l899-'00 TRAI^SACTIONS 65 



numerous. Fish are in plenty. The Eskimo designate it "the 

 land of the white bear. ' ' 



Anthracite coal has been found in different parts of the 

 District. Pure copper in large masses was found in the posses- 

 sion of the Eskimo of the Island. Vast petrified forests, capable 

 of being utilized for the adornment of the homes of civilization 

 have been found. Sir Edward Belcher tells of thermal 

 springs and of gold found in North Cornwall. Indications of 

 mineral oil are mentioned by some explorers. It was because of 

 applications for gold areas in Southampton Island that Hon. D. 

 Mills considered that a special transfer of the Island should be 

 made to Canada.* Even those most steeped in utilitarianism will 

 admit that there are possibilities to excite their jaded powers in 

 these but partially explored regions. 



I have left to the imaginations of my hearers the trials and 

 dangers, the exciting events experienced by these Arctic ex- 

 plorers in thus discovering the boundaries of the District of 

 Franklin. From many instances I take but two or three as 

 specimens. 



Captain Eyon sailed from England in the "Griper" in mid- 

 summer, 1825. In August he made the high land of South- 

 ampton Island, and rounding its southern extreme stood up the 

 "Welcome." As they advanced northward their compasses 

 became useless. A heavy sea swept incessantly the crowded 

 decks and a thick fog like a pall covered everything. Three 

 bower anchors and a stream anchor were let go, but before the 

 vessel was brought up by these the water had shoaled to five 

 fathoms and a half. Momentarily expecting that the ebbing of 

 the tide would cause the vessel's destruction, they prepared the 

 boats, and every ofiicer and man drew his lot with the greatest 

 composure although two of the smaller boats would have been 

 swamped the instant they touched the seething waters. Hour 



*I have merely indicated the more material of the utilities connected with 

 the Arctic possessions of Canada. I have not attempted to point out the ad- 

 vantages to the world at large to be gained by polar exploration, associated 

 as it is with a true understanding of geology, meteorology, terrestrial magne- 

 , tism, and of those departments of science which deal with the flora and fauna 

 of the globe and need the elucidations that are supplied by knowledge of the 

 plant and animal life of the polar regions. 



