The Sun.
London, England, 1852-02-17 00:00:00

SUN,

THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION -
The following " Report" has been published i u the
shape of a Blue Book:
18 51,,
Admiralty, Arctic Committee, Nov. 20,
The committee appointed by their Lord ahups'
letter of the 22d of October to inquire into and report
on the conduct of the officers intrusted with the com-
mand of the late expeditions in search of Sir John
Franklin, and whether everything was done byecute the
th em
carry into effect their instructions, and to pros
searoh for the missing ships, commenced their
that prconleed-
ings on the 24th ult.; and, conceiving y
t (,)
distinct inculpations are those contained in Mr. Penny's
letters to their Lordships of the 15th of September and
the 10th of October, we considered it our duty to direct
our attention in the first instance to this part of the sub-
ject, and we aocordingly examined Mr. Penny himself,
and all the principal °facers of the Lady Franklin and
Sophia, with the view of ascertaining satisfactorily every
circumstance connected with the exploration of Welling-
ton Strait and the channels discovered above it, and how
far Mr. Penny's subsequent statements are in con-
formity with those he so distinctly expressed in hie let-
ters of the 4th and 11th of August, addressed to Cap-
tain Austin; and having obtained all the information in
our power, and most carefully considered the whole
question, we are of opinion that Captain Austin could
only put one construction on Mr. Penny's two 1€ tters
referred to, and that, having been thus assured by him
that the open water found above Wellington Straits was
(to use his own expression), from " the fearful rate at
which the tide runs (not less than six knots) through
the sounds that divide the Channel, dangerous even for
a boat, ;much more to a ship, unless clear of ice, which
fro its present appearance would not be so that sea-
son," impracticable for navigation at that time, and that
the shores and islands on both sides had been thoroughly
examined by the exploring parties, without any traces
of the missing ships being discoverable, we do not think
Captain Austin would have been justified in commencing
a fresh search in a direction concerning which he na-
turally considered himself to have received such authen-
tic information.
2. It will be observed that in Mr. Penny's letter, of
the 4th of August, 1851 (from which we extract the pre-
ceding paragraph), he distinctly acquaints Captain
Austin of his fixed determination to return immediately
to England, and that nothing is to be found in it in any
way expressive of his wish for a further search in Wel-
lington Strait, and the channels connected with it. In
his journal, also, several remarks occur, all equally dis-
couraging and fully indicative of his opinions at that
period; and we can only account for his subsequent
change of language on his arrival in England by his
considering (as he himself states in his evidence) that
"he found everybody disappointed;" that it had been
said " more might have been done;" and " that he
therefore wished to have the means of going out again;"
but we are bound to state that the evidence brought be-
fore us has not, in our opinion, corroborated the state-
ment that he expressed to Captain Austin at the time
any such sentiments; and it will be seen that Captain
Austin distinctly denies having received any communi-
cation to that effect.
3. Some desultory conversation, however, certainly
appears to have taken place on this subject when Cap-
tam Austin and Mr. Penny met on the 11th of August,
1851, and it was for this reason that the former (very
prudently and properly, in our opinion). pressed Mr.
Penny so strongly for his opinion in writing.
4. We think, therefore, that Captain Austin could
only form his judgment on Mr. Penny's written nOiniuli-
nientions, which, although very laconic, were sufficiently
explicit, and that, under all the circumstances of the
case, much weight is due to the feeling expressed by,
Captain Austin in his evidence, that as Mr. Penny's ex-
pedition was, cquaily with his own, equipped at the pub-
lic expense, acct receiving its orders from the Admiralty,
although independent of his authority, he considered
himself bound to abide by the strongly-expressed opi-
nion of the officer who had by mutual agreement under-
taken that particular portion of the search, that " all
had been dune which it was in the power of man to
accomplish."
5. We beg to remark on this part of the subject, that
although Mr. Penny endeavours to draw a distinction
between Wellington Strait and the channels to the sorth-
west, which he has since named Queen Victoria's Chan-
nel, no such distinction appears in the crack chart deli-
vered by him to Captain Austin at the time, and which
we annex to this report; and we, therefore, think that
Captain Austin could not fairly be expected to recognise
any distinction between the upper and lower part of this
channel.
6. It appears to have been under this impression,
which we think Captain Austin fully justified in enter-
taining, that after finding Wellington Strait closed, the
ice still presenting the same impenetrable barrier it had
done in 1850, he thcichd on ccoupying the remainder of
the navigable season in the examination of Jones's
Smeel, to which inlet hie own instructions, as weli
as
Mr. Penny's, directed attention, but which the latter had
been unable to explore in the preceding season.
7. We think that considerable benefit might have
arisen, especially with reference to future operations in
Wellington Strait, it one of the expeditions had re-
realned near the entrance about a fortnight longer, in
order to obtain the latest information of the state of the
ice in that direction, and therefore the probable practi-
eebtiity of the navigation of this strait, and we think this
might have been accomplished by Mr. Penny without
involving any serious risk of being detained during the
winter; bus we are clearly of opinion that as no certain
traces of Sir John Franklin's ships had been met
with in any direction beyond their wintering place at
