cla unhurt, it
was with extreme pain and regret that I made the signal for the Fury's
officers and men to be sent for their clothes, most of which, had been
put on shore with the stores.

The whole of the Fury's stores were of necessity left either on board
her or on shore, every spare corner that we could find in the Hecla
being now absolutely required for the accommodation of our double
complement of officers and men, whose cleanliness and health could only
be maintained by keeping the decks as clear and well ventilated as our
limited space would permit. The spot where the Fury was left is in
latitude 72 deg. 42' 30"; the longitude by chronometers is 91 deg. 50'
05"; the dip of the magnetic needle 88 deg. 19' 22"; and the variation
129 deg. 25' westerly.

When the accident first happened to the Fury, I confidently expected to
be able to repair her damages in good time to take advantage of a large
remaining part of the navigable season in the prosecution of the voyage;
and while the clearing of the ship was going on with so much alacrity,
and the repairs seemed to be within the reach of our means and
resources, I still flattered myself with the same hope. Those
expectations were now at an end. With a twelvemonth's provisions for
both ship's companies, extending our resources only to the autumn of the
following year, it would have been folly to hope for final success,
considering the small progress we had already made, the uncertain nature
of this navigation, and the advanced period of the present season. I was
therefore reduced to the only remaining conclusion, that it was my duty,
under all the circumstances of the case, to return to England in
compliance with the plain tenour of my instructions. As soon as the
boats were hoisted up, therefore, and the anchor stowed, the ship's head
was put to the northeastward, with a light air off the land, in order to
gain an offing before the ice should again set in-shore.

CHAPTER VII.

Some Remarks upon the Loss of the Fury--And on the Natural History,
&c., of the Coast of North Somerset.--Arrive at Neill's
Harbour.--Death of John Page.--Leave Neill's Harbour.--Recross the
Ice in Baffin's Bay.--Heavy Gales.--Temperature of the
Sea.--Arrival in England.

The accident which had now befallen the Fury, and which, when its fatal
result was finally ascertained, at once put an end to every prospect of
success in the main object of this v