PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
After the boats had examined the shoals outside the ship, we CHAP, 
attempted to weigh the anchor but in so doing we broke first the 
messenger, and afterwards the chain, by which the anchor was lost, as August, 
1 before mentioned, and the buoy rope having been carried away in 
letting it go, it was never recovered. 
We passed over two shoals in three and four fathoms, deepening 
the water to ten and eleven fathoms between them, and then held our 
ground for the night. A thick fog came on towards morning, which 
lasted until noon, when it cleared away, and we had the satisfaction to 
be joined by the barge. 
Since our separation, Mr. Elson had kept close along the beach, 
and ascertained the continuity of the land from the spot where the ship 
quitted the coast to this place, thereby removing all doubts on that head, 
and proving that Captain Franklin would not find a passage south of 
the cape to which I had given his name. The soundings were every 
where regular, and the natives always friendly, though not numerous. 
Their habitations were invariably upon low strips of sand bordering 
upon some brackish lakes, which extended along the coast in such a 
manner, that in case the ice was driven against it, a good inland navi- 
gation might be performed, by transporting a small boat across the 
narrow necks that separate them. 
Driftwood was every where abundant, though least so on such parts 
of the coast as had a western aspect, but without any apparent reason 
for this difference. After supplying the barge with water, we beat 
to the northward together, but found so strong a south-westerly cur- 
rent running round Icy Cape, that, the ship being light, we could gain 
nothing to windward; and observing that the barge had the advantage of 
us by keeping in shore, and that we were only a hindrance to her, I made 
her signal to close us, and prepared her for the interesting service in 
view. My intentions were no sooner made known than I had urgent 
applications for the command of the barge from the superior officers of 
the ship, who, with the ardour natural to their profession when any 
enterprise is in view, came forward in the readiest manner, and volun- 
teered their services ; but Mr. Elson, the master, who had hitherto com- 
manded the boat, had acquitted himself so much to my satisfaction, that 
