THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE a.d. 



1576. 



there being but of small depth, whereby the one accidentall 

 coldnesse doth meet with the other, and the Sunne not 

 having his reflection so neere the Pole, but at very blunt 

 angels, it can never be dissolved after it is frozen, not- 

 withstanding the great length of their day : for that the 

 sunne hath no heate at all in his light or beames, but 

 proceeding onely by an accidentall reflection, which there 

 wanteth in effect. 



10 And yet if the Sunne were of sufficient force in 

 that elevation, to prevaile against this ice, yet must it be 

 broken before it can be dissolved, which cannot be but 

 through the long continuance of the sunne above their 

 Horizon, and by that time the Sommer would be so farre 

 spent, and so great darkenes and cold ensue, that no man 

 could be able to endure so cold, darke, and discomfortable 

 a navigation, if it were possible for him then, and there 

 to live. 



1 1 Further, the ice being once broken, it must of 

 force so drive with the windes and tides, that no ship 

 can saile in those seas, seeing our Fishers of Island, and 

 the New found land, are subject to danger through the 

 great Islands of Ice which fleete in the Seas (to the sailers 

 great danger) farre to the South of that presupposed 

 passage. 



12 And it cannot be that this Northeast passage should 

 be any neerer the South, then before recited, for then 

 it should cut off Ciremissi, & Turbi Tartari, with 

 Uzesucani, Chisani, and others from the Continent of 

 Asia, which are knowen to be adjoyning to Scythia, 

 Tartaria, &c. with the other part of the same Continent. 



And if there were any thorowe passage by the 

 Northeast, yet were it to small ende and purpose for 

 our trafBque, because no shippe of great burden can 

 Navigate in so shallow a Sea: and ships of small burden [III. 19. 

 are very unfit & unprofitable, especially towards the 

 blustering North, to performe such a voyage. 



[To proove 

 vii 177 M 



