VOYAGE OF THE POLARIS (1871) 97 



point in Robeson Channel, in about two and a half days. 

 He had carried his ship much farther north than any 

 ship had ever reached before. 



The barrier of ice had now been reached, and it became 

 necessary to search for a harbour. Steaming southwards, 

 a little bay was seen, but after two attempts to enter it, 

 Hall had to acknowledge defeat. He named it " Repulse 

 Harbour. " 



Budington wished the Polaris to take winter quarters 

 in Newman Bay, but Hall decided to try and reach the 

 west coast. After boring for a distance of 12 miles, 

 the Polaris was beset, and was not released until the 4th 

 September, when a course was made for the eastern shore. 

 On the 5th September the anchor was dropped about 

 300 yards from shore, in latitude 81° 37', and about 

 4 miles south of Cape Lupton. 



Hall named Robeson Channel after the Secretary to 

 the Navy, and the Harbour was named "Thank-God 

 Harbour." 



A large quantity of provisions and stores was now 

 landed, and preparations were at once made to explore 

 the surrounding neighbourhood. 



Traces of Esquimaux were soon found ; and on the 6th 

 September, Hall and some of his companions ascended 

 Cape Lupton, from which Robeson Channel could be seen 

 as far as Cape Union. The bay extending from Cape 

 Lupton to Cape Budington was named " Polaris Bay." 



A hunting-party was sent out on 18th September. It 

 returned on the 23rd, and reported having killed a musk- 

 ox. This was very interesting news, as it was the first 

 musk-ox ever seen on the west coast of Greenland. 



On 10th October, Captain Hall, Mr. Chester, and the 



Esquimaux Joe and Hans started on a sledge-journey 



towards the north. On the 15th, Hall camped in sight 



of a bay which he named " Newman Bay." On the 18th, 



7 



