Baffin Bay

a shallow Arctic gulf or passage, lying between Greenland and the ice covered islands of northeastern America. Its greatest width is about 500 miles. It was discovered by navigators in 1616, who hoped to find a passage through it to the Pacific. This sea was the favorite resort of whalers and seal catchers for more than two centuries. These animals are of late becoming too scarce for profitable pursuit. The sea is closed to navigation by ice during the greater part of the year. This, however, affords little cause for regret as there can be no occasion for its ever becoming a pathway of commerce.