The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-15


and anxious elaboration decided on reoommsadi ,g
to their Lordships that expedition should be d.
spstched next year to Bar0ws Strait, consulting OF
the Same ships which composed Captain Austins
division, namely, two sailing ships and two steam.
ers with others to proceed direct to Beechey Island
and to consider that hsrbor-beyond which We think
one sailing saip snd one steamer should on no ac.
co1nt Dc taksnIss the base of future operations
~. We consider any further exploration IN the
direction of Melville Island or to the southwest Of
Cape Walker wholly Unnecessary; and We would
therefore, propose that all the strength and energy
ofthe expedition should be directed towards the OK
and We are OF opinion that by the adoption of the
same careful aud we'll considered arrangements
wbicd we're ATTENDED by such satisfactory results on
the late occasion, this examination may be ersoted
without any serious risk of loss or danger.
Ia If, on arriving at the proposed rendezvous
early in August the barrier Of ice at the entrance
OF the strait renders any attempt to penetrate IL
unsafe or imprudent it may, perhaps, still be pos
sibe to convey boats on runners, or siedge5 or by
any small slanes" which may offer, and launch
them into the open water above, ana by this means
depots of provisions may be advanced to the most
convenient points, and such further information OBJ
tained during the remainder Of the navigable season
as might very much facilitate the operations Of the
ensuing spring
IS. Thess operations must, in that case, be com
menced as early as possible in the season OF 1853.
and pushed forward with rs much rapdity as is con-
sistent with prudence, II being clearly understood
by al. the exploring parties, that they must return
to tho depot at Beechey Island in good time for
their embaikatOn by the middle IF August, ut
latest. The object in view would be to examine
the upper part OF Wellington Strait Us far beysnd
Mr. Pelnys north western advance as possible; and
II Sir John Franklin did really proceed IN that d.
rection, it appears highly improbable that some
traces Of his expedition should not be discovered by
tho exploring parties in their search.
l6. II, on the other hand, Wellington Strait is
found open and navigable on the arrival OF the OK.
petition in the summer OF 1857 we thn., ono of The
sailing ships with steamer, might proceed at once
to take advantage Of this opportunity if the officer
commanding should Judge such measure safe and
prudent, ana be thus placed in winter quarters IN
more favorable position for commencing the land
search in the spring of 1859, but with the most dis
tinct ininnct:ons not to advance to such a distance
as to eIdsDger their return to the depot, OF their
communication with itthneat year; and 1t should
be eD0ined with equal strictness that IN the event
Of any irrepsrablc disaster to the ships SO proceed
ipg If they should become firmly fixed in the ice
to be extsicated during the summer Of 1855, they
are to be abandoned, and the crews brought down
to the depot.
II 1t is. however, proper to provide for ono pos
sible contingency, namely, that Of the difficulty Of
travelling nj late season, rendering tue retreat OF
the crew to Beechey Island mere hazardous to
their lives than their remaining by the ships (f
they are only frozen upl another winter; and 10
that case the division at Beeohey Island, which
will be still amply provided With provisions &c,
must remain also until the following year; but
this lis, we hope, an improbable supposition aad
cur confident belief ia, that with the improved
equipments and arpl ances, of all kinds which past
experience will dictate, such an exploration viii be
made in the early part Of 1885,? rs to enable tao
whole expedition to return to England before the
close oe the nayigable season.
Is. 1t is obviously impossible to provide, in
port OF this kind for more remote and less probable
contingencies; hut their Loidshps instructions to
Captain Austin (par and y contain all the dis
cretonary power with whish an officer, under such
circumstances, can be entrusted; and we conclude
they viii be embodied in any future orders on the
same subject.
10 We have thought it right to request from
the severa! gentlemen named in the margin their
opinions on this interesting but most dicult ques
ton and we annex their replies, to which NO beg
to call their Lordships' attention.
20. We have also requested from Captain Aus
TIM and the officers specially employed in his ira
Yelling parties, such suggestions as to practicable
improvements in equipments, clothing, and pro-
visions, SIS their recent experience so well qualities
them to offer They are annexed to this report,
and will be found of considerable Importance
Il. Although our instructions do not advert to
the report of the loss Of the meing ships ,eived
from an Esquimaux named Adam Beck, and to
which Sir John Il oss, in his evidence, still attaches
much weight, We beg to state that paper written
by Adam Beck, in the presence OF Sir John Ross
and Captain Ommanny, and purporting to be the
substance Of information communicated to him by
another Esquimaux, now in England, named Eras
mus York, on the subject Of the loss Of the ships
and the murder Of the crews, has, on being trans
lated before US by "a Moravian missionary well 90
quainted with the EsqumauX language, prevei
not to contain single word relating to this occur
renee.
-. Adam Reck's subsequent deposition, which
was sent to Copenhagen for translation, has not
yet been returned; but if their Lordships shout
consider any further inquiry necessary, we wouli
only express earnest hope that it may be con-
Quoted separately and not allowed to interfere with
the early arrival of the proposed expedition in Bar
rows Strait.
%. With respect TO the efforts now making TO
afford relief to the missing ships in the direction Of
Behring's Strait, we do not venture to offer any
suggestions, beyond hope that, until further a.,
counts are received from Captain Collinson and
Commander M Clure, the Plover may be kept fully
provisioned.
We have the honor to be, sir, your obedont SER
wants. VIM. BowLEs, Rear Admiral.
ARTHUR tANsHAwE, Relr Admiral.
w. +. PARRY, Captain.
+. w. BEEcHEY, Captain
GEORGE BACK, Captain.
ToJ PARKER, Esq M. p. &C., &C., Admiralty