20 CRUISE OF THE NEPTUNE 



grounding, when beyond the sight of the low shores. The 

 proximity to the magnetic pole accounts for the sluggishness 

 of the compass in these waters, where no reliance can be placed 

 on it. This, with the uncharted, low coast, bare of prominent 

 landmarks, renders the approach to any of the harbours uncer- 

 tain and dangerous. 



Inland from the shores the country rises slowly ; indeed, the 

 general elevation does not increase towards the interior above 

 ten feet a mile, while along the shores there are no hills more 

 than fifty feet high. 



Our instructions were to find, and, if possible, to pass, the 

 winter in company with the American whaling ship known to 

 be in Hudson bay. The whalers formerly wintered at Marble 

 island, or at Depot island ; the former is to the southward of the 

 mouth of Chesterfield inlet, the latter close to the entrance of 

 Winchester inlet. Marble island has long been abandoned, 

 chiefly on account of its insufficient water supply. Within the 

 last few years a more convenient harbour was found close to 

 Cape Fullerton, and the large launch was fitted out to search 

 for it, the Era not being in the harbour at Depot island. 



A strong gale lasted from the 18th to the 22nd, and we were 

 very lucky to be in such a good harbour. While awaiting 

 an abatement of the gale, several Eskimos came overland to the 

 ship, and were taken aboard. They were from Cape Fullerton, 

 and were going inland from Winchester inlet to kill barren- 

 ground caribou for their winter clothing. They had seen the 

 ship as she passed, but could not reach us with their whaleboats 

 owing to the gale. We learned from them that the Era was 

 already in winter quarters at Fullerton. This information 

 rendered the proposed trip in the launch useless, and it was 

 therefore determined to send her up Chesterfield inlet, as the 

 only place where a sufficient supply of deerskins for our winter 

 clothing could be procured from the natives. The services of 



