OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 
303 
in some more beneficial manner. By entering Davis’ Strait no earlier than 1 820, 
the first week in July, I feel confident, that a ship may ensure a “ payable” 
cargo of fish before the end of the season, without incurring half the anxiety 
or risk which must always attend the navigation of that sea at an earlier 
period of the season. By doing this, a ship may, as I have before had 
occasion to remark, perhaps, reach the latitude of 73° or 74°, about the 
20th or 25th of July, with very little obstruction from ice. In the course 
of this passage, it is, indeed, more than probable, that not a single 
whale will be met with, even though the ship should keep the whole way 
along the eastern margin of the ice. Not discouraged, however, by this 
circumstance, let her, on her arrival about the parallel of 73°, boldly enter 
the ice wherever it seems the most promising for getting through it to the 
western coast. In adopting this measure, there is doubtless much risk to 
encounter, but not more than in pushing on to the northward into Prince 
Regent’s Bay, where, from the peculiar conformation of the land, which is 
extremely favourable for the retention of the ice, a serious obstruction may 
always be expected. 
In effecting a passage through the central barrier of ice in Baffin’s Bay, 
it is possible that one, two, or, in some seasons, even three weeks may be 
occupied; while in others, as in the year 1820, nothing but “ sailing ice” 
may be found in a high latitude, through which a ship makes her way 
without difficulty. Having once effected this passage, however, there will, 
I apprehend, be still more than sufficient time for the accomplishment of 
their object, except in very unfavourable seasons, for We have the experience 
of three following years for asserting that an open sea will be found at that 
period to the westward, while the number of whales which we met with 
on that side of the bay seems likely to ensure to them, at least for some 
time to come, an easy and abundant fishery. For this purpose, however, the 
ships should be directed not to be in a hurry to leave the coast until the 
latter end of September, that month being by far the best in the year for the 
navigation of Davis’ Strait and Baffin’s Bay, and consequently affording greater 
facility, and much less risk, in the capture of whales. The apprehension 
which has, I believe, been entertained by some of the ship-owners, of their 
vessels being caught in the ice, so as to prevent their return, in consequence 
of remaining too late, is, as far as I have had an opportunity of judging, 
altogether without foundation, unless their stay be extended considerably 
beyond the period I have mentioned. 