Beechey island in 1845-6, and no record of the route
intended to be pursued by them could be discovered,
after the most diligent [sad repeated search (thus leav-
ing this question a mere matter of conjecture), both
Captain Austin and Mr. Penny were fully justified by
the tenour of their Lordships' instructions in not risking
their detention in the ice during another winter; and we
beg to add that all the most experienced Arctic officers
in both expeditions appear to have unanimously con-
curred in opinion as to the expediency of returning to
England.
8. With respect to the conduct of the officers intrusted
with the command of the expeditions and several,explor-
ing parties, we moat gladly express our highest and
most unqualified admiration of the seal, energy, intre-
pidity, and perseverance with which every individual
amongst them performed their respective duties. They
appear to have been animated by a common feeling of
determination to endure every hardship, and brave
every danger, in their endeavours to obtain souse traces
of their missing countrymen. The journeys accomplished
under the most difficult and trying circumstances far ex-
ceed both in distance and duration any to be found in
the previous records of Arctic exploration iu those
parallels of latitude; and the arrangements made by
Captain Austin and Mr. Penny were so well considered
and so complete that all their parties returned (with only
one exception) in perfect health, and without having
experienced any sufferings beyond those which were in-
" Parable from severe fatigue in such inclement regions.
9. With respect to the results of the late expedition,
as regards the search for the missing ships, on which
their Lordships desire our opinion, we may remark
tatadtein the first place, it is a matter of no small interest
actrnportance to have ascertained with certainty the
exact position in which they passed the winter of 1845-6,
while the careful and minute exploration of the coast to
the southwardLieutenanti and westward by Captain Ommaney and
whatever of
6`teliatock without discovering any traces
very strong presumption John Franklin, would seem to afford a
and conjecture,t that he did not pass that way;
therefore, naturally turns towards IfCel-
lington Strait, to
one
it is well known he had often
looked as affording
see by
of
west, and which we a passage to the north-
examination of the
upperpouibieoutplaert of the channel appetite to
in that direction.
form at least a
10. It is not withoutr considerable hesitation and
anxiety that we proceed to to the last point; on
which their Lordships eequeesptlyo
from any
namely,
n what benefits can be expected anTfurther re-
of opinion that such search should elle p ros esearch, with the means and directions in which
com-
mitteeb
are
cutest."
gw
ho consideredar e
t. :I
with
feelingscoldness or indifference the
thboesien
should dee.ply grieve at
11. We
capable of treating
natural and praiseworthy. of
formation of the fateof • still
without certain in their nearest
h in this state
and dearest relatives,
; e " and awtheonaturally cling
to hope "even against sefuthoughts (as
oap e'rly towards
might be expected) turn g
e direction; but wreth:r eex9l°-
rations, is any and every .
derin ealml a d av- felt,
at the same time, while cons' gan e
..e . carefully
this difficult question, that we haveequally important
duty to perform towards those brave
this meritorious
men whose lives must be risked in am nous and
b t
eir manner it may be
perilous search, and to reflect in w.asafety.
best conducted with a due regard to thinto
12. Taking, therefore, all these circumstances consi-
deration, we have, after a most careful and anxionsehdie-
liberation, decided on recommending to their Lord ps
that an expedition should be dispatched next
whichyear to
Barrow's Strait, consisting of the same ships
composed Captain Austin's division, namely, two Bailin,
ships and two steamers, with orders toproceed direct to
Beechey Island, and to consider that harbour—beyond
which we think one sailing ship
and one steamer should
on no account be taken—as the base of future operations.
13. We consider any further exploration in the direc-
tion of Melville Islond or to the south-west of Cape
Walker wholly unnecessary; and rai would, therefore,
propose that all the strength and energy of the expedi-
tion should be directed towards the examination of the
upper part of Wellington Strait; and we are of opinion
that by the adoption of the Jame careful and well-consi-
dered arrangements which were attended by such satis-
factory results on the late occasion this examination
mayo be effected without any serious risk of loss or
usages.
14. If, on arriving at the proposed rendezvous early
lrilenAangast, the barrier of ice at the entrance of the Strait
iters any attempt to penetrate it unsafe or imprudent,
may, e - • convey boats
reraaps still be poseibie to on
runners or sled' small " lanes' which may
es, or by any
offer, and launchwater
above, and by
this means depots
them into the open
"'"lePets of provisions may be advanced to the
most convenient Pointesuch further information
obtained during the, and
as might very remainder of the navigable season
ranch facilitate the operations of the en-
suing spring.
15. These operations mearly as possible in the season eat,
in that case, be commenced
as
forward with as ranch pushed
rapidityl?eason of 1853, and
pru-
dence, it being clearly understood as is consistent with
by all the exploring
parties that they must return to
the depot at Beechey
Island in good tune for their embarkation
of August at lutes t. The object in
by the middle
sect in view would be to
examine the uppe r part of Wellington
Strait, as far
beyond Mr. Penny's north-western advance as possible;
and if Sir John Franklin did really
di-
rection, it appears highly improbable that proceed s
in that
ome traces
of his expedition. should not be discovered""
by the ex-
ploring parties in. their search.
ie. If, on the other hand, Wellington Strait is found
open and navigable on the arrival of the expedition in
the summer of 152, we think one of the sailing ships!,

