202 Thirty Years 



of navigation, with some danger and more anxiety, we 

 landed and encamped on a smooth rocky point ; from 

 whence we perceived, with much satisfaction, that the 

 ice consisted only of detached pieces, which would be 

 removed by the first breeze. We sounded in seven- 

 teen fathoms, close to the shore, this day. The least 

 depth ascertained by the lead, since our departure 

 from the river, was six fathoms ; and it m'ay be remark- 

 ed, that any ship might pass safely between the 

 islands and the main. The water is of a light green 

 color, 'but not very clear ; and it is much less salt than 

 that of the Atlantic, judging from our recollection of 

 its taste. In the course of the day we saw geese and 

 ducks with their young, and two deer ; and experien- 

 ced very great variations of temperature, from tho 

 light breezes blowing alternately from the ice and the 

 land. Tho name of " Lawford's Islands" was bestow- 

 ed on a group we passed in the course of Ihe day, as a 

 mark of my resjiect for Vice- Admiral Lawford, under 

 whose auspices I first entered the naval service. 



A fresh breeze blowing through the night had 

 driven the ice from the land, and opened a channel of 

 a mile in width ; we therefore embarked at nine A.M. 

 to pursue our journey along the coast, but at the <lis- 

 tance "I' Dine miles were obliged (>> seek shelter i;i 

 Port Epworth, the wind having become adverse, ami 

 too strong t" admit of our proceeding. The Tree 



