1827. 



298 VOYAGE TO THE 



CHAP, cheering prospect to those who are engaged in such 

 ^^^' J an expedition. But while I so far advocate an attempt 

 Oct. from this quarter, it must not be overlooked that the 

 length of the voyage round Cape Horn, and the vicis- 

 situdes of climate to be endured, present material ob- 

 jections to prosecuting the enterprise by that course. 



It does not appear that any preference can be given 

 to the western route from prevailing winds or currents, 

 as both are so variable and uncertain, that no depend- 

 ence can be placed upon them. In 1826, easterly winds 

 prevailed almost throughout the summer, both on the 

 northern coast of America, and in the open sea to the 

 westward of Icy Cape : while in 1827, in the latter 

 situation at least, the reverse took place. And as the 

 coincidence of winds experienced by Captain Franklin 

 and ourselves in 1826 is very remarkable, there is 

 every probability that the same winds prevailed to the 

 eastward of Point Barrow. 



The current, though it unquestionably sets to the 

 northward through Beering s Strait, in the summer at 

 least, does not appear to influence the sea on the north- 

 ern coast of America which is navigable ; as Captain 

 Franklin, after the experience of a whole season, was 

 unable to detect any current in either direction. In 

 the sea to the westward of Icy Cape, the current set- 

 ting through Beering s Strait is turned off by Point 

 Hope, and does not appear to have any perceptible 

 influence on the water to the north-eastward of Icy 

 Cape ; for the current there, though it ran strong at 

 times, seemed to be influenced entirely by the prevail- 

 ing wind. The body of water which finds its way 

 into the Polar Sea must undoubtedly have an outlet, 

 and one of these appears to be the Strait of Hecla and 

 Fury ; but as this current is not felt between the ice 



