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

THE ARCTIC SEARCHING
EXPEDITIONS.

We have been favoured by the Admiralty with
the following details of the proceeding of the expe-
dition under Captain Penny, whose ship has just
returned, bringing dispatches also from Captain
Austin :

" Her Majesty's ship Lady Franklin,
" Assistance Harbour, Cornwallis Island,
" April 12, 1851.
" Sir,—l have the honour to inform you, for the
information of my Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miralty, that, after parting company with her Ma-
jesty's ship North Star, on the 21st of August, I
reached along the north shore of Barrow Strait until
Sunday, the 24th, keeping a strict look-out. Being
then off Beechey Island, I spoke the American
schooner Reserve, and learned that her Majesty's ship
Assistance had found traces of the Franklin Expedi-
tion on Cape Riley. The Assistance was then running
to the westward, and, anxious to be possessed of
every particular, I followed her with the intention of
going on board, but I had not that opportunity until
two p.m., when both vessels were made fast to the
land-ice two-thirds of the distance across Wellington
Channel, the Assistance being about one mile and a
half to the westward of us. Finding that the traces were
apparently those of a retreating party, I thought
it my proper course to return to the east side of
Wellington Channel, which I accordingly did. The
succeeding morning I landed with a party, and
examined the coast from 10 miles to the northward of
Cape Spencer to that promontory, and an encampment
was found near the latter place, seemingly that of a
hunting party about three years previous. Joining
company with the Advance, the Rescue and the Felix
schooners the following morning, we made fast in a
bight under the north-west side of Beechy Island, and
having consulted with Captain Dunhaven and Sir J.
Ross, it was agreed that the former should dispatch a
party to continue the search northward along the east
coast of Wellington Channel, while I explored the
coast to the eastward. Meanwhile, a party of all my
officers, which had been dispatched in the direction of
Caswell's Tower, discovered the quarter which had

been occupied by the vessels of Sir John Franklin's
expedition in the winters of 1845-6. Three graves
were also found, the head-boards showing them to be
those of three seamen who had died early in the spring
of 1846 ; but, notwithstanding a most careful search
in every direction, no document could be found. The
same evening a boat party was dispatched under Cap-
tain Stewart, to explore Radstock Bay and its vici-
nity, but no further traces were found in that di-
rection.

" The Resolute and Pioneer came up and made fast
on Wednesday morning, and an unfavourable condi-
tion of the ice detained us all till evening, when water
being opened to the eastward, I stood a certain dis-
tance across Wellington Channel in the morning, and
sent away a party under Mr. J. Stuart, to communi-
cate with the Assistance. The same evening we
were again in Beechy Bay, and the party returned
the following forenoon, having accomplished upwards
of 40 miles.

" By them we were acquainted that the Assistance
had found no traces in about 30 miles of coast, ex-
amined by her to the north and south of Barlow Inlet.
" The state of the ice prevented the least motion
being made with the ships until Thursday, the sth of
September, when we left Beechy Bay; but so little
was the ice slackened off, that we were unable to
reach the west side of the Channel before Sunday,
the Bth.

