The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-12 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENING-, SEPTEMBER 121, 1851.

but state my admiration of the constant contentment
and steady and willing endurance of the officers and
men of the parties under circumstances of no small
hardship. From this date to the sth of May every
one was busily engaged preparing more amply for
what we had found to be necessary in our first
journey. On the 6th, after a short prayer to the
Almighty to enable us to fulfil our duty, the sledges
again started, the crews of the two that had been
left up channel being distributed among them.
They were again in charge of Captain Stewart till
such. time as I should myself join them at the upper
depot, when I was to see each party take its separate
route. At six o'clock, Ala., on the 9th of May, I
started with Mr. Peterson, and Thomson, one of the
seamen, with two dog sledges, and at two o'clock P.M.
we overtook the parties, then camped at the further
depot. From Point Separation, in 75 deg. 5 min. N.
let., Captain Stewart, with his auxiliary, Dr. Suther-
land, and Mr. J. Stuart, of the Lady Franklin, left,
proceeding along the coast to Cape Hurd, examining
the various beaches, &c., for further traces, as strong
opinions were still entertained that more were to be
found in that quarter.
" Mr. Goodsir, with Mr. Marshall as his auxiliary,
had assigned to them to examine the west side, and to
follow up after the dog sledges, receiving final instruc-
tions on reaching the head of the channel. Rapid
journeys were made with the dogs to Cape Duhava,
in N. lat. 75 deg. 22 min. Hence the land was seen
to trend N.W. ten miles, terminating in a point, after-
wards named Point Decision, which was reached at
half Test ten, si., on the 12th of May. A hill of
400 feet in height was ascended, and in consequence
of the land being then continuously in a north-
westerly direction, instructions were left to Mr.Good-
sir to take this coast along to the westward, while I
myself proceeded in a N.W. by N. direction towards
land seen to the northward. At five, Eat., on the
14th, we encamped on the ice, having travelled 25
miles N.W. by N. from Point Decision. The follow-
ing day, after travelling 20 miles from the encamp-
ment in a N.W. by N. direction, we landed at seven,
rex., on an island named Bailie Hamilton's Island.
" Ascending a hill about 500 feet high above the
headland on which we landed, the ice to the west-
ward, in the strait between Cornwallis and Hamilton
Island, was seen to be much decayed, and an island
was seen to the westward, distance thirty-five or
forty miles. As the decayed state of the ice prevented
further progress to the westward from this point, and
no trace being found, we proceeded round the island,
first to the N.N.E., and afterwards, on rounding Cape
Scoresby, in a N.N.E. direction. On the 16th we
came upon what, to all appearance, was water, and on
halting, on the 17th, at Point Surprise, we were asto-
nished to open out another strait, in which was twenty-
five miles of clear water; an island was seen bearing
W. S., distant forty miles ; and a headland, distant
fifteen miles W. by N., the dark sky over this head
indicating the presence of water, to the extent of per-
haps twenty miles on the other side. This point was
found to be in 76 deg. 2 min. N. lat., and 95 deg.
55 min. W. long. Further progress being prevented
by water, and we being still without traces, and the
dogs' provision being exhausted, no other course re-
mained but to return to the ships, which we reached,
after rapid journeys, at midnight on the 20th of
May.
" The carpenters and people on board were imme-
diately set about preparing a boat to endeavour to
reach the water seen.
" On the 29th of May the second mate arrived,
having left Mr. Goodsir in 75 deg. 36 min. N., and
96 deg. W. Water had been seen by them to the
northward, from their furthest station. He made a
very rapid return, having run in one day from 25 to
30 miles. Every one on board continued actively
occupied, preparing the boat, provisions, &c., and on
the 4th of June it started, with one auxiliary sledge
and one dog's sledge ; the whole party being in charge
of Mr. Manson.
" On the 6th of June, Mr. John Smart returned
with his party from Cape Hurd, after an absence of
thirty-one days, but without having found any traces
either indicative of the course pursued by her Ma-
jesty's ships Erebus and Terror, or of any retreating
party having subsequently passed along the coast.
" After 36 hours' rest, Mr. Stuart again started to
join Mr. Manson, having equipped his sledge for a
20 days' journey. He overtook the boat on the
morning of the ;Bth of June, then one mile to the
westward of Cape Hotharn. The same day a dog
sledge from Mr. Manson arrived at the ship, stating
that the sledge on which the boat was placed, after
trial, had been found unfit for the purpose. The ar-
mourer, who was returned with the dog sledge, was
immediately set about preparing a longer sledge, but
having no carpenter on board, the wood work was
finished by Sir John Ross's carpenter. On the 11th,
at 4 A at., I joined the boat with the two dogs' sledges,
and all hands were immeeiately set about fitting and
lashing the new sledge, and arranging the weights of
the party between the two long ;sledges and the two
