The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-30
SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.


The following statement appears to be so
well authenticated that it is hardly possible to
doubt it, and yet it is very singular
The British admiralty has issued series of
doc uments and evidence which appear to con-
vey the proof that in the spring of last year
the two vessels comprising this Inflated expe-
dition, were seen off the Banks of Newfound-
land wedged to an iceberg.
1t appears by the evidence referred to that q
MIR. Storey, the master of an English merchant
ship, when at Tynemouth some few months
since, fell into conversation with an English
naval officer, in the course of which he acct
dentally alluded to a statement he had heard
made by a Captain Coward, of the British brig
Renovation, of North Shields, that the latter
had seen, in the month of April of the last
year, on the Banks of Newfoundland, a large
iceberg, some five miles in length-that on a
nearer approach to it, under the water, it could
be observed shelving out to considerable dis
lance at the lee side, thus acting like a vane in
keeping that part to the leeward-that on pass
ing, as close as prudence would allow, two
three masted vessels were observed close TO-,
but out of the iceberg-that they were regular
ly housed, with their topsail yards and t0pgal-
liant masts down; and that no human beings
could be seen on board. The naval officer mai.
urally inquired how il was that this piece of in
formation had not been communicated before
AID received for reply, that Capt. Coward, the
master ofthe Renovation, had, with surprising
stofdity, contented himself with merely mem
toying it to his friends. He, it appears, was
tffen on his voyage to Venice: and the British
Admiralty has forwarded instructions to The
consul at that port to interrogate him CLOSELY
upon his arrival. Of course, the general i'm
preston is, that if the statement be true, they
were the two ships of the Franklin expedition;
and, 1t is assumed, that the catastrophe of an
iceberg, breaking away from the place where
II had formed would, no doubt, be sufficient to
cause the crews to rush on foot to the nearest
safe point; the ships drifting away with the
iceberg in the interval would leave no means
OF reJolnlng them. The responsibility and good
faith Of Capts. Storey and Coward are vouched
or.
The British Admiralty then addressed con-
fdental letter to the coast guard officer at
| Sunderland. directing him to proceed to Tyne
/. mouth, and make inquiries of Captain Storey,
who stated that he left Bristol for Quebec. as
master of the brig Agnes, on the 9Th of April.
1851 he crossed the Banks of Newfoundland
about the 10Th, and arrived at Quebec on the
9th OF May There he met Captain Coward,
who, as far as his captain Storey's) memory
served him, gave him The following relation:
when near the east edge of the bank, in lat.
10 deg. 80 min. ~, wind NE, fresh breezes
and clear weather, as much as could carry
ioretopmast studding sail, fell in with ice
|oergs, one OF which was very large, with field
zee attached to it, in which there were two
hree-masted saips, having their masts struck
and yards down, and all made snug TO ali an.
Pearance they had passed the winter together
% the ice. AT about five O'Clock in the morn.
ng, when within one mile of them. the mate
Jailed me TO see tine iceberg and ships; by the
ime got up and dressed and on deck. INV shin
vas abreast of them took spying glass and
carefully examined them, TO see if there was
my one on board, but could not see any one.
the time did not think of Sir John Frank
ms missing ships, anxiety to get ahead out of
pc danger while the weather was clear from
Pgs, and being too far past before could make
p my mind, caused me MOTTO reduce sail and
anime Them more accurately. / am since of
pips.'' ~ oss
aapI. storey states that Capt. Cleugh was
~ present. whenthis narration was made.
ne coast guard officer then sought an in.
view with the wife of Mr.. Coward VIM .iso
,,ar y. ner husband had mentioned The
49, nsI 20 ner, and she furnished him with h;s
snah ' wnen ne should arrive at Venice NJ
es.ss c slso sought OUT, and stated ,ha, 4.
Joined IN ,s a1os statement. and thai he
- r ~ tas co lyersa.isn. The chef .aa. .a &c
o. capt Coward's vess., ne cniei OH
asA' seugh, for, and was s,nna !; simpson,