XX 
OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS. 
the opening into Sir James Lancaster's Sound, you are to proceed 
in the first instance to that part of the coast, and use your best 
endeavours to explore the bottom of that Sound ; or, in the event 
of its proving a strait opening to the westward, you are to use all 
possible means, consistently with the safety of the two ships, to 
pass through it, and ascertain its direction and communications ; 
and if it should be found to connect itself with the northern sea, 
you are to make the best of your way to Behring’s Strait. 
If, however, you should ascertain that there is no passage through 
Sir James Lancaster’s Sound, but that it is enclosed by continuous 
land, or so completely blocked up with ice as to afford no hope 
of a passage through it, you are in that case to proceed to the north- 
ward, and in like manner examine Alderman Jones’s Sound. Fail- 
ing to find a passage through this Sound, you are to make the 
best of your way to Sir Thomas Smith’s Sound, which is described 
by Baffin as the largest in the whole bay ; and carefully explore, 
as far as practicable, every part of it, as well as of any strait you 
may discover, leading from it into any other sea. On failing to make 
a passage through this Sound, you are to return to the southward 
down Baffin’s Bay, and endeavour to make your way through Cum- 
berland Strait, or any opening in that neighbourhood which may 
lead you to the seas adjoining the eastern or northern coast of 
America ; you are then, by whatever course you may have reached 
these seas, to pursue your voyage along that coast, to the northward 
or westward to Behring’s Strait. 
We have hitherto supposed that, on your first arrival in Davis’ 
Strait, the navigation to the northward shall be found practicable. 
If, however, you should find the contrary to be the case, and that 