" While lying under Beechy Island, arrangements
were made with Sir John Ross to lay up the Mary
yacht, and a quantity of provisions was contributed,
as our share of the depot there formed.
" On Sunday, the Bth, I landed with a party about
twelve miles to the northward of Barlow Inlet, and
a cairn and poll was erected in a conspicuous situa-
tion. Wellington Channel being blocked up with
old land ice, no alternative was left but to proceed to
the westward, with a view of reaching Capo Walker,
or attempting some other passage between the islands
of the Parry group, or, failing either of these, Mel-
ville Island. Following out this course, we pushed on
through the bay ice, which was not so strong as to
retard us greatly ; but, notwithstanding that obstacle,
we reached Griffiths Island on Tuesday, the 10th of
September, and, having made fast there, on account
of the state of the ice, I had again a consultation
with Captain Austin, with a view of acting in concert.
" The following morning the more favourable ap-
pearance of the ice induced me to make an attempt to
reach Cape Walker; but after proceeding 25 miles,
the ice became packed, which, with a heavy fog,
caused me to put about, and make for our former po-
sition. The hourly increasing thickness of the bay
ice, which had now become such an obstacle, that with
u strong breeze the ship stayed with considerable dif-
ficulty, rendered it absolutely necessary that a place
of safety should be obtained for the vessels, and I ac-
cordingly made for this harbour, a rough sketch of
which I had previously obtained from the Assistance.
" We brought up at eleven A.M. on Thursday, the
12th of September, and shortly afterwards the Felix,
Captain Sir J. Ross, came in and brought up ; two
boats were sent ashore and hauled up, to fall back
upon should further progress be made ; but being
unable to get out by the 20th, so as to be usefully
employed, preparations were commenced for wintering.
" With reference to the winter that we have spent,
one fact will speak for itself, viz„ that there has not
been one single case of sickness in either the Lady
Frankli❑ or Sophia ; indeed, so completely were both
the minds and bodies kept properly occupied and care-
fully attended to, that with the crews I have it would
have been surprising to have seen sickness. While on
this subject I cannot but make mention in terms of
praise of Messrs. Sutherland, Goodsir, and Stuart,
their exertions alike to instruct and amuse the me❑
greatly contributing to the happy issue
" Frequent communication has been held with
Captain Austin's expedition, which has wintered i❑
the strait between Griffiths and Cornwallis Islands,
end arrangements were made with reference to the
different routes to be taken in the coming travelling.
Pursuant to these there are at present ready to start
from the Lady Franklin and Sophia two parties, of
three sledges each, to explore Wellington Channel
and the land which may be found at the head of that
great inlet.
" Independent of the above there are two dog
sledges prepared for extended search in the same di-
rection ; one of these will be conducted by the inter-
preter, Mr. Peterson, of whom I would beg particular
mention, trusting that his noble devotion in the cause
of our countrymen may be remembered to his ad-
vantage.
" The day at present fixed for the start is Monday,
the 14th of April, should the weather continue favour-
able. Previous to starting, I have thought proper to
make out this dispatch for their Lordships' infor-
oration.

"I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient
servant, " WILLIAM PENNY,
" Commanding an expedition in search of her
Majesty's ships Erebus and Terror.
" To the Secretary of the Admiralty, London."
" Her Majesty's ship Lady Franklin, at Sea,
Sept. 8, 1851.
" Sir,—Resuming my report of proceedings from
the date of my last dispatch, I have to inform you
that on the 17th of April six sledges, with 41 officers
and men, started from the ships, under the command
of Captain Stewart, of the Sophia, and I could not but
be gratified at seeing what our small means had put in
our power to do with these parties of men alike able
and willing. The sledges were variously officered by
Captain Stewart, Messrs. Marshall, Reid, J. Stuart,
and Drs. Sutherland and Goodsir.
" The course intended to be pursued was to pro-
ceed so ;far together up the west side of Wellington
Channel, and after returning the depot sledges, two
parties to cross the east side of the channel, while the
other two followed up the west coast to the head of
the channel, the position of land then seen determin-
ing their future procedure.
" Each sledge was equipped for 40 days, and the
average weight per man was upwards of 2001135. I
started from the ship on the 13th, with the dog-
sledges, accompanied by Mr. Peterson, and at noon
on the 18th I joined the sledges. They had found
the ice very heavy, in consequence of the recent snow
and the high temperature, and their journey of the
cprevious t
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to cause much inconvenience.
" On the 19th the temperature fell, and a gale of
wind faced us immediately on entering the channel,
which continued, with only partial intermissions, till
the 22d. During all that time I was continually
among them, and whatever ,douhts the want of
experience of my young officers might have
warranted my entertaining, they were all removed
by witnessing the management of their men on
this occasion. On the 21st, Mr. J. Stuart was
returned with the two depot sledges and only one
tent, in consequence of the extreme severity of the
weather. I felt great anxiety for this party ;
however, in two marches, they reached the ship, with
only a short interval of rest. Meanwhile, the gale
continued down the channel, with a temperature
varying from 25 deg. to 30 deg. This, and the want
of numerous articles, such as a sufficient supply of
fuel, stronger conjurors, &c., caused me to entertain
a fear of failure, if these defects were not remedied in
time. I accordingly consulted my officers on the
subject, and in consequence of our unanimous
opinion that a timely return was the most advisable
step, I determined to deposit all the provisions, and
the two best sledges, at this spot, returning with the
other two to receive alterations. The distance to this
spot was 42 miles. The dog sledges, on their return,
accomplished the distance in one stage. The other four
parties, after making the deposit, returned, reaching the
bay at noon on the 2Gth, every one in the best of
heinth! ALid aot gusio cue Qf frQst-bite wad I counct