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A List of Vessels fitted out by the Hudson's Bay Company for
Discovery of a North-West Passage.
1719. Albany, frigate, Captain George Berley, sailed from
England on or about 5th June. Never returned.
1719. Prosperous, Captain Henry Kelsey, sailed from York Fort,
June 19th. Returned 10th August following.
Success, John Hancock, master, sailed from Prince of
Wales' Fort, July 2nd. Returned 10th August.
1721. Prosperous, Captain Henry Kelsey, sailed from York Fort,
June 6th. Returned 2nd September.
Success, James Napper, master, sailed from York Fort, June
26th. Lost 30th of same month.
1721. Whalebone, John Scroggs, master, sailed from Gravesend
31st May, wintered at Prince of Wales' Fort.
1723. Sailed from thence 21st June. Returned July 25th following.
1737. The Churchill, James Napper, master, sailed from Prince of
Wales' Fort, July 7th. Died 8th August, and the vessel returned the
18th.
The Mus-quash, Robert Crow, master, sailed from Prince of
Wales' Fort, July 7th. Returned 22nd August.
It must be observed that, in 1745, Parliament had offered a reward of
20,000l. for the discovery of the North-west Passage. The Act
was entitled "An Act for giving a publick reward to such person, or
persons, His Majesty's subjects, as shall discover a North-west Passage
through Hudson's Streights to the Western and Southern Ocean of
America." In the evidence before the Committee, varied opinions were
given as to this Northwest Passage. Mr. Edward Thompson, who had been a
ship-surgeon, being examined as to the probability of a North-west
Passage, said, "He had the greatest reason to believe there is one,
from the winds, tides, and black whales; and he thinks the place to be
at Chesterfield's inlet; that the reason of their coming back was they
met the other boat which had been five leagues further, and the crew
told them the water was much fresher and shallower there; but where he
was the water was fifty fathoms deep, and the tide very strong; the ebb
six hours and the flood two, to the best of his remembrance; that it is
not common for the tide to flow only two hours; but he imagines it to
be obstructed by another tide from the westward; that the rapidity of
the tide upwards was so great, that the spray of the water flew over
the bow of the schooner, and was so salt that it candied on men's
shoes, but that the tide did not run in so rapid a manner the other
way." Captain William Moore, being asked whether he believed there was
a North-west Passage to the South Seas, said, "He believes there is a
communication, but whether navigable or not he cannot say; that if
there is any such communication 'tis further northward than he
expected; that if it is but short, as 'tis probable to conclude from
the height of the tides, 'tis possible it might be navigable; and it
was the opinion of all the persons sent on that discovery that a north-
west wind made the highest tides." Captain Carruthers said, "That he
don't apprehend there is any such passage; but if there is, he thinks
it impracticable to navigate it on account of the ice; that he would
rather choose to go round by Cape Horn; and that it will be impossible
to go and return through such passage in one year; and he thinks 'tis
the general opinion of seamen that there is no such passage." Mr. John
Tomlinson, merchant, of London, said, "He was a subscriber to the
undertaking for finding a North-west Passage; which undertaking was
dropped for want of money:
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