with a steamer, might proceed at once to take advantage
of this opportunity, if the officer commanding should
judge such a measare safe and prudent, and be thus
placed in winter quarters in a more favourable position
for commencing the land search in the spring ot 1853,
bat with the most distinct injunctions not to advance
to such a distance as to endanger their return to the
depot, or their communication with it in that year; and
it should be enjoined with equal strictness, that, in the
event of any irreparable disaster to the ships so pro-
ceeding, or if they should be too firmly fixed in the
ice to be extricated during the summer of 1853, they
are to be abandoned, and the crews brought down to
the depot.
17. If is, however, proper to provide ;for one possible
contingency—namely, that of the difficulty of travelling
at a late season, rendering the retreat of the crew to
Beechey Island more haas,rdous to their lives than their
remaining by she ships (if they are only frozen up)
another winter; and in that case the division at Beechey
Island, which will be still amply provided with provisions,
&c., must remain also until the following year; but this
is, we hope, an improbable supposition, and our confi-
dent belief is, that with the improved equipments and
appliances of all kinds which past experience will dic-
tate, such an exploration may be made in the early
part of 1853 as to enable the whole expedition to return
to England before the close of the navigable season.
18. It is obviously impossible to provide in a report
of this kind for more remote and less probable contin-
gencies; but their Lordships' instructions to Captain
Austin (paragraphs 4 and 7), contain all the discretionary
power with which an officer under such circumstances
can be intrusted; and we conclude they will be embodied
in any future orders on the same subject.
19. We have thought it right to request from the
several gentlemen named in the margin* their opinions
on this interesting but most difficult question; and we
annex their replies, to which we beg to call their Lord-
ships' attention.
20. We have also requested from Captain Austin and
the officers specially employed in his travelling parties
such suggestions as to practicable improvements in
equipments, clothing, and provisions, as their recent ex-
perience so well qualifies them to offer. They are an-
nexed to this report, and will be found of considerable
importance.
21. Although our instructions do not advert to the
report of the loss of the missing ships received from an
Esquimaux named Adam Beck, and to which Sir John
Ross in his evidence still attaches much weight, we beg
to state that a paper written by Adam Beck, in the pre-
sence of Sir John Ross and Captain Omme,nney, and
purporting to be the substance of information commu-
nicated to him by another Esquimaux, now in England,
named Erasmus York, on the subject of the loss of the
ships and the murder of the crews, has, on being trans-
lated before us by a Moravian missionary, well ac-
quainted with the Esquimaux language, proved not to
contain a single word relating to this occurrence.
22. Adam Beck's subs&quent deposition, which was
sent to Copenhagen for translation, has not yet been re-
turned; but if their Lordships should consider any fur-
ther inquiry necessary, we would only express an earnest
hope that it may be conducted separately, and not al-
lowed to interfere with the early arrival ot the proposed
expedition in Barrow's Strait.
23. With respect to the efforts now making to afford
relief to the missing ships in the direction of Behring's
strait, we do not venture to offer any suggestions, beyond
a hope that, until further accounts are received from
Captain Collinson and Commander li`Clure, the Plover
may he kept fully provisioned.
We have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient ser
vents,

