208 Arctic and A ntarctic Exploration [part i 
instructions ; Griffith Island after Admiral Griffith, who 
was first Lieutenant of the Culloden at the battle of 
St Vincent. On into the unknown sailed the Hecla and 
Griper. Upwards of 20 islands were discovered and 
named, the group collectively being called the North 
Georgian Islands. Pressing westward no landing was 
effected until an island was reached which was honoured 
with the name of the Comptroller, Sir Thomas Byam Martin. 
A more promising land was found, within sight of Melville 
Island, the Arctic paradise. Without knowing it Parry 
had passed the barren limestone isles, and his first landing 
was on the more promising carboniferous region. 
Sailing along the south coast of Melville Island, so 
named after the First Lord of the Admiralty, the expedi- 
tion crossed the noth meridian and thus became entitled 
to the bounty of £5000. In September the young ice was 
forming fast, and the Hecla and Griper were brought into 
snug quarters by sawing a long channel through the ice. 
The top-gallant and topmasts were sent down, all but the 
maintopmast which was left as a guide to returning 
sportsmen, and waggon-cloth housings were rigged over 
the upper decks. 
One of Parry's greatest merits as an Arctic explorer 
was his success in bringing officers and men through the 
long winter in good health. This was due to his fore- 
thought, power of organisation, genial disposition, and 
warm sympathy for all who served with him. He had 
prepared for a winter before leaving England. The 
closest attention was given to the prevention of damp 
between decks by means of hot air from the Sylvester 
stove. Good bread was baked, beer was brewed, and 
rules were enforced respecting diet, clothing, and above 
all sufficient daily exercise. Parry wisely realised the 
equal importance of exercising the minds of his people. 
A school was opened to teach reading and writing, 
accomplishments which were not so general in those 
days as they are now. A newspaper, edited by Captain 
Sabine, and entitled the North Georgian Gazette, kept the 
officers amused, and they, in their turn, devoted them- 
selves to the amusement of the men. Parry was himself 
a good musician, playing on the violin, and a capital 
actor. A theatre was erected on the upper deck in spite 
