320 
APPENDIX NO. III. 
Second Officer Me Gary's Report. 
Brio Advance, May 15, 1855. 
To E. Iv. Kane, Esq., CommandingGrinnett Expedition. 
Sir:—B y your orders I examined the ice at this time last year from 
the point at which I now renew my inspection. 
Last year the open water was about a mile south of Fog Inlet, and 
the ice broken into floes or drift for about two miles farther: the water 
along the ice-foot reached to Esquimaux Point. The surface-ice of 
the channel was thin and wet, and broken into small pools. Water was 
seen in the offing as far as the eye could reach with your telescope, (a 
20-diam. Fraunhofer.) 
At the present date from the same stations no water can be seen, 
but heavy, rank ice, very hummocky to westward, and covered with 
snow-drifts. By going to Littleton Island, (Flagstaff Point,) about 
fifteen miles farther down the channel, I found the water between six 
and eight miles off; beyond it the sky was dark and every thing clear 
and open. To the westward the water met the ice about ten miles 
distant. 
My opinion is that there is no possible chance of the water coming 
within tweuty miles of the brig. The floe is old and heavy, and it 
breaks slowly. It is now more than twice as far from the brig as it 
was at this time last year. It will have to break up faster than ever I 
saw ice break to reach us this season. I regard it therefore as impos¬ 
sible for .the vessel to be liberated with the coming year. 
Yours respectfully, 
James McGary, Second Officer. 
Orders for a full Inspection of the remaining Stock of Pro¬ 
visions. 
To Messrs. Brooks, Biley, Morton. 
Gentlemen :—You will hold a survey upon the beef, pork, flour, 
and bread, remaining in the stores of the expedition, and report in 
writing upon their condition and the quantity on hand fit for use. 
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 
E. K. Kane, Commanding Expedition. 
Brio Advance. May 16,1855. 
