[Original Journal, Pages 305-306.]

[August, 1792.]

further north did with the continent, giving us little to expect but a very intricate and hazardous navigation.

An extremely thick fog ushering in the morning of the 8th, precluded our seeing or knowing anything of the Chatham's situation; and obliged us to remain in the most painful state of suspense until about nine in the forenoon, when the fog in some measure dispersing, we had the satisfaction of seeing our consort approaching us under sail; and having a light southerly breeze, with the ebb tide in our favor, we immediately weighed in order to proceed together through the channel before mentioned between the rocks.

On the return of the boats, Lieutenant Baker, who had been with our people assisting the Chatham during the night, informed me that latterly she had struck so hard, as intirely to disable both the spare topmasts, which had been used for shoars: but that about half past one they succeeded in heaving her off, without the appearance of her having sustained any very material damage. Our sails were scarcely set when the wind became variable; and soon after mid-day partial fogs and a clear atmosphere succeeded each other in every direction. These by one o'clock obliged us again to anchor in fifty-five fathoms water, as did the Chatham about two miles to the northward of our former station, and within a quarter of a mile of the continued shore. Here we were detained until nine the following morning of Thursday the 9th, when with a light eastwardly breeze, and clear weather, we directed our course as before stated. On passing near the rocks on the eastern side of the channel, we had soundings at the depth of twenty-eight fathoms, rocky bottom; but immediately afterwards gained no ground with sixty and seventy fathoms of line. As it was my intention to seek a channel between the two islands, the Chatham's signal was made to lead. The wind being light we advanced slowly, passing some very dangerous rocks, whose situation was only to be known by the breakers upon them at low tide, lying about two miles to the S. E. of the north-easternmost island.

Though clear immediately overhead, the horizon was encumbered with partial fogs in every direction. This ren

[August, 1792.]

[Original Journal, Pages 306-308.]

dered the view of surrounding objects not less limited than undefined, and prevented such observations being made, as were necessary for ascertaining our positive situation. About noon we were becalmed between these islands, whose shores are about two miles and a half asunder; soundings were obtained at the depth of seventy fathoms, rocky bottom. They lie from each other about north and south; the southernmost is about a league in circuit, with a small island lying off its eastern extremity. The northernmost, instead of being one island, as had been supposed, was now found to comprehend eight or nine small islets, lying in a direction about N. 50 W. and occupying in that line an extent of four miles; their breadth about half, or perhaps three quarters of a mile. With the assistance of the boats a-head, we passed through this channel about one o'clock. At this time a light breeze springing up from the northwestward, we stood towards the southern shore; it was not however, as was usual with the north-westerly winds, attended with clear and pleasant weather, but with a remarkably thick fog; and having no soundings we were obliged to ply to windward under an easy sail until about five o'clock, when we gained bottom, and anchored in fifty-five fathoms water. The fog soon after cleared away, and discovered our situation to be near the southern shore, before a small opening at the distance of about a mile. This by compass bore S. 7 W.; a channel that appeared to stretch to the S. E. through the range of islands to the southward of that we had navigated, bore S. 80 E. and seemed tolerably clear of those dangers and impediments with which we had lately contended. The southernmost of the islands we had passed at noon bore by compass N. 7 E. at the distance of about a league; and the north-westernmost of the islets, N. 8 W. distant about two leagues; a low point of land forming the south point of an opening on the continental shore N. 14 W. a high distant mountain being the northernmost land in sight N. 30 W. and the westernmost land on the southern shore S. 55 W. Between these latter directions the oceanic horizon seemed perfectly clear and uninterrupted.

[Original Journal, Page 308.]

[August, 1792.]

We now appeared to have reached the part of the coast that had been visited and named by several of the traders from Europe and India. The Experiment, commanded by Mr. S. Wedgborough, in August, 1786, honored the inlet through which we had lately passed, with the name of "QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S SOUND;" the opening on the con

Queen Charlotte. Vancouver here states that the name of Queen Charlotte Sound was conferred by Mr. S. Wedgborough, commanding the Experiment in August, 1786. In Bancroft's Works, Volume XXVII, page 177, it is stated that the Experiment was commanded in 1786 by Captain Guise. Her companion was the ship Captain Cook, commanded by Captain Lowrie. Both ships were under the supervision of James Strange. He had brought the ships from India, where they were fitted for the fur trade by the merchants at Bombay. It was this expedition which left John McKey among the Indians. It was at his own request, but he was glad to sail away with Captain Barclay the next year. It was he who had learned from the Indians that Nootka was on a large island. To the north of Queen Charlotte Sound lie the Queen Charlotte Islands. They were discovered but not named by the Spaniard Juan Perez, in 1774. He named the northern point, now called North Point, Point Santa Margarita. In July, 1787, Captain George Dixon in the ship Queen Charlotte, the companion of Captain Nathaniel Portlock in the ship King George, rounded Cape St. James and sailed northward. He named the islands after his ship, and he called the waterway Dixon's Straits after himself. This, in brief, explains how the name of Queen Charlotte came so prominently into our northwestern geography.

Charlotte Sophia (1744-1818) was the youngest daughter of Charles Lewis, brother of Frederic, third Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. It is supposed that the first attention drawn to her on the part of the English was on account of a letter she wrote to the king of Prussia, asking him to restrain his troops from despoiling the lands of her kinsman. Search was being made for a suitable bride for the young King George III. She accepted the proposal and journeyed to England. She saw the king for the first time on September 8, 1761, and later declared that from that hour until the king's first illness she never knew real sorrow. They were married late on that same day of the first meeting.

Horace Walpole describes her appearance at that time in this fashion : "She is not tall nor a beauty. Pale and very thin; but looks sensible and genteel. Her hair is darkish and fine; her forehead low, her nose very well, except the nostrils spreading too wide. The mouth has the same fault, but her teeth are good. She talks a great deal, and French tolerably."

She was domestic in life and tastes. She never discussed affairs of state even with her husband, the king. Scandal could only say of her that she was somewhat mean in money matters. In 1788, when the king became ill,