OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 473 



menced; I am also aware that the same scorbutic symptoms have been '823. 

 noticed, and do still exist, in the Fury. . ^^r^ 



" Our long continuance on one particular diet, almost total deprivation of 

 fresh animal and vegetable food for above two years, and the necessary and 

 close confinement for several months of each severe winter, are undoubtedly 

 the causes of the general alteration of constitution which has for some time 

 past been so evident. I therefore conceive that a continued exposure to the 

 same deprivations and confinements, the solitude of a single ship, and the 

 painful monotony of a third winter to men whose health is precarious, would 

 in all probability be attended with very serious consequences. 



" When at the commencement of the last winter I gave it as my opinion, 

 that the service would be benefited by your remaining out in tlie Fury, as 

 you proposed, and still attempting a further passage to the westward, I did 

 not anticipate so long a confinement in the ice as Ave have unfortunately 

 experienced, and formed my opinion on the supposition, and in the full 

 expectation that we should be at liberty about the 1st of July of this year, and 

 that the general good health which then prevailed would still continue. From 

 our being detained until the present time, however, I am of opinion that the 

 season in which it is possible to navigate has now so far passed, that nothing 

 material can be cfFcctcd cither by one or both ships. We know from the 

 experience of last year, that it is not before the end of August or the beginning 

 of September that the ice breaks up in the Strait of the Fury and Hecla, and 

 that it is not until that period that you will be enabled to re-examine its 

 western entrance. Even when you should have done so and, as there is 

 every reason to expect, found it still closed, you would have barely sufficient 

 time to return to Igloolik to pass another winter. Again, should the sea 

 prove open to the south-eastward, and should you deem it expedient to 

 attempt, by rounding the very extensive land in that direction, to find some 

 other passage to the westward, I conceive that the extreme lateness of the 

 season would not admit of your making discoveries of any importance, or at 

 all events of such importance as to warrant your passing a third winter, at 

 the risk of the safety of your officers and crew. 



" Having now stated my reasons for changing my former opinion, I beg to 

 advise that the Fury and Hecla return to England together as soon as such 

 arrangements respecting the removal of stores and provisions as you may 

 judge proper to make shall be completed." 



Under such circumstances, to which may be added the uncertainty of 



3 P 