dogs' sledges. On the 12th Mr. Manson returned,
no one being left in the ship but the clerk in charge.
" The improvement in the boat's sledge was so
remarkable, and the ice also so much better, that a
distance of 105 miles was accomplished in seven
marches. The boat being then launched into the
water and laden, the fatigue party returned, and
reached the ship on the 25th of June, all in good
health, the dogs dragging their light sledge the whole
way.
On our journey out we met Dr. Sutherland at
Depot Point, returning after an absence of 38 days.
He reported having left Captain Stewart in 76 deg.
20 min. N., in the opening of Wellington Channel,
but without having fallen in yet with any traces.
When off Point Griffiths, on the 14th, Messrs.
Goodsir and Marshall were fallen in with, having
examined the northern shores of Cornwallis and Bat-
hurst land, as far as 99 deg. W., but still without
having fallen in with any traces. They were obliged
to return in consequence of the water.
"Resuming the boat journey, after separating
from fatigue sledges on the 17th of June, we pro-
ceeded about ten miles to the westward, when we
were obliged to take shelter in an adjacent bay, in
consequence of a head sea and strong easterly g ale.
From this date until the 20th of July
310 miles of
coast was examined by the boat under very disad-
vantageous circumstances, arising from constant
.un-
favourable winds and rapid tides. Our provisions
being then within eight days of being consumed, and
our distance from the ship such, that prudence would
not warrant further perseverance with this supply,
we commenced our return, and with a strong north-
west wind, succeeded in reaching Alendon Bay, after
15} hours. The ice being so decayed as to preclude
the launching of even an empty boat, we were com-
pelled to haul the boat ashore and abandon her,
taking with us four days' provisions. The weather
during our return was boisterous in the extreme, with
continued rain, which made the streams it was neces-
sary to ford very rapid. The constant wet caused the
greatest discomfort ; but from none of my men did I
once hear a complaint. In 75 degs. N. lat. we found
a boat, which Captain Stewart had wisely sent out
in case of such a contingency as had occurred, but
the ice having set into the mouth of NVellington Chan-
nel, which had up to this time been open, we were
unable to fetch her down further than Barlow Inlet.
Thence we walked to the ships, which we reached at
10 P.m. on the 25th of July.
" Capt. Stewart had returned on the 21st of June,
having reached Cape Beechey in 76 deg. 20 min.
north latitude, and 27 deg. west longitude. We here
again started on the Ist of July, and carried up a
depot for my return to Cape Dubarn, returning from
this journey on the 17th of July. For particulars
during the different searches I would refer you to
the accompanying reports.
"On my return I was equally surprised to hear
that Barrows Straits had been open as far as could be
seen since the 2d of July, an occurrence which was
so far to be expected as the strait was seen to be in
motion till the 11th of March. The land ice had
also come out of Wellington Channel as far up as
Point Separation, probably about the sth of July ;
and on the 27th of July, when our travelling opera-
tions concluded, the flat edge in the channel oontinued
in the same position.
"The ship continued icebound till the 10th of
August, but had our parties returned in sufficient
time to refit and be ready to cut out from the date of
water-making, we should have been at liberty on the
15th of July.
" On the 11th Aug. Capt. Austin's ship entered our
harbour in their progress to the eastward. His parties
had penetrated as far as ships could hope to go, yet,
like our own, were unsuccessful in finding the least
trace of the missing expedition. In fact, none bad
been found such as would warrant the risk of a second
winter ; and, my orders being such as left no alterna-
tive, I determined on immediately returning to Eng-
land, if no instructions to the contrary should be met
with. In proceeding down the country we landed at
Cape Hay and Button Point, in Ponds Bay, positions
considered the most probable for dispatches being left
on by the whale ships. Finding none,. we continued
our course down along the land, crossing in 70 deg.
N. let., through a body of 140 miles of ice. We
made repeated endeavours to reach Sievly, on the
island of Diao, to ascertain if any dispatches had been
left there for our guidance, but thick weather and a
strong northerly wind obliged us to haul off, after having
made a narrow escape from a reef lying close in shore.
We parted from the Sophia about twenty miles off
the land, expecting to rejoin her after having commu-
nicated with the Danish settlement; but the thick
weather and strong gale continuing for twenty-four
hours, we separated from her, and have not since seen
her. Captain Stewart s instructions, in case of such
an event, were to make the best of his way to Wool-
wich, having it in his power to take either the Eng-
lish Channel or the Pentland Frith as his route, ac-
cording as the wind might lead. "
In speaking of the services of the various officers
under me, I would mention my second in command
as an able and energetic coadjutor, both on board ship
and in conducting the search along the east coast of

