Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-11-03
THE ARrIc ExPEDIrIoN-Rei..rn OF

4 lHE hhIAG 1ArEDAl10N-AcftfT OF
Commander Haolsfsld- Discovery of a
North Vest PassGge.-Adpsiralty, Oct.
Ia, 1853.-Commander Ingleield, who,
it win be remembered, was despatched
in H. Ms steamship Phoenix, in the
spring of the year, with supplies to Sir
Edward Belcher's squadron, arrived at
the Admiralty to-day, having left the
Phoenix at Thurso. N. B.
Commander Inglefeld brings no in
telligenee of Sir John Franklin's expe-
dition; he has, however, succeeded in
depositing the supplies as directed, and
we are happy to say is accompanied by
Lieut.. Croswell, Of the Investigator,
with dispatches from Commander
NJ Clure, thus enabling us to satisfy the
public, and the friends of those en-
barked in the Investigator, concerning
which ship considerable anxiety had
existed, as to her safety.
The Breadalbane transport, which ac-
companied the Phoenix, was totally
wrecked by nip of the ice-the crew
saved and brought home by the Phe-
nix.
It is concluded from Sir Edward
Belcher's dispatches, that that officer
would endeavor to retrace his steps this
season to Beechy Island to winter. 1t
is further to 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 Straits.
Dispatches have been received at the
Admiralty from Commander Mcclure,
who sailed in December, 1848, in search
Of Sir John Franklin, in H. NJ. S. In
vestigator, and from Captain Kellett,
who sailed in the spring of 1852, in H.
NJ. S. Resolute, on the same mission
We regret to say that no traces towards
success in the main object of their mis-
sion have been discovered; but we have
been favored with communication of a
letter from Commander NJ Clure, dated
H. NJ. S. Investigator, Bay of Mercy,
Baring's Island, April, 1853, which an
nounces his success in accomplishing
the long problematical enterprise Of the
North Western Passage. aL
The gallant writer states that during
the winter of 1850 his vessel wintered
in pack, without sustaining any damage,
land surprising to say, he has to report
the same result at the end of the third
winter, and without the loss of single
man of her crew, in the frozen waters
called Prince Of Wales's Strait, and
communicating with Barrows's, as he
ascertained on the 96th of October Of
that year. In July, 1851, he states,
.'such body of ice came down upon
us with strong east wind, and set the
vessel so far to the south, that we de-
termined to attempt passage by the
east end Of the cliffs of Banks Land,
forming the north entrance of the large
island under which we now are" The
difficulties and dangers of this passage
may be estimated from his statement
that the ice-hoes encountered measured
from As to 20 feet beneath the water,
only or 7 above. We must refer for
the details, of which we cannot now
make even hurried transcript, to the
dispatches, which of course will be i'm
mediately published.
1t is interesting to learn that inhabi-
tants have been discovered farther
northward than known previously, at
WolIaston and Victoria Lands, and
northward still on the track designated
as Prince Albert's Lands. These were
found exceedingly kind and friendly,
and great quantities of copper were
found, apparently in very pure state.
This metal is used by the natives for
edging their weapons, &c., but they ap-
peared to be amused at seeing pieces OF
it picked up by the crews, as possessing
value.
In April, 1859, Commander NJ Clure
went to Melville Island on sledges, ex-
pecting to find there one of Captain
Austin's vessels, or, at all events, a
store of provisions; but was disap-
pointed to find only notice left by
Lieutenant McClintock, saying where
provisions were, and giving the position
Of their ships 1t was inferred that the
search was supposed to be abandoned,
and no other vessel expected to have
,ome thus far.
Since October, 1851, the crew Of the
investigator is stated to have been but
N the 2-3rds allowanee-half a pound
If meat per diem in climate where
he Commanders state they could readily
lave consumed four. On the hills ad-
AGENT to the bay from which the letter
S dated, large number of deer and
,ther game have been found; which
must have contributed welcome relief
rom the short-commons Of the preYI-
us polar sojourn.
The only portion of Captain keiletts
stters with which we are, as yet, made
couainted, is the brief notice dated
Ielyille island. 18th of May, that
lM'Clure had joined about fortnight.
n well, but half starved" From
Japtain M'Clure's own letters, it ap-
ears that he had already detached
,me of his crew to return home by
afin's Bay, and small party by the
RAfection. like spring flowers,