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Updated: May 27, 2025
The spring appeared to be much earlier here than at Okkak, where, at present, every thing was covered with deep snow; the mountains are not so steep, the land lies lower and nearer the open sea: but the flat where the houses of the Esquimaux are, is surrounded by numerous small islands.
The Koksoak appeared to us to be about as broad as the Thames at Gravesend, or the Elbe near Hamburg, and the whole river, with its various windings, much resembles the Thames for twenty-four miles upwards. Its depth is sufficient for a ship thus far. Its general direction is from the South. We reckoned it to be about 600 or 700 miles from Okkak, and Killinek or Cape Chudleigh half way.
Their number is likewise on the increase. The congregation at Okkak, in particular, obtains a great increase from year to year, by the arrival of heathen from the coast to the north of the settlement; the number of heathen Esquimaux in their neighbourhood is indeed decreasing, but Okkak may yet be called a mission among the heathen.
On the 25th inst. at 3 o'clock, A.M., we set out on our return, but the newly fallen snow mixing with the water on the ice, so obstructed our path, that we were nine hours longer on the way than we were before, but we reached Okkak on the 26th, at three in the morning, full of gratitude to the Saviour, whose presence had so comforted us on this visit, and filled us with the joyful conviction, that he also had left a blessed impression on the Esquimaux.
The skin-boat was intended as a refuge, in case of any accident happening to our own boat, and was useful in landing, as we never brought the large boat close in shore. The first four families belong to Hopedale, Thukkekina and his wife to Okkak. They considered it as a great favour conferred on them to be permitted to accompany us.
They perceived the ice driving into it from the sea in such quantities as to threaten to close it up. Cape Mugford is an high island, extending far into the ocean, and the northern land-mark in steering for Okkak, Kiglapeit promontory bearing south, and the Saddle-island appearing right before the entrance of the bay.
In less than a week, the whole was landed, and after consulting with the brethren at Okkak, the resident missionaries proceeded with their labour: notwithstanding several interruptions, first by the loss of their assistants for a time, who went to the rein-deer hunt, and afterwards by a violent storm, which carried away the scaffolding, and part of their materials, they got so far finished, that on the 18th of September, one room was habitable, and they could quit the small and uncomfortable hut, in which they had hitherto lived.
In the year 1782, the brethren, Liebisch and Turner, experienced a remarkable preservation of their lives; the particulars show the dangers the Missionaries underwent in pursuing their labours. To this Narrative are added some further particulars, which show their labours were not without success. Early on March the 11th, they left Nain to go to Okkak, a journey of 150 miles.
Salmon and salmon-trout are caught in every creek and inlet; they remain in the rivers and fresh-water lakes during the winter, and return to the sea in spring. The Esquimaux about Okkak and Saeglak, catch them in winter under the ice by spearing. For this purpose they make two holes in the ice, about eight inches in diameter, and six feet asunder, in a direction from north to south.
It has been mentioned, that some of the Ungava people have come to Okkak, and carry on a trade between their countrymen and that place. They are a kind of middle men, bring fox and bear-skins, and exchange them for European goods. These they carry back, and sell at a very advanced price in the Ungava country. They spend two years on such a trading voyage.
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