Polar Explorations. 135 



temperature for one hundred and thirty one successive days, 

 was below zero. 



The latitude of the observatory at Port Bowen is 73° 13'. 

 This winter passed hke those which preceded it ; the officers 

 were equally attentive to the regulations established on board 

 the ships, and equally diligent in scientific collections and 

 observations. Their amusements and occupations had not 

 now the merit of novelty, but were in some degree analo- 

 gous to the season. 



Less of animal life was seen at this station, than at any one 

 visited by the expedition. Capt. Parry observes that " the 

 presence of man seemed an intrusion on that dreary solitude 

 which even its native animals had forsaken." No Esqui- 

 maux appeared, for days together; except a single seal, or 

 sea horse, no animal was visible on this coast. 



After sawing a channel for the release of the ships, they 

 found themselves on the 19th of July, once more at liberty. 

 The remainder of the season was devoted to the same untiring 

 efforts to push their way, as on former summers, but the re- 

 lentless opposition of the ice, rendered their exertions of little 

 value. In the latter part of August the Fury was shipwrecked, 

 and after transferring the men, and as many stores as could 

 be received on board the Hecla, Capt. Parry found it neces- 

 sary to return to England. 



Upon the subject of that catastrophe, this undaunted com- 

 mander remarks, that it was not an event to excite surprise 

 in the minds of those acquainted with the true nature of 

 this kind of navigation. To any thus qualified to judge, it 

 is plain that an occurrence of this kind, was rather to be 

 expected than otherwise. Our previous exemption from se- 

 rious damage had induced the erroneous notion, that our 

 ships were proof against any pressure from the ice. I con- 

 fess, that though a moment's reflection would contradict 

 such a notion, I often felt a degree of confidence in their 

 strength, too nearly approaching to presumption. While we 

 trust that it will appear that our own endeavours have nev- 

 er been wanting to preserve the ships committed to our 

 charge, we also feel and acknowledge that it has not been 

 " our own arm" nor " our own strength" to " which we have 

 so long owed their preservation." 



Capt. Parry does not despair of the North West passage, 

 but believes "it will be ultimately accomplished," and adds, 

 " I shall be happy if my labours as pioneer shall contribute 



