186 
VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
In making these observations my purpose has 
been to excite an interest on the subject of Old or 
lost Greenland ; and to induce an attempt towards 
its recovery. A voyage to this colony might, un- 
less the interposition of ice or foul winds should 
prevent it, be made in ten days ; the expenses 
therefore attendant on a discovery of that part, from 
the southern extremity to the polar circle, would 
be comparatively small, and probably it might be 
effected by holding out a premium to masters of 
whale ships, for the best survey and description 
of the coast ; for I have been informed, that some 
ships had it in their power, during last season, to 
have effected a landing without difficulty or even 
hazard. 
A strong gale of wind, the thickest 
August 21.^^^ possible, and the most turbulent sea 
I ever experienced, with the rugged shore of Ice- 
land partly under our lee, placed us in much 
anxiety and peril, as our reckoning brought us 
within a few miles of the land, and all who were 
conversant with navigation judged that we were 
about to be drawn into one of the bights of the 
island. Ice was also seen, and found to extend 
at least two hundred miles to the eastward of its 
ordinary course, and in a position extremely un- 
favourable, as well as perilous to fishing. These 
multiplied obstructions and dangers changed the 
intention of our cautious and experienced com- 
mander, who, for the safety of the ship, deemed it 
prudent to bear up, in order to avoid the land and 
