The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-07-24 00:00:00

FOX:

- - --
Thin gallant little yawl. which played so conspicuous
and interesting in part in the final expedition that suc-
ceeded in solving the mystery as to the fate of Sir Joke
Franklin and his companions, and which left South
wanton on Thursday night, on another expedition ot
great commercial and scientific interest, was honoured
with a visit on Thursday by her Majesty and the Primer
oinsort. On the occasion of the Prince embarking in
the docks on Tuesday evening for Osborne, on his return
from the International Statistical Congress in London
his Royal Highness expressed a wish that the Fox
should be taken down to Osborne-bey, in order that an
opportunity might be afforded to the Queen and himself
to pay her a visit. The Fox was accordingly sent to
Osborne last night, and took up her moorings off the
Royal landing-place ; and this morning she was put in
readiness for the Royal visit.
At half-pact ILI the Fairy steamed alongside, with her
Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the Royal children
now at Osborne, on board. The Royal party was re.
ciived, on stepping on beard Dm Fox, by the officers
who arc going on the ezpedition,—via., Captain Allen
Young, the. commander; lie. T. E. Davies, R.N., second
in command ; Dr. Rae, F.G.8., who volunteers as a
surgeon and naturalist; Colonel Shaffner, the yr:twine/
coneessimpusire ; Lieutenant Von &dew and Mr. Diets.
son, two C insinuate sent out by the Danish Govern-
ment; Mr. J. E. Woods, secretary to the espedition
and by other gentlemen interested in the undertaking:
Captain Young and Dr. Rae wore their Arctic medals.
Her Majesty and the Prince walked round the ship,
minutely inspecting the various instruments to be used
for taking soundings, he., and the sledges and appliance*
provided for the land travel and survey. The sledge
used by Captain M'Clintock in his Franklin voyage,
whiten Is oo board inn ros, e., .I.jest of special
interest to the Royal party. The Prime Consort and
some of the suite went below, and examined the cabias
and berths occupied by M'Clintock and Young
in their artic voyage, expressing surprise at time
smallness of the apartments in which those heroic
men were confined for so long a period in those desolate
regions.
The Queen then desired the officers to be presented
to her individually, and Her Majesty graciously
addressed a few words to esch of Nitro specially. To
Dr. Rae Her Majesty said that she had heard mush
about him and hi. great scientific researches, and
jocularly remarked that Artie travel could not be seek
very bad service after all, as he was looking so remark-
ably well. Her Majesty entered freely into conversation
with Captain Young about his tomer voyage in the Foe,
and the remains of Franklin's expedition, and asked hisn
if he believed there was any possibility of any member
of that devoted band of men being yet alive. The
Queen expressed her surprise at the smallness of the
vessel for such expeditions as she had undertaken and
was about to undertake: and Captain Young explained
to Her Majesty the mode of her construction, and the
strength with which she was built, which fitted her for
aIIV service whatever.
The Royal party remained on board the Fox about
half an hour, and on leaving both Her Majesty and
the Prince Consort expressed toeir satisfaction with
everything they had seen on board, and stated that they
considered the project a very feasible one and likely to
be accomplished, and they wished it every success. The
crew of the Fox manned the rigging, and gave three
hearty cheers as the Royal party left for the Fairy.
The Fox is fitted out with every possible convenience
for her interesting voyage, on which it is hoped that
she will nut be occupied longer than until the end of
November. A complete set of meteorological instru-
ments has been presented by the Hoard of Trade,
through the kindness of RearAdmind Fitzroy, the
hydrographer to the Admiralty; and • full supply of
astronomical and niathematiesl instruments has been
lent by the Admiralty. She also cornea oat the neces-
sary apparatus for deep sea soundings, and all the
requisite appliances for the survey by sea and land.
Most probably the Fox will proceed by Ni. north of
Scotland direct to the Faroe Islands, where it is antici-
pated she will not be delayed longer than two or three
days in selecting a favourite landing place for the cable.
On leaving the Farm lolanda she will proceed direct to
Iceland, making deep-sea soundings by the way. Capt.
Young and his officers will be engaged on the east aide
of Iceland in sounding for, and selecting • favourite
place for landing the cable; whilst the survey of the
interior for the land line will be simultaneously carried
on by Dr Rae and his party, consisting of Colonel
Shaffner, Mr. Woods, and the two Danish members of
the expedition. After visiting the west coast of Iceland
at • point selected by Captain Young, the Fox will
proceed to souse point on the southern coast of Green.
making deep-sea soundings and examining
the character of the bottom as she continues her
voyage. Here again Captain Young and his Masers
will be engaged in examining the various bays, for the
purpose of determining the favourable point for the east
id l;reenland termini, while Dr. Has and his party will
make an exploration of the interior, through ground
never yet crosacd. Alter visiting the west meat at some
point lice? ulianaliaab, whence the cable will be carried
scrum to Labrador, the Fox will take the proposed
route to Hamilton Inlet, or the Labrador coast; and,
utter making ii complete survey of the inlet, also will
return direct to Europe,
lam addition to the primary object of the voyage,—via.,
the survey for the North Atlantic Telegraph, the °flans
composing this expedition will takeevery opportunity of
observing and recording such scientific facts as will
increase the amount of knowlssige at present possessed
in reference to the geographical, geological, and mince-
logical features of this portion of the globe.