1853.] WANT OF STEAM POWER. 375 



launched him, and then visited Cape Osborn, from the 

 summit of which he would have the opportunity of judg- 

 ing how far the open water prevailed below that position. 

 Unfortunately, the present calm favours the formation of 

 bay ice, which may compel the party to seek the in-shore 

 floe. The following, I perceive, are my remarks on this 

 day : " llf/t. Beautifully clear, with a temperature of 

 18: and tantalizing indeed is it to witness the opposite 

 floe in rapid motion to the southward, when our position 

 is such that little short of Nature's aid, in the form of a 

 heavy gale, or of an off-shore set, can release us." Had 

 such obstacles as these opposed us but a few weeks since, 

 or even now, with open w r ater into which to float our 

 fragments, we should not have despaired. But now 

 stern Winter holds up his threatening finger, and tells us 

 in plain terms, " You have no business here with such 

 puny steam power." Query : what will he say to ' Re- 

 solute,' if he should triumphantly have ' Investigator' 

 ready at Melville Island before the eastern barrier gives 

 way, and but one steamer to tow both / I cannot forget 

 the astonishment, in 1851, when I proposed the screw 

 steam power in these regions. Increased power was de- 

 nied me in 1852. Yet I have been made to feel its loss. 

 Eventually the country may experience it by our deten- 

 tion this season. Moreover, no junior should in these 

 matters tow his superior. The result in money remains 

 to be totalled. 



As to our eventual release this season I have my own 

 impressions ; they may be erroneous, but I still cling to 

 every plausible reason on which hope can be based, pre- 

 paratory to taking that most decisive step, " housing 



