Narrative of a Second Defence Research Board Expedition to Banks Island, with Notes on the Country and Its History

During July-Aug. 1953, the writer and I.M. Sparrow completed the circumnavigation of Banks Island by canoe, started in 1952 (Arctic Bibliography No. 30678). He describes archeological work on Thule Eskimo houses at Cape Kellet in May-June, the overland journey to Castel Bay on the north coast, and the trip south by canoe. Notes and photographs of topographic features were made; tide readings taken; bird, mammal, plant, and geological specimens collected. Following the trip narrative, is documented account of the exploration of Banks Island from its discovery by Beechey and Parry in 1820 to work of the Burton Island, Northwind and Labrador in 1954. Eskimo occupation is traced on the basis of archeological evidence and explorers' accounts. Topograpic and geologic features of the southern highlands and coastal regions are described. Appendices (5) list: fossils collected; pollen analyses; manuscript charts from M'Clure's and Collinson's voyages, relating to the island; such landmarks as beacons, caches, cairns, etc., containing records and recent Eskimo houses and tent frames; 33 new and approved geographic names (45 earlier approved and a few unidentified are added)