192 CAPTAIN PARRY'S ATTEMPT. 



Hecla, was appointed to take him to Spitzbergen, 

 and left England in April 1827. On the 14th 

 May she reached Amsterdam Island (Spitzber- 

 gen), and being compelled to run into the ice for 

 shelter from a gale of wind, she got beset, and 

 drifted about for three weeks before she could 

 be extricated. At length, on the 8th June, a 

 southerly wind dispered the ice, and Sir Edward 

 Parry proceeded towards the Seven Islands, upon 

 one of which (Walden Island) he deposited a 

 reserve supply of provision, for the use of his 

 little party on its return, The sea was now so 

 clear of ice, that the Hecla stood to the north- 

 ward to the latitude 81° 5' N., and then pro- 

 ceeded to Treurenburg Bay in Henlopen Strait, 

 where the ship was left in charge of Lieutenant 

 Henry Foster,* who was directed to await the 

 return of his captain. Sir Edward Parry now 

 set out on his arduous undertaking, having under 

 his command Lieutenant (now Captain James) 

 Ross, Mr. (now Commander) Bird, and Mr. 

 Beverly, surgeon, and twenty-four seamen. 



This party was equally divided between two 

 boats, called the Enterprise and Endeavour, Sir 

 Edward being in the former, and Lieutenant 



* A highly scientific and promising officer, who had the 

 misfortune to lose his life, by falling overboard from a canoe 

 in the river Chagre. 



