Journal of a Voyage for the Discovery of a North-west Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific

by Parry, William Edward

• ISBN13: 9781108041355
• ISBN10: 1108041353
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-12-18
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

William Edward Parry (1790-1855) spent the early part of his naval career protecting the whale fisheries of Spitzbergen. He was later appointed to several Arctic expeditions, including three in search of the North-West Passage. This 1821 publication, reissued here in the unchanged second edition from the same year, describes the first of these voyages. Although unsuccessful, it provided valuable scientific data and experience that shaped subsequent expeditions. Noted for his care for his men, and his ability to quickly find solutions to difficult problems, Parry realised during this expedition the importance of keeping his explorers occupied during the winter, and started a newspaper and a theatre group. This first expedition established that, contrary to John Ross's 1819 account (also reissued in this series), a westward route through Lancaster Sound did in fact exist. It also began to map the many islands in the region.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Official instructions

Passage across the Atlantic

Entrance into Sir James Lancaster's Sound of Baffin

Favourable appearance of an open westerly passage

Further examination of Melville Island

Precautions for securing the ships and stores

First appearance of scurvy

More temperate weather

Journey across Melville Island to the northern shore, and return to the ships by a different route

Occurrences at Winter Harbour in the early part of June

Leave Winter Harbour

Progress down the western coast of Baffin's Bay

Appendix

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