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396 AVOYAGETO 



^y^- . large bay, on the South fide of which we were now at an- 

 _"I' . chor ; and where we had from twelve to five fathoms, from 

 half-flood to high-water. 



After we had entered the bay, the flood fet ftrong into the 

 river Turnagain ; and ebb came out with ftill greater force ; 

 the water falling, while we lay at anchor, twenty feet upon 

 a perpendicular. Thefe circumftances convinced me, that 

 no paflage was to be expedled by this fide river, any more 

 than by the main branch. However, as the water during 

 the ebb, though very confiderably freflier, had ftill a ftrong; 

 degree of fahnefs, it is but reafonable to fuppofe, that both 

 thefe branches are navigable by fliips, much farther than 

 we examined them ; and that by means of this river, and its 

 feveral branches, a very extenfive inland communication lies 

 open. We had traced it as high as the latitude of 61° 30', 

 and the longitude of 2 1 o" ; which is feventy leagues, or more, 

 from its entrance, without feeing the leaft appearance of its 

 fource. 



If the difcovery of this great river*, which promifes to 

 vie with the moft confidcrable ones already known to be 

 capable of extenfive inland navigation, fhould prove of ufe 

 cither to the prefent, or to any future age, the time we fpent 

 in it ought to be the Icfs regretted. But to us, who had a 

 much greater object; in view, the delay thus occafioned was- 

 an efl^cntial lofs. The feafon was advancing apace. We 

 knew not how far we might have to proceed to the South; 

 and we were now convinced, that the continent of North 

 America extended farther to the Weft, than, from the mo- 



* Captain Cook having here left a blank which he had not filled up with any parti- 

 cular name. Lord Sandwich direclcd, with the grcateft propriety, tiiat it Ihould be 

 called Ceok'i Rivtr. 



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