ch. xxv] The Rosses and the Magnetic Pole 237 
in Batty Bay, and journeyed on to Fury Beach, where 
they passed a wretched winter — their fourth. The fifth 
summer found them weak and desponding. Their only 
hope was to meet a whaler in Lancaster Sound, and for 
this they set out. First there was a long journey to the 
boats in Batty Bay, the sick being dragged on sledges. 
Only two men had died, a man who had consumption 
when he shipped, and Mr Thomas, the carpenter. Fortu- 
nately the boats met with the Isabella whaler in Lancaster 
Sound, the same vessel in which Captain Ross had re- 
discovered Baffin's Bay in 1818. They were hospitably 
received, and reached England in the following October. 
Never before had explorers passed four consecutive 
winters in the Arctic regions. The results were com- 
mensurate with their perseverance. Upwards of 260 
miles of coast line were discovered in the ship, and the 
sledge journeys of James Ross covered another 500 miles 
of newly-discovered land. The position of the magnetic 
pole was fixed, and a large collection of natural history 
specimens was made. 
The gallant explorers were very cordially welcomed 
in England. Captain Ross was knighted and all he had 
expended was refunded to him. James Ross was made 
a Post-Captain, and many of the crew received recognition 
of their services. A Committee of the House of Commons 
refunded to Felix Booth the £18,000 he had expended 
on the expedition, and he was created a Baronet. Sir 
John Ross was appointed Consul at Stockholm in 1838. 
Captain James Ross was soon employed on the 
magnetic survey. His services were needed in 1836 for 
the relief of some whalers supposed to have been frozen 
up. He fitted out a ship called the Cove at Hull, 
taking Crozier with him as First Lieutenant, and Erasmus 
Ommanney, then a young Lieutenant, who got his first 
experience of ice navigation in this voyage. The mate was 
A. J. Smith, who was afterwards with Ross in the Erebus. 
James Ross had now served fourteen navigable seasons 
and eight winters in the Arctic regions, a record never 
reached by any other man. 
