Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-10-15

ship. Robinson. in pulling the canoe
up alongside. lost his balance and
pitched headlons into the water. A
temperature OF l above freezing
was not enough of an fnducement to
tempt him to remain in long. Broom
field declares he didn't swim, he
climbed.
1t was much against my wish to
go any farther southwark for winter
quarters and contrary to all my
plans; therefore I resolved to make a
third final attempt to reach the Mel
willie peninsula via the Frozen strait
bay.
We were perfectly familiar with
the fact that two ships only had ever
been through the Fury and Hecla
of Parry. of 377 and 375 tons. respec-
lively. and that happened 100 years
ago in very favorable weather.
1t was the universal custom at this
time to send two or more ships to-
gether for safety. II one was
wrecked on shoals or shore or
crushed in the ice the crew could
be transferred to her consort and
returned home. Even parts. such as
masts, booms, yards. sails, anchors,
fittings. etc. were interchangeable.
Thus the margin of safety and
chances Of success were developed.
Parry's orders are Of interest In
the light Of subsequent facts con-
corning the northern shores Of
North America: Should you happi-
ly reach the Pacific you are to pro-
coed to Kamschatka Uf you think
you can do so without risk Of being
shut up by the ice on that coast),
for the purpose Of delivering to the
Russian governor duplicates OF the
journals and other documents which
the passage may have supplied. with
a request that they may be forward
ed over land to st. Petersburg. to be
conveyed from thence to London.
From Kamschatka you will pro-
coed to the Sandwich Islands or Can
ton, or such other place as you may
think proper, to refit the ships and
refresh the crews.
We deem it unwise to try to reach
Kamschatka. the Sandwich Islands or
Canton, but would feel highly pleased
If we could reach the land and a tiny
harbor for the tiny Bowdoin.
1 4 putting a single reef In the main
sail. for. as far as We were able to
see, Fox channel was q mass Of white
caps. When beyond the strong tide.
however, the sea fattened bit. and
we shook out the reef, in order to
cover tho ninety miles as quickly as
possible. The winter nights lowered
over US constantly. threatening to
seize US at any moment from now on.
We dropped the highest hills Of the
coast Of Bafiin Land when thirty geo.
graphical miles away. which would
indicate that their height 10 about
100 feet Land clouds were visible
on our port bow long before the
tops Of the high hills Of Southamp-
ton Island doomed above the horizon.
Southampton Island was discovered
by Capt. Button in 1917. when in
search Of Q northern and more direct
route to japan. It was upon this oo-
casion that he gave to the western
shores of Hudson bay. which appar-
emily blocked further progress wSst-
ward. the name Of Hope Checked.
The land under our lee, tho south
eastern end Of the island. was I'M
doubtedly Buttons Sea Horse oval
rus) point.
With but few pans Of ice visible
we were strongly encouraged to be-
lieve that we might effect the passage
by hugging the northern shores OF
Southampton. About . pm. howsvsr.
the horizon assumed o broken and
even ragged sppeaf4ocA tie looming
Of tho ice held.