Wm. BOWLES, Rear-Admiral.
ARTHUR FANSHAWE, Rear• Admiral.
W. E. PARRY, Captain.
F. W. BEECHEY, Captain.
GEORGE BACK, Captain.
To Mr. J. Parker, M.P., &c., Admiralty.
* Rear-Admiral Sir J. Rose, Rev. Dr. Scoresby, Captain
Austin, Captain Kellet, Captain Ommanney, Sir John Ri-
chardson, Mr. W. Penny, and Mr. A. Stewart.

THE HOLMFIRTR CALAMITY.
Nothing further transpired at Holmfirth up to Friday
evening. The coroner's jury viewed the bodies re-
covered since they last met, but nothing will be done in
the way of taking evidence until Wednesday next. A
new-born child has been found in the river opposite
Hinchcliffe mill dam; but it is supposed to have been
purposely placed there since the accident at the reser-
voir by some unnatural mother to conceal her shame.
A large and influential meeting was held at Bradford
on Friday for the purpose of originating a subscription
for the relief of the sufferers by the late calamity at
Hulmfirth. Resolutions were passed appointing a com-
mittee to make an active canvas' of the town, and col-
lect subscriptions on their behalf. A subscription list
was opened in the room, and upward: of 1,0001. was
contributed before the meeting broke up.
KEIGHLEY.—THE RESERVOlR.—Considerable alarm
and rumour have prevailed in this town during the past
week respectinz the strength and stability of the em-
bankment of the Keighley reservoir, situated about five
miles above Keighley, on the edge of the moor sepa- 1
rating Yorkshire from Lancashire. This reservoir, we
understand, is about as large again as the one at Holm-
firth which burst. The valley down to Keighley is
much more contracted, and the buildings are in greater
danger, supposing an accident occurred. Scores of p•ople
living on the edge of the beck, which runs down from
the reservoir, left their dwellings and slept in other parts
of the town. We believe, however, that their alarm was
premature. Good watch has been kept and several
workmen employed about the embankment, so that it is
thought no danger need be feared.—Leeds Mercury.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Who kill'd cock-robin?
I, says Lord John, with my bow and arrow,
I kill'd cock-robin.

