Volltext Seite (XML)
in the Western Arctic Sea. 117 in four fathoms water, half a mile to the westward of the Hecla, which got into from eighteen to twenty feet of water, both close to the beach. In this situation, the state of the ice and the seas, and the lateness of the season being considered, it was the una nimous opinion of the officers of both ships, that to attempt to prosecute our voyage to the westward, would be only to expose both ships and ships’ companies to certain detention in the midst of the ice, for another period certainly of not less duration than that passed in Winter Harbour. On examining our stock of provisions it appeared that, even on our present reduced rate of two-thirds of the full allowance, we could not make them serve beyond the end of November of the in-coming year. Our stock of fuel could only last to the same period, even by adopting the method, injurious to the health, of having both crews on board the Hecla. The ships were, indeed, still in good order, and the officers and men nearly as healthy as when we left England. The commander of the expedition therefore applied, by letter, to all the principal officers, surgeons, &c. of the ships, requesting within six-and-thirty hours their opinions of what was best to be done. The unanimous answer was, that the first thing would be to try to get more to the southward; and, in the case that no opening in that direc tion should be discovered, that then they should make the best of their way to England. This resolution being adopted, we availed ourselves of a wind from the north-westward, which opened a channel along Melville Island, and at 3 P. M. of Satur day the 26th, we were off Cape Hearne, the western point of the hay of Winter Harbour. Running, therefore, eastward along the edge of the ice, and watching every opening which seemed to lead through it to the southward, but all in vain. On the 30th we came to longitude 90° off Lhince Leopold’s Isles, in the en trance of Prince Regent’s Inlet, and keeping nearer to the south shore of Lancaster’s Sound than in our outward voyage, we last night got fairly out of the sound and entered Baffin's Bay. It is intended, as I understand, to run to the southward along the western coast of this bay and of Havis’s Strait: but our obser vations on that tract must be reserved for another occasion. Farewell, &c. &c.