The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-13 00:00:00

SATURDAY

—Lieutenant Aldrich on Somerville 'eland, and
Lieutenant M'Cliutock on Cornwallis Island—to th
westward about twenty-five miles, hut without die
s-
covering any traces. Lieutenant Mecham found, in
the bay intended for the winter quarters of the As-
sistance and Tender, the expeditions of Sir John Ross
and Captain Penny.
21. On the afternoon of the 17th Captain Penny
arrived in his dog sledge, when the spring operations
were determined upon, Captain Penny cheerfully
undertaking the complete:search of Wellington Strait.
Thus ended the season of 1850.
22, The expedition was now prepared for the
winter, and every means taken to pass as cheerfully
and healthfully as possible this dreary season; exer-
cise in the open air, instruction and amusement were
resorted to, which, with the most perfect unanimity
and a fair portion of conviviality (under the blessing
of Providence), carried us through the monotony and
privations of an Arctic winter in good health and
spirits ; for which much credit, and my best thanks
are due to Captain Ommanney, the officers, and all
composing the expedition.
23. On the 18th of February, 1851, a communica-
tion was opened (by a small party from this expedi-
tion) with our neighbours to the eastward (temperature
693 deg. below the freezing point), and shortly after
an interchange was made with Captain Penny, of the
detail of equipment for travelling parties determined
on by each.
24. By the 10th of March every arrangement had
been made and generally promulgated for the depar-
ture of the spring searching parties as early as
practicable after the first week in April. All appeared
satisfied with the positions assigned to them, and
became alike animated in the great and humane
cause. With regard to myself, it appeared imperative
that I should remain with the ships, and leave to
those around me the satisfaction and honour of search
and discovery—from their ages well adapting them
for such service, the confidence I felt in their talent
and experience being fully equal to direct the energies
and command the powers of the parties under them,
and their determination to carry out the tasks they
were appointed to perform. I must, however, say
that (if such a feeling could exist on a matter of duty)
I did not without the sacrifice of some personal
ambition refrain from participating in this great work
of humanity.
25. From this period all joined heart and hand in
putting forward every effort in the general prepara-
tion. Walking excursions for four hours a day when
weather permitted (temperature ranging from deg.
43 min. minus), and- sledge dragging with the actual
weights were measures of training.
26. By the 28th of March each individual was
ready, and the equipment of the sledges generally
complete; the best feeling and highest spirits pre-
vailed throughout the expedition, and all looked for-
ward most anxiously for the arrival of the time when
weather and temperature would permit their depar-
ture.
27. The weather being more promising on the 4th
of April (temperature 38 degrees below freezing
point), Mr. M.Dougall, second master, with one
officer and six men, one runner sledge and twenty
days' provisions, left to examine the depots laid out in
October last, and to search and examine with the view
to a subsequent survey the unexplored part between
Cornwallis and Bathurst Islands.
28. The temperature having risen, on the sth of
April the final departure of the parties was determined
upon for the 9th. On the 7th (temperature 44 deg.
below freezing point) the sledges were packed and
made ready for that purpose, but fresh winds frus-
trated that arrangement.
29. The weather becoming non-favourable on the
morning of the 12th (temperature 50 deg. below
freezing point), the whole of the sledges, 14 in num-
ber, manned by 104 officers and men, and provi-
sioned, some for 40, and others for 42 days, with an
average dragging weight of 205 pounds per man,
were conducted under the command of Captain Om-
manney to an advanced position on the ice off the
north-west end of Griffith Island, where tents were
pitched, luncheon cooked, and all closelfiinspected by
myself; the highly satisfactory result gave me great
confidence and hope. All then retired to pass the
next day (Sunday) in quiet reflection and prayer.
30. A moderate gale from the south east, with
heavy drift, prevented their departure on the 14th, as
intended.
31. (Temperature 14 below freezing point.) On
the evening of the 15th.of April, the wind having
fallen, and the temperature having risen to plus 18
deg., all proceeded to the sledges. On arrival a short
period was devoted to refreshment, after which all
joined in offering up a prayer for protection and gui-
dance, then started, w th, perhaps, as much determi-
nation and enthusiasm as ever existed, with the cer-
tainty of having to undergo great labour, fatigue, and
privation.
32. Oa the 24th another party of one officer and
six men left to search Lowther, Davy, and Garrett
Islands, and examine the state of the ice to the west-
ward. Between this and the beginning of May the
temperature fell considerably (to minus 37 deg.) ac-
companied by strong winds.