Wellington Channel and the south shores of Albert
Land; and his foresight in laying out the depot and
a boat for the boat party greatly facilitated our safe
return. Dr. Sutherland, of the Sophia, as his auxiliary
in travelling, proved himself a most indefatigable
officer, and his attention while on board to natural
history and meteorology, will no doubt afford many
useful facts. Of Mr. 1). Morrison, the chief mate of
the Sophia, an old and experienced whaling master, I
cannot speak too highly. He had charge of the vessel
during the absence of myself and Captain Stewart,
and throughout the winter he paid the greatest atten-
tion to tidal and barometrical register; and his ser-
vices in conducting the boat to Cape Hotham, under
p culiarly disadvantageous circumstances, were be-
yond all praise. Mr. James Reid, the second mate
of the Sophia, a son of the ice-master of the Ere-
bus, accompanied Captain Stewart in the first
journey as an auxiliary, and afterwards proceeded
with him to his furthest. Of Messrs. Marshall and
Leiper, the chief and second mates of the Lady
Franklin, I would make mention—experienced and
skilful ice officers—and the exertions of the one in
accompanying Mr. Goodsir in the whole extent of his
journey, and the other, my second in the boat, were
such as could not but afford me the greatest satisfac-
tion. The whole of the duties of refitting the ship
during my absence fell upon Mr. Marshall, and were
accomplished in a time remarkably short, considering
the few hands on board. Of Mr. John Stuart, the
youngest officer under my command, I cannot speak
too highly. Finding that there was no duties as
' assistant-surgeon, he acted as third mate ; and his
exertions in preparing the travelling equipment, his
surveys of various bays during his travels, and his
assisting in preparing charts, &c., have proved of the
greatest use; and for his proceedings during the
search of the beaches, &c., between Cape Evinelle and
Cape Hurd, I would refer you to his journal. He
afterwards started as an auxiliary to the boat party,
with an interval of only thirty-six hours, and was
subsequently employed in numerous abort journeys,
conducting boats, &c.
" Mr. Goodsir in his western search discharged
alike his duty to this expedition and his missing
brother. _ .

-- - ----
" Mr. Peterson, the interpreter, in conducting the
dog sledges, and in affording much useful information
with respect to travelling, as well as his personal ex-
ertion in the same to the extent even of injuring his
health, has afforded me the greatest satisfaction, and
of his services as interpreter on a former occasion I
have made mention in a previous dispatch.

" Of the seamen of both vessels Placed under my
command I cannot speak too highly, for neither in
winter quarters nor while enduring the privations and
fatigues of travelling did ever one complaint or
grumble reach my ears. Of their unwearied exertions
a schedule is laid before you ; and if success has not
attended their labours, they have not the less per-
formed their duties.—l have, &c.,
" WILLIAM PENNY,
" Commanding the Expedition.
" The Secretary of the Admiralty."
(To be continued.)

THE LATE FATAL STEAM-BOAT

COLLISION NEAR GREENHITHE.

CORONER'S INQUEST.
On Wednesday evening a coroner's jury was sum- '
moned at the London Hospital, before Mr. Baker, coro-
ner for Middlesex, on view of the body of Marian Gudge,
who was stated to have died in consequence of a blow
from the bowsprit of the Sapphire, whilst she was on
board the Meteor, the Sapphire running into the Meteor.
After some desultory conversation as to the course of
prooedings to be'adopted, the inquiry was adjourned till
yesterday, in order that a post mortena examination of
the body should be made.
On the case being resumed yesterday morning, on be-
half of the Star Company, Mr. Harmer, chairman, Mr.
Dobson, secretary, and Mr. Arnold, solicitor, attended
to watch the proceeding; and illr. Southgate, solicitor of
the Diamond Company, attended for that company.
After some prelimi❑ary observations,
Mr. Harmer stated that there was no culpable neglect
as far as the directors had been able to ascertain, on the

part of either of the company's servants; and as fir as

compensaticn was concerned both companies were anxi-
ous to behave liberally. They were, at the same time,
desirous that the fullest investigation should take place
into the circumstances of the case.

