THE LAUNCH. 
CHAPTER xi. 
NAVIGATION OF HUDSON BAY. 
THE question of the navigation of Hudson bay and Hudson 
strait has been before the Canadian public for a period extend- 
ing back almost to the time of Confederation. An answer to 
this question has become more and more pressing, as the latent 
wealth of the grain-fields of the Northwest has been proved, and 
as the present means of transport of this great volume of grain 
to the eastward become yearly less capable of handling it expe- 
ditiously and cheaplv. 
Within the past few years the yield of Northwest grain 
has increased enormously, and a second line of rails is being 
