﻿272 COMMANDER PULLEN. August, 



the Admiralty to take his departure in the summer 

 of 1850, in his adventurous attempt to reach 

 Melville Island. By the last accounts from Mac- 

 kenzie's River, we learn that this enterprising officer 

 received his instructions by express, on the 25th of 

 June, being then in Slave River, on his way to 

 York Factory. He immediately turned back, having 

 been supplied with 4,500 lbs. of jerked venison and 

 pemican by Mr. Rae, which he embarked in one of 

 the Plover's boats, and in a barge of the Hudson's 

 Bay Company, being the only available craft. 

 The barge is well adapted for river navigation, but 

 from its flatness unfitted for a sea- voyage, though 

 it may be in some respects improved by the addition 

 of a false keel, which Commander Pullen would 

 probably give it before he descended to the sea. 

 Its weight will render it much less manageable 

 among ice than a lighter boat. No intelligence of 

 this party has reached England since the above 

 date, but we may expect to hear of his proceedings 

 in May or June, 1851, before this volume has 

 passed through the press. 



* This anticipation has been realised, as has been mentioned 

 in p. 216. Commander Pullen found the sea covered with 

 unbroken ice all the way from the Mackenzie to Cape Bathurst, 

 a small channel only existing in shore, through which he ad- 

 vanced to the vicinity of the cape. Failing in finding a passage 

 out to sea, to the north of Baillie's Islands, he remained within 

 them, until the advance of winter compelled him to return to 

 the Mackenzie. 



