296 
VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 
1820. in July of the preceding year. Soon after noon on the 24th, we crossed the 
Arctic Circle, having been within it fourteen months and three weeks ; and at 
24&25. noon on the 25th had reached the latitude of 66° 13' 14", being two miles and 
three-quarters to the southward of the dead reckoning, which difference had 
occurred on each of the twelve preceding days. 
Tues. 26, On the morning of the 26th we again stood to the westward as much as the 
ice would allow, but were soon obliged by it to keep away to the southward, 
precluding every hope of making the land on that part of the coast which it would 
have been most interesting to have explored. At noon we were in latitude 
65° 41' 09", and longitude, by chronometer, 59° 09' 54". In the afternoon, 
after various attempts to get to the westward, appearances became more 
unpromising than ever, the packed ice extending from N.b.E. round to 
S.W. There were, indeed, parts of this ice which, with constant day-light, 
a ship might have entered with some probability of success ; but, with 
twelve hours’ night, the attempt must have been attended with a degree 
of risk, which nothing but a very important object could justify. The wind 
had now freshened up from the N.N.'W., and the mercury in the barometer 
fell with unusual rapidity, with every other appearance of an approaching 
gale. I was, therefore, under the necessity of admitting the conclusion that, 
under existing circumstances, the season was now too far advanced, and the 
state of the ice too unfavourable to allow of any further examination of the 
coast ; and I determined, therefore, to make the best of my way to England. 
The boats were accordingly hoisted in, and the ships made snug, while in 
smooth water, under the lee of the ice, and a course was then shaped to 
the E.S.E., in order to obtain an offing, before we bore away to the 
southward. 
Having now finally taken leave of the ice, it may be proper to offer 
a few brief remarks as to the probable existence and accomplishment of a 
North-West Passage into the Pacific Ocean. Of the existence of such a 
passage, and that the outlet will be found at Behring’s Strait, it is scarcely 
possible, on an inspection of the map, with the addition of our late dis- 
coveries, and in conjunction with those of Cook and Mackenzie, any longer 
to entertain a reasonable doubt. In discovering one outlet from Baffin’s Bay 
into the Polar Sea, and finding that sea studded with numerous islands, 
