Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-06-08
VOL. as, NO. ss-wHoLE NO. 1855.

from the crushing force OF the seward ice, ana
the weather was generally clear. In fact, the
most serious detention caused by ice OF this part
of the voyage, was from the LIST to the 9Th of Au-
gust, on point that jutted out beyond the nsular
chain. White Bear Point, rs it was called, lies in
lat. GO deg z min. IS sec. N,long. 1903 deg. 36
min. as sec. W., variation 81 deg. 45 min. e.
These bays and masses Of islands present distinct
succession of geological features which can be
best illustrated by series OF the specimens of
the rocks That composed this wild and barren coast.
Vestiges Of Esquimaux, mostly old, were met
wherever we landed. They appear TO subsist in
single families of very small parties, and to travel
inland for the deer hunt in the month OF June, not
returning to their sealing Islands till the ice
sets fast in October. A river twice the size OF the
Coppernine, which fnIIs into the lat. 60 deg.
min. ~, lon. l04 deg. Is min. W., is much resor
ted to by rein deer and musk oxen in the summer
season.
Finding the coasi, ms already remarked, ten
ding nortIherly from the bottom of the great bay,
we expected nothing less than to be carried round
Cape Felix of Capt. James Ross, contrary to the
conjecture haZarded by Mr.. Simpson in his mar.
rative of last year s journey. On the evening of
the 10Th August, however, lat the point already
given,) we suddenly opened strait running in to
the southwa d of east where the rapid rush OF the
tide scarcely left doubt of the existence Of all
open sea leading to the mouth Of Backs Great
Fish River. This strait is ten miles wide at Ell
ther extremity, but contracts to three in the cen
ire. Even that narrow channel is much encroach-
ell upon by high shngle islands, but there is deep
water in the middle throughout.
The 18th of August was sgnalized by the most
terrific thunder storm we have witnessed in
these regions. Next day it blew roughly from the
westward, with very dense cold fog, but we
rapidly southeast, passed Point Richardson and
Point Oglc of Sir George Back and continued on
till the darkness OF the night and the increasing gale
drove lis ashore beyond Point Pecfell I'ho storm
shifted to the northeast, aud lasted TO the 10Th,
when we directed our course with flags flying TO
the Montreal Island. On its northern side our peo-
pie, guided by hlackay, soon found deposIte made
by some ofSir George Backs party, hut, rs Mack.
ny seemed to Think without that officers knowl-
edge. IL contained two bags of pemcan and
quantity ofcocoa and chocolate, all perfectly rot
ten, besides an old tin vascuum, and two or three
other trivial articles, of which took possession
as memorials OF our having breakfasted IN the
Identical spot where the tent of our gallant though
less successful precursor stood on his return from
Point Ogle to the Great Fish River that very day
five years before.
The arduous duty we had, in 1886, undertaken
10 perform, thus fully accomplished; and the
length and difficulty OF the route back 10 the Cop
permine would have amply justified our nmeti-
ate return. We had all suffered more or less
from the want of fuel, and the deprivatiorOf warm
iood, and the prospects grew more cherries rs
the cold weather stole on apace but having al
ready ascerianed the separation of Boolhia from
Inc American continent, OIL 'ne western Size OF
the Great Fish River we determined not to de-
sst till we had settled in re alton thereto OH the
eastern side also. fog which had come on dis
lpersed towards evening, and unOldad full view
of the picturesque shores of the estuary. Far to
the southwark Victoria Headand stood forth so
clearly defined that we instantly recognized it by
or george BACKS exquisite drawing. Cape
Beaufort we almost seemed to touch, and with
the telescope we were able to discern continu.
Gus line OF highland rs far round as northeast,
about two points more northerly than Cape Hay,
the extreme eastern point seen by Sir George
Back.
To traverse to the furlest visible land occupi.
ed six hours unremitiug labor Mt the oar, and the
sun was rising on the l7th, when scaled the
bluff and singular shaped Rocky Cape, to which
our course had been directed. 1t stads in ati-
tude CO deg. inin 81 sec. N, Ion "a dog. 35 min.
w. The aZmuh compass, by Jones, settled ex-
acty in the true meridian, aud agreed with two
others by the same maker, placed on the ground.
From our proximity to the magnetic pole the
compass had latterly been of little or Use bun
this was of the less consequence, us the nslronom.
cal observations were very frequent. The dip OF
the needle, which a, Thunder Cove, Q2lh An
gust was So dog. ~ min. 30 sec had here decreas-
ed 10 SO deg. IL min 40 sec. N. This bold prom
Ontory where we lay wind bound Till the 18Th,
was named Cape Britannia, in remembrance OF
our 81 rious country. On the beetling rock that
sheltered our encampment from the sea, aud forms
the most conspicuous object on ali this part of the
coast, erected conceal pile of pouderous
stones, IA feet high, that, if not pulled down by
the natives may dely the rage OF thousand storms
In it was placed sealed bottle, containing sketch
ofour proceedings, mud possession was taken OF
our extensive discoveries in the name of Victoria
amidst the firing of guns and The enthusiastic
cheers O the whole party.
On the 10Th, the guile shifted from N. t. to f..
S. T.. aud after crossing fine bay, due east with
no SINAI; toll md danger the coast bent away
northeast, which enabled us to effect run of for.
ty miles. Next day the wind resumed its former
,i;racton ,nI nfiar nun0 aoainst IL all rho ,norp