Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-12-17

ing our distance Of 200 miles nearly one hall; and
il was not until the lst Of July that we reached
the beach, completely exhausted by hunger and
fatigue.
A hut was speedily constructed, and the boats,
three OF which had been washed oil the oeach'
but prOyidentially driven on shore again. were
repaired during this month; and the unusual hea-
w appearance of the ice afforded Us no cheering
prospect until the Ist of Aug. when in three boats
| we reached the ill-fated spot where the Fury was
first driven on shore, and IT Ias not until the LIST
of September We reached Leopold South Island,
now established to be the n + point of Ameri-
ca in latitude IS So and longitude 90 vest
From the summit of the lofty mountain on the
promon.ory We could see Priace Regents Inlet,
Barrow's Strait, and Lancaster Sound. which
presented one impenetrable mass OF Ice, Jast as
had seen il in 1918 Here we remained in a
state of ANXIETY and suspense which may be east
er imagined than described.
All our attempts to push through were vain;
at length being forced by want Of provisions and
the approach OF a very severe winter to return to
Fury Beach, where alone there remained where
with to sustain lite, there we arrived on the I'm
OF Oct, after most fatsuing and laoorious
march. having been obliged to leave our boats al
Batty Bay. Our habitaton, which consisted OF
a frame of spars. So feet BY 10 tept. covered with
canvass. was during the month OF November en-.
closed. and the roof covered with snow, from d
feet to 7 feet thick. which being saturated with
water when the temperature was 10 degrees be-
low zero, immediately took the consistency OF Ice
and thus we actually became the inhabitants of
an iceberg during one Of the most severe winters
hitherto recorded; our sufftrins,, aggravated by
want Of bedding, clothing. aud animal food, need
not be dwelt upon. Mr.. T.. Thomas, the carpen-
ter, wss the only man who persisted at this beach
but three others, besides one Who had lost his
foot, were reduced to the last stage OF debility,
aud only Is Of our number were able 10 carry
provisions in seven journies OF 90 miles each TO
! Batty Bay.
We left Fury Beach on the 9Th Of July, carry
ing with US three sick men, wro we're unable
to walk, and in six DAYS days we reached the
boats, where the sick daily recovered Although
the spring was mild, 1t was not until the 18th
August that we had any cheering prospect A
gale from the westward having suddenly opened
a lane Of water along shore, in two days we reach.
| ed our former position, and from the mountain
We had the satisfaction OF seeing clear water a.
cross Prince Regents Inlet, which We crossed on
the l7tn, aud took shelter from storm 10 miles
to the eastward of Cape York. The next day,
when the gale abated, we crossed Admiralty In.
let. and were detained six DAYS Oh the coast by
a strong n Z wind. On the 25th we crossed
Navy 8uar1 Inlet, and on the following morning.
TO nur ic"xPressibe joy, We deserted ship in the
otinc. be, aim d, witch proved TO be the Isabella,
at Hull, IT,. sane ship which | commanded III
! 1918 a. noon We reached her. when her enter.
! p-i.,n. commander. who had IN vain searched for
US Ia Prince gents Inlet, after giving US three
cheers. received Us with every demonstration vi
kindness aud 5ospltality which humanity could
dictate. | ought to mention also that Nr Hu n.
phreys, bv landing me at Possession Bay, and
subsequently, on the west coast Of Bsfia's Bay,
afforded ne an excellent opportunity Of conc'u,
ding my survey, and o! verifying my former chart
OF that coast.
| | now have the pleasing duty Of calling the at
tention ~ SnrIr lordships 20 the merit Ut Com
mander Ross, who was second IN the direction OF
tais expedition. The labour Of this officer, who
had the departments Of astronomy, natural hsto.
ry, aud surveying, will speak for themselves in
language beyond the ability Of my pen: but they
will be duly appreciated by their lordships, and
the learned bodies Of which he is member, and
who are already well acquainted with his acquire
mph,s.
My steady and faithful friend, Mr.. William
Thorn, of the ROYAL navy, who was formerly With
me in the Isabella besides his duty as third IN
command. took charge OF the meteorO' ogical Jour
nal. the distribution and economy Of provisions,
and to his judlcious plans aud suggestions. must
be attributed the uncommon degree Of health
which our crew enjoyed; and as two out of the
three who died in the four years aud half were
cut of early in the voyage. by diseases not pecu
liar to the climate, only one man can be said 10
have persisted
! MIR. M'Diarmid, the surgeon who had been Sc
veral VOYAGES to these regions, did justice to the
high recommendation received of him: he was
useful in every a,nputaton and operation which
he performed. and .nderfuliy So in his treatment
OF the sick; and have no hesitation in adding,
that he would be an ornament to his Majesty's
service
Commander Ross, Mr. Thorn and myself, have
indeed, been serving without pay; but, in CON-
mon With the crew, have lost our all, which re-
greet the Ore. because It puts it totally out Of my
power adequately to remunerats my fellow suffer
ers, whose case cannot but recommend for their
| IordshlpS' consideration. We have, however,
the consolation. that the results of this expedi.
lion have been conclusive, and to science highly