ARCTIC VOYAGES, FROM BAFFIN TO M'CLINTOCK. ^.jl 



axis of the globe, Parry had the glory of reaching the highest authenticated 

 latitude ever yet attained (82° 40' 30"). On their return to the " Hecla," which 

 awaited them under Captain Forester in Treurenberg Bay, on the northern 

 coast of Spitzbergen, the boats encountered a dreadful storm on the open sea, 

 which obliged them to bear up for Walden Island — one of the most northerly 

 rocks of the archipelago — where, fortunately, a reserve supply of provisions had 

 been deposited. " Every thing belonging to us," says Sir Edward Pari-y, " was 

 now completely drenched by the spray and snow ; Ave had been fifty-six hours 

 without rest, and forty-eight at work in the boats, so that by the time they Avere 

 unloaded Ave had barely strength to haul them up on the rocks. However, by 

 dint of great exertion, AA^e managed to get the boats above the surf, after which, 

 a hot supper, a blazing fire of drift-Avood, and a fcAV hours' quiet rest restored 

 us." He Avho laments over the degeneracy of the human race, xind supposes it 

 to have been more vigorous or endoAved with greater poAvers of endurance in 

 ancient times, may perhaps come to a different opinion AAdien readiiig of Parry 

 and his companions. 



Thus ended the last of this great navigatoi-'s Arctic voyages. Born in the 

 year 1790, of a family of seamen, Parry at an early age devoted himself, heart 

 and soul, to the profession in Avhich his father had grown old. In his tAventy- 

 eighth year he discovered Melville Island, and his subsequent expedition con- 

 firmed the excellent reputation he had acquired by his first brilliant success. 

 From the years 1829 to 1834 we find him in New South Wales, as Resident 

 Commissioner of the Australian Agricultural Company. In the year 1837 he 

 was appointed to organize the mail-packet service, then transferred to the Ad- 

 miralty, and after filling the post of Captain Superintendent of the Royal Naval 

 Hospital at Haslar, was finally appointed Governor of GreeuAvich Hospital. He 

 died in the summer of 1855 at Ems. 



Ten years had elapsed since Captain John Ross's first unsuccessful voyage, 

 when the veteran seaman, anxious to obliterate the reproach of foi-mer failure 

 by some Avorthy achievement, was enabled, through the munificence of Sir Felix 

 Booth, to accomplish his Avishes. A small Liverpool steamer, bearing the rath- 

 er presumptuous name of the " Victory," was purchased for the voyage, a rather 

 unfortunate selection, for surely nothing can be more unpractical than paddle- 

 boxes among ice-blocks ; but to make amends for this erroi-, the commander of 

 the expedition was foi'tunate in being accompanied by his nephcAv, Commander 

 James Ross, who, with every quality of the seaman, united the zeal of an able 

 naturalist. He it was who, by his Avell-executed sledge journeys, made the 

 chief discoveries of the expedition ; but the voyage of the " Victory " is far less 

 remarkable for successes achieved than for its unexampled protraction during 

 a period of five years. 



The first season ended Avell. On August 10, 1829, the "Victory " entered 

 Prince Regent's Inlet, and reached on the 13th the spot Avhere Parry, on his 

 third voyage, had been obliged to abandon the " Fury." The ship itself had 

 been SAvept away ; but all her sails, stores, and provisions on land Avere found 

 untouched. The hermetically sealed tin canisters in Avhich the flour, meat, bread, 

 wine, spirits, sugar, etc., Avere packed had preserved them ivom the attacks of 



