Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-03
From the London Literary Chronicle.
CAPTAIN PARRY'S LAST VOYAGE.

The leading features of this voyage we have
already given, but we are enabled, from an au-
thentic source. to give more connected mar
rative. We have already stated that the Fury
was struck on the LIST of August she was at
the time coasting Prince Regents Inlet, and as
the vessel was Obliged to keep in shore, that
being the only current, the rest being one mass
OF ice, they kept heaying the lead all the time
she, however, struck on hammock Of ice in
sir feet water; as the ice wore away, she sunk
lower, and was driven further in shore; at the
time she struck, she was making about four
inches an hour. Such was the force with which
the Fury was struck, that the sternpost was
torn of, as well as part Of the cutwater, and
the main keel was broken. Four pumps were
kept going constantly for forty-eight hours, and
the men, though much fatigued, labOred cheer
fully: there were, however, so many holes IN
the bottom Of the vessel, which could not be
stopped, that she took water very fast; all at
tempts TO heave her down and examine her
failed, although by fixing cables to the icebergs
or hammocks, and TO anchors Oh shore, sort
Of artificial harbor was formed round the Fury,
in order to keep her as clear as possible; they
never were, however, able to unship the rudder,
because there was not sufficient water.
On the 9th of August, the water increased
much, although the pumps were kept working
from FIVE O'Clock in the morning till eight o.
clock in the evening. The men were excessive
ly fatigued, and their allowance OF provision
was increased by quarter of pound of meat
and gill of rum per day. II was now deter
mined to land the stores, in order to lighIen
the Fury; in .ffecting this, Captain Hoppner
used a sort Of crane, by which he hosted the
casks up, and run them alsng cable on shore,
which facilitated the landing OF the stores very
much; on the Sth, the spirits were landed /;
from this time to the 9Th, the ice continued to
close in on the ship; strong fresh breeze
sprung up, blowing from he y. y. w. and
another cable was now employed, in order TO
keep the ice as much as possible from the ship.
The next day there was strong wind. The
water increased, and was eighteen inches in the
well; the ice continued to tear the vessel so
much, that one Of the persons employed below
looking out for the leaks, suddenly sprung TO
the hatchway, expecting she was going to pie
ces. Captain Parry now sent Lieutenant Aus
tin and Sherer, and the master carpenter, to
examine the Fury, when they found that there
was no chance Of saving her.
On the 10th, tent was pitched on shore Tor
the men to sleep in; the next day they were en-
ployed i'm Tightening the cables which were fix
ed 10 the haInmocks, and in pumping out the
water, and they had only three hours rest. On
the 18th, there was snow storm, and the Ice
increased so much that Captain Parry began to
fear that the Hecla would be locked in; con-
sultation Of the officers was held, when it was
resolved TO get her out, and preparations were
made for that purpose. 1t was also agreed TO
make an effort to get the Fury, out into amore
open sea, and examine her. On the both, Cap
tain Parry sent twelve Of his men TO work on
the Fury; the wind had now shifted to the \
N E. On the 2lst, there was high surf run
ming on the beach, and more hawsers were en-
ploycd to keep the ice from wedging in the Flu
nv; the next day she drifted further in shore,
Just as the tide began to fall, which banished all
hope of getting the Fury out; in the mean time
the Hecla was separated from her, by barrier
Of ice four miles broad, which induced Captain
Parry to recall his men, lest, il he delayed it
longer, he nigh not BE- able to get them OIL
On the oath, south wind sprung up, and the
ice between the vessels had increased so much,
the Hecla was FIVE miles from the Fury; all
hope Of saving her was now at an end, as she
had nine feet water in the hold, and she was f.
nally abandoned on the 26th Of August, TO the
great regret Of every person belonging to the
expedition, and particularly Captain Hoppner,
who, on the court nartiai, very ittlihSlv Ut
scribed the painful emotions he felt on leaving
avessel he had, short time before, felt so muoh
pride in commanding.
We have already said that the voyage was
not fertile in discovery, and yet some impor
tan facts have been ascerlained not only in
navigation but in medical science, which over
turn the theories Of the faculty. lE managing
the ships, Captain Parry found the most sigma
advantages from Captain Philiips's patent cap
stan, by which two men can do the work o.
ffty by the old method; this is SO striking ar
improvement, that Capt Parry, on his return
lost no time in recommending it to the Lords
Of the Admiralty, who, with laudable zeal fol-
the service, gave immediate instructions tina,
all The vessels Of his Iajesty's Navy are in u
). ture to be fitted out with Captain Phillips new
capstans. On the subject of magnetic atlrac-
ton, we understand some very valuable and in
teresting discoveries have been made, which
completely change the old theories on this sub
ject.
One very curious fact was discovered during
the voyage and that is, that the more the bod.
was charged With caloric the better did it with
stand the cold. During the winter, the heat