FIRST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
69 
together by the north westward through Davis’ Straits ; and two, 
the Dorothea and Trent, in a direction as due north as may be 
found practicable through the Spitzbergen Seas. 
And whereas, we have thought fit to entrust you with the 
command and direction of the former expedition, and have 
directed Lieutenant Parry, who has been appointed to command 
the Alexander, to follow your orders for his further proceedings, 
you are hereby required and directed to proceed to sea, with all 
convenient despatch in the Isabella, and taking under your 
orders the Alexander above mentioned, make the best of your 
way into Davis’ Strait, through which you will endeavour to 
pass to the northward without stopping on either of its coasts, 
unless you shall find it absolutely necessary. In this passage 
you may expect to meet with frequent obstructions from fields 
and islands of ice; to get clear of which, and to ensure the 
safety of the ships and people committed to your charge, 
will require from you, and all who are under your orders, the 
greatest precaution and vigilance ; and as the navigation among 
ice may be considered as an art to be acquired only by practice, 
we have directed that there be appointed to each of the ships 
iMider your orders, a master and mate of whale fishing vessels, 
well experienced in those seas, from whose knowledge and 
skill you may derive material assistance. 
It is not improbable that in the early part of the season, when 
you may be expected to arrive in Davis’ Strait, the ice may 
be found to stretch across from land to land ; but as ice is known 
to vary in its position from year to year, and several times in the 
course of the year, and in those places, where not fast to the 
ground, is almost constantly in motion by winds, tides, and 
currents; if on your arrival it should appear to present a compact 
barrier, you will of course be prepared to avail yourself of the 
first opening which maybe discovered, to pass to the northward. 
As however in the present state of uncertainty with regard to 
the movements of the ice, and with the very imperfect knowledge 
we have of this Strait, and still more so of the sea beyond it, no 
specific instructions can be given for youi guidance, the time and 
manner of proceeding to fulfil the ulterior object of your desti- 
