The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-18 00:00:00

COURT-MARTIAL ON CAPTAIN KELLETT.

The Court then proceeded to inquire into the cause
and circumstances attending the loss of the Resolute.
The Deputy Judge-Advocate—Captain Kellett, have
you any statement to make to this Court ?—Captain
Kellett—l acted under orders from Sir Edward Beloher,
commander of the Arctic squadron, in abandoning my
ship, not losing her.
Do you produce those orders 1-1 do.
The orders were handed in.

James Lewis Richards, clerk in charge of the Assist-
ance, proved the handwriting of Sir E. Belcher.
Captain Kellett—Here is a confidential communica-
tion to me from Sir E. Belcher. I beg to ask whether
it is to be produced to the Court
The Deputy Judge-Advocate—Does it relate to the
expedition I—Captain Kellett—Yes, it relates to the
abandonment of the ship.
The court was cleared, and, after a short consulta-
tion, it was re-opened, when it was stated that the Court
had decided that the letter should be read.
Mr. Lewis was then sworn and examined—Are these
letters, dated Feb. 1, 1854, and April 2, 1854, in the
handwriting of Sir E. Belcher ?—Yes.
Is this letter, dated the 21st April, 1854, Sir E.
Belcher's writing l—Yes.
Captain Kellett—l produce two letters written by me
to Captain Belcher, which I wish to be read in their
proper order. These letters are dated April 12, 1854—
one of them marked "confidential."
The first latter, marked "confidential," was dated let
February, 1854. It was from Sir E. Belcher to Captain
Kellett, referring to certain orders which had been given
on the 15th October, and stating that the lives of all his
crew must be secured at:Beechey Island, and requesting
him to meet Sir E. Belcher at that place, with the crews
of his vessels before the 26th of August. The second
letter, dated from the Assistance, Wellington Chan-
nel, April 2, 1854, and written by Sir E. Belcher,
empowered Captain Kellett to assume command over
the Investigator, and directed him to use every
means within his reach to carry out his instructions. The
third letter was the reply of Captain Kellett to Sir E.
Belcher, dated the 12th of April, 1854, stating that he
had come to the conclusion that nothing contained in
his orders would justify him in abandoning the ships
under his command, and requesting from Sir E. Belcher
(who was in possession of the orders of the Government)
to give him final, decided, and most unmistakeable or-
, dors ; and in a confidential letter of the same date, Cap-
tain Kellett said that it was the unanimous opinion of
all on board, that they should not suffer from the first
break up, as the ice was of last year's formation. The
next letter read was a reply from Sir E. Belcher, dated
April 21, 1854, stating that he saw no reason for alter-
ing his original decision, that the Resolute or the ten-
der should be abandoned, or both, and directing him to
withdraw everything valuable, Sue, from the Resolute,
and to repair for further instructions to Beechey Island,
after battening down both vessels so that nothing might
be disturbed, and that they might be ready for re-occu-
pation. The orders of the 15th October, 1853, were
also read, stating that unless distinct and unmistakeable
evidence was adduced of the track of Sir John Frank-
lin's expedition, Captain Kellett was to join him at
Beechey Island before the middle of June.
By the Court—What was the position of your vessel?
—Twenty-eight miles south-west and by south of Cape
Colburn.
How long had she been in that position I—We were
first caught in the ice on the 10th of September, and
were drifting about in the pack until the 12th November,
.when we became stationary. We then became fixed in
the position I have mentioned.
Then it was in consequence of those orders that you
left the ship ?—Yes, it was in consequence of the orders
of Capt. Belcher that I abandoned my ship.
Have you any complaint to make against any of your
officers or crew at the time of the abandonment of your
vessel have no complaint to make of those who were
in the ship. The others were absent on special duty.
What was the date of the abandonment of the vessel ?
g*The 15th of May this year.
In what condition was the vessel I—ln perfect condi-
tion ; battened down, topgallantmasts on deck, and
square sails bent.
And provisions I—Up to July, 1855, except preserved
meats. The Intrepid was also in perfect condition.
A question was put to the officers and crew whether
they had any complaint to make against Captain Kai.
lett. No answer was given to the question.
The court was then cleared, and on re-admesien,
The Deputy Judge-Advocate read the finding of the
Court, which was to this effect :—The Ceurt is of
opinion that no blame whatever is imputable to Captain
Kellett, his officers, or crew, or any of them, but that
he acted under the orders of Sir Edward Belcher, his
superior officer, in abandoning his ship, and that no
other course was open to him ; and the Court doth ad-
judge him and his crew to be fully acquitted, and they
are hereby acquitted accordingly-
Admiral Gordon, in restoring his sword to Captain
Kellett, ha;ip great satisfaction in returning yon
the sword which you have worn with so much credit, and
satisfaction) and advantage to the country.

COURT-MARTIAL
To,-,,... ON COMMANDER
The Court next pro
....,....,11,LARDs.
proceeded with the charge against
Commander George Henricee---
loss of the Assistance andZichards
Tne Court—Have , arising out of the
You-any statement to make, Com-
mander Richards ?
Commander Richards—Sir E. Belcher assumed the
command on Beechey Island on the night of the 23d of
on the morning
August in this year, and at six o'clock
r were aban-
of the `.sth the Assistance and thel
direction.
doned by his order, and under his personal
Do you wish to call him as a witness 'r
Sir Edward Belcher was then called and sworn.
The Deputy Judge-Advocate—lt is my duty to state
that you are not °bilged to answer any questions that
may implicate yourself.
Sir E. Belcher examined—Are you captain of the As-
sistance ?—I am.
Were you so on the 25th August last ?—I wax.
Was Commander Richards under your command ?
He was.
Did you vice any orders to him as to the abandon-
ment of the Assistance and her tender the Pioneer ?—I
did, in pursuance of the instructions of the Lords of the
Admiralty, and of the powers intrusted to me.
Were the ship and tender abandoned by your orders ?
—lbey,,,pre ft,bandoned by my orders, then commanding
m' elf.
"Where were the ship and tender,?—Sealed in the ie.,:
,:: 42 miles from Beechey Island.
"rya
rDo you mean both the vessel and tender I—Yes, both.
In reply to further questions, Sir E. Belcher said the
vessels were 36 miles from the edge of the ice—from the
southern edge of the toe. They were on the eastern

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