HUDSON BAY. A spacious landlocked gulf in the northeastern section of Canada, which may he regarded as an arm at once of the Arctic and the Atlantic. oceans (Map: North America. E." 3). it communicates with the Atlantic by means of Ilud soli Strait, and with Cue Arctic. by Fox Channel and various passages to the north and west, which, notwithstanding the compara tive lowness of their latitude, have proved less practicable for navigation than the Arctic Ocean itself. Hudson Bay extends from about latitude 51° to about 64° N.. a distance of about 900 miles. its area is about 400.000 square miles. Its depth is about 70 fathoms; on the west coast there is au average rise and fall of 11 to 12 feet at spring tides. The southern prolongation of Hudson Pay bears the name of James Bay. Hudson Bay contains several islands, in addition to the large Southampton Island at its north end, but no rocks or shoals, and the region is singularly free from storm or fogs. the bay nor Hudson Strait is ever entirely frown mer, but both are beset by detached floes and Bergs it ice. which render navigation difficult for sailing vessels. steamships can make the oyage up the bay and reach land from about the middle of .tulle to the end of October. The
west shore lie. low, hut the cast shore is bold and reeky. rivers of considerable niagmiIin flow into the bay, the Nelson River being the most important. The Churchill and (lie Severn el /111e next, the former having a deep though comparatively narrow mouth. which can be entered with ease by the tartest ships at all tides. Though the land lying south and west of James Bay is suitable for dairy farming. an] though ironstone. manganiferous iron ore.
and 'lumbago are found in other portions of the surrounding, territory, neithe- the soil. limber. nor mini rails have been to any extent. drawn upon. Whale, walrus, seal, and salmon abound in the waters of Iludson Bay, and steam whalers visit it during the summer: lint the only husi 'Jess which has been developed lucratively is the fur trade by the Hudson's Bay Company. This may be accounted for by the severity of the long winter on the shores of the bay. 'rhe few summer months are marked by a genial and bracing climate. The hay was discovered in 1610 by Henry Hudson (q.v.).