464 VOYAGE TO THE 



c ^ p - increased as we advanced, and before the Diomede 

 v — -v— *» Islands came in sight it blew so violently that there 

 1826. was no alternative but to endeavour to push through 

 them before dusk. At this time there was a very- 

 thick haze, with a bright setting sun glaring through 

 it, which with the spray around us prevented any 

 thing being seen but the tops of the mountains near 

 Cape Prince of Wales. It was consequently with 

 great pleasure we perceived Fairway Rock, and found 

 the strait quite free from ice. 



Having no choice, we passed through it at a rapid 

 rate ; and as the night set in dark and thick, with 

 snow showers, we were glad to find ourselves with 

 sea-room around us. A little before midnight the 

 lee-bow port was washed away, and so much water 

 came in that it was necessary to put before the wind 

 to free the ship. In half an hour, however, we re- 

 sumed our course, and about two o'clock in the 

 morning passed King's Island. 



We were now in a situation where, by rounding 

 to, we might have awaited fine weather to return to 

 Cape Krusenstern, and execute the whole of the 

 plan that had been contemplated ; but considering 

 that our being able to do so was uncertain, as the 

 barometer, which had fallen to 28,7, afforded no 

 prospect of a change of weather, and that the period 

 I had fixed for my departure might expire before 

 I could repass the straits ; together with the state 

 of our provisions, and the improbability of meeting 

 with Captain Franklin after all, it appeared to me 

 that the risks which it involved were greater than 

 the uncertainty of the result justified ; and painful 

 as it was to relinquish every hope of this successful 

 issue of our voyage, it became my duty to do so. 



