The New York herald., 1851-12-30
sir John FrankIin's ExPedi tion.

AT the meeting of the Geographical Society
yesterday evening. the following interesting com.
muncation in reference to the missing ships in the
Arctic Seas, was read
PyrMURR, ABERDEEN, Dec. 3, ISL.
SRI begto lay before you, and the scientific
body to which you belong, few observations which
came under my notice during my late voyage in
great Importance at the present critical moment.
On the 25th Of August, 1850, having joined
Captain Ommanney, on the west side OF yelling.
ton Channel, and seen the traces found by him OF
the missing ships, considered II my proper course
to turn to the eastern shore Of the channel with the
view of exs mining those parts more closely than
had been done before.
The result Of my return was most satisfactory,
for not until then the winter quarters Of the
missing ships discovered; and, what Is Of still more
Importance in my estimation a regards the route
Of the missing ship, a watch tent upon height
occupied by the ships This tent was evidently fer
the purpose Of watching every move Of the ice in
Welling gton channel. We alse saw the ruts Of
sledges going and returning from making observa-
tions upon The channel, and In the tent We found
small piece Of paper with the words, "to be called"
The other part OF which must have been torn of,
thus evidently showing that regular watch had
been kept.
Cape spencer, height Of at least 730 feet open
water was observed beyond the fixed ice In the
channel. The strong easterly gales which We ex-
perienced some time previous to the above date,
ndu COunttrhCttu HrtNhlhnk CuLItht IIVh buo
westward and had driven the ice through Queen
Victoria Channel into the Arctic Basin.
On the 7th Of September a strong northerly
gale brought away fifteen miles Of ice down We'll
lington Channel, having only about fifteen miles Of
ice between the tive seas.
Having commenced our travelling on the 18th Of
April, 1861, came upon water and decayed ice on
the 18th Of May, in the channel between CORVALLIS
Land and Baillie Hamilton Island, obliging me to
return to the east Of the said island and then TO
the north. We gained Point Surprise, in lat. 40
deg 2 min, Ion. 95 deg. 50 min. The water washed
the point at my feet, and extended twenty-five
miles west. The sky indicated water to the north,
round Dundas Island. The moment stood upon
Point Surprise, with full view TO the west, ex-
claimed, Through this channel Sir John Franklin
has gone in clear water. oh, for boatv With
this conviction on my mind, returned, with the
determination 10 use every exertion to get boat
up TO this water.
On the 18th Of the same month, Messrs. Good
cir and Marshall, advancing with their party along
the shore Of Cornwallis Land forced to return
for water with still thirty days provisions upon tnen
Again, on the slst May, Capt. Stewart having
advanced a. far ~ Cape Becher by the east side OF
the Channel and along Albert Land, came TO water,
and from height Of 200 feet found nothing but
open sailing ice a. far - the yssould reach 70 the
west and sorthwest.
ON the 9Th Of June boat Was fully equipped,
and a journey O. nmspced for Victoria Channel,
fgps VI tbs party havps Vpy Nswgsd "a h0ws