The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-26 00:00:00

steamers as far as practicable, so as to secure her re-
turn to England the same season

My firm conviction is, that if ever the Wellington
Channel is navigable to any considerable distance, it
must be only on an occasional open season. Sbculd
an expedition be so favoured as to hit on such a sea-
son the year of its departure from England, we should
gain an advanced position, from whence an extensive
search would be effected in the ensuing spring; ac-
cordingly I would recommend preparing an expedi-
tion for rapid movements.
I propose having two steam screw-propelling ves-
sels; they cannot have much power because you
wane all the space you can gain for your crew and
provisions; to accomplish a rate of seven knots per
hour at full speed is quite sufficient, and in my opi-
nion, their size should not exceed 500 or 600 tons,
drawing about 12 or 13 feet water. They should not
be so long es our last steamers were, and broader in
proportion, being so constructed, as far as may be
practicable, preserving her efficiency as a steamer, to
possess all the qu 'Mies of a sailing-vessel--one that
would work quickly in narrow lanes of water in the
event of being solely dependent on the use of sails.
They ought to spread more canvas than our last
steamers, and be provided with square sails on the
mainmast. Vessels of this description would require
to use their steam less frequently than we did on the
late expedition.

To stow the same proportion of fuel, on reaching
the Arctic seas, as was effected by our last steamers, is
ample; being unencumbered with a sailing-vessel,
that quantity, or even less, would produce a greater
result in distance than before, and I am satisfied, as
before stated, be less frequently used.
As a depot-ship to carry out the ultimate supplies
for these two steamers, I would take the Assistance,
which is ready prepared for such a service ; she has
great capacity, and will stow 100 tons more than on
the last voyage. Let her have 50 working hands,
with a limited number of officers. She should ac-
company these steamers, as far as the nature of the
season would admit of, to the entrance of Lancaster
Sound, if possible. Port Dundas, which I visited,
near Cape IVarrender, would be a good position to
complete up with fuel and provisions. This accom-
plished, the Assistance would return, and the steamers
proceed with the search.

The Assistance would have to carry 300 tons of
fuel, independently of the stores and provisions for
the steamers. This would be effected by removing
the warming apparatus, dispensing with unnecessary
anchors, cables, boats, &c., and all the stores which
we carried for three years' use, would in this case be
substituted for by provisions, and with only sufficient
executive officers, a large space would also be gained;
she would be quite adequate to answer this purpose.
Should it prove a very favourable season, I wciuld
carry the depot ship as far as Beechey Island, there
complete up, and make a depot on shore as well before
advancing.
From my experience, and looking to all previous
Arctic navigation, it is impossible to follow up any
previously defined line of operations to pursue; no two
seasons are ever alike; whoever he may be he must
be guided by circumstances ; assuming that we reach
Cape Riley (which may not be gained in all seasons
—refer to Sir John Ross's Expedition, and to the
North Star) with the two steamers, efficient in all
respects, and with leads before you up the channel,
then I should push forward while the season lasted to
gain the most advanced position for wintering in, and
with travelling parties would in all probability effect
the desired search.

But taking such a season as we met with, there
is no alteration but to winter at Beechey
from whence it would also be practicable by travel-
ling (through the experience of the late expedition)
to set at rest the question respecting the channel seen
by Mr. Penny ; it may terminate in a deep gulf,
which I ~m not unprepared for, from what I re-
marked about the tides in Wellington Channel.
Another proposition here presents itself; you find
the Wellington Channel blocked up, but all promises
well for advancing to the westward; as some people
express a wish for Banks Land to be explored, the
leader of the expedition might have authority for de-
taching one vessel in that direction.

I would not recommend advancing up the Wel-
lington Channel a second time, unless certain of your
retreat again, for it almost amounts to a certainty
that the vessels would be blocked up, as may have
been the fate of Franklin.

Having gained an advanced position to the north-
westward of the Wellington Channel in 1852, in an
open season, in all probability a succession of close
seasons will follow, leaving the expedition blocked up.
We must, therefore, be prepared to sacrifice the
ships. The spring of 1854 would, therefore, be the
period to abandon the ships, and retreat with the
crews to Port Leopold and the depot left by the North
Star near Admiralty Inlet.
I have no faith in the theory of a Polar basin, con-
sequently my opinion is that the success of a search-
ing expedition to the north-westward of the Wel-
, lington Channel depends entirely on the state of the
navigation next year. The commander of the expe-
dition should have full discretionary power, and every
one who joins must understand that their lives are to
be risked, not only with a hope to save others, but to
ascertain the fate of the missing expedition.
The travelling gear should be of the most perfect
description, and in ample quantity, availing ourselves
of all the improvements recommended by myself and
the officers of the late expedition, and given in to
Captain Austin at his request; the details of all the
travelling equipments have, I believe, been all laid
before you.
Some description of light boat on runners, for car-
rying over ice, would be most desirable.
A large quantity of Bickford's fuze should be car-
ried for ice blasting. We had to prepare all our
charges, which involved loss of time, and the occupa-
tion of two or three working hands when most re-
(Fired. These might be prepared by the Ordnance
of the proper weight, and stowed in cases, ready for
use and the application of the fuze. We found the
blasting most invaluable in clearing away a short
trip, and I recommend it for all future Arctic expe-
ditions.

The expedition ought not to be less efficiently
equipped than the last, which in all respects was most
complete. There was a superabundance, perhaps, of
some stores, which might be dispensed with. The
provisions and vegetables might consist of a greater
variety with great advantage ; and the salt provisions,
the beef particularly, should be cured without so
much saltpetre. Travelling boots should be prepared
before starting. Glass shades for the protection of
the eyes for all the crew should be supplied, and of the
best description.

I would recommend that no more officers than are
actually necessary be employed. The non-executives
only occupy space, require attendance, and curtail the
accommodation for the crew. It is also important that
the officers should be well versed in practical astro-
nomy, with some knowledge of surveying, sufficient
to lay down a coast line correctly. The engineers
must be ready to perform any other duty when not
navigating, or at work about their engines. It is my
decided opinion that none but naval officers should be
employed on such a service, selecting those who have
already proved themselves competent to undergo the
privations in the former expeditions, and by their
ability and dispositions adapted for such peculiar ser-
vice. More time should be allowed for fitting out the
expedition than we had; and I consider the middle or
end of May quite early enough to sail. The selection
of men is most important, a❑d I much prefer the
" man-of-war's man." The system of having ice
quarter-masters answered admirably, and I would re-
commend the same again.
In selecting steam-vessels such as I have described,
for independent operations, it will be necessary to
provide for a larger crew and more officers ; but they
should not exceed 600 tons, and seven knots is the
utmost limit of speed required. A large steamer
should accompany the expedition to the edge of the
ice or disco.

I have thus stated my general opinion for a further
search on the basis of rapid operations, which I con-
sider, under the present circumstances, is all that is
required. As we are in possession of all the details
necessary for equipping a❑ Arctic expedition, it is
needless here to enter into them. The officer, se.
lected from former experience, will be fully compe-
tent to make his own arrangements, as was done in
the late expedition under Captain Austin ; and of
all things, let the officer in command be unfettered
from co-operation with other expeditions.
ERASMUS OMMANNEY, Captain R.N,,
Late her Majesty's ship Assistance.
London, Nov. 12, 1851.