A Proposed Two Years' Expedition. 479 



But the survey would be the principal and most important 

 occupation. To facilitate this, a small but strong steam launch 

 should be taken with the expedition. The party could accomplish 

 a very complete outline survey of the coasts of the Strait and the 

 islands in it, and define their proper positions on the map, so that a 

 reliable chart of the route could be produced for the use of navi- 

 gators who might wish to enter those waters. This part of the 

 proposed work becomes more important when we remember that, if 

 the construction of a railway from Manitoba to Hudson's Bay is 

 undertaken, one of the most important points of operation will 

 necessarily be Churchill, to which port a great quantity of the iron 

 and other material and supplies necessary for that undertaking will 

 be shipped from England direct through Hudson Strait. 



Moreover such a permanent expedition would be able to make a 

 thorough examination into the value of the fisheries of those waters. 

 We are already aware that whale, porpoise, walrus, seal, salmon, and 

 trout fishing are carried on in that region by the employes of the 

 Hudson's Bay Company, and by Americans, with considerable profit, 

 and with reliable information as to the extent to which these indus- 

 tries could be developed, if favourable, their increase would follow 

 greatly to the advantage of Canada. 



But, above all, the experiences and records of such an expedition 

 would forever settle the question of the navigation of Hudson's Bay 

 and Strait. It would then be known just how early in the year a 

 steam vessel could enter from the north Atlantic, or from Hudson's 

 Bay, into the Strait, and how late in the season it is possible and safe 

 to navigate those waters. 



The first winter might be spent in the open waters of Hudson's 

 Bay, near the entrance to the Strait, so that by constant observation 

 the question as to whether or not the entrance is ever blocked with 

 ice for any considerable period. The second winter could be spent 

 at the entrance from the North Atlantic, so as to settle the other 

 question as to what extent the ice-floes from Davis Strait interfere 

 with navigation in that quarter. I am mentioning safe winter 

 quarters in case it is found that the Strait cannot be entered during 

 the winter ; but, if the middle of January should overtake the expe- 



