320 HON. CAPTAIN PHIPPS. 



a.d. attempt to come, we should have the same diffi- 



1773. 



culties to encounter the next year without the 



same resources : the remains of the ships' company 

 in all probability not in health, no provisions, 

 and the sea not so open, this year having certainly 

 been uncommonly clear. Indeed, it could not have 

 been expected that more than a very small part 

 should survive the hardships of such a winter with 

 every advantage, much less in our present situa- 

 tion. On the other hand, the undertaking to move 

 so large a body for so considerable a distance 

 by boats, was not without very serious difficul- 

 ties. Should we remain much longer here the 

 bad weather must be expected to set in." 



As it was Captain Phipps' intention, in the event 

 of taking to the boats, to proceed immediately 

 to Fair Haven, where he had left some Dutch 

 ships at anchor, he knew that if he came to this 

 resolution there was no time to be lost, as the 

 Dutchmen quit the harbour directly the ice sets in, 

 and remain only until the 1st September, under 

 the most favourable state of the sea. He there- 

 fore made up his mind to abandon the ships, 

 and summoning his officers together, made them 

 acquainted with his intentions. 



The boats were immediately hoisted out, and 

 the necessary fittings to render them secure and 

 comfortable begun, and the following morning, 



