54 . 
VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 
1819. ever, reduce me to this dilemma. It is impossible to conceive any thing 
^ 52 * more animating than the quick and unobstructed run with which we were 
favoured, from Beechey Island across to Cape Hotham. Most men have, 
probably, at one time or another, experienced that elevation of spirits which 
is usually produced by rapid motion of any kind; and it will readily be con- 
ceived how much this feeling was heightened in us, in the few instances in 
which it occurred, by the slow and tedious manner in which the greater part 
of our navigation had been performed in these seas. Our disappointment 
may therefore be imagined, when, in the midst of these favourable appear- 
ances, and of the hope with which they had induced us to flatter our- 
selves, it was suddenly and unexpectedly reported from the crow’s- 
nest, that a body of ice lay directly across the passage between Cornwallis 
Island and the land to the southward. As we approached this obstruction, 
which commenced about Cape Hotham, we found that there was, for the 
present, no opening in it through which a passage could be attempted. 
After lying to for an hour, however, Lieutenant Beechey discovered from the 
crow’s-nest, that one narrow neck appeared to consist of loose pieces of 
heavy ice detached from the main floes which composed the barrier, and that, 
beyond this, there was a considerable extent of open water. The Hecla was 
immediately pushed into this part of the ice, and, after a quarter of an hour’s 
“ boring,” during which the breeze had, as usual, nearly deserted us, suc- 
ceeded in forcing her way through the neck. The Griper followed in the 
opening which the Hecla had made, and we continued our course to the 
westward, having once more a navigable sea before us. 
We now remarked, that a very decided change had taken place in the 
character of the land to the northward of us since leaving Beechey Island ; 
the coast near the latter being bold and precipitous next the sea, with very 
deep water close to it, while the shores of Cornwallis Island rise with a 
gradual ascent from a beach which appeared to be composed of sand. During 
the forenoon Ave passed several riplings on the surface of the water, which 
Avere probably occasioned by the set of the tides round each end of Corn- 
wallis Island, as Ave found a depth of ninety-five fathoms. An opening was 
seen in the southern land, which I distinguished by the name of Cunning- 
ham Inlet, after Captain Charles Cunningham of the Royal Navy, resident 
Commissioner at Deptford and Woolwich, to Avhose kindness and attention 
we were much indebted during the equipment of the ships for this service. A 
bluff and remarkable cape, Avhich forms the eastern point of Cunningham 
