60 THE ICE AGE IN NORTH AMERICA. 



impeded by the ice. From the east point of this branch, 

 which I have called Point Dundas, situated in latitude 58° 21', 

 longitude 224° 1', the coast takes an irregular east-northeast 

 direction about seven miles to a point whence this branch of 

 the [Cross] Sound appeared to be very extensive in an east- 

 southeast point of view, and was upward of three leagues across. 

 The party proceeded from Point Dundas to this station, 

 through a channel from two to three miles in width, between 

 the continental shore and an island about seven miles long 

 and three miles broad, lying in a northeast and southwest di- 

 rection. This spacious inlet presented to our party an ardu- 

 ous task, as the space between the shores on the northern and 

 southern sides seemed to be entirely occupied by one compact 

 sheet of ice as far as the eye could distinguish. ... To 

 the north and east of this point the shores of the continent 

 form two large open bays, which were terminated by compact 

 solid mountains of ice, rising perpendicularly from the water's 

 edge, and bounded to the north by a continuation of the united 

 lofty frozen mountains that extend eastward from Mount Fair- 

 weather. In these bays also were great quantities of broken 

 ice, which, having been put in motion by the springing up of 

 a northerly wind, was drifted to the southward, and, forcing 

 the boats from the northern shore, obliged them to take shel- 

 ter round the northeast point of the above island. This made 

 Mr. Whidbey apprehensive that the still apparent connected 

 body of ice, from side to side, would at length oblige him to 

 abandon his researches by this route, unless he should find it 

 possible to force a passage through this formidable obstruc- 

 tion. 



In attempting this, the party succeeded far beyond their 

 expectations, for they gained an open navigation, and by four 

 in the afternoon arrived at a low and nearly round island 

 about two leagues in circuit, lying from the former island 

 north 83° east, distant three leagues. This island is moder- 

 ately elevated, its shores pleasant and easy of access, and well 

 stocked with timber, mostly of the pine tribe. It presented a 

 much more inviting appearance than they had been accustomed 

 to behold, and the weather being more favorable than for 

 some time past, they continued along the continental shore, 



