Journal of a Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Performed in the Years 1819–20 ... under the Orders of William Edward Parry

Published in 1821, this account by a pioneering Arctic explorer describes his first expedition in search of the North-West Passage.

William Edward Parry (Author)

9781108041355, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 December 2011

588 pages, 14 b/w illus. 6 maps
29.7 x 21 x 3 cm, 1.39 kg

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.

Introduction
Official instructions
1. Passage across the Atlantic
2. Entrance into Sir James Lancaster's Sound of Baffin
3. Favourable appearance of an open westerly passage
4. Further examination of Melville Island
5. Precautions for securing the ships and stores
6. First appearance of scurvy
7. More temperate weather
8. Journey across Melville Island to the northern shore, and return to the ships by a different route
9. Occurrences at Winter Harbour in the early part of June
10. Leave Winter Harbour
11. Progress down the western coast of Baffin's Bay
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]