The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-22


Despateh r,esiDed BY ne Macy Department from
Lieutenant e. J. De Haven, commanding the er-
petition in search Of SIR John Franklin.
UsIrED STATES BRIa ADvAsoE.
of Port Leopold, August %, 1850.
STA: have the honor TO acquaint you with the
proceedings of the squadron under my command
since leaving the Whale Fish Isands whence my
last despatch dated.
We sailed on the 18th of June, but, owing to
Gains and very light winds, did not reach the
latitude OF Uppernsvck till the och of July. Up
to this place no obstruction from ice met with
we found clear passage of from ten to twenty
miles in width, between the land and the ''pack %
The latter was sighted daily, and had the appear
snce OF being impenetrable.
To the northward Of Uppernavick many streams
oil hoe-ice were found, extending from the main
pack close into the land. Through these, with a
fair wind, we found little difficulty in forcing
way, until we approached Bafin's Islands, in the
latitude Of seventy -four degrees. Here the ice APP
peared SO close and continuous along the land that
our progress in that direction was arrested At
the same time a clear and wide opening presented
itself, leading to the west. We had fair wind to
enter it, and it was directly in for
Lancaster Sound that could not resist the tempta-
ton; particularly as the passage looked to be al
most hopeless by the usual northern route through
Melville Bay.
For several hours our hopes of u speedy and di-
rect passage appeared to be confirmed, but after
run OF forty miles, ice was made ahead and on both
sides in a continuous line. We had but entered
deep blight in the main pack.
AOTctuTn 10 tue cd5tWdTu 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 ma
the passage through the pack in about this lati-
tude, two were emnently successful The third
did not succeed 30 well.
In view OF these facts, thought it advisable to
enter the pack and endeavor to 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 mmovable that il became
impossible either to advance or retreat In this
hopeless condition remained until the 29th of
July, when, by sudden movement of the foes, an
opening presented itself to the north. southeast
wind springng up at the same time, awaited
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 run of more than sixty
miles The wind by this time had freshened TO a
gale. which, together with thick fog, made our
position not little embarrassing. The vessels
were placed in secure position could be found;
notwithstanding which they in imminent
danger from the heavy masses of ice driven before
the gale, which pressed upon them. They with
stood the shock, though, bravely. The danger
was over on the gale abating.
We were now in latitude 75o, longitude 600, 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 keep
ing along the edge Of the land ice, (Which had no
appearance of having moved this season, and ex-
tended full thirty miles from the shore,) we were
enabled to avail ourselves of occasional narrow
openings which appeared with the changes of the
wind; 30 that, with the aid of warps, during calm
weather, we succeeded in reaching Cape Yorke on
the 9th instant.
Between Cape Yorkc and Cape Dudley Diggs we
had open water, but were delayed by calms. We
took advantage of the delay, and hauled the
sells into the shore, at the Crimson Cliffs of Bever-
ly,'' where we filled up our Casks from mountain
stream. These cliffs named from the red
snow on them, specimens of which were obtained.
few miles to the east of Cape Yorke, two Esqui-
maux were met with. The only thing could
understand them to say was, that more Of their
people were living not far distant.
On the 18th We got fair wind, and passing
Cape Dudley Diggs, shaped our course for the
western eide OF Battn's Bay. The "pack''
soon met with, but it in streams and very
loose so that little obstruction found from it.
On the morning of the 18th we cleared it entirely,
and decided swell of the sea indicated that we had
reached the ''north waters"
The same day we fell in with the squadron of two
vessels under Captain Penny. They had been I'M
successful in their efforts to enter Jones's Sound
They were now bound in the same direction
selves.
On the evening of the 10Th entered the Sound,
but a violent gale came on from the eastward ac-
comPanicd with thick fog and a heavy sea, which
compelled TO heavc to. During the gale we
parted company from the Rescue.
The following day the wind moderated, but the
weather still continued thick and foggy. We
spcnt the most of it in searching for our consort
without success, when, 10th TO lose so good wind
we bore up for the westward.
On the morning of the 2lst the fog cleared of,
and we found ourselves off Cape Crawford, on the
southern aide OF the Sound. At the same time
sail was seen, which hoped might be the Rescue,
but 1t proved to be the schooner Felix, Captain Sir
John Rosa.
From him we learned that Commodore Austin
was at Ponds Bay with two of his vessels seeking
for information, whilst the other two had been de-
spatched to examine the north shore of the Sound
We also learned that the North Star might be
looked for at Port Leopold. At that place resolved
n f.ttlrh [aot oil inf,
dispatches home,) previous 10 repairing to Wei
hngton Straits, the appointed place Of rendezvous
with our consort.
am happy to inform you that the officers and
men OF both vessels are perhaps in better health
than they were on leaving New York, and they are
now possessed with spirit which think argues
well Tor the success of our enterprise.
Very respectfully, &c,
EDWIN J. DE HAVEN,
Lieut.. Commanding Arctic Expedition.
To the Hon. SECRETARY OF TIRE NAVY, w ashington.