The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-05-30
The search for Sir John Franklin.

The Search for Sir John Franklin.
An Expedition fitted out by the English
Government to discover Northwest passage
round the American Continent, sailed under the
command Of Sir John Franklin in May; 1s45.
The two ships Erebus and Terror, containing
1873 men, were victualled for three years.
They were expected to return in the winter of
AT but no tidings have been received from
them since their departure.
The British Government, alarmed for their
safety and fearing that they might be locked up
in the ice. walled prisons Of Northern seas fitted
out in the Spring Of '45, three other expedi-
tions, to sail simultaneously in different direc-
tions, in search Of the absent voyagers. These
have been wholly unsuccessful in gaining any
Information as TO their fate The Board of
Admiralty of England. under conviction that
the bold advcn,urers, if alive, must be reduced
to the last extremity, and The means provided
for their rescue, were inadequate TO explore the
numerous bays and channels of that dangerous
region, has been induced to offer reward oC
100000 sterling, to the ships Of any country,
which shall render any efficient assistance to
the missing vessels, and restore their suferinyx
crew to their friends and government. The
character Of Sir John Franklin, the length Of
his absence, and the probability and importance
Of Northern passage round the American
Continent, have excited among the civilized
portions Of the world, deep interest in the
success and welfare Of the Expedition. The
Russian ambassador in London, has forwarded
to his government memorial requesting ex-
ploring parties to he sent out, to search through
Behring's Strait; and Lady Jane Franklin,
wife of Sir John, represented to be in the deep
est distress, has addressed a we'll written letter
10 the President of the United States, asking
assistance "frnm kindred people," to save her
husband and his exposed associates. The
Secretary of State, Hon. J. NJ. Clayton, has
assured her in reply, that she has the sympa.
thies of the rulers and people ot our country,
and that every proper effort should be made by
his Government to rescue the lost: Charles
Wilkes Esq, Commander Of the late u. S.
Exploring Expedition, through the National
Tn,elligencer expressed the belief that the ILL
fated vessels should be sought for, through the
Wellington Channel, whe.e adequate search is
not likely to be made; voyage to which from
our shores, could be readily made in forty-fve
days. He suggested the fitting out of three or
four small Eastern fishing vessels (Chebacco
boats), to be manned each by 1907 IL ofthose,
who have been brought up in them, provided
| Cor or 3 seasons. The letter of Capt. Wilkes
made an impression upon the President. who
has determined to despatch two national vessels,
under bis command, for the purpose Of seeking
on, and succoring the lost ships, or falling TO
find them, TO ascertain their fite. Feaf!il sp.
prehensions exist that they are either frozen, or
dying from starvation. What lover Of his coun.
try does not ardently hope, that the cause of
of commerce and geographical knowledge.
may be subserved by or gallant seamen,
and that they may be the first to announce to
the world "ths dead is alice. and the iost is
found."? rsr5r