22 CAPTAIN M'CLURE's DESPATCHES. 



3. The free ventilation of the lower deck. 



4. The extreme attention of Dr. Armstrong (upon our monthly 

 inspections) to the state of the crew. 



So that the month of iMarch found us in a most healthy and efficient 

 condition. iVccordingly, upon the 3rd we commenced our preliminary 

 duties hv takino; a 30-foot whale-boat to the iarijer Princess lloyal 

 Islands, where it is my intention to leave three months' provisions for 

 all hands, that, at the breaking up of the ice, should the vessel unfor- 

 tunately get crushed, we may have a certainty to fall back upon, which 

 will enable us to reach the Plover, without hazard of starvation. This 

 duty being completed, as well as the transporting of another whale- 

 boat, besides one of Halkett's, to the eastern shore, distant 5 miles, 

 for the facility of allowing the travelling parties going along that coast 

 to reach the islands, should the ice break up and carry the vessel away 

 puring their absence, arrangements were then made for the search- 

 ing parties ; and the weather becoming" very favourable for travelling, 

 upon the 18th of April three were dispatched under Lieutenant Has- 

 well, S.E. shore ; Lieutenant Cresswell, N.W. shore ; and Mr. Wynni- 

 att (mate), N.E. shore, with six weeks' provisions each. 



At 1 a.m. May 6, Mr. Wynniatt (mate) having broken his chrono- 

 meter at the distance of 120 miles from the ship returned ; but ail being 

 in good condition, they were completed to 30 days' provisions, and at 

 6 p.m were again en route. At the same time, two hunting parties 

 with tents, &c., left the ship — one for each side of the Strait, as some 

 deer had been seen, besides some ptarmigan and four hares shot. This 

 early indication of fresh provisions is a subject of deep congratulation, 

 independent of the very healthy and exciting occupation for the crew, 

 who are all eager for the sport. 



May 20. — Lieutenant Cresswell returned in consequence of tiie 

 severe frost-bites of two of his men, having reached lat. 74° 16' N., 

 long. 117° 40' W., being absent 31 days; during the greater part of 

 the time be was subject to strong N.W. winds, sweeping from the Polar 

 •Sea, through Barrow's Strait, wliich, meeting him in the face, rendered 

 it exceedingly difficult to walk against, the thermometer being frequently 

 15° below zero. He, however, traced the coast-line, which, for about 

 70 miles along Banks's Land, was very precipitous, averaging from 

 1,000 to 1,400 feet, from which it gradually sloped to a point trending 

 to S.W., ap])arently the extreme of the land in that direction, as it 

 abruptly turned to southwards. An elevation of a thousand feet, aided 

 ])y an exceedingly clear atmosphere, left no doubt in his mind tliat the 

 Polar Sea was before him, and that Banks's Land is a part of Baring's 

 Lsland. He was anxious to make a further advance, and encamp during 

 two d.ays, with the hope that the invalids would recover, but, finding 

 them getting much worse, he very properly deemed it advisable to 

 return with all haste to the ship. Before reaching her, however, both 

 had to be borne upon the sledge, which threw the work uj)on four 

 men; when, getting into heavy snow, the officer had to fall in at the 

 drag-ropes ; nevertheless, the working-party arrived in most excellent 

 health and spirits. 



On the 21st a large bear was killed. Tpon examination of the 

 stomach an extraordinary medley was discovered, consisting of raisins, 

 tobacco, pork, and adhesive plaister, so that I came to the conclusion 

 that the J'lntcrprhe nuist be near, the animal not having been sct-n 



