largest of the group we had lately discovered, I honored with the name of Melville Island, after the First Lord of the Admiralty[1].
“The Bay of the Hecla and Griper was the first spot where we had dropped anchor since leaving the coast of Norfolk; a circumstance rendered the more striking to us at the moment, as it appeared to mark, in a very decided manner, the completion of one stage of our voyage. The ensigns and pendants were hoisted as soon as we had anchored, and it created in us no ordinary feelings of pleasure to see the British flag waving, for the first time, in these regions, which had hitherto been considered beyond the limits of the habitable part of the world.”
On the following day, a small harbour was discovered, and named after Mr. Fife, the Greenland master of the Griper, At 6 p.m., the expedition succeeded in rounding Cape Hearne, at the distance of a mile and a quarter; and Lieutenant Parry was beginning once more to indulge in flattering hopes, when he perceived, from the crow’s nest, a compact body of ice, extending completely in to the shore near the western extreme, which was called Cape Providence, from the circumstance of Mr. Fife and two men, who had lost their way while on a shooting excursion, having returned on board in safety, after an absence of ninety-one hours. In less than two hours after their return, the wind increased to a hard gale, and the thermometer had fallen to 15°; “making altogether so inclement a night, that it would have been impossible for them, in their already debilitated state, to have survived.” One of these men, when asked what they had lived upon, dryly replied. “Lived upon – the Duke of Wellington never lived so well. We had grouse for breakfast, grouse for dinner, and grouse for supper, to be sure!” On the 14th Sept., at 3 a.m., the thermometer fell to 9°; “and from this time,” says Lieutenant Parry, “the commencement of winter may fairly be dated.” On the following day we were abreast of Cape Providence, and observed another headland, more high and bold in its appearance, which was called Cape Hay.
- ↑ The length of Melville Island, in an E.N.E. and W.S.W. direction, is about 135 miles, and the breadth from 40 to 50 miles.
