OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 57 



examining those parts, the breadth of this passage into the Welcome, as well '^-'• 

 as the general outline of both coasts to the southward of this, are laid down >-*-r^s/ 

 in the chart, from Captain INIiddleton's account of their relative position, but 

 M'ith their latitudes and longitudes corrected by our observations. Of the 

 exact situation of Cape Frigid there will perhaps always remain some doubt ; 

 but from an attentive examination of Captain Middleton's account, I believe 

 that we cannot be far from the truth in considering it as the northern extreme 

 of Southampton Island, near which we tried for anchorage on the evening of 

 the 20th. After clearing Repulse Bay we came to some ice that the wind 

 was now drifting off the northern shore, which liad before been loaded with 

 it by a breeze from the opposite quarter, so that we were once more fortunate 

 in linding a tolerably clear sea. At the back of this is a bay of considerable 

 size, which I named after the Reverend James H.\vil.\nd, of Bath. The 

 wind continued moderate at night, but widi dark cloudy weather, obliging 

 us to heave-to for several hours, lest any small islands with which we were 

 unacquainted should lie in our way. 



All sail was made at daylight on the 23d along the northern shore of the Thur. 23. 

 Frozen Strait, Avhich here continues about the same height as that of Repulse 

 Bay, and was at this time quite free from snow. At nine A.M. the weather 

 became squally witli thick snow, Avhich rendered great cau.tion necessary in 

 running. Soon afternoon wo perceived, during the intervals of clearer weather 

 which occasionally took place, that the land we were approaching was some- 

 what broken, and in one place appeared to consist only of islands, between 

 which no land was visible at the back. There was something in the appear- 

 ance of this part of the coast which held out so favourable a prospect of a 

 direct passage to the northward, that I determined more closely to examine it. 

 Having beat up to the mouth of an opening which, the nearer we approached, 

 assumed a more and more favourable appearance, we found that a body of ice 

 occupied the greater part of the channel, rendering it impracticable then to enter 

 it either with the ships or the boats. The only mode left, therefore, of examin- 

 ing it without loss of time, was to despatch a party equipped for travelling by 

 land, to ascertain enough of its extent and communications to enable me to 

 decide as to our farther progress. As, however, in their present situation, I 

 did not feel myself justified in leaving the ships, I requested Captain Lyon 

 to undertake this service. He was accompanied by Mr. Bushnan and two 

 seamen from each ship, and was furnished with a tent, blankets, and four 

 days' provisions. In the mean time, as there was very little ice near us 



I 



