288 PRINCE ALBERT'S ISLAND. 



from Wellington Channel ; and, curiously enough, our de- 

 tention in the following August rendered them important 

 aids in fixing our positions, whilst drifted to and fro by 

 the moving floe. 



The strait connecting the two seas received the name 

 of Arthur's Strait, in compliment to the Prince, as well 

 as to the Duke, his noble namesake. The range behind 

 was named the Douro Range. 



The 'Dauntless' party returned from their labours 

 nearly about the same moment that we reached the 

 tents, having done good service about nine miles to the 

 west, where two more conspicuous cairns attested our 

 right to territory on what must now be termed Prince 

 Albert's Island. 



The following day was passed much in a similar man- 

 ner, with the difference of our party visiting the most 

 conspicuous outer headland, immediately on the verge of 

 Wellington Channel, and about nine miles from our en- 

 campment. This position enabled me, by direct refer- 

 ence to our cairn on Cape Hogarth, to verify all longi- 

 tudes in connection with Beechey Island, and to confine 

 Baillie, Hamilton, and Dundas Islands within limits 

 easterly. The day proved bitter cold for handling metal 

 instruments, and the vapour which floated in the air, al- 

 though imperceptible to us, constantly impeded my ope- 

 rations by forming a thick incrustation of ice whenever 

 the object-glass was exposed to the breeze ; the sleet 

 also covered the instrument with a fine sheet of filmy ice, 

 which destroyed its motion. One deer was seen, and 

 niy coxswain (one of Sir John Richardson's land party) 

 sent to kill it, but was unable to get within range : it 



