CAPTAIN M'CLURe's DESPATCHES. 19 



t^ress, and grazed our starboard bow. Fortunately tbere was but young 

 ice upon the opposite side, which yielded to the pressure ; had it other- 

 wise occurred the vessel mus^ inevitably have been cut asunder. In the 

 afternoon we secured to a moderate- sized piece, drawing 8 fathoms, 

 which appeared to offer a fair refuge, and from which we never after- 

 wards parted ; it conveyed us to our furthest N.E. position, lat. 73° 7'N., 

 lono-. 117° 10' W., back round the Princess Royal Islands. Passed 

 the^'largest within 500 yards to lat. 7*2° 42' N.', long. 118° 42' W., 

 returning along the coast of Prince Albert's Land, and finally freez- 

 ing in at lat. 72° 50' N., long. 117° 55' W., upon the 30th of 

 September, during which circumnavigation we received many severe 

 nips, and were frequently driven close to the shore, from which our 

 deep friend kept us off. To avoid separation, we had secured with two 

 stream cables (one chain) two six and two five inch hawsers. As our 

 exposed position rendered every precaution necessary, we got upon deck 

 twelve months' provisions, with tents, warm clothing, &c., and issued 

 to each person a pair of carpet boots and blanket bag, so that, in the 

 event of any emergency making it imperative to quit the vessel, we 

 might not be destitute. On the 8th of October our perplexities 

 terminated with a nip that lifted the vessel a foot, and heeled her four 

 degrees to port, in consequence of a large tongue getting beneath her, 

 in which position we quietly remained. As, however, there was a 

 probabihty of being thrown upon the ice, it was requisite that a smooth 

 surface should be made to receive the vessel, which was accomplished 

 with much facility, by blasting the hummocks along the edge of the 

 floe for about 150' yards, and 20 in breadth. This done, and every 

 indication of the pack being now thoroughly cemented with a tempera- 

 ture of seven mi7ius, we completed housing over, and other arrangements 

 for our winter quarters. As the weather upon the 10th was calm and 

 fine, and the ice quiet, at 8.30 a.m. left the ship, accompanied by 

 Lieutenant Cresswell, Dr. Armstrong, and Mr. Miertsching, with a party 

 of seamen, carrying a pole &c., to plant upon the shores of Prince 

 Albert's Land, to which we proceeded to take possession in the name 

 of her Most Gracious Majesty. This accomphshed, we walked to the 

 higliest hill observable at the distance of five miles, to an elevation of 

 1,500 feet, which gave an extended view in every direction. The 

 country was very hilly, with deep ravines and large lakes. This 

 appears the general character of the land on both shores. The course 

 of the water towards the N.E. we were anxious to trace, hoping to see 

 an opening into Barrow's Strait. In this we were disappointed, from 

 the many low points intervening, rendering it impossible to ascertain 

 the land from the sea, both beimr frozen. On our return we had the 

 mortification to find that the land and sea ice had separated about 100 

 yards along the whole line of coast. We walked by its margin for 

 some miles, hoping to meet with a loose piece of ice to ferry us across ; 

 but night closing rapidly subjected us to so many falls, owing to the 

 inequalities of our road not being distinguishable, that we were compelled 

 to halt, and commence firing to attract attention ; but our distance from 

 the ship was too far to render our signals of any utility. At 8.30. p.m. 

 Mr. Court, with one of the many parties that were searching the ice in 

 all directions, fortunately saw our flashing, and made for it ; but, un- 

 suspecting our dilemma was created by open water, he had no boat ; 

 immediately returning he met with a party which had two of Halkett's. 



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