OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 



95 



our expectations had been built, did not come from this opening as appear- 1821. 

 ances had led us to suppose, but from the eastward, passing to the southward v^^l; 

 of the island, and then receiving a check from some shoals and islets, which 

 caused it to sweep round almost at a right angle, assuming the appearance of 

 a south-western tide by which we had lately been deceived. This was made 

 apparent by our now meeting the ebb setting against us at the rate of a mile 

 an hour, which unfavourable indication was shortly after confirmed by our 

 reaching the head of this little branch of the sea, which is six miles in length 

 and three-quarters of a mile in its general breadth, and was named by Mr. 

 Ross's desire Culgrufp Creek. We landed just before sunset, and knowing 

 that we could not repass the point below as long as the ebb was running, I 

 sent Messrs. Ross and Bushnan to a high hill in the neighbourhood, with the 

 hope of their obtaining a good view to the south-westward before dark ; but 

 it being already dusk before they reached the summit, and the prospect 

 being somewhat obstructed by intervening land, no information that then 

 seemed of much importance was thus gained. Near the entrance to this 

 creek, on the north shore, is a hill of a remarkable shape, seen at a consider- 

 able distance to the eastward. 



We left the beach at five A.M. on the 14th, and arrived at the point at half- Frid. 14. 

 past six, when we found the stream of ebb setting so strongly against us as to 

 render it impracticable to stem it with the oars and sails. Finding therefore 

 after breakfast that much time must be lost if we waited for low water, we 

 attempted the expedient of " tracking" the boats round the point which, after 

 one or two narrow escapes on account of the breaking sea occasioned by the 

 tide, was safely effected in half an hour ; and at nine o'clock, having re-loaded 

 the boats, we once more embarked on the opposite side of the point. 



There now remained to be examined only a small portion of the opposite 

 or eastern shore, which from Rendezvous Island had appeared to present an 

 opening. The direction of this coast was indeed diametrically opposite to 

 that in which it was our object to find a passage for the ships; but as it was 

 impossible to judge what turnings the land might there take, I determined 

 to persevere in the plan I had from the first pursued, of leaving no part of the 

 coast without actual and close examination. Rowing therefore across the 

 tide, and passing the point which seemed to form one side of the mouth of 

 the opening we were now to examine, the direction of the land led us to 

 the E.S.E. A little before noon, after passing some low sandy islands which 

 occupy the greater part of the entrance, we landed to obtain the meridian 



