April 1830. 



OBSTRUCTION SOUND. 



353 



mile ; but he had left a small opening in the N.E. unexplored, 

 which, as our last hope, I thought it necessary to examine ; 

 and he went for that purpose the next morning. Situated as we 

 were, we had great reason to be very earnest in the search for 

 a passage; and, I think, that no channel into the Skyring 

 Water, however small and intricate, would have been left un- 

 attempted at this crisis. During the vesseFs continuance in 

 Easter Bay, the men, who remained on board, were employed 

 in clearing the hold, and completing wood and water to the 

 utmost, in order that we might not be delayed at any anchorage 

 after our departure thence. 



" On the 18th, I went, in a boat, down the opening east of 

 Point Return; and by noon reached Virginia Island. Two miles 

 to the southward the channel branches to the S.E., and to the 

 S. W. ; I followed the latter branch, landing where necessary to 

 continue the angles, and arrived in the evening at the extremity, 

 which was closed by low land ; in the middle was a wide and 

 rapid stream. The slot of a deer was seen along the margin of 

 the shore. Next day we proceeded down the S.E. branch to 

 the Centre Island, thence steered towards an opening that 

 appeared in the S.W., and passing through a narrow winding 

 passage, entered a large bay, which was closed at the bottom 

 by low land, similarly to the branch examined yesterday. 

 Only an opening to the N.E. now remained to be explored ; 

 but night coming on, we hauled up in Tranquil Bay, near 

 the northern extremity. The N.E. opening was found to 

 trend eastward for three miles, and then turn to the S.E., 

 forming an extensive bay, whose shores were encircled by 

 low land, and only separated from Obstruction Sound, by an 

 isthmus two miles broad. Our search being concluded, I has- 

 tened back, and arrived on board the schooner late in the even- 

 ing. Finding Mr. Kirke had not returned, I still entertained 

 some little hope, and the vessel was prepared to move either 

 one way or the other as soon as he came back. 



" Late on the 21st, Mr. Kirke arrived. The opening in the 

 N.E. had been traced for nearly thirty miles from the entrance, 

 first to the N.E., and then to the W.N.W., till it was closed 



VOL. I. 2 a 



