[GARRY ] DIARY OF NICHOLAS GARRY 155 
ticable. There being no Wood on the North Side, and very little on the 
South, neither is there Wood in the Interior, in the Vicinity of the 
River, which could be rafted down, either for the building of Stores, or 
Fuel. In the Event of the Athabascan Trade being conducted through 
the Nelson River, a Store could be built on the South Side about 18 
Miles from the Sea, being the only Place there is Wood for 
this Purpose, a Road might be made from York Fort through the Woods 
with great Ease. The Nelson River affords little Shelter for Ships and 












































































































THE WINTERING CREEK IN HAYES RIVER. 
From H, Ellis’s Voyage, 1748. 
is not so well adapted for anchoring in as the five Fathom 
Hole in Hayes or York River owing to the Nelson being very 
shallow and much exposed to the N. W., N. and N. E. Winds 
the Current also being very strong. Any Vessel being obliged 
to winter in Nelson River should take the North Side as it is 
much deeper. One of the three Creeks above Nelson’s Creek about 10 
Miles from the Sea is the most secure Place, but if from the Lateness of 
the Season these Creeks should be stopped by Ice then the most eligible 
Place would be the flat shore on the South Side of the River opposite 
the Factory, the Place where the Brig “ Wear,” Capt. Thomson, win- 
tered. The Nelson is preferable to the Factory River? to winter in as 

1 The vessel so nearly lost on Franklin’s first voyage from England. See First 
Journey of Franklin, vol. i., ch. i 
2 Hayes River, on which York Factory stands. 
