Sir Martin Conway undertook this achievement with four companions--Mr. Garwood, a mountaineer and geologist; Dr Gregory, the author of _The Great Rift Valley of Africa_; Mr. Trevor Battye, who had previously made a very thorough survey of Kolguev Island in 1894[169], as geologist; and Sir Martin’s cousin, Mr. H. E. Conway, as the artist. The expedition was quite successful and a valuable and very interesting narrative describing the interior of Spitsbergen was the result. The route was from Advent Bay to Agadh Bay on the east coast. The party also visited the north coast and Walden Island, and passed down Hinlopen Strait. In the following year Sir Martin Conway and Mr. Garwood explored the interior between Klaas Bille and Wijde Bays, and made an ascent of the Horn-sands-tind. This is not all, however, that Arctic students owe to Sir Martin Conway. Besides his _First Crossing of Spitsbergen_ he has published a History of Spitsbergen from its discovery to the beginning of the scientific exploration of the country, with a complete discussion of the nomenclature--a most useful feature, as the English and Dutch were discovering and naming at the same time, and overlapping each other[170]. Sir Martin has also edited some early Spitsbergen voyages for the Hakluyt Society. * * * * * One of the most recent Arctic events is the transfer to the Dominion Government of all the islands north of America previously forming part of the territories of the British Crown. These islands consist of Baffin Island, North Devon, Ellesmere Island, and the whole of the Parry Archipelago. The Dominion Government resolved to fit out and send a steamer to take formal possession. The _Gauss_ was bought, which had been specially built at Kiel for Antarctic service in 1900, a vessel of 436 tons net, with a length of 165 and a width of 37 ft. The command was given to Captain Bernier, who in 1902 had endeavoured to obtain funds for a vessel to drift across the Pole, taking deep sea soundings,--an able and efficient commander who had made a preliminary voyage up Barrow Strait in 1907. Commander Bernier had three executive officers, two engineers, a purser, surgeon, historiographer, meteorologist, geologist, naturalist, and 31 men; 43 all told. Leaving Quebec in July 1908, the _Gauss_ proceeded up Davis Strait and Baffin Bay to Etah in Smith Sound. Bernier then entered Lancaster Sound, and went up Barrow Strait, Melville Sound, and M’Clure Strait, examining the _Resolute’s_ large depôt at Dealy Island. He wintered in Parry’s Winter Harbour, sending two parties across to annex Banks Island and Victoria Island. Leaving Winter Harbour on August 12th, 1909, he proceeded to sound Byam Martin and Austin Channels, and sailed down Barrow Strait to Navy Board Inlet, which he entered, passing down the channels and coming out at Pond’s Bay. He returned to Canada after completing a well planned and most successful voyage.