1852.] SECURE IN WINTER QUARTERS. 89 



which has been temporarily termed Pioneer Island, was 

 truly cheering. To the north and easterly, islands and 

 land as far as the telescope could see. Nothing but 

 ice occupied the arc of the horizon from north to west- 

 south-west. There lay the Arctic Ocean ; Cape Lady 

 Franklin, at least our newly-named cape, appeared to 

 bound the southern shore, but the loom of land was evi- 

 dently visible further to the southward and westward. 

 On my return to the ship, Commander Richards in- 

 formed me that he thought a very complete little har- 

 bour would admit the ship on the opposite side of the 

 Sound. It was found, however, to be unfortunately 

 barred by a ledge of gravel, having only twelve feet ; 

 but immediately outside and behind it Nature appeared 

 to have thrown out a rocky spit, which would afford 

 us shelter within, and at the same time be at the line 

 of open water, should occasion require any immediate 

 removal. Into this, as our other position was in very 

 deep water (thirty-six fathoms), and much exposed, we 

 were accordingly transferred, and, as events proved, not 

 an hour too soon. From that spot the ship never 

 moved, nor could have been moved, for any sensible 

 purpose that season ! Nor was it possible, had such 

 been the command of their Lordships, to have moved 

 any vessel westerly of that position ; moreover, had such 

 been practicable, no man in his senses, having a discre- 

 tionary power vested in his hands, would disgrace his 

 trust by any such mad attempt, when the special object 

 contemplated by this Expedition could be much better 

 achieved by boat or sledge travelling. 



