374 SIMPSON'S EXFLOEA TIONS— 1836-S9. 



estuary ! " We now know, through the brilliant discoveries of Dr John Rae, 

 that the great peninsula of Boothia is united to the continent ; but in 1839 

 it was thought by many that this peninsula was cut off from the mainland by 

 a strait running from Boothia Gulf eastward into the Arctic Sea. This sup- 

 posed strait was the one missing link wanted to complete the North- West 

 Passage, by connecting Regent Inlet with the now completely explored shore 

 of the Polar Sea, With the view of ascertaining whether such a strait existed, 

 Simpson resolved to continue his explorations farther east, and calling the 

 men together, he explained his intention. Three of the party volunteered 

 to accompany him. Nothing is more characteristic of Simpson than his 

 rapidity and directness, and on this occasion he displayed his wonted 

 promptitude. Having selected his volunteers, he ordered supper ; and this 

 being despatched, he at once set out, at nine p.m., on the 16th September, for 

 the farthest visible land on the north-east. After rowing for six hours, the 

 party neared the high land to which their course had been directed, and at 

 sunrise on the 17th Simpson climbed the cape, and saw that the coast turned 

 sharply and decidedly eastward. Thence, round to the north-west, stretched 

 a sea free of ice and land. Naming the headland from which he had obtained 

 this cheering prospect. Cape Britannia (lat. 68° 3' N., long. 95° 41' W.), the 

 leaders again ordered an advance. On the 19th they sailed along in a north- 

 east direction for thirty miles to Cape Selkirk, a headland of lime and sand- 

 stone, through which huge granite boulders of every grain and hue pro- 

 truded. At night several flocks of Canada geese flew over the tents to the 

 southward, a sure sign that winter was rapidly approaching. On the next 

 day, the 20th, the wind was adverse, and after struggling on against the 

 wind among shoals and breakers for three miles, the boats were steered into 

 a small river for shelter. " It was now quite evident to us, even in our 

 most sanguine mood," says Simpson, " that the time was come for com- 

 mencing our return to the distant Coppermine River, and that any further 

 foolhardy perseverance could only lead to the loss of the whole party, and 

 also of the great objects which we had so successfully achieved. The men 

 were therefore directed to construct another monument in commemoration 

 of our visit ; while Mr Dease and I walked to an eminence three miles off, 

 to see the further trending of the coast." They could see along the shore 

 of the continent to the distance of five miles, at which point the coast 

 appeared to bend eastward. Far out in the oflfing they beheld a number of 

 large islands, and more distant still, in the north-east, appeared a lofty ridge 

 of blue land, which they named Cape Sir John Ross. 



The small stream in which the boats had taken refuge was named after 

 them the River Castor and Pollux. Its mouth is in lat. 68° 28' N., long. 

 94° 14' W. From this point the explorers now prepared immediately to 

 return. The strong wind that had forbidden their advance filled their sails. 



Digitized by IVIicrosoft® 



