Washington sentinel., 1853-11-08

Captain Mcclure was to desert hisvesseL The
Intrepid was expected at Beechey Island win the
crew, and Sir Edward Belcher had ordered the
North Star 10 be prepared on her arrival 10 pro-
ceed to England, sailing on the Isl o. Tep,emper,
and to leave the Intrepid at Beechy Island IN her
stead. f9s
Ihave now, in concluding the intelligence gained
concerning the Arctic searching squadrons, 10 ac-
quaint their lordshps Of the dangerous position in
| which the North Star passed the winter. Shortly
after left Beechey island last year IN my yacht
the Isabel, violent gale which encountered IN
the straits drove the North Star on shore, where
she remained during the whole winter, and was
only got off this spring without much difficulty.
In natural history we are able TO add large col
lection of minerals 10 our museums nearly one
thousand specimens of ores and earthy substances
have been obtained at different parts OF the coast
and root plants, OF all the kinds we have met with
are carefully preserved; and such crustaceous ana
other creatures from the animal kingdom as our
limited means have allowed us 10 collect are pre-
pared for the naturalists.
careful meteorological journal has been kept,
tide register at Hosteinborg, and great many
observations made on the direction, dip, and force
of the magnet. These have been carried on by
Mr. Stanton, and the late lamented M. Bellot,
whose industry in this branch OF science Is well
proved by the mass Of valuable matter ne has LETT
behind. 8 ,sa
have only now 10 beg that your iordshps will
accept nv assurance of the perfect satisfaction
have received in the conduct Of every officer and
man in the expedition during period OF incessant
labor continual hardship, and frequently imminent
peril each has done his duty with zeal and alac-
rity that find il hard to indivdualize.
The following dispatch gives description Of
the intended progress Of the expedition during
the present year:
HER MAJEsTY's Discovery SHIP INVESTIGATOR,
Bayof Mercy, Barring Island, Apr. III, 1893.
SR: In the event of our not getting 10 England
this year. think il necessary to acquaint you, for
the information of the lords commissioners OF the
! admiralty, what your operations will be TO effect
that object in 1854 that their lordships may be en-
abled to take such cooperative measures for our
relief as may appear expedient.
Should the ice break up in this bay sufficiently
early TO permit of our getting through the straits
this season, and finding the water open to the east
ward of Leopold Island, II would be my object to
push forward without stopping 10 take on board
any provisions from Port Leopold; but il, on the
contrary, the ice should be thick towards Lancas
ter Sound, would, if possible, proceed to Port
Leopold and complete twevemonth's provisions
and then risk wintering in the pack, or getting
through, in preference to remaining at the above
port. II, however, we are detained in this bay un-
ill next year. will then be requisite TO leave to-
wards the end Of April, and make for Port Leopold
where am aware there is good boat, house.
and ample supplies; and when the navigabe sea-
son opens, proceed to Ponds bay, coasting along
the south shore Of Barrow's Straits Arriving at
Ponds bay, and finding from the Esquimaux that
no whalers have as yet been there, should there
await their appearance as long as my provisions
would admit, and then 60 down the west shore Of
BafRn's bay, keeping close along the land Hoe
where whalers their boats are almost certain of
being met with. Failing this should cross to
Disco, with the hope of getting passage in some
Of the Danish vessels which come there annually,
and leave about the beginning of September or,
being loo late for them, either charter purchase
one Of their coastng schooners, which believe are
made among the settlements, ii she was capable Of
standing an Atlantic voyage Could neither Of
| these be accomplished, we must of necessity re-
main until the following season at that settlement.
Should any of her Majesiy's ships be sent for our
relief, and we should have quilted Port Leopold, a
notice containing information of our route will be
left at the door Of the house on Whaler's point, or
on some conspicuous position; if, however, on the
contrary, no aintimation should be found of our
having been there it may be at once surmised that
| some fatal catastrophe has happened, either from
being carried into the Polar sea smashed in Bar
rows straits, and no survivors left.
Ifsuch should be the case-which, however, |
will not anticipateit will then be quite unneces-
sary 10 penetrate further to the westward for our
relief as by the period that any vessel could reach
that port we must, from want of provisions, all
have persisted, in such case I would submit that
the officer may be directed TO return, and by no
means incur the danger Of losing other lives in
| place of those who will then be no more, A.,
however, it may occur (as was the case with Sir
John Ross that the ice may not break up In Prince
Regents Inlet during the whole summer Il IS as
i well to provide against such contingency. II
such should happen, i would be necessary 70
winter at Port Leopold, unless apprsed OF the 10
cality Of any ship that might be sent for our relief
winch Gs scnlsn as Is ai,hnnah snch vessel nav
not be enabled to get far up the Straits yet Admi
rally Inlet would be pretty certain OF peng cear oI
ICE, sne Mlgnt Proceea , allu - go,
pay reeze M anu, Whcn .ne ote. ~ ne 49, nS
rozen over ABOUT tne inidaie y pc,ope.i sinai