268 APPENDIX. 



safety previous to the approaching winter. As that winter may possi- 

 bly prove to be so severe as to seal up the western end of that extensive 

 inlet, and as it would be unwise to allow both vessels to be beset there, 

 we consider that it would be prudent to look out for a fit and safe port 

 near Cape Rennell, and in that neighbourhood to secure the ' Investi- 

 gator' for the ensiling winter. From that position a considerable ex- 

 tent of coast may be explored on foot, and in the following spring de- 

 tached parties may be sent across the ice by Captain Bird, in order to 

 look thoroughly into the creeks along the western coast of Boothia, and 

 even as far as Cape Nicolai ; while another party may proceed to the 

 southward, and ascertain whether the blank space shown there in our 

 charts consists of an open sea, through which Sir John Franklin may 

 have passed, or, on the contrary, of a continuous chain of islands, 

 among which he may be still blocked up. As soon as the returning sum- 

 mer shall have opened a passage between the land and the main body 

 of the ice, this eastern vessel is to detach her steam-launch to Lancaster 

 Sound, in order to meet the whale ships which usually visit the western 

 side of Baffin Bay about that time, and by which we purpose to send 

 out further instructions and communications to you, as well as to re- 

 ceive in return an account of your proceedings. 



The ' Enterprise ' in the meantime will press forward to the west- 

 ward, and endeavour to reach Winter Harbour in Melville Island, or 

 perhaps, if circumstances should in your judgment render it advisable, 

 to push onward to Banks' Land ; but in either case a distinct statement 

 of the measures you are going to adopt, as well as of your future inten- 

 tions, shoidd be deposited in some spot previously communicated to 

 Captain Bird. From this western station you will be able to spread 

 some active parties, and to make some short and useful excursions 

 before the season altogether closes, and still more eifective ones in the 

 ensuing spring. One party should then pursue the coast in whatever 

 direction it may seem likely to have been followed by Sir John Franklin, 

 and thus determine the general shape of the western face of Banks' 

 Land. It is then to proceed direct to Cape Bathurst or to Cape Parry 

 on the mainland, at each of which places we have directed Sir J. 

 Eichardson to leave provisions for its use ; that party will then advance 

 to Fort Good Hope, where they will find directions for continuing their 

 progress up the M'Kenzie Eiver, so as to return to England by the 

 usual route of traders. 



Another party will explore the eastern coast of Banks' Land, 

 and from thence make at once for Cape Krusensteru, where, or 



