588 Out North Land. 



" The station at Nachvak Bay could easily be disposed of, as the 

 Newfoundland fishermen already visit the place for the cod fishing, 

 and if it were advertised in the St. John's (Newfoundland) papers, 

 I do not doubt that the Department would get offers for the purchase 

 of the house. 



" The Expedition for next year should be ready to start from 

 Halifax about the 15th of May — not later than this date — and 

 arriving off Hudson Strait about the 1st of June, if possible, visit 

 and relieve the stations. Should the ice prevent our getting on 

 shore, the ship should push on so as to investigate once for all the 

 condition of the ice in the Strait and Bay in the early part of the 

 season. If successful in getting through the Strait, the voyage 

 should be continued to Fort Churchill, the endeavour being made to 

 arrive there about the opening of navigation, the loth of June. 



" After leaving Churchill, the eastern shores of the Bay should 

 be visited, and a running survey made of such portions of the coast 

 as are practicable. Beacons should be erected on the north end of 

 Mansfield Island, and the south end of Southampton Island. Both 

 these islands are low-lying, with shoal water running for some dis- 

 tance out. They are of a dark grey limestone formation, and most 

 difficult to make out at night, the mariner's only safety being the con- 

 stant use of the lead. Especially are they dangerous on account of 

 the tides, which run along the east coast of Mansfield Island at the 

 rate of about four knots per hour. 



" This work could, I think, be accomplished and the ship be back 

 in the Strait by the 15th of August. The remainder of the time 

 should be devoted to making a running survey of such part of the 

 coast of the Strait as may be possible. Capt. Spicer's station 

 should be called at, and if time permitted, the Hudson's Bay post at 

 Ungava should also be visited, the Expedition returning to Canada 

 in October. 



" If, however, the Government regard it more important to 

 investigate the fisheries of the Bay and Strait, the ship should push 

 north for Marble Island as soon as possible, thence to ' The Howe's 

 Welcome.' After spending a short time in ' The Welcome,' the 

 porpoise fishery at Churchill should be examined 



