The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-31
THE r Ell u BLIC.

The Arctic Expedition.
Report Of The proceedings Of her majestys ships En-
taprise and Investigator, beticeen The 18th Of July,
lS4s, and their arrival in England orthe Sd of No
uember, 1919.
The following communication will be perused
with profound interest being full report OF the pro-
ceedings of her majestys ships Enterprise and In
vestigator, under the command of Captain Sir James
Ross, between the date of his last despatch to the
Secretary of the Admiralty from Upernayik, in
July, 1913, and the arrival of the expedition off
Scarborough, on the Sd Of this present November:
Gin accordance with the intentions expressed to
the Secretary of the Admiralty, in my letter of the
18th of July, lS4S, her maJesty's ships Enterprise
and Investigator sailed that day from the Danish
settlement of Upernavik.
''By running through an intricate archipelago OF
islands, which lies off the main land, and seems to
keep of the pressure OF the main pack we succeeded
passing the position in which the whale ships had
been so long detained and made every day some adj
vance to the northward until the goth, when we
made fast to a berg aground of Cape Shackleton.
''Here we were joined by the Lord Gambler (of
Hull, Mr.. X. Hill MASTER who informed me that,
having to the southwark with all the rest Of the
whaling ships, and having carefully examined the
pack edge for any opening that might lead them to
the westward, he had come to the conclusion there
not the smallest chance, from the close, conf
pact, and heavy nature of the ice. for any ship
crossing to the west coast OF Bafn bay this season.
He had, therefore, returned to the north, and ex-
him, and endeavored TO round the north end of the
pack; he spoke very confidently of being able to
complish this by the first week of August, and prom
ised at any rate to remain in company with us until
the Sd of August. We cast off from the berg early
the next morning, towing the ships through loose
streams of ice towards some lanes of water, which
had opened out during the calm which prevailed all
night.
''Our progress was, however, very slow during
this and the next few days, and situation often
difficult and embarrassing.
son the morning OF the Goth, when of the Three
Islands of Baffin, III lat IA deg. NJ,
prised, the fog clearing of, To the Lord Gam
bier, about eight miles distant standing under all
sail to the southwark, thus disappointing of the
only remaining means of forwarding information
Of our proceedings to their lordships and this was
the more annoying, we had only the evening be-
fore passed within quarter of mile of her, when,
upon any signal of her intention of going to the
southwark, we would have placed on board Of her
all our letters and dispatches. Her enterprising
commander deserves the highest praise for perse
vering alone far beyond all his fellows, and, had
it depended on him, believe he would not have left
until we had got through the great difficulty of
Melville bay.
varying circumstances Of perplexity and success !;
for although could not but feel assured that
should eventually get through the Melville bay
barrier, yet Gains and light winds SO greatly inn
peded any movement in the pack, that day after
day passed away until the season had SO far adj
vanced as to preclude every hope of accomplishing
much, if any thing before the setting in of winter
No exertions, however, were spared 10 take ad-
vantage of every opportunity of pushing the ships
forward, until, on the Goth of August, during a
heavy breeze from the northeast, the ships, under
all the sail they could carry, bored through pack
Of ice OF but moderate thickness, but having amongst
il heavy masses mingled with the lighter ice that
covered the larger surface, through which il
necessary drive ships at all hazards. The shocks
they sustained during this trial were great
but fortunately without serious damage TO them.
tl.s.l Tho
20th August, in lat. 75 deg. N, and lon 65 deg. w,
and stcered direct for Ponds bay, where felt
sured of meeting with the whale ships. il any shonld
have crossed TO the west land and might learn from
them if the Erebus and Terror, their party in
boats, had passed along that shore, and also with
view TO communicate with the Esquimaux, who an
nually visit the coast, and from whom we might
have derived information of our absent friends.
"0n the 23d we made the land, about ten miles to
the southwark Of Ponds bay, and could trace the
line OF the main pack close in against the land at a
distance of three or four miles 10 the southwark,
so closely pressed home as 10 leave no room for
ships boats pass between IL and the shore. We
next stood into Ponds bay and hove TO, within half
a mile Of tLose points upon which the Esquimaux
are known 10 place their summer residences, firing
guns every half hour, and with glasses closely
examining every part OF the shore, without being
able 10 discern any human being
"From Ponds bay we commenced rigid ex-
animation Of the coast 10 the northward, Keeping
the ships close in along the land, 50 that neither
seeing them. Opposed by strong current al
though going before the wind between two and
three knots through the water, we found by the
suit of all our observations, well by unerring
marks on the land, that were sometimes carried
astern against the wind.
'On the 26th we arrived of Possession bay and
party sent on shore 10 search for any traces
Of Sir John Frsnklins expedition having touched
at this general point of rendezvous. Nothing was
found bat the paper left there recording the visit OF
Sir Edward Parry in 1919. The paper was very
much damaged but by careful washing and fitting
together nearly every word was clearly decphercd.
az Is preserved.)
s'From this point we continued the examination
Of the with equal care Tor we fully expected
every hour 10 those of whom were in search,
and the most vigilant lookout was kept aloft and
from the deck.
sOn the Let Of September we arrived of Cape
York, and party was sent shore 10 seek for our
friends, and 10 fix conspicuous mark at this re-
markable point, in which was placed paper for
the guidance of any party that might fall in with
IL. This service was performed by Lieutenant Nc
Clmtock with much skill, under very difficult cir
cumstanccs.
Every day We were in the practice Of throwing
overheard cssk from each ship, containing papers
with information ofall our proceedings; guns were
fired during foggy weather, and blue lights and
roc kets during the hours Of darkness, the ships
beng kept under such easy sail, that any boat
SEEING the signals might have reached them.
"The general tenor of the information thus dis
tributed along the coast, TO acquaint Sir John
Franklin, or any Of his party, that as the whale
ships have not been able 10 60 the west land Of
Bafin bay, they could have hope Of assistance from
them, and recommending them 10 make for Port
Leopold, where intended 10 form a depot of pro-
visions, and perhaps leave the Investigator to win
ter there; they would, at any rate, with the prov
sions, find notice Of the position i'm which the
nearest ship passing the winter.
cit, therefore, became necessary To push for Port
Leopold 10 fulfil these promises, for, had any of his
party met with OF these notices. they would as
surcdly have gone 10 that point
I'VE accordingly stood over from Cape York to-
wards NE. Cape, until we came in with the edge
Of the pack too dense for 10 penetrate, lying be-
tween US and the Leopold island, about Ia miles
broad but as we could perceive that il was still in
motion, We hoped that few days might produce
favorable change, and, in the mean time, we stood
over 10 the north shore of Barrow Strait 10 seek
harbOr further 10 the westward, and 10 examine the
numerous inlets Of that shore. Maxwell bay and
several smaller ndentations were thoroughly ex-
plorcd; and although got near the entrance Of
Wellington Channel, the firm barrier of ice which
stretched across IL, and which had not broken away
this season, convinced us all was impractcsblc in
that direction.
1--WE stood TO the southwest, 10 seek for a
harbOr near Cape Rennell but found heavy body
Of ice extending from the west end of CORVALLIS