Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-10-21
fitted, and made as light as possible. but
the sledge was Of solid oak, and almost IS

fitted, and made as light as possible. but
the sledge was Of solid oak, and almost MS
heavy as the boat.
"A large quantity Of clothing was
found within her. also two human skele-
tons. One Of these lay in the after part
of the boat. under pile Of clothing; the
other, which was much more disturbed,
probably by anim,ls, was found in the
bow. Five pocket watches. quantity
of silver spoons and forks. and few rc-
ligious books were also found. but 10
journals, pocket books, or even names
upon any ar iclc of clothing.
Two double barrelled guns stood up.
right against the boats side. precisely as
they had been placed eleven years before
One barrel of each was loaded and cock.
ed there was ammunition in abun isnct /;
also some thirty or forty pound. Of choc.
olate, some tea and tobacco. Fuel was
not wan,ins;a a drift tree lay within 100
yards of the boat
Many deeply interesting relics OF our
countrymen have been picked up upon
the western shore of King Williams 5
Island. and hers obtained from the Es-
quimaux, by whom we are informed that
subsequent to their abandonment one
ship was crushe and sunk by the ice,
the other forced on shore. where she has
ever since been .affordng them an almost
inc xhaustible mine of wealth.
Capt. McClntock says, from all that
can be Cleaned from the record paper and
the evidence afforded by the boat and
varions articles of clothing and equip.
mcnt discovered,it appears that the aban-
donment of the Erebus and Terror had
oeen deliberately arranged. and every ef-
fort cAerted during the third winter, to
render the travelling eqni, ment complete.
Ii is much to be apprehended that dis
ease had greatly reduced the strength of
all on board, far more. perhaps, than
they themselves IRE aware Of The dis
ancc bv sled5e route from the position
OF the ships when abandoned to the boat
is 65 geographical miles, and from the
ships to Montreal Island 22O miles. The
most perfect order seems to have existed
throughout.
The Franklin expedition. which num-
bered 1873 souls. sailed from England in
May. 1915, and nothing definite, till
now, has been accurately ascertained Of
its m movements or fate later than July of
the same year,when the fated Erebus and
Terror were spoken ly passing whaler.
One of the several expe ltons fitted out
by govern ncnt with the view Of reliev-
in. or ascertairing the fate Of the miss.
lng adventures. discovered in 1851, tra-
ces OF their wiatcr quarters in lsi5.6, at
Bcechy Island, and in 1854, DR.. Rea
found among the Esqaimaux on the west
shore of Boothia ce tain relics of the ex.
pedition, aud was told that party of
white men had perished Of starvation in
that neishborhool four years previously,
They had been seen, it was said by
the natives, dragging boat on the north
shore of King Williams Sound. The in.
ielligepce now received would seem in
confirmation of that obtained by DR..
Rea; the localities in the two accounts
appear to be the same ; and the discrep.
ancy of dates-Capt. McClntock's news
being to the effect that the crews aban-
doned their ships so early as ls4S-is
probably to be explained by the loose
ness of the Esquimaux notions of times
and seasons.
Up to 1850 the country hoped that Sir
John and his gallant companions might
yet be within reach Of aid and in March
Of that year government fered reward
Of 100000 to ''any party or parties who
in the judgment of the Board OF Admi.
rally, snould discover or effectually re.
lievc any Of the crews" or 100000
to any patty who ahould give such in
fol nation as would lead TO their relief,or
definitely ascertain their fate. 81 late,
even. as 1857. an effort was made to in
duce the government to "attempt final
and exhaustive search" with the view OF
ascertaining the fate of the expedition.
1t was on the failure of this effort that
Lady Franklin herself undertook the re-
sponsibihty, and the result has now, it
appears. justified her faith and enter
prise. 1t will be for the country to con.
slider whether the widow Of the brave and
unfortunate explorer shall be permitted
to pay out Of her private funds ier inior-
nation SO interesting 70 the public, and
far which 10 large sum as $4,000 had
been offered in the name of the country
An offer which has never, We presume,
been formally Withdrawn.