128 Polar Explorations. 



In 1819, two expeditions were ordered, one by land under 

 the direction of Capt. Franklin of the royal navy, and the 

 other by sea under the command of Capt. Parry. Capt. 

 Franklin was instructed to proceed to the mouth of the Cop- 

 permine River (discovered in 1771 by Mr. Hearne) which falls 

 into the arctic sea in 69° N. 110° W. and thence to navigate 

 the coast of that sea east, if possible, until it washes the 

 north eastern shores of America. 



Capt. Parry was placed in command of two ships, the 

 Hecla and Griper^ which were strengthened in every possi- 

 ble way to adapt them to such a perilous service. The 

 number of men amounted to ninety four, including Capt. 

 Sabine, astronomer to the expedition, and the officers of 

 both ships. They were munificently provided with every 

 thing to defend them from the rigors of the climate, with 

 provisions and stores for two years, and a large supply of 

 preserved fresh meats in tin cases, lemon juice, sour krout, 

 and other approved anti-scorbutics. They were furnished 

 with philosophical instruments, and numerous presents to 

 conciliate any savages with whom they might fall in, or to 

 procure further supplies. Nothing was omitted that might 

 contribute to the success of the enterprise, or to the health 

 and comfort of those engaged in it. 



In May the ships left England, and arrived on the 18th of 

 June at the margin of the icy barrier which is perpetual in 

 the centre of Baffin's Bay. This immense body of ice con- 

 sisting of detached masses of all dimensions, closely packed 

 together, is from eighty to one hundred and fifty miles in 

 breadth. The swelling of the sea, the shifting of the wind, 

 and perhaps the force of unknown currents, are continually 

 changing the position of the pieces, occasionally opening 

 lanes of water, and as quickly closing them, sometimes per- 

 mitting the ships an unobstructed passage of a hundred 

 yards, and then requiring as many hours to make half the dis- 

 tance. By availing themselves of these openings, and by 

 sawing passages through immovable floes, also by pushing 

 the ships through the ice whenever it was much broken, 

 these daring navigators crossed this extraordinary barrier in 

 forty one days. This was not effected without the most im- 

 minent perils. They were repeatedly beset, and the roll of 

 the sea often forced the heavy ice against the rudder with 

 such violence, as to threaten the ships, strengthened as they 

 were, with instant destruction. 



