Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-07-28

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.
The squadron which sailed from England in
April TO prosecute the search for Sir John
Franklin and his associates, under the command
of Sir Edward Belcher, Commodore, is the most
completely equipped, without doubt, that ever
sailed on similar service 1t is composed of
five vessels, two of them being small screw
steamers, intended to serve as tenders. None
OF the vessels are large. but Of the size best
adapted to the purpose, rs had been demonstra-
ted by previous experience. The commanders
are all experienced, skiful, and reliable officers,
and the crews as good as could be desired
Commodore Belcher stands high in the British
Navy as an active intelligent, scientific, and en-
terprising officer, and he is well known to be
such in other countries besides England. He
will do his duty, therefore, and all under his
command will do theirs. If he does not sue
ceed in finding Sir John franklin, or some ira
ces of his, it is likely that all further prosecu-
ton of the search for him by the Government
will be abandoned as utterly hopeless some
fresh, and encouraging, and reliable informa-
ton should be received. OF such information
Ito be relied on-there has not been a parti
Gle since fears began to be entertained that he
and his companions were lost. Reports are
put into circulation from time to time which
seem to hold our hope that they are yet alive,
but when scrutinized and tested they vanish in
to thin air. BY the time Sir Edward Belcher
returns, Sir John will have been absent eight
years or more-a long time, and so long that
the hypothesis of his being yet alive is reduced,
we must regret to say, to mere possibility.
Besides the usual equipments accessories for
exploring vessels, those of Sir Edwards squad
ron have been supplied with everything that
could be thought in the slightest degree cacu-
lated to facilitate the search or contribute to
the security and comfort of the crews, forming
an aggregate of about two hundred and sixty
men. Balloons, even, have been provided which
will be sent up at various places in the north
ern regions, and will scatter hundreds of thou
sands Of tickets giving information of the squad
ron and its object. The balloons that descend
upon the water will float and may thus, in more
ways than one, render some service. large
supply of gunpowder was taken on board, too,
put up in 20lb., caristers, which are intended
to blow up the ice in Wellington Channel, and
will be fired by gavanic batteries. The
means and the object seem to be very dis
proportionate, but still great result might fol-
low from the removal of a few hundred yards
of ice in that channel.
Not only the comforts of the men, but their
amusement, even, nave DecH caTeu LOT, anu u
large supply of dresses, &C., has been contribu-
ted by friendly persons to enable them to get
up theatrical representations, of which sailors
are very fond and those will be a great re-
source during the long and dreary northern
nights, when the chief desiderata are, how to
kill time. Theatricals are among the best ap-
pliances under the last head, and also among the
most innocent; and although 1T seems almost
ludicrous to mention the playwright preparations
as part and parcel ofthe equipments, still those
who thought of and procured them well under
stood the human nature of sailors, and their
lasts and predictions.
This expedition, commanded by Sir Edward
Belcher, does not supercede CAPTAIN Beatson's
contemplated search by the way of Bearings
Straits in the ship Isabel, fitted out at his own
and Lady Franklns expense, she contributing
f2,5OO, he El,OOO. His plan is after entering
the Straits, to sail west some distance along
the Arctic coast, then to turn to the north, and
finally to the east, with the hope of meeting
some squadron. Should the search ofthis sea-
son result in failure, there remains nothing
that can be tried with shadow of prospect of
success, except an overland exploration, in the
way of which there are such serious obstacles
that it will not be attempted, probably-the
great difficulty of penetrating the circum- polar
regions, and the enormous expense that would
attend any attempt to do so effectually.
Wash. Globe.