Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-11-03
North west Passage Accomplished.

North West Passage Accomplished.
The London papers received by the ASA
contain the authentic Intelligence OF the pas
sage Of British government ship investigator
Commander Mcclure. through the Arctic Sea,
from Behring's straits to Davs's straits, hav-
ing passed three winters in the intervening
seas. She will thus have accomplished, on
her arrival in England, the complete crcom-
navigation Of the continent of North and South
America. An exchange says:
"This information is published on the au-
thority of the Admiralty, from dispatches re-
ceiyed from Commander Mcclure, brought d.
rectly by Commander lngle6eld OF the steam
ship Phoenix, which sailed for Davis's straits
last spring, with supplies for Sir Edward
BeIcher's squadron, and who has returned
bringing dispatches from Sir Edward Belcher,
and also from Commander NJ Clu.e OF the In
vestigator, VINO sailed ia search Of Sir John
Franklin by way Of Behring's straits, having
left England in December l649, and also from
Captain Kellett, who sailed on the same mis-
sion 10 Davis's straits, in the government snip
Resolute, in the spring of 1852. y
The dispatches Of both these officers will be
extremely interesting, although both have en-
tirely failed in the special object Of their
voyages. tb ..v
Commander Inglefeld brings no intelli-
gence Of Sir John FraOElin's expedition he
has, however. succeeded in deposting the sup
plies as directed, and we are happy to say is
accompanied by Lieut.. Creswelt, of the Inves-
.. HoeDofohoo nd
Mcclure, thus enabling US to satisfy the pub
lie, and the friends Of those embarked in the In
vestigator, concerning which ship considerable
anxiety had existed as to her safety.
The Breadalbane transport which accompa-
MED the Phoenix, was totally wrecked by nip
of the ice-the crew saved and brought home
by the Phoenix. l
Il is concluded from Sir Edward Belcher'
dispatches, that that officer would endeavor 10
retrace his steps this season TO Beechy Island
TO winter. 1t is further 10 be gathered from
these dispatches, that the Investigator had
completed the passage between the two oceans,
having passed into the Arctic Sea by Behring S
straits, and returned home by Davis's straits.
Dispatches have been received at the Ad-
miraliy from Commander Mcclure, who sailed
in I849, in search of Sir John Franklin, in Ii
M. 5. Investigator, and from Captain Keleit,
who sailed in the spring of 1852, in H. M. S.
ResOlute, on the same mission. We regret 10
say that no traces toward success in the object
Of their mission have been discovered but we
have been favored with communication of a
letter from Commander NJ 'Clnre, dated H. NJ.
S. Investigator, Bay Of Mercy, Baring's Is
land, April 1853, which announces his success
in accomplishing the problematical enterprise
of the North Western Passage. The gallant
writer states that during the winter Of 1850,
his vessel wintered in pack without sustaining
any damage, (and surprising 10 say, he has 10
report the same result al the end of the third
winter, and without the loss of single man OF
her crew. in the frozen waters called Prince OF
Wales Strait, and communicating with Bar
rows, as he ascertained on the 26Ih Oct. OF
that year. In July, 1851, he states, that such
body Of ice came down upon Us with a strong
east wind, and set the vessel so far TO the
South that we determined 10 attempt passage
by the east of the cliffs Of Banks Land form
ing the north entrance of the large island I'M
der which we now are"
The difficulties and dangers of the passage
may be estimated from his statement that the
ice foes encountered measured from 45 TO 20
feet beneath the water, only g or feet above.
IL 10 Interesting 10 learn l1dI lnDdoltdthS nave
been discovered farther norlhward than known
previously, at Wallostan and Victoria Lands,
and northward still on the track designated as
Prince Abert's Lands. These were found
exceedingly kind and friendly, and great guam
titles Of copper were found, apparently in a
very pure state. This metal is used by the
natives for edging their weapons, &c., but
they appeared to be amused at seeing pieces Of
it picked up by the crews, as possessing value.
In April 1852, Commander M'Cure went to
Melville Island on sledges. expecting to find
there one Of Captain Austin's vessels, or, at
all events, a store Of provisions; but was dis
appointed TO find only notice left by Lieut..
M'CIntock, saying where provisions were, and
giving the positions Of their ships. It was in
ferred that the search was supposed TO be aban-
doned, and no other vessel expected to have
come thus far.
Since October 1851, the crew Of the Investi-
gator is stated 10 have been put on ODDS al
lowance-halfa pound of meat per diem in a
climate where their commanders state they
could readily have consumed four. On the
hills adjacent TO the bay from which the letter
is dated, large numbers of deer and other game
have been found which must have contribut-
ed a welcome relief from the short commons OF
the previous polar sojonrn.' ga arat