FIRST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
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of Bank’s Bay, to which Capt. Ross gave the name of Cape Cun¬ 
ningham, and the mountains, which were seen at a distance were 
also named Cunningham mountains. The southern extremity of 
the land was named Cape Charlotte, being in latitude 74° 32'north 
and longitude 79° 30' west. The land could not be approached 
nearer than five leagues, on account of the packed ice. Between 
Cape Charlotte and the land, a wide opening appeared, but the 
wind shifting to the westward, it could not be explored ; the 
wind shortly afterwards veering to the southward, the ships 
tacked, and stood in under all sail. On the 30th, the weather 
being thick and cloudy, they continued to steer so as to gain the 
middle of the opening, but the wind being light and variable, 
not much progress was made. The land was now seen, which 
forms the northern side of the opening, extending from west to 
north, in a chain of high mountains covered with snow. In a 
short time afterwards, the south side of this opening was dis¬ 
covered, extending from S. W. to S. E. forming also a chain of 
very high mountains. 
It may be necessary to premise by way of elucidation, that this 
strait or opening was no other than Lancaster Sound, in which the 
reputation of Capt. Ross ran the risk of being wrecked, without 
the prospect of the slightest salvage being afterwards obtained. 
The entrance of the channel was judged to be about forty- 
five miles wide, the land on the north side lying in an E. 
N.E., and W. S. W. direction, and on the south side nearly east 
and west. In the afternoon of the 30th, the wind having oblig¬ 
ed the ships to stand to the south side, Capt. Ross had an excel¬ 
lent view of the most magnificent chain of mountains, which 
he had ever beheld: this chain, and the cape which terminates 
it, and forms the eastern extremity of the land on that side of 
the channel, was named after Sir Byam Martin, the comptroller 
of his majesty’s navy. 
During the 31st, much interest was excited on board by the appear¬ 
ance of this strait, the general opinion being , that it was only an in - 
let ; the land was seen extending across, the yellow sky was percept¬ 
ible, and the temperature of the water began to decrease. The 
mast’s head, and crow’s nest, were crowded with those who were 
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