OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 



471 



Mr. Edwards's reply, with which in substance that of Mr. Skeoch coincided, 1823 - 

 . . . August 



is here given, as being at once more concise as to expression, and of minutely 



greater weight as to opinion, than any remarks I could myself have offered on 



this subject. 



During the last winter and subsequently, the aspect of the crew of the 

 Fury in general, together with the increased number and character of their 

 complaints, strongly indicated that the peculiarity of the climate and service 

 was slowly effecting a serious decay of their constitutional powers. The 

 recent appearance also of several cases of incipient scurvy in the most fa- 

 vourable month of the year, and occurring after a more liberal and continued 

 use of fresh animal food than we can calculate upon procuring hereafter, are 

 confirmatory proofs of the progression of the evil. 



" With a tolerable prospect of eventual success, other circumstances 

 remaining unchanged, I should yet expect an increase of general debility, 

 with a corresponding degree of sickness, though at the same time confident 

 of our resources being equal to obviate serious consequences. But consi- 

 dering the matter in the other point of view, namely, as a single ship, it 

 assumes a much more important shape. It is not necessary that I should 

 dwell on the altered circumstances in which the crew would then be placed, 

 as they are such as you must long ago have foreseen and weighed. I allude 

 to the increase of labour and exposure resulting from the separation of the 

 vessels, the privation of many salutary occupations, mental and corporeal, 

 attending their union, and, I may add, at this late period of the season, the 

 hopelessness of the success of the ensuing navigation being such as to excite 

 feelings sufficiently lively to counteract those depressing causes. It is im- 

 possible, in fact, to reflect on the subject and not to apprehend a less favour- 

 able result than might be expected under the preceding conditions." 



Enclosing to Captain Lyon the replies of the medical gentlemen, I now 

 also requested his opinion whether, under existing circumstances, he still 

 considered it expedient to adopt the measure originally intended, with respect 

 to the separation of the two ships. I had scarcely despatched a letter to this 

 effect when, at ten A.M. on the 8th, the ice about the Fury began to snove, 

 the pools breaking up, and the gravelled canal soon entirely closing. A 

 breeze springing up from the northward at this time, all sail was made 

 upon the ship, and the ice gradually driving out as it detached itself from the 

 shore, the Fury got into open water about one P.M. The Hecla, however, 

 still remained in the middle of her winter's floe, which, though it moved a 



