140 'INVESTIGATOR,' 1852-531. 



On October 4th, Mr. Court was sent to connect the position of 

 the ship with the Point reached by Lieutenant Cresswell in May, 

 which was distant only 18 miles. He reported open water a few 

 miles from the shore. 



On April 11th, 1852, Sir K. M'Clure proceeded to Melville Island, 

 and reached Winter Harbour on the 28th, and returned to the ship 

 on the 9th of May. 



On August 10th, lanes of water were observed to seaward, and 

 along the cliffs of Banks Land there was a clear space of 6 miles 

 in width, extending along them as far as the eye could reach. On 

 the 12th the wind, which had been for some time to the north, 

 veered to the south, which had the effect of separating the sea-ice 

 from that of the bay entirely across the entrance, but shortly shift- 

 ing to the north, it closed again, and never after moved. On 

 the 20th the temperature fell to 27°, when the entire bay was 

 completely frozen over. During this summer the sun was scarcely 

 seen, and Captain M'Clure states in his Journal: "nor do I imagine 

 that the Polar Sea has broken up this season." On the 24th of 

 September, the anniversary of their arrival in Mercy Bay, the 

 thermometer stood at 2°, with no water in sight, whereas they 

 entered the bay with the thermometer at 33°, and not a particle of 

 ice in it. 



On April 7th, 1853, Lieutenant Pirn reached the Investigator from 

 the Besolute ; Captain M'Clure left that vessel on the same day, 

 and reached the Besolute on the 19th. 



Lieutenant Cresswell left the Investigator on April 15th, and 

 reached the Besolute on May 2nd, and the North Star at Beechey 

 Island on June 2nd. 



Sir B. M l Clare's Bernards. — The currents along the coasts of the 

 Polar Sea appear to be influenced in their direction more or less 

 by the winds, but certainly on the west side of Baring Island there 

 is a permanent set to the eastward, at one time we found it as 

 much as two knots during a perfect calm ; and that the flood-tide 

 sets from the westward we have ascertained beyond a 'doubt, as 

 the opportunities afforded during our detention along the western 

 shore of this island gave ample proof. 



The prevailing winds along the American shore and in the 

 Prince of Wales Strait we found to be north-east, but upon this 

 coast from south-south-west to north-west. A ship stands no 

 chance of getting to the westward by entering the Polar Sea, the 

 water alongshore being very narrow and wind contrary, and 

 the pack impenetrable, but through Prince of Wales Strait, 



