MARTIN FROBISHER a.d. 



1577- 

 neere the supposed continent with America : and on the 

 other side, opposite to the same, one other Island called 

 Halles Isle, after the name of the Master of the ship, 

 neere adjacent to the firme land, supposed continent 

 with Asia. Betweene the which two Islands there is a 

 large entrance or streight, called Frobishers streight, after Frobisken 

 the name of our Generall, the first finder thereof. This sfte ' s *' 

 said streight is supposed to have passage into the sea 

 of Sur, which I leave unknowen as yet. 



It seemeth that either here, or not farre hence, the sea 

 should have more large entrance, then in other parts 

 within the frozen or untemperate Zone : and that some 

 contrary tide, either from the East or West, with maine 

 force casteth out that great quantity of yce, which 

 commeth floting from this coast, even unto Friseland, 

 causing that Countrey to seeme more untemperate then 

 others, much more Northerly then the same. 



I cannot judge that any temperature under the Pole, 



the time of the Sunnes Northerne declination being halfe 



a yere together, and one whole day, (considering that the 



Sunnes elevation surmounteth not 23. degrees and 30. 



minuts) can have power to dissolve such monstrous and 



huge yce, comparable to great mountaines, except by Islands of yce 



some other force, as by swift currents and tides, with com P ara e t0 

 ill r 1 • 1 1 r i ir mountaines. 



the helpe or the said day or halre a yeere. 



Before we came within the making of these lands we 

 tasted cold stormes, in so much that it seemed we had 

 changed summer with winter, if the length of the dayes 

 had not remooved us from that opinion. 



At our first comming, the streights seemed to be shut 

 up with a long mure of yce, which gave no litle cause of 

 discomfort unto us all : but our Generall, (to whose ( ?. a %* am * Ft0 ~ 

 diligence imminent dangers, and difficult attempts seemed cLll care and 

 nothing, in respect of his willing mind, for the com- diligence for 

 moditie of his Prince and Countrey,) with two little the benefite of 

 Pinnesses prepared of purpose, passed twise thorow h" Prince and 

 them to the East shore, and the Islands thereunto 

 adjacent : and the ship, with the two Barks lay off and 



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