The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-30
NEWS FROM THE ARCTIC REGIONS.
The Rumors about SIR John Franklln's
Expedition.


Tbs Admiralty. Yesterday, furnished 80 some of
the morning papers series OF documents relative to
n statsmeaf recently made by merchant captain,
TO the effect that in the spring of 1851, when of
the coast Of North America, he had seen, imbedded
in an iceberg. which drifting apparently from
Daviss Straits, two ships, which he and all on
board his vessel believed to belong to Sir John
Frankliss missing expedition. In reference to this
extraordinary story correspondent writes as fol-
lows
1t may tend to allay some anxiety relative to the
discovery OF two ships in April, 1851, supposed to
be the missing ships under the command of Sir
John Franklin said to have been seen on the banks
of Newfoundland, by parties on board vessel
bound for Quebec to state that there is no percep
tible difference between the size Of tho Erebus and
Terror discovery ships the Erebus being only $40
tons, and the Terror about so tons less.
The following are the documents referred to-
1t having lately been stated by merchant cap
tain at Tynemouth, in conversation with officer of
one Of her Majesty's ships, that two three-masted
vessels had been seen on iceberg off Newfound-
land, in April, 1851, by the brig Renovation, of
North Shields, when on her passage to Quebec, and
this statement being accompanied with surmise as
to the possibility of their being Sir John Frank
Inns ships, the Lords of the Admiralty not
withstanding the improbability attaching to the
circumstance of story of such interest remain
ing so long unreyealed, have thought proper
to institute the most rigid inquiry, and the
following is the result Of that inquiry far as it
has yet gone Letters have been written to the col
lectors Of customs at oil the whaling ports in Eng
land and Scotland in order ascertain fany whalers
ASWerlnk description mere given were missing
in 1860 or 1851. The master of the Renovation will
be closely Intercepted on his arrival at Venice.
HER MAJEsTy's SHIP SAMPSON. .
Portsmouth, March 20, 1852.
Sm-After mature deliberation, | am of opinion
that 1t IL my duty to acquajnt their lordships with
the following particulars in reference to Sir John
Franklin's ships-Abou. the beginning of the pre-
sent month i was in company with a merchant cap
tain ofthe name Of Storey. WHO'S native of Tyne
mouth. and at present residing there; talk
ing about ice, &c. when he made the following
-taea M x.hsn Ifrtx IN h,,
In reference to icebergs. l know captain at
present in Shields harbor. who told me that when
proceeding to North America in the spring Of 1851,
The mate who had the morning watch renortel an
iceberg in sight ahead ofthe ship. On nearer ap-
proach to the ice, under the water it could be OBJ
served shelving out to considerable distance at the
lee side thus acting like in keeping that part
toleeward; on passing as close as prudence would
allow, two three nasted vessels observed close
to the iceberg but out ofthe iceberg; they
gularly housed, with their topsan yards and top
galantmasts down. No human beings could be
seen.
inquired why all this had not been made pub
lie long since! He gave me to understand that the
captain alluded to had contented himself with
speaking to his friends about it, but was now
afraid of the shame which would attend its publicity
after so long time had elapsed l earnestly re-
quested him to seek an interview with him. for the
purpose of ascertaning if could be allowed to take
down his deposition in writing. On seeing Capt.
Storey next day, he informed me that the captain
had sailed; but am privately Of opinion that the
edmight await him, although told Captain Storey
to inform him that | would take care to explain
away his long silence on the subject
have the honor to be. sir, your most humble and
obedient servant,
JAMES M. SHORE, Second Master.
The Hon the Secretary Of the Admiralty.
P. S.-Supposing them to be Sir J. Franklin's
ships, the fact of no human beings being seen may,
think, easily be accounted for. The catastrophe
Of an iceberg breaking away from the place whore
it had formed. would, no doubt, be sufficient to
cause the to rush foot to the nearest safe
point the ships drifting away with the iceberg in
JMS.
PIP. S.-The name of the captain and other par
ticulars. no doubt. will be supplied by Captain
Storey, Tynemouth, Northumberland should
official letter be written TO him the subject, pro-
vided he has not sailed
The SAMPSON. Portsmouth, March "a. 1852
SIR have herewith the honor of returning you
theletter of Mr. James NJ. Shore second master Of
her majesty's ship under my command on the SUBJ
ject of the ships bese with icebergs in March, ISL
and, in compliance with your memorandums Of the
25th inst, have endeavored to ascertain the de-
gree Of dependence to be placed the report in that
letter; for which purpose the queries. as follow.
were put to Mr.. Shore, and his answers suboined:-
l. How long has Mr.. Shore been acquainted with
Mr.. Storey. the merchant captain alluded to in his
letter Of the Goth inst! For five or six years.
2. Have they been in the habit of frequently
meeting! Not often. but generally spoke when they
met
3. l. Mr.. Shore connected with the north of Eng
a. What age is Mr. Storey! About 40.
s. Whose employ is he in! Don't know; but he
sails ship belonging to North Shields.
g. Is he owner or part owner of any shipl May
possess part of ship; but don't know
Z. Where did Mr.. Shore meet Mr.. Storey when
the conversation relative to the cebergs took placer
Ina walk between Tynemouth and North Shields
8. Does Mr.. Shore know TO what part of America
the vessel bound that fell in with the icebergs!
Thinks to the st. Lawrence
g. Was the approximate latitude or longitude in
timatedG In the neighborhood Of the banks OF New
10. Did Mr.. Shore hear the name Of the master or
of the ship! Did not hear; Mr.. Storey avoided men
tioning it to him.
IL. Am to understand that the two three-mast-
ed vessels resting on the ice, and quite out of
the water! Quite out of the water, but particulars
Of position not mentioned
IL. From what Mr.. Shore knows of Mr.. Storey.
would he (Mr. Shore) think it probable that Mr.
Storey would invent these particulars! Think not.
He is cIear-spoken, plain man. Thinks Mr. Sto-
rey's name is Thomas, and that he lives in Back
street Tynemouth.
IL. Does Mr. Shore think it possible that the mas
ter of any British ship could have fallen in with ice
bergs and ships lifted them, reported without
endeavorng TO communicate, and ascertain more
particularly what they werel Yes, he does think
1t possible from his knowledge of the indifference
with which the masters and crews of merchant YES
sells view things which do not immediately concern
them.
Ia. Does Mr.. Shore conceive ii possible that such
an event occurring on the voyage would not be re-
ported on arriving at the first port! For the reason
above, he thinks it might not be reported.
Is. Would ii not be the subject Of conversation
and thus become public! Perhaps not.
have the honor to be, sir, your obdt servant,
LEWIS T. JONES, Captain.
Admiral Sir T. Briggs, g. c., st. III. and g., &C.,
Portsmouth
(Confdential)
ADMIRALTY. March 20, 1872
SIR am commanded by my Lords Commits
soners of the Admiralty. to transmit to you copie:
Of "a correspondence which has taken place respect
ing two ships having been drifting with ice
berg OF North America, and to desire that you will
make minute inquiries into the subject, ascertain
ing for your own information the character of Mr.
Storey gf there be such a person., and otherwise
examining into the truth Of this statement report
ing thereon for their lordships' information.
j am S<c., A STAFFORD.
Commander III c. Hawkins. u. N, Inspecting Com
mander of Coast Guard, Sunderland
SUNDERLAND, March %, 1852