The CORONER read the bye-laws of the River Thames
relative to tho management of steamers on the ricer, but
it was argued by
Mr. Southgate that they did not apply to the river
vessels, and had never been adopted. The river vessels
carried the lights mentioned in those bye-laws.
Mr. Harmer said the question of lights was not in-
volvel in th 3 case, as at the time of the accident it was

not dark.
The CORONER then read the rule from the Trinity
Board Order relative to the sides on which vessels
should pass each other, and which specified that each
vessel should pase the other (on meeting) on the lar-
board hand; and also a clause which rendered the master
of all steamers liable for all accidents which may occur
from any dereliction; and having impressed on the jury
the peculiar nature of the case, suggested that some in-
telligent person not criminally liable, who was on board
the Meteor at the time of the accident, would be the best

person to examine first.
Ann Johnson, wife of Peter Johnson, 17, Jeremiah-
street, East India-road, seaman, identified the body of
the deceased Marian Gudge, who was the wife of Chris.
topher Gudge, shoemaker, No. 9, Gun-lane, Limehouse.
Witness. said she was on board the Meteor steamer sit-
ting beside the deceased at the time of the accident.
[ln answer to a question from the CORONER, the cap-
tain of the Meteor was here stated to be Geo. Mackley.]
The accident took place on the Ist of September, at
half-past seven in the evening. It was then growing
dusk, but not dark. The vessel was then coming from
Gravesend, but I do not know which way the tide was.
The Meteor met the Sapphire, another vessel,
which was going down as we were coming
up, near Purfleet. We were on the side of
the river opposite Gravesend, that is on the north
side. I cannot say the rate at which we were travel-
ling, but it did not appear to be at a quicker rate than
ordinarily. The first apprehension of anything wrong
proceeded from the captain's calling out from the bridge
which crosses the vessel (the Meteor) to the captain of
the Sapphire, as I suppose. He sung out loudly,
" Charley, Charley, what are you at ? what are you
doing ?" I heard no reply, but the instant afterwards
the vessels came in contact with each other. Both
steamers were Gravesend vessels. The Sapphire ran
against the stern quarter of the Meteor. The bowsprit
of the Sapphire came directly across the seat where
deceased was sitting at the end towards the stern, and
as she looked round the point of the bowsprit struck her
in the head, and threw her on the deck with great
violence. She bled very much from the head. She was
struck on the left part of the temple, where a wound
was caused. She became insensible shortly afterwards.
I lifted her up on her knees, but she fell again. She
was then taken down into the cabin, still insensible. A
medical gentleman was on board at the time, who at-
tended to her, and she had every assistance that could
be given. I accompanied her out of the vessel on her
arrival at Blackwall, and she was carried on
men's arms into a fly, and I accompanied
her to my home in Jeremiah-street, and she
was then taken to her own home, and thence to the
London Hospital. I saw her at the hospital next day;
she was then sensible. She had every attention paid to
her. I was not present at her death. The body viewed
by the gentlemen of the jury is that of Marian Gudge.
There was no other cry than that of " Charley," &c.,
which I have before mentioned.

By the jury—The bulwark gave way from the force
of the bowsprit coming in, and I was knocked down, and
had my shoulder much bruised. There is another per-
son in the witness-room who was also injured by the
collision. I have uo doubt as far as my observation is
concerned that the collision was quite accidental. There
was no warning given of any danger. We could see
about half a mile when the accident occurred. On the
captain's calling out the deceased turned round, and was ,
immediately struck by the bowsprit. I heard no cry
from the man at the wheel, or any directions elven to
the call-boy. After the collision the Meteor was stopped
for some time, but I saw nothing more of the Sapphire.
After I lifted up deceased I fainted away. I heard no
call from the Sapphire. When the collision took place
the shock was very great.
Sarah Barry, wife of George Barry, Jeremiah-street,
East India-road, steward of a vessel, was next examined
—She said she was sitting next to Mrs. Johnson, the

