OF THE POLAR SEA. 



21 



along the Labrador coast, and near the dangerous chain of islands, 

 the Sleepers, which are said to extend from the latitude of 60° 10' 

 to 57° 00' N. The press of sail, which of necessity we carried, 

 caused the leak to increase, and the pumps were kept in constant 

 use. 



A favouring wind at length enabled us, on the 25th, to shape our 

 course across Hudson's Eay. Nothing worthy of remark occurred 

 during this passage, except the rapid decrease in the variation of the 

 magnetic needle, which will be seen in a subsequent table, together 

 with the positions of the different points in Hudson's Straits ; near 

 to which we had the opportunity of getting observations. The few 

 remarks respecting the appearance of the land, which we were able 

 to make in our quick passage through these Straits, were transmitted 

 to the Admiralty ; but, as they will not be interesting to the general 

 reader, and may not be sufficiently accurate for the guidance of the 

 Navigator, they are omitted in this narrative. 



On the 28th we discovered the land to the southward of Cape Tat- 

 nam, which is so extremely low, that the tops of the trees were first 

 discerned; the soundings at the time were seventeen fathoms, which 

 gradually decreased to five as the shore was approached. Cape Tatnam 

 is not otherwise remarkable than as being the point from which the 

 coast inclines rather more to the westward towards York Factory. 



The opening of the morning of the 30th presented to our view 

 the anchorage at York Flats, and the gratifying sight of a vessel at 

 anchor, which we recognised, after an anxious examination, to be the 

 Wear. A strong breeze blowing from the direction of the Flats, 

 caused the water to be more shallow than usual on the sandy bar, 

 which lies on the seaward side of the anchorage, and we could 

 not get over it before two P.M., when the tide was nearly at its 

 height. 



Immediately after our arrival Mr. Williams, the Governor of the 

 Hudson's Bay Company's posts, came on board, accompanied by the 



