Memoirs of Rear-Admiral Sir W. Edward Parry, Kt, F.R.S., etc

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Preface

In adding another to the numerous biographies which are almost monthly issuing from the press, I have been induced to hope that the Memoir of Sir Edward Parry may not be without its peculiar interest, as the life of one whose name has long been before the public, not only as the successful pioneer of Arctic enterprise, or as holding important Government appointments, but also as the constant and zealous promoter of the welfare of his fellow-men.

Those who were personally acquainted with the subject of this memoir, either in the course of his public career, or more particularly in his private life, will, it is hoped, be interested in tracing the circumstances which led to the formation and development of a character they may have been led to admire or to love.

In dedicating this volume to seamen, il is my earnest desire that those of that profession into whose hands it may fall may find benefit and encouragement in the history of a naval officer, whose first endeavor was to " serve God in his own generation," and to " adorn the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things. Of his unceasing anxiety to promote the highest welfare of the service, to which he ever felt it an honor to belong, sufficien proof will be found in the following pages.

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It may be thought by some, ihat certain portions of Sir Edward Parry's life have been passed over in too rapid and cursory a manner. In all such cases, the object has been to mention only such circumstances as serve to maintain the thread of the narrative, or to exhibit the main features of his character, as illustrated in letters or otherwise.

In conclusion, I take this opportunity of heartily thanking all those kind friends who have contributed material for this Memoir, as well as those to whose advice and judgment, in preparing it for the press, I feel myself largely indebted.

E. P.

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Contents

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Birth and Parentage— Childhood— School Life— " Yille de Paris" — Attachment to Home — Early Religious Character — First Sea- Pight — " Tribune" — a Prize — " Vanguard" — Danish Gun- Boats — Recreation and Study — a Temptation resisted — Lieutenant's Commission, . . . . .13

Chapter II. 1810—1818

Joins the "Alexandria" — Danish Gun-Boats — Polar Ice — Astronomical Studies — Appointment to "La Hogue," and Voyage to Halifax-— Boat Expedition up the River Connecticut — Leaves " La Hogue" — Illness — Bermudas — Returns Home — Appointment to the " Alexander" under Ross, . . . .34

Chapter III

Brief Sketch of Arctic Discovery previously to 1818 — Life in the Polar Regions, ......... 54

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Chapter IV. Pass

The " Alexander " fitted out at Deptford — Lieut. Franklin — Sailing of the Expedition under Eoss — Baffin's Bay — Lancaster Sound and Croker Mountains — Return to England — Parry appointed to the command of a new Expedition, . . .TO

Chapter V. 1819—1820

Parry's first Toyage — "Hecla " and ; ' Griiper " pass through Lancaster Sound — " "Westward, Ho I " — "Winter at Melville Island — Return Home — Promotion to Commander — Freedom of Bath, etc., 22

Chapter VI. 1821—1824

Second Voyage — " Fury" and " Hecla " — John Gordon — Repulse Bay — First Winter at Winter Island — Esquimaux — Higliuk — Discovery of the Strait of Fury and Hecla — Second Winter at Igloolik — Return to England — Illness — Appointed Hydrographer to the Admiralty 119

Chapter VII. 1824—1825

Third and Last Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage — Winter at Fort Bowen — Masquerade — Loss of the "Fury" — "Hecla" returns Home — Development of Religious Character, . . • 156

CONTENTS. XI

Chapter VIII. 1826—1828

TAGE

Interest in Religiois Societies — Appointment to the Command of an Expedition for the purpose of attempting to reach the North Pole — Marriage — Sailing of the Expedition — The "Hecla" left at Spitzbergen — Boat and Sledge Journey to the Northward — "Return to the " Hecla" — Homeward Voyage — Short Tour on the Continent— Death of his Eldest Child, . .178

Chapter IX. 1829—1834

Appointment as Commissioner of the Australian Agricultural Company — Honorary Degree at Oxford — Voyage to Sydney — Life at Port Stephens — Improvements effected in the Colony — Excursions into the Interior — Mother's Death— Building of a Church . at Stroud — Farewell Sermon at Carrington — Return to England, 203

Chapter X. 1835—1840

Appointment as Assistant Poor-Law Commissioner — Congham — Death of eldest Daughter — Resignation of Office of Poor-Law Commissioner — Appointment as Comptroller of Steam Machinery — Death of Youngest Child — Assaad V. Kayat — Death of Lady Parry — " Parental Character of GTod," . . .234

Second Marriage — Caledonian Canal — Removal to Hampstead —

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Eeligious Character— Views on the Importance of Prayer — Eugby — Public Meetings — Eeligious Influence — Lowestoft — Homburg — Eesignation under anxiety and suffering — Duties at the Admiralty — "Erebus" and "Terror" — Letter from Franklin, 251

Chapter XII. 1846—1852

Haslar, 26?

Chapter XIII. 1852—1855

Summer at Keswick — Bishop's "Waltham — Speech at Lynn — Bellot Testimonial — Greenwich — Lecture at Southampton — Illness — Voyage to Rotterdam, and up the Shine — Ems — Death — Conclusion, 304

OF SIR W. E. PARRY.