2 M'Keevor's Voyage to Hudson's Bay. \: 



like the generality of sea-affairs, too trivial to become interest- 

 ing 1 , and too unvaried to afford amusement. The wind conti- 

 nued fair, and the weather extremely fine, so that on an 

 average we made about 150 miles each day. 



Thursday, July the 2d. Early in the morning 1 , we observed 

 a strange sail, which the captain at first apprehended might 

 be an enemy ; but, on nearer approach, he discovered her to 

 be the King George, one of the Hudson's Bay company's ships, 

 commanded by Captain Turner : a short time after, we ob- 

 served another vessel, which we found to be the Eddystone, 

 the property of the same company, commanded by Cantain 

 Ramsay. At nine o'clock, A. M. they continued to bear down 

 upon us in full sail. About ten we spoke the King George ; 

 and, shortly after, the Eddystone, lat. as observed, 57 43' N.; 

 we continued in company for a couple of hours. Our vessel, 

 however, being much better adapted for quick sailing, we, in 

 a short time, left them completely behind. 



Sunday, July the 12th. Weather very thick and hazy, ac- 

 companied with constant drizzling rain. Wind continues fair. 

 The air feels very cold, owing, as the captain suspects, 

 to our being near ice. About half past one, the man at the 

 helm said he saw land. Owing to the very unfavourable 

 state of the weather, we remained for a considerable time in 

 suspense. The captain does not think that this can possibly 

 be the case. At length, however, from its very striking ap- 

 pearance, he was induced to send for his telescope ; is still 

 rather doubtful ; if land, he thinks, it must be Cape Farewell,* 

 in which case we are 200 miles behind where we supposed our- 

 selves to be. In the end, it appeared to be merely what the 

 seamen call a Cape Fly-away. 



About two o'clock the captain, having got an interval of 

 fine weather, set about making an observation, which satis- 

 fied him that we were then past the entrance to Davis's 

 Straits. About four o'clock we saw a young whale. 



Monday, July the 13th. The weather continues thick and 

 hazy, with much rain, but little wind ; helm lashed. Air 

 still feels very cold, especially on going aloft. 



About nine o'clock, P. M., two men were stationed at the 

 bow of the vessel, that immediate notice might be given of the 

 appearance of ice. The captain, before goin<* to bed, gave 

 orders that ice-anchors, boat-hooks, &c. should be got in rea- 

 diness. Twelve o'clock, P. M., wind increased, going about 



* Cape Farewell, the southern extremity of Greenland, is situated in 

 lat 50 38' N., and long. 42 W. 



