CHAPTER I.
Object and plan of the Expedition—Equipment at York Factory—Boats—Crews—Articles useful in an Arctic Voyage—Breaking up of the ice in Hayes and Nelson Rivers—Departure from York Factory—Progress retarded by the ice—First night at sea—Reflections—Rupert's Creek—Unbroken fields of ice—Broad River—Description of the Coast—Double Cape Churchill—Open sea to the north and north-west—Arrive at Churchill—White whales—Mode of catching them—Sir George Simpson's instructions—Stock of provisions