla Re-equipped, and obliged to put to Sea.—Fury again driven on Shore.—Rejoin the Fury; and find it necessary finally to abandon her. As there was now no longer room for floating the ice out of the proposed basin,
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Some Remarks upon the Loss of the Fury—And on the Natural History, &c., of the Coast of North Somerset.—Arrive at Neill's Harbour.—Death of John Page.—Leave Neill's Harbour.—Recross the Ice in Baffin's Bay.—Heavy Gales.—Temperature of the Sea.—Arrival in England. The accident which had now befallen the Fury, and which, when its fatal result was finally ascertained, at once put an end to every prospect of success in the main object of this voyage, is not an event which will excite surpris
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ACCOUNT OF THE ESQUIMAUX.
ACCOUNT OF THE ESQUIMAUX.
The number of individuals composing the tribe of Esquimaux assembled at Winter Island and Igloolik was two hundred and nineteen, of whom sixty-nine were men, seventy-seven women, and seventy-three children. Two or three of the men, from their appearance and infirmities, as well as from the age of their children, must have been near seventy; the rest were from twenty to about fifty. The majority of the women were comparatively young, or from twenty to five-and-thirty, and three or four only seeme
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INTRODUCTION.
INTRODUCTION.
In April, 1826, I proposed to the Right Honourable Viscount Melville, first lord commissioner of the Admiralty, to attempt to reach the North Pole by means of travelling with sledge-boats over the ice, or through any spaces of open water that might occur. My proposal was soon afterward referred to the president and council of the Royal Society, who strongly recommended its adoption; and an expedition being accordingly directed to be equipped for this purpose, I had the honour of being appointed
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