302 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, against the shore, his vessel was driven upon the beach, and there left 
upon her broadside in a most helpless condition ; and to add to his cheer- 
prospect, the disposition of the natives, whom he had found to in- 
crease in numbers as he advanced to the northward, was of very doubtful 
character. At Point Barrow, where they were very numerous, their 
overbearing behaviour, and the thefts they openly practised, left no doubt 
of what would be the fate of his little crew in the event of its falling 
into their power. They were in this dilemma several days, during which 
every endeavour was made to extricate the vessel, but without effect ; 
and Mr. Elson contemplated sinking her secretly in a lake that was near, 
to prevent her falHng into the hands of the Esquimaux, and then 
making his way along the coast in a baidar, which he had no doubt he 
should be able to purchase from the natives. At length, however, 
a change of wind loosened the ice ; and after considerable labour and 
toil, in which the personal strength of the officers was united to that 
of the seamen, our shipmates fortunately succeeded in effecting their 
escape. 
The farthest tongue of land which they reached is conspicuous 
as being the most northerly point yet discovered on the continent 
of America ; and I named it Point Barrow to mark the progress of 
northern discovery on each side the American continent which has 
been so perseveringly advocated by that distinguished member of our 
naval administration. It lies 126 miles to the north east of Icy Cape, 
and is only 146 miles from the extreme of Captain Franklin’s dis- 
coveries in his progress westward from the Mackenzie River. The 
bay which appeared to be formed to the eastward of this point I 
named Elson’s Bay, in compliment to the officer in command of the 
barge ; and the extreme point of our discoveries after Captain Franklin, 
the commander of the land expedition. I could have wished that this 
point had been marked by some conspicuous headland worthy of the 
name bestowed upon it ; but my hope is that the officer who may 
be so fortunate as to extend our discoveries will do him the justice to 
transfer his name to the first object beyond it more deserving of the 
honour. To the nearest conspicuous object to the southward of Point 
Barrow I attached the name of Smyth, in compliment to the second 
