ROSS'S SECOND VOYAGE. 60S 



Back, forgetful of their long life and death struggle with famine 

 (1819), had once more (1825) with heroic perseverance bent 

 their steps to the north. This time they chose the mouths of 

 the Mackenzie for the starting-point of their discoveries, and 

 having separated into two parties, proceeded to the east and 

 west, and explored 4000 miles of unknown coast. 



In 1829 Captain John Eoss, having for a long time vainly- 

 solicited government to send him out once more on an Arctic ex- 

 pedition, was enabled by the munificence of a private individual, 

 Mr. Felix Booth, to accomplish his wishes, and to purchase a 

 small steamer, to which the rather presumptuous name of 

 *' Victory " was given. The selection of the vessel was no doubt 

 unlucky enough ; for can anything be conceived more unpractical 

 than paddle-boxes among ice-blocks ; but, to make amends for 

 this error, the veteran commander was fortunate in being 

 accompanied by his illustrious nephew, James Eoss, who with 

 every quality of the seaman united the ardour and knowledge of 

 the most zealous naturalist. 



He it was who discovered the peninsula which in compliment 

 to the patron of the expedition was named Boothia Felix ; to him 

 also we owe the discovery of the Magnetic Pole ; but the voyage 

 is far less remarkable for these after all not very important 

 successes, than for its unexampled protraction during a space of 

 five years. 



The first season had a fortunate termination. On the 10th of 

 August, 1829, the "Victory" attained Prince Eegent's Inlet, and 

 reached on the 13th the spot where Parry on his third voyage 

 had been obliged to abandon the " Fury." Of the ship itself no 

 traces remained; but the provisions which had providently been 

 stored up on land were found untouched. The solid tin boxes 

 had effectually preserved them from the voracity of the white 

 bears; and the flour, bread, wine, rum, and sugar were found as 

 good after four years, as on the day when the expedition started. 



It was to this discovery, to this " manna in the wilderness," 

 that Eoss owed his subsequent preservation ; for how else could 

 he have passed four winters in the Arctic waste ? Never was the 

 hand of Providence more distinctly visible than here. 



On the 15th of August Cape Garry was attained, the most 

 southern point of the inlet which Parry had reached on his third 

 voyage. Fogs and drift-ice considerably retarded the progress 