last witness, at the time of the accident on last Monday,
week. Heard some one call out " Charley," and imme-
diately the vessels struck. I did not see the vessel
approaching us, as we were sitting with our back to-
wards the Sapphire. I heard no cry of danger but that
of " Charley, which I believe proceeded from the cap-
tain of the Meteor. I did not see where the captain was.
I did not hear the man at the wheel give any intimation
of danger. The shock was very great, and deceased,
the last witness, and myself fell. Deceased spoke to me
once afterwards in the cabin. She complained of being
bad in her head. It was just getting dark.
Mr. Osborn Johnson, house-surgeon of the London
Hospital, stated that the death of the deceased was
caused by the injuries she had received. Deceased was
brought to the hospital about twelve o'olock on Monday
week. She had a slight wound on her scalp, no doubt
caused by violence, suck as a blow from a bowsprit. I
found her skull was fractured towards the left side. A
pat mortem examination of the body had been made,
and there was no doubt that deceased died of a fractured
skull.
George Martin, of Milton, Gravesend, waterman, was
then examined.—lle stated that he was in the employ
of the Meteor (Star Company's vessel) for some time.
The captain's name is George Mackley. I have been in
the employ of the company for about four months,
during which he has been captain. He is about 34
years of age. He is very attentive to his duties, and we
have had no other accident since I have belonged to the
Meteor. lam ono of the seamen before the mast, and
took the wheel just before the accident occurred. I
have been at sea for twelve years. I often take the
wheel, and am quite competent to do so. I relieved the
former man at the wheel in my turn. I take directions
from the captain on the paddle-box, chiefly by
hand signals, which are well understood, and
we act from them accordingly. We seldom take
directions by word of mouth, except on dark nights. We
were going towards London in Long Reach, just
after leaving Greenhithe on Monday week, about half-
past seven, between daylight and dark. We could see
quito plain. I saw the Sapphire coming down in the
opposite direction. The captain of the Sapphire is
Charles Fox. I saw her about three minutes before the
collision took place between her and the Meteor. We
were on the north aide. The tide was running
down at the time. The river is about three-quarters of
a mile wide at the place of the accident. The Sapphire
was making a straight course down the centre of the
river. I saw no other vessel in our way. I heard the
captain, just before I saw the Sapphire, cry out,
" Charley, what are you at?" addressing himself to the
captain of the Sapphire. A few minutes after the vessel
struok us.

By the CouMT—What made the captain sing oui,
Witness—lt is a usual thing for us to go on the north
aide on an ebb tide, and we were doing so by porting
our helm, and the Sapphire was starboarding her helm
to come towards us. There was nothing in his way to
cause him to do this.
Cross-examined—When the cry was given there was
time for her to have cleared us if she had ported helm.
That is the proper way to Pass, and is in accordance
with the Admiralty regulations, and the regulations of
the port of London. I did not see the captain of the
Sapphire. We were three parts over the river, and the
Sapphire was in the centre, and that vessel left the mid
channel and came towards us. The Sapphire did not
port helm till she struck us, and then it was too late. The
operation of the helm is almost instantaneous. We bad
left the pier about three or four minutes. There is no
hostile feeling between the two companies. I cannot toll
whether the paddle wheels of the Sapphire were stopped
before she came to us. I do not know whether the lights
were up or not. We generally use two lights, which indi-
cate our progress, and have a tendency to prevent colli-
sions. I consider them necessary after sunset. I cannot tell
whether the Sapphire carried lights or not. There was an-
other man at the wheel, on the aide where the vessel was
struck, and he ran sway, but I was knocked down by
the force of the collision. There was a deal of damage
done. We lay to for some time after the accident, and
the Sapphire sent to know if we wanted assistance, but
finding we did not they proceeded on their voyage. The
wheel was hard sport from the time that the captain
sung out " Charley."
Cross-examined—The helm would have been ported
to bring her across the river whether or not,
By Mr. Southgate—At the time the alarm was given
were not the vessels so close to each other that the acci-
dent could not have been avoided ? Witness—No; if
the Sapphire had ported helm they would have passed us.
Was the collision intentional? Witness—No.
Could it have been avoided? Yes, if they had ported
helm.
George Martin's examination continued—The after
part of the Meteor was struck. This was caused by our
being bard sport; our vessel went to the north, and the
stern was thus thrown out, and the Sapphire came on to
us. If we had not been so hard sport, she might have
avoided us.
John Ogilvy Story, of South Shields, captain
vessel, was next examined—Ho staotend he
tain of a ship for twelve years.
was a passenger on board the Meteor. Ile
ulniadectllybeween eokefahr:
aft, right abreast of the cabin companion, was sitting
call-boy ordered by the captain of the M etoorliteea.
r4dstatnhdby. He e
then looked round and saw the
Sapphire near-
ing us. She was twice or thrice
ourr own :length from
us, and coming down in au angular
ction. Her helm
being ste.rheazd would have caused that, and being
sport would have led the head the otter way. There is
this to be observed, " that if the
starboard, and the el illea
---- turnln Sapphire's helm was
g astern to avoid the