33. The whole of the limited parties returned at
periods between the 27th of April and the 7th of May,
unhappily without any traces. They brought in
casualties of men from frost bite to the number of 18,
one of which, it is my painful duty to relate, ended
fatally. George S. Malcolm, captain of the hold of
the Resolute, a native of Dundee, whose death was
attributed to exhaustion and frost bite, brought on
while labouring as captain of the sledge Excellent
(virtually, it may be said) died at his post. He was
a most respected petty officer ; his remains are at rest
on the north-east shore of Griffith Island.
During this interval four sledges, manned with 27
officers and men, were dispatched with refreshments
for the extended parties in their return, and to assist
them, if necessary, as also to make observations, fix
positions, deposit records, &c.
On the 23d of May Captain Penny reached the Re-
solute, and made known to me that he had discovered
a large space of water up Wellington Strait, com-
mencing about 70 miles N.W. by N. of Cape
Hotham. I much regretted that oar remaining
strength did not admit of my placing at his disposal
sufficient aid to convey a boat, that be might ascertain
its nature and extent.
36. The extended parties returned—unhappily,
without any trace whatever—between the 28th of
May and the 4th July, in safety and good health, but
requiring short periods of rest and comfort to remove
the effects of privation and fatigue. They were out
respectively 44, 58, 60, 62, and (the Melville Island
parties) 80 days, some portions of periods they were
(From heavy drift) detained in their tents, with the
temperature ranging as much 69 deg. below the
freezing point.
39. Although all have experienced, in the perform-
ance of this extensive undertaking, considerable pri-
vation, labour, and suffering, and been animated with
corresponding ardour in the great cause of humanity
(which I earnestly hope will meet the approbation of
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty), yeti feel
it to be due to bring specially before their
Lordship' notice the great performances of Lieu-
tenant M'Clintock and the crew of the sledge Perse-
verance.
40. I cannot omit to notice that the runner sledges
have withstood the severe wear and tear of these jour-
neys most admirably; I believe their construction to
have arisen from the experience of Artic voyages ; but
feel it to be due to express that the manner in which
they are put together reflects the highest credit on the
persons who did it.
41. I feel it would be a source of great satisfaction
to their Lordships to know that every officer reports
the conduct of his men to have been most exemplary,
each with their untiring labour and the good feeling
exhibited towards each other was highly gratifying.
And I must not omit to mention, that the crews are
reported to have been animated by the example of the
junior officers, who were 'almost constantly at the
drag ropes.
42. It is my pleasing duty to report that the health
of all composing the expedition is highly satisfactory;
the sick lists, dated 9th instant, of the ships, have but
the following men upon them :—Thomas Brown
(blacksmith), Peter Ecclestone "(cook), Edward Pri-
vett (A. B.), James Rogers (A.. B.), William Col-
will (blacksmith), Thomas Rumble ( A. 8.), John
Heydon (A. B.)
43. The four vessesl composing the expedition are
in every way efficient ; the defects of the Pioneer,
consisting of 21 top timbers, crushed by a heavy nip
in Melville Bay, have been made good. The machi-
nery of both steam-vessels has undergone repairs and
numerous adjustments, and is in a state highly satis-
factory, reflecting much credit on the engineers.
44. The complements of the vessels composing the
expedition are complete, the vacancy in the Resolute
having been filled by James Fox, A. 8., volunteer
(native of Portpatrick, Wigtonshire), who was re-
ceived on the 17th of August last from the Prince
Albert (Commander Forsyth) for medical treatment.
45. Large caverns have been built and records de-
posited at Beechy Island, Cape Martyr, southern end
of Griffith Island, Cape Walker, in latitude 73 deg.
55 min. north, longitude 99 deg. 25 min. west; and
in latitude 75 deg., lon. 99 deg. Printed notices have
also been deposited on the routes of the several search-
ing parties.
46. Having yesterday been released from our
winter quarters, and most respectably reached to those
of Captain Penny, I have now the honour to state,
that having maturely considered the directions and
extent of the search (without success) that has been
made by this expedition, and weighed the opinions of
the officers when at their extremes, I have arrived at
the conclusion that the expedition under Sir John
Franklin did not prosecute the object of its mission to
;the southward and westward of Wellington Strait,
' and having communicated with Captain Penny and
fully considered his official reply to ley letter, relative
Ito the search of Wellington Strait by the expedition
under his clotrge
(unhappily without success), I do