proceeding to the northward, the barge was hoisted out and sent to examine the inlet, under the command of Mr. Elson. The time to which it was necessary to limit him prevented his doing more than ascertaiining that this opening was navigable only by small boats; and, from the water being fresh at some distance up, that it could not lead to any sea beyond.”
On the 9th of August, Commander Beechey landed on a small cape, situated in the depth of a great bay, between Cape Lisburn and Icy Cape, to which he has given the name of Beaufort, in compliment to the present Admiralty hydrographer. On the 13th, the Blossom was in lat. 171° 8' N., long. 163° 40' W., and close to a pack of ice extending from N. 79° E. to S. 29° W. (true). The weather being still foggy, she now stood off-and-on until the morning of the 15th, when land was discovered bearing N. 86° E., and extending in a N.E. direction as far as it could be seen. Within three miles of the ship was “an opening into a spacious lake, which appeared to be the estuary of a considerable river;” and to the northward of this opening the coast presented an extensive range of mud cliffs, in which the Esquimaux had already constructed their winter habitations. The nearest conspicuous point of the coast to the most distant land seen from the ship, was named after Captain Franklin. At this place in particular, where the natives appeared to be 80 numerous that they could have overpowered his party in a minute, it was gratifying to find them extremely well-disposed.
“After they were gone,” says Commander Beechey, “we stood to the north-westward, in the hope (hut the wind, which had been a long time in the north-eastern quarter, would remain steady until we ascertained the point of conjunction of the ice and the land. Unfortunately, while we were doing this, the wind fell light, and gradually drew round to the north-westward; and apprehending it might get so far in that direction as to embay the ship between the land and the ice, it became my duty to consider the propriety of awaiting the result of such a change; knowing the necessity of keeping the ship in open water, and at all times, as fur as could be done, free from risk, in order to insure her return to the rendezvous in Kotzebue Sound.
“There was at this time no ice in sight except a berg that was aground inshore; and though a blink round the northern horizon indicated ice in that direction, yet the prospect was so flattering that a general regret was
