Polar Explorations. 135 
pedi i en ca one hundred and thirty one successive days, 
was below 
The latitude of the observatory at Port Bowen is 73° 13’. 
This winter passed like those which preceded it; the officers 
vere equally attentive to the regulations established on board 
ships, and equally diligent in scientific collections and 
cbservations Their amusements and occupations had not 
w the merit of Hab but were in some degree analo- 
odes to the seaso 
Less of animal life was seen at this station, than at any one 
visited by the expedition. Capt. Parry observes that “ the 
presence of man seemed an intrusion on that dreary we 
which even its native animals had forsaken.” ¢ ui- 
maux appeared, ay) days together; except! a single seal, or 
sea horse, no mal was visible on this c 
After na Wit: m jdhaiael for the release a the ships, they 
found themselves on the 19th of July, once more at liberty. 
‘The remainder of the season was devoted to mi same prs 
efforts to push their way, as on former summers, but the 
lentless pppoution of the ice, ended their i catinle of little 
| e latter part of August the rtd was shipwrecked, 
and after transferring the men, and as many stores as could 
be received on board the Fate Capt. Parry found it neces- 
sary to return to En lan 
Upon the subject of hd catastrophe, er undaunted com- 
mander remarks, that it was not an event to excite surprise 
in the minds of those —— with: ‘thd true nature of 
this kind of ah oa To any thus qualified to judge, it 
is plain that an occurrence of this kind, was rather to 
expected ns otherwise. Our previous exemption from se- 
rious damage had induced the erroneous notion, that our 
ships were proof against any pressure from the ice. I con- 
fess, that thoug ha moment’s reflection would: contradict 
strength, too nearly approaching to presumption. While we 
trust that x ts appear that our own endeavours have nev- 
een wanting to preserve the ships committed to our 
charge, we sealed feel and acknowledge that it has not been 
“our own arm” nor “ our own sr ngth” to “ which we have 
so long owed their preservatio 
Capt. Parry does not Jenaak e the North West passage, 
but believes “ it will be ultimately accomplished,” and adds, 
“T shall be happy if my labours as pioneer shall contribute 
