The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-28
The Arctic Expediti0n.


the London press, from which it viii be thai
this Expedition has as yet proved unsuccessful in
the discovery of Sir John Franklin, and we subjon
an official account of much interest,"
From the Londcn Times Oct 1871
The intelligence received from the Arctic expedi.
tion, which, under the command OF Sn Edward
Beleher, il engaged in the perilous adventure OF
exploring the seas of the northern pole, is to
certain extent satisfactory We may at least in
duce the expectation that this time the task VIII
be fairly accomplished 1t would BIO premature,
after the long interval that has elapsed since the
departure OF Sir John Franklin and his brave
companions, TO give way to hopes that may prove
visionary; but at least wo shall know whether all
hope Of seeing them again alive must be a6-
solutely resigned. This time the icy seas will
in all probability he fairly searched; for Sir
Edward Belcher appears to have commenced his
progress into their secret rccesses under circum-
stances as favorable as those which attended upon
Franklin's own advance. In the case OF every
single expedition which has been directed into
these icy regions in search of our missing country
men, an incement sky, and premature setting Of
the frost have baflled the efforts of the navgators
There may have been vaciaton of purpose; there
may have been involuntary error; such incidents
are almost inseporabe from all human struggle; but
it may well be doubted whether, until the present
moment, the utmost amount OF energy and skill
would have enabled any officer to follow closely upon
the track Of Sir John Franklin and his companions.
1t should also be remembered, in justice to the con-
ductors of all previous expeditions, that although
they certainly failed in accomplishing the direct pur-
pose Of their mission their efforts have not been with
out beneficial result Warned by their failures, Sir
Edward Belcher is enabled to concentrate his energies
upon single point, and that point the one which
offers the most reasonable chances The pro-
GERS Of examining these regions with eest is an ex-
haustive one. Our missing countrymen may hayea
vanced into the Polar by any one OF four or i've
routes but it was difficult to say imposGble-to
determine priori in favor Of which route lay the ba
lance Of probabilities We are now speaking in some
measure at our ease-wo are judging calmly sitter
Al r. w I...- It'll u. II ~
hope of getting on Sir John Franklins track lies in
pursuing the route by Wellington channel; but our
knowledge is the result OF experience and the fruit of
failure It should be subject Of thankfuness to all
sually "open season. has favored the efforts Of the
present searching expedition, now that so much Of
certainty had been obtained 1t is very probable
that Sir Edward Belcher is advancing in the right
direction, and it is also probable that he will be
able to advance in that direction with effect. Such
is in point Of fact, the sum and substance Of the in
tsllgence which was brought home by the Prince
Albert searching vessel, and which was published
on Monday last in the columns OF this journal.
Very considerable efforts appear to have been made
by Mr. Kennedy-the gentleman under whose dreo-
discover any traces of Franklin's expedition that
might yet be forthcoming, but without effect Late
in June the Prince Albert searched the ice, and
BY pGna Bay
ming Of September, the ice had already barred the
passage 1t was determined to proceed to Port Leo
pold. At this point, Mr.. Kennedy and boats crew
well nigh met with death as dreadful as the Polar
region could inflict. He had landed to make in.
quiries, but before he could return board bar
ier Office interposed between the shore and the
ships to crown the misfortune the Prince Albert was
carried away by q current up Prince Regents inlet.
Fortunately for the bold adventurers, Sir John Ross
had left store ofprovisons near the point at which
they had landed, and 80 they were enabled to
intolerabe privation They were finally relieved
from their disagreeable situation by the efforts Of
M. Beot French gentleman who accompanied
the expedition, and succeeded In reaching Batty
Bay, where the ship was housed for the winter.
From this place Mr.. Kennedy and M. Bellot, with
party Of fourteen men, set out on sledges crossed
Melville Bay, and discovered new channel to the
westward Six of the party set out to explore the
char mel. while the others cent back to the
ship 1t lie unnecessary for us very infinitely to fol-
low the enterprsing travellers in their perious jour
ney, as it may be found detailed ut length in the
Times Of Monday last Suffice it to say that their
exertions appear to have been of the most credta-
bic kind, although unfortunately not attended with
success. No new traces were found Of Sir John
Franklin md his companions Without the slightest
wish to detract from the merits of the search, We
cannot but feel that the most important portion of
the ntellige brought homo by the ships company
of the Prince Albert, is that which informs OF the
movements Of Sir Edward Belcher and the greater
expedition. We find among the correspondence
which has been received, letter from Captain Pull
len to the Secretary of the Admiralty, written on
the 2Sd August. Sir Edward Belcher had started
up Wellington Channel on the Nth of the same
month. Now, this is the language of the officer who
witnessed the departure of the expedition, and was
acquainted with the condition Of the water at the
time in question -
All were good health high spirits and with every
hope Of success This season cannot help thinking Is
visited the evening of arrival the 9th instant
as far the eye could reach up Channel or to
the westward both open and little Ice to be seenl
Captain Kellett. in the Resoute, with her tender,
had sailed on the 18th of Augustine day after Sir
Edward Becher g depsrture-for Melville island, to
deposit there all necessary supplies OF provisions,
fuel and clothing for any parties which might have
been despatched from the expedition under Cap
tains Collinson and MLure, and have reached
point go distant from BheIirg Straits: Captain
Pullen, in tho North Star, was to remain as depot
ct Beechy island.
We have heard that intelligence has been received
from the squadron commanded by Sir b. Belcber,
and led by him on the Wellington Channel, to the
effect that, from what they have discovered float
ing down the channel, remains bales, bears, and
others animal substances, the party have been led
to the conclusion that not only is there food for
mankind in that direction. but that the floating
portions of whales and bears form the relics Of what
have been actually consumed by human beings.
Sir F. Belcher mas by this time most probably OK.
pored the regions pronounced to be accessible by
Captain Penny, but ipjuliously abandoned, and
has thus confirmed the truth of Penny's testimony.
1t is fearful to contemplate the consequences OF a
years delay in following the track presumed to have
been taken by Franklin, of course hopes of eiec
tual suceor must be diminished by the years post
ponement OF that search which Penny so warmly
suggested on the spot and which he so noby vo-
lunteered to undertake on his return TO England,
| last autumn.
OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS.
The ship Prince Albert, which has lately arrived
! in Aberdeen, has brought no account of Sir John
Franklin. IL was the intention of the expedition to
get on tho track of Sir John Franklin, supposing
that no had followed his instructions to take pas
I cage goiag southwes. by Cape Walker. The follow
ing is on account Of her voyage. She arrived At
Ponds Bay the 9th of August; but four natives,
who were Intercepted, had heard or seen nothing
of Sir John The expedition then made for Port
Leopold, passing Lancaster Sound, where she
counered heavy gales, and by the time she reached
Behring's Straits, on the 18th Of September, the ice
had barred her passage The expedition then made
for Port Leopold for shelter, where Mr. Kennedy
lanoed for the purpose of insttu.ing inquiries,
Mhen q harIier OF ice got between the shp and the