The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-11-24

twenty-five miles. without wasting time
in waiting there we attempted TO pass
through Bellot Strait. ana although we sue
ceeded In this yet our
FURTHER PROGRESS WAS STOPPED
by fixed ice across it's western outlet. You
will remember that my object was to reach
King Williams Island. From my position,
at this western outlet of Bellot Strait, /
could see that all to the north, as far as the
horizon, was covered with an unbroken ice.
while all to the south was water, with the
exception of the belt OF fixed ice, some three
or four miles wide, which so effectuslly
barred my way. Subsequently sledging ex-
ploratioDs to the Great Fish river and all
round King Williams Island convinced me
that we actually saw in that narrow barrier
OF Ice the only impeachment to our progress
TO and beyond King Williams Island. 1t
also convinced me that Franklin's ships
passed down Peel Strait, thus proving that
seasons do occur when it Is navigable.
A PASSAGE FROM OCEAN TO OCEAN.
And now to sum up. We know of one
year (F'rsnklin's) when