from
fromrn i t t e ljd the
ot
rodOt
Sta,--But does not Lord John claim here a greater
feat than belongs to him ? He may have been the
instrument that bent the bow and let fly the shaft,
but who put the bow and arrow in his grasp, and
bade him take aim at his companion in the Ministry ?
Now, the said arrow having been submitted to in-
spection, is evidently of German stick, feathered
from the Prussian eagle, and pointed with some of
the base metal, once attempted to be circulated as
coin in Cobourg, for which a certain petty potentate
was pretty smartly fined by the Diet, and for which
delinquency a certain purse was pretty heavily drawn
upon.
The arrow thus prepared, it appears, was handed
shbeorsnoev
eqrue
iigv enr
of o
tnh
etshee r
ela3ltmh
3,
land levelled
John's bow on Sunday, the 14th of De-
cember. The victim, fully sensible of the armoury
whence the shaft was issued, and smarting at the
many affronts received from the same quarter, and
the offensive injunctions and threats of dismissal con-
veyed to him in 1850, was evidently too proud to
attempt to shield himself from the blow now so deli-
berately aimed for his destruction. Having also been
at Osborne for an audience—though not as a guest—
on the 12th, the Minister must have felt that any
explanation required ought to have been asked direct
of himself, and not insidiously by a letter on the fol.
lo wing day through another. When contempt was
thus bred, who can wonder it was shown by silence ?
Twang went Lord John's bow accordingly on Sa-
turday, the 20th, and down with glee a dispatch is
dispatched by train to Windsor to boast of what the
great little man has ventured, of his own free will,
and on his own responsibility, as he affects to believe
and declare. With still greater glee certain German
eyes, on opening the dispatch-box with his own key,
feasted on its contents, and the agent for the conti-
nental alliance, in the fulness of satisfaction, must
needs convey the intelligence, by that very night's
post, to the emissary Radowitz, so graciously received
as a guest at Windsor when the Foreign Secretary
was excluded. Such news easily sped to Vienna by
the 23d, on which day the letter was written, certi-
fying the intelligence as published by the Breslau
Gazette on the 24th. So much for foreign eyes with
foreign interests at heart, and foreign principles for
conscience, having access to all official documents subs
Now, who kill'd cock-robin ?
A WARNING VOICE.

R.EFoRAI OF EPITAPHS.
A correspondent of the Builder says—ln your late
numbers you have published some instances of curious
aad inappropriate epitaphs on tombstones. I have a
collection of such in my possession, and now send you a
few from it. From Dorchester, Oxfordshire:—
" Here lies the body of --...., an honest man,
And when p
heedvioendshhier owed nobody nothing."
" ThiEliwedding- day appointed was,
From
And wedding clothes provided;
But when the day arrive did,
She sickened and she died did."
From lllverstone:

" Here lies my Wife,
Here lies she :
Hallelujah,
liallelujee."

surrounded
alller;?lii:atswtoerbr-o-thers, by misfortuott
From
One dy'd of his wounds, and the
I cannot recollect where I
saw thedrownded."
following,
answer for its being genuine:— but I can
" Sacred to the memory
Of Bliss Martha Gwynne,
Who was so very pure within,
She burst the outward shell of sin,
And hatched herself a cherubim."
[Several other correspondents have favoured
(lir with
collections of similarly . distressing outrages
sense,d good taste, propriety, and right feeling; but good:
43 7210 t think it desirable to print them. Our object
to aid in awakening attention to the orrors that
have been
•
committed in this respect, with the view of
inducing th
adoption of a better course. The case is
fully proved, and needs no strengthening.—ED. Builder.]

REMARKABLE FULFILMENT OF A DREA3l.—Dllring
the night of Tuesday, William Jackson, a railway labourer,
residing at Green liatnmerton, near linaresborough, dreamed
that he should be killed on the railway. He awoke and told
his wife of the circumstance, whereupon she implored him
not to go that morning to his usual labour on the line ; not-
withstanding whieh he did so, when, strange enough to state,
he accidently fell from a ballast train in the neighbourhood
of Flaxby, and was run over, both his legs and right arm
being crushed in a dreadful manner. He was brought to the
Wheat Sheaf Inn, in this town, where he expired three hours
after his arrival. The poor man has left a widow and seven
children to bewail his loss.—,Bradford Observer, I