Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-11-01
Frnm the Are,l !. E.ned, tlon,
FOlH INC EFetfc E1pfuft10H.
Despatta receired by tie Mary Department from Lieut..
E. J. De Hav6n, Commanding the Expedition in
search Of Si,- john Franklin.

Despatts reeeired by tie Mary Department From Lieut.
f. J. De Hausn, cemnaandfng the Expedition in
search Of Sir John Franklin.
UNITED STATES BRIG ADVANCE,
OFF Port Leopold, Aug. %. 1880.
SIR I have the honor TO acquaint you with .he
proceedings of the squadron under my command since
leaving the Whale Fish Island, whence my last de-
spatch was dated.
and very light winds, did not reach the latitude
of Uppernavick sill the 9th ofJuly. Up to this place
no obstruction from ice was met with. We found
clear passage of from ten to twenty miles in width
between the land and the ':pack." The latter
sighted daily and had the appearance of being inn
penetrable.
To the northward of Uppernavick many streams
of foe ice were found extending from the main pack
close into the land. Through these, with fair wind,
we found little difficulty in forcing our way, until
we approached Baffns Island, in the latitude of "A
degrees Here the ice appeared close and contin-
along the land that progress in that direc
ton was arrested. At the same time clear and
wide opening presented itself leading to the vest
We had fair wind to enter it, and it was direct
ly in our course for Lancaster Sound that | could
not resist the temptation partc llarly as the passage
looked be almost hopeless by the usual northern
route through Melville Bay.
For several hours our hopes of speedy and direct
passage appeared to be confirmed, but after of
forty miles ice was made and on both sides In con-
tinuous line We had but entered a deep blight in
the main pack.
10 return to the eastward whence we came WOulu,
perhaps have cost days, with the uncertainty of
being able to get along even then Besides, of the
only three authentic accounts of attempts to make
the passage through the pack in about this latitude,
two were emlnently successful. he third dlo not
succeed so we'll.
In view of these facts. thought it advisable to
enter the pack and endeavor push through it, in
direct line for the theatre Of our researches.
We accordingly did So and for several days
ceeded in making some Roadway, until at last the
ice became so tight and immovable that it became
impossible either to advance or retreat. In this hope
less condition remained until the 29th of July,
when, by sudden movement of the foes, an OPEN
ing presented itself to the north. southeast wind
sprngng up at the same time, We availed ourselves
of it, and with press of SAIL succeeded in forcing
our way into clear water.
On the following day we were brought up again
by the ice, having made of more than sixty
miles. The wind by this time had freshened to Il
gale which, together with thick fog made our
position not little embarrassing The vessels were
placed in secure position as could be found );
notwithstanding which they were in imminent dan
ger from the heavy masses of ice driven before the
gale which pressed upon them They withstood the
shock, though, brayely. The danger was over on
the gale abatng.
We were now in latitude IS deg. long. 60 deg, in
the usual Melville Bay route. 1t did not appear
much more favorable than the middle one, from
whence we had Just escaped. However, by keeping
along the edge of the land ice, (Which had no ap
pearance of having moved this season. and extended
full thirty miles fromth shore, enabled to
avail ourselves of occasional narrow openings which
appeared with the changes of the wind so that with
the aid of warps, during calm weather. we succeeded
5 in reaching Cape Iorke on the 18th inst
Between Cape Yorke and Cape Dudley Diggs we
had open water, but were delayed by Gains We
took advantage of the delay, and hauled the vessels
into the shore, at the Crimson Cliffs OF Beverly"
where we filled up casks from mountain stream
These cliffs are so named from the red snow on them,
specimens of which obtained.
t A few miles to the east of Cape Yorke two ESqui-
: maux were met with, The only thing we could I'M
derstand them to say was that moro OF their people
II were living not far distant.
g On the 18th we got q fair wind and. passing Cape
Dudley Dggs shaped course for the western side
n Of Bafn's Bay. The "Pack' was soon met with
but it was in streams and very loose that little
o obstruction was found from it. On the morning Of
> the 10Th, cleared it enre y. and decided swell
of the indicated that had reached the north
: waters
The same day we fell in with the squadron of two
i vessels under Capt. Penny. They had been unsuc-
cesSfu in their efforts to enter Jones Sound. They
3 were bound in the direction as ourselves.
# On the evening of the 10Th we entered the Sound
S but violent gale came on from the eastward &C
Il companied with thick fog and heavy sea, which
compelled us to heave to. During the gale we par
ted company from the Rescue.
The following day the wind moderated, but the
weather still continued thick and foggy. We spen
l. the most of it in searching for our consort, whOu
m success when, 10th to lose good wind, bor
Is up for the eastward.
On the morning of the 2lst the fog cleared off, an
st found ourselves off Cape Crawford, the south
C crn side of the Sound At the same time a sail wa
lie seen, which hoped might be the Rescue, but
It proved to be the schooner Felix, Captain Sir job
r Ross.
l. From him VIC learned that Commodore Austin wa
Of at Ponds Bay with two of his vessels seeking for in
II formation whilst the other two had been dspatche
Is to examine the north side of the Sound. We ais
learned that the North Star might be looked for
Port Leopold AT that place resolved to touch, "a
a we'll as TO gain information to send despatche
lc home,) previous to repairing to Wellington Straits
the appointed place of rendezvous with consort
Sc am happy to inform you that the officers and me
of both vessels are perhaps in better health tina
Mt they were on leaving New York. and they no'
possessed with spirit which think argues we'll ft
the success Of our enterprise.
c. Very respectfully, &c.
It, EDWIN J. DE HAVEN,
a. Lieut.. Commanding Arctic Expedition.
G. To the Hon. Seen Ell AIRY oF THE NAVY. Washnptor