1S52.] ASCEND MOUNT PERCY. 87 



and so, having reached the end of the far-famed Queen's 

 Channel on this side, and our progress impeded, I thought 

 that some beacon should designate the turning ; and fur- 

 ther, as it had now become necessary to seek for our 

 next course, I determined on ascending the mount, the 

 base of which I have retained as Cape Sir John Frank- 

 lin, from whence I obtained a most commanding view of 

 laud and ice from north to west and round to the south. 

 But unfortunately, what we little dreamt of when we 

 commenced our ascent of this mountain, was clearly ex- 

 hibited to our senses, for ten miles beyond the base of 

 our position, an ominous icy barrier prevented further 

 progress westerly ! The only chance which seemed to 

 offer was by taking the north, through the inside pas- 

 sage, which yet remained to be examined. Beneath us 

 lay a magnificent sound, hemmed in by two great islands, 

 and until Nature was inclined again to favour us, there 

 we must await her pleasure. To this elevated position I 

 gave the name of Mount Percy, taking possession, in due 

 form, for Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria; 

 and to the sound beneath, that of Northumberland 

 Sound, in honour of Her Majesty's Minister, the noble 

 Duke presiding over the Board of Admiralty. 



Descending in somewhat diminished spirits, I rejoined 

 the ' Pioneer,' recalled the ship, which was fast dropping 

 down into the ice, and succeeded most happily, as things 

 turned out, in securing her that night in safe quarters. 



Numbering our particular events, I term the passage 

 of the Queen's Channel No. 1 fortunate. That of securing 

 the ship before she fell into the jaws of that ice, No. 2 ; 

 for most assuredly her timbers, unless she drifted back in 



