The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-11-08
MISCELLANEOUS

BToGRAPHY OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.-
Sir J-hn Frauklin's expedition consis-
ted OF 1873 men. The place where their
remains are reported TO have been found
Is in about latitude 6S, and longitude 95
west from Greenwich. 1t is nearly seven
degrees OF latitude south of Wellington
channel, where the last traces of Frank
lin were found four years ago, in the
graves Of several Of his men, buried in
lS45-46. 1t WAS through this channel
that SIR john was supposed to have for
ced his way north into the Polar Sea-
Nearly all the various expeditions fitted
out have, under this belief, explored re-
gions too far north. The land expedition
which went out in ls4s was too far
west, having followed The Mackenzie river
| from tue same lake which The Black river
starts from running east. Capt. Austin,
who investigated the region OF La icaster
Sound in 1850, concluded that the mis-
sing expedition had not been to the south
ward aud westward OF Wellington chan
mel. Yet at this very time Franklins
party We're suffering the pangs OF stat
walton some seven degrees souLh vi Ian
caster Soun,l, having probably been car
RED down Prime. Regents Inlet past Lam
caster Sound by tile Ice. 1t is estimated
that four millions vi dollars have been ex-
pended IN fitting out the various search
mg expeditions inEuglaud and tl.e United
States. Mr.. John Rae, whu has made
the recent discovery Vt the remains Of The
lost voyagers, was engaged tor three sue
cessive years in exploring the lands and
Islands north Of Coppermine river. ,..-
Tue reported discovery OF tue remains
of this i.lustrIous navigalor-whateve
doub-s may Oe thrown upon the credibIi-
ty OF the narralive-iurulshe "a suitable
occasion for collecting the scanty details
of his biography, which have thus far
bee.i communicated to the public. Sir
John Franklin was BORN in 1856, anil
would accordingly have been SO years OF
| aye had he survived TO the present time.
lt-sss,s.'ss pla@ss WAS Spilshy. asinalL Town
~ Ai1coinsi'ms, "a tiio vicinity of-ths
Moth Sea. From his earliest wears Ie
betrayed certain holiness OF disposition
aud love Of adventure. His father en-
deasored to cure him OF his sea.furiny
propeiis't'es, 10y permitting him to try the
experiment OF a voyage To Lisbon in
trading vessel. But This only produced
the opposite effect. He was confirmed
in his taste for the ocean, and would not
be satisfied until he had procured the con-
sent of his father to his entering the navv.
lie obtained a midshipman's warrant in
h's fourteenth year. His first service was
IN tue frigste Polyplerne, where he WAS
distinguished TOR his youthful courage
and energy. He Was in the battle of Co.
penhasen i'll 1901, and two years after
accompanied his relative, Capt. Flindrs,
On voyage of discovery to the South
Sea-, during which he was shipwrecked
on the coase of New Holland.
| AT subsequent period, he was in the
Eellerophon at the battle Of Trafalyar.-
In 1914, he was lieutenant in the Bed
ford, which brought the allied monarchs
to England. He was concerned in the
attack ou New Orleans, where he gained
great credit by his bravery and skill. In
1918, he commanded the brig Trent in
the Polar expedition under Capt. Buchan.
After the failure Of the search for the
north west passage by Captain Ross, he
received the commission in 1919, to un-
dortake All expedition by land from Hud.
sons Bay ~ the IN. uth of the Copper
Niue River, in conjunction with Richard.
sou aud Bach, to cooperate with Captain
Parry, who Was to visit the region l,y
water. On this expedition he followed
the coast as far as Cape Turnagain, 8S
deg. 80 min. north latituds, and after in
credible b trtiships, having been once res
cued from death 10y the Indians, lie re-
turned TO England in 1922. lie was
promoted ~ the rank of Post Captain.
and three years after undertook second
expedition to the Polar Sea-, visiting the
coast between Mackenzie river and the
Copper Mine river. BY the middle OF
August, 1927, he had reached the seven
teenth degree Of latitude, "a the one
hundred and fifiieth degree Of Longitude,
but was compelled to return by the early
setting ~ Ut exirsme cold weather. I'm
recognition OF his merits on this expe.
dition, he received the order oi knight
hood from George the Fourth.
In 1880 he commanded a ship Of the
line in the Mediterranean, aud aiterwarl
WAS appointed Governor Of Van D:emen's
Land, hom which post he was recalled ia
March, ls43. Returning TO England i,
the spring OF l845 he was entrusted with
the command Of the fatal expedition IN
which his life has fallen sacrifice. The
two vessels, Erebus and Terror, in which
the younger Ross had accomplished hi.
expedition TO the So1th Pole, were selec.
ted ,or the voyage; and two Distinguish
ed officers, Captains Crozier and Ftz
ja'nes, were appointed "a his companions
The expedition ssiledo on the I9th Of Nav
lS45, arrived at tbe Whale Fish Island,
on the 4lh of July, and VIA seen Cor IN,
last time in Melville Bay, on the 2 th o
that month. u was not until after tl,e re
turn Of Capt. Ross in, 1870, who I,a.
been sent in search Of the missing nayi
gators. thai general anxiety WAS Sslt 70
their safety, In 1850 an Expedition wa