Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-10-21

about, ~ u hero every article WAS thrown
away which could possibly be dispensed
with pickaxes, shoveIs, boats, cooking uten-
sir, iron work, rope, blocks, canvass, dip
circle, sextant engraved eFrcdric Hornby,
X. NJ" small medicine chest oars, DC.
A few miles southward, across Back
Bay, second record was found, having
been deposited by Lieut.. Gore and N. des
Veux, in May, ls47 Itafordod no addi-
tional information.
Lieut.. Hobson continued his search un-
Ill within few days march Of Cape Her
schel, without finding any trace Of the
wreck, or Of natives. He left full ipforma-
tion Of his important discoveries fcr mo;
therefore, when returning northward by
the west shore of King William Island, l
had the advantage of knowing what had
already been found Soon after leaving
Cape Herschel the traces Of natives became
less numerous and less recent, and after
rounding the west point Of the island they
ceased altogether. This shore is extreme
ly low, and almost utterly destitute Of veg
citation. Numerous banks Of shingle and
low islets lie of it and beyond these Victo-
ria Strait is covered with heavy and almost
impenetrable packed ice.
When in lat. go og NJ, and long. g9o
81 W., we came to large boat, discovered
by Lieut.. Hobson few days previously, as
his notice informed me. It appears that
this boat had been intended for the ascent
of the Fish River, but was abandoned APP
parently upon return journey to the ships,
the sledge upon which she was mounted
being pointed in that direction. She meas
ured 2s feet in length, by II feet wide,
was most carefully fitted, and made as light
as possible, but the slcdge was of solid oak,
and almost as heavy as the boat.
A large quantity of clothing was tounl
within her. also two human Skeletons
One of these lay in the after part Of the
boat, under pile of clothing; the other,
which was much more disturbed, probably
by animals was found in the bow. Five
pocket watches, quantity of silver spoons
aud forks, and few religious books, were
also found, but no journals, pocket books,
or even names upon articles of clothing.-
Two double barrelled guns stood upright
against the boats side, precisely as they
had been placed eleven years before. One
barrel in each was loaded and cooked .
there was ammunition in abundance, also
80 or 40 pounds of chocolate, some tea,
and tobacco. Fuel was not wanting; drift
tree lay within 100 yards of the boat
I Manysvery interestingrclics were brought
away by Lieut. Hobson, and some few by
myself On the 9Th of June reached
Point Victory without having found any
thing further The clothing, DC, was
again examined for documents, notebooks,
DC, without success, a record placed in tho
cairn, and another buriedton feettrue north
of il.
Nothing worthy of remark occurred up
on my return journey to the ship. which VIC
reached on the 10th of June, five days af-
ter Lieut.. Hobson.
The shore of King William Island, be-
tween its north and west extremes, Capes
Felix and Crozier, has not been visited by
Esquimaux since the abandonment of the
Erebus and Terror, as the cairns and ar
ticles living strewed about, which are in
their eyes of priceless value, remain un-
touched.
| If the wreck still remains visible, it is
probable she lies upon some of the oflying
islets to the southwark between Capes Gro
zer and Herschel
On the 2sth of June, Capt. Young and
his party returned having completed their
portion of the search, by which the insular-
ity of Prince of Wales Land was determined,
and the coast line intervening between the
extreme points reached by Lieuts. Osborne
and Browne discovered; also between Bellot
Strait and Sir James Ross furthcst in ls49,
at Four River Bay.
Fearing that his provisions might not
last out the requisite period, Capt. Young
sent back four of his men, and for 40 days
journeyed on through fogs and gales with
but one man and the dogs, building a snow
hut each night; but few men could stand
so long continuance of labor and priva-
ton, and its effect upon Capt. Young was
painfully evident.
Lieutenant Hobson was unable to stand
without assistance upon his return on board I;
he was not in good health when he commen-
ced his long journey, and the sudden severe
exposure brought on an attack of scurvy
yet he most ably completed his work and
such facts will moro clearly evincc the un-
lhinching spirit with which the object of our
voyage has been pursued 10 these detached
duties than any praise of mine.
We were now, at length, all on board
again. AS there were some slight cases of
scurvy, all our treasured resources of Burton
ale, lemon juice, and fresh animal food were
put into requsition, so that in compara-
lively short time all were restored to sound
health.
During our sojourn in Port Kennedy we
were twice called upon to follow a shipmate
to the grave. Mr.. George Brands, engineer
died of apoplexy, on the 9th Of November,
1858; he had been out deer-shootng fol
several hours that day, and appeared IN ex,
J cclent health
On the l4th June, 1859, Thomas Black
well, ships steward, died of scuryy; this
man had served in two ofthe former search.
ing expeditions. Tho Summer proved q
warm one; we were able to start upon ouI
homeward voyage on the 9th of August
and although the loss Of the ebgine-drivel
in 1857, and of the engineer 10 1858, loft
us with only two siokers, yet with their as
J sistance / was able 10 control tho engine: