OF HUDSON'S STRAIT. 21 



mast, were filled with casks^ hawsers^ whale- 1824. 

 lines, and stream-cables, while on our straight- August. 

 ened lower deck we were obliged to place 

 casks and other stores^ in every part but that 

 allotted to the ship's company's mess tables ; 

 and even my cabin had a quantity of things 

 stowed away in it. The launch was filled 

 high above her gunwales with various ar- 

 ticles^ and our chains and waist were lumbered 

 with spars^ spare plank^, sledges^ wheels, ^c. 

 Our draught of Avater aft was now sixteen 

 feet one inch, and forward fifteen feet ten 

 inches. 



This account of our crowded state may lead 

 to a supposition that I carried out a larger 

 portion of stores than was absolutely requisite ; 

 but I may in a few words explain my reasons 

 for having endeavoured to carry all the sup- 

 plies which the Snap brought across the At- 

 lantic for us. 



Our stay in the Polar regions must of ne- 

 cessity have been above one year and a half, 

 even supposing that my journey to Point 

 Turnagain had been performed with the 

 greatest expedition ; but had I encountered dif- 

 ficulties, and experienced those delays on my 

 return to the Griper, which are unavoidable 



