In our official instructions I was directed to proceed, as quickly as might be consistent with every precaution, towards or into Hudson's Strait until the ice was met with, when the Nautilus transport, which was directed by the navy board to be placed at my disposal, was to be cleared of its provisions and stores. We were then to penetrate to the westward, through Hudson's Strait, until we reached (either in Repulse Bay, or on other part of the shores of Hudson's Strait to the north of Wager River) some part of the coast, which I felt convinced was a portion of the _Continent_ of America.
If we happily reached the Pacific, we were to proceed to Kamschatka, from thence to the Sandwich Islands or Canton, and, having refitted the ships and refreshed the crews, to return to England by such route as might be deemed convenient.
Passage across the Atlantic.--Removal of Stores from the Nautilus Transport, at the Margin of the Ice.--Departure of the Nautilus for England.--Enter the Ice in Hudson's Strait.--Perilous Situation of the Hecla, and Loss of her Anchor.--Meet with the Hudson's Bay Ships.--Passage up the Strait, and Communication with the Natives inhabiting the Northern Shores.--Pass the Trinity Islands of Fox.--Arrival off Southampton Island, where the Researches of the Expedition commence.
The FURY, HECLA, and NAUTILUS transport were completed for sea towards the latter part of the month of April, and on the 29th, at ten A.M., the Fury was taken in tow by the Eclipse steamboat, which vessel had before taken us down the river on a similar occasion. The Hecla reached the moorings on the following day, and the Nautilus on the first of May.
Nothing of consequence happened during our passage across the Atlantic; but, after entering Davis's Straits, we had for several days variable and unsettled weather, the wind blowing principally from the southward, with a heavy swell from the same quarter. On the 14th we met with the first iceberg, being in lat. 60° 48', long. 53° 13'.
Having now reached the situation in which I was directed, by my instructions, to clear the Nautilus of our stores, I gave Lieutenant Scrymgour his instructions to return to England; and at one A.M. on the 1st of July he parted company, while the Fury and Hecla stood in towards the ice. A whaler, deeply laden, and apparently homeward bound, was at this time in sight to the eastward.