98 
FIRST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
the most anxious, but nothing was finally decided at the setting 
of the sun. Early on the following morning, land was seen at 
the bottom of the inlet, but a thick fog coming on put an end 
for a time, to all further observation. The land, which was seen 
was a high ridge of mountains, extending directly across the 
bottom of the inlet. This chain appeared extremely high in the 
centre, and those towards the north had at times the appearance 
of islands, being insulated by the fog at their bases. Although a 
passage in this direction appeared hopeless, yet Capt. Ross 
determined to explore it completely, as the wind was favourable, 
and therefore continued all sail; the weather had now become 
variable, being alternately cloudy and clear, Mr. Beverley 
went up to the crow’s nest and reported, that before the weather 
had become thick, he had seen the land across the bay, except 
for a very short space. Although all hopes were given up, 
even by the most sanguine that a passage existed, it was 
determined to stand higher up, and to put into any harbour, 
which might be discovered. As they stood up the bay, two capes 
on the south side were discovered, one of which was named 
after the Earl of Liverpool ; the land which formed the boundary 
on one side of Catherine’s Bay, was named Cape Hay. 
Capt. Ross having issued his orders that he should be called 
on the appearance of land or ice a-head, and on its being 
reported that there was some appearance of the weather clearing 
at the bottom of the bay, he immediately went on deck, and in a 
short time afterwards the weather clearing; he distinctly saw the 
land round the bottom of the bay, forming a chain of mountains , 
connected with those which extended along the north and south 
sides. This land appeared to be at the distance of eight leagues. 
A continuity of ice was also seen at the distance of seven miles 
extending from one side of the bay to the other, between the 
nearest cape to the north, which was named after Sir George 
Warrender, and that to the south, which was named after 
Viscount Castlereagh. The mountains which occupied the 
centre in a north and south direction, were named Croker's 
Mountains, which mountains, Capt. Parry in his subsequent 
voyage sailed over. The south west corner, which formed a 
