The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1853-10-29
TIE NORTHWEST PASSAGE.

From Ike London Globe we learn the fol-
lowing particulars Of the recent accomplish
meat Of the northwest pa>>a.e hv Commander
Mcclure Of the Investigator, from Behring's
throu-h the Arctic Ocean, to Davis Straits.
The G!obc saws:
No traces towards success in the main Oh
irct of their mission have been hi>covcrrd
but we have been favored with commitment
ton of a letter from Commander Mcclure.
dated II. NJ. $. Investigate Bay OF Mercy.
EalinY'> Island, April 1888, which announc-
6 his success in accomplishing the long prob
lynatical enterprise OF the \orfh Western
p.>>agr. The gallant writer states thai dur
ing the winter of 1850. his vessel wintcrcl in
la, k. without sustaining any damage. (and
>Urlni>in" to say. Il" has to report the same
result at the end OF the third winter, and
without the loss of a >in.lr man of her crew
in the frozen waters called the Prince of
Wales Strait, and communicating with Bar
rows aS he ;.,ccrtaincd on Oct %. of that
wear.
In July. 1871, he states "Such body of
ice came down upon us with a strong east
wind. aud set the vessel 50 far to the Sonh.
that we determined to attempt a passage hv
til" east end Of the cliffs OF Banks Land. form
inr the northern entrance of the large island
under which we now are" The difficulties
and dangers OF this passage may he estimated
from Iii, statement, that TIE ice-lloes cncoun-
tered measured from tortytivc to seventy feet
beneath the water, and on y SIX or seven a
hovc.
1t is Interesting to learn that inhabitants
have been discovered further northward than
known previously, at Wolla>ton and Victoria
Lands and northwarl still on the tract dc>ir-
mated as Prince Alhrrt'> Land. These were
found exceedingly Kind and friendly. and
treat quantities OF copper were found. appa-
rrnflv III very pure state. This metal Is
used by the natives for edgin. their weapons.
&C.. but they appeared to he amused at seeing
pieces OF it picked up hv the crew as possess
inc value. In April. 1872, Commander Me
Clurc went 10 Melville Island on >lrd.c>, cx-
rcctln" TO find there one Of Captain Austin ;
vessels. or at all events. a store OF provision.
but was disappointed to find only a notice
left lv Lieutenant McCiintock. saving where
provisions were, and giving the position of
;hc ships.
1t was inferred that the search was sup
posed TO X ahandonrd and no other vessels
expected to have com" thus far. Since Dcto-
hrr ISL. the crew OF the Investigator is stat
ed To have been put on two-thlrd> allowance
have pound OF meat per diem III Il climate
where their commander states they could rra-
div have consumed four. On tn, hills ada
cent to the hav. from which the letter i Dat
cd. laYnr numbers OF deer AMI other came
have been found. which must have conrrl.u
ted a welcome rcirt from the >hort-rommon~
of the previous polar >""urrt.
I'll" only portion Of Captain kcllr'j'~ lr;-
ttr> with which We are. a vet. ma'lr a"quaint-
ed, Is the Erici notice. dated Melville Island
7ih of May, that Mcclure hid Joined about
a fortnight all we'll tut half starved. From
Capt. McClurc'> own letters it appears that
he had already icta he'd some of his crew t,
rrturn home l., B;.iirn> Bay. ard a small
party by the Mackenzie