CHAPTER IV. 



PARTY'S FIRST TOYAGB. ICEBERGS. PASSAGE THROUGH LANCASTM 

 BOUND. PRINCB REGENT'S INLET. WELLINGTON CHANNEL. MEL- 

 TILLS ISLAND. WINTER QUARTERS. SCURVY. SNOW BLINDNESS. 

 THEATRICALS. BREAKING UP OF THE ICE. RETURN 07 THE EX- 

 PEDITION. 



MUCH dissatisfaction was felt in England at the result 

 of Ross's expedition, described in the last chapter. The 

 grounds, in particular, on which Lancaster Sound, an 

 opening so spacious, and in a position so favorable in 

 respect to western discovery, had been so abruptly 

 quitted, appeared inadmissible. The " Croker Moun- 

 tains, ' which had barred the progress of Sir John 

 Ross, were affirmed by some who had borne part in the 

 abortive voyage to be an ocular illusion. This opin- 

 ion was very decidedly espoused by Lieut. Parry, the 

 second in command. It was determined, therefore, that 

 a fresh expedition should be equipped and intrusted to 

 him, that he might fulfil, if possible, his own sanguine 

 hopes, and those of the government. 



He was furnished with the Hecla, of 375 tons, and a 

 crew of fifty-eight men ; and with the Griper gun-brig, 

 of 180 tons, and thirty-six men, commanded by Lieut. 

 Liddon. These ships were made as strong as possible 

 for the navigation of the Arctic seas ; and were stored 

 with ample provisions for two years, a copious supply 

 of anti-scorbutics, and everything which could enable 



