Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea in 1846 and 1847

A determined Hudson’s Bay Company officer sets out in 1846 to chart the untried western coast of Hudson Bay and the icy reaches of the Arctic Sea. He gathers a small, diverse crew—including two Inuit interpreters—and equips two sturdy boats for a journey that will push through frozen rivers, storm‑tossed bays, and endless sheets of ice. The narrative captures the meticulous planning, the rugged travel from the Great Lakes to the remote fur posts, and the early trials of navigating shallow waters and unpredictable weather.

As the party leaves York Factory in late autumn, they confront fierce north‑east gales, relentless rain, and sleet that soak both men and gear. Their progress is slowed by heavy, mud‑caked boats and the logistical challenges of feeding and fueling a small team in a hostile environment. Yet the expedition’s spirit remains high, driven by the promise of discovery and the guidance of the company’s governor, who envisions mapping coastlines still shrouded in myth.