288 CRUISE OF THE NEPTUNE 



In the track across Hudson bay the depth of water varies 

 from fifty to two hundred fathoms, while the approach to the 

 low shores of Coats and Mansfield and those of the western 

 mainland is signalled by the gradual lessening of the depth of 

 water, which gives ample warning to ships approaching the land. 



It will be seen from the above description that there is no 

 natural difficulty in the navigation of the bay and strait so far 

 as the depth of Avater, presence of obstructions and width of 

 channel are concerned, and if situated in a more southern 

 region the route would be an ideal one for the navigator. 



The western coast of Hudson bay is low and flat. It rises 

 very slowly inland from swampy shores, while the water 

 deepens slowly, and there are numerous shoals and bars that 

 extend for a considerable distance from the shore-line and 

 render coastwise navigation dangerous. This character of coast 

 extends from the southern end of James bay to beyond the 

 mouth of Churchill harbour. Further north the character of 

 the coast changes somewhat, being still low, but much more 

 uneven in outline, with a corresponding unevenness in the sea- 

 bottom. Beyond Eskimo point, in 61 1ST. latitude, the straight 

 shores of the southward give place to a ragged coast-line broken 

 by large bays, and fringed with rocky islands having shallow 

 water between them, and a broken bottom very dangerous to 

 navigation. On this account, and because of the danger from 

 outlying shoals and strong currents, the navigation of Chester- 

 field inlet and that of the other northern bays and harbours is 

 debarred from consideration. 



The mouths of all the large rivers to the southward of 

 Churchill are more or less blocked by deposits of sand and clay 

 brought down by the streams and deposited in the quieter waters 

 at their mouths in the form of bars Or flat shoals. In conse- 

 quence of these obstructions, only small craft can enter the 

 harbours inside the mouths of these rivers, and larger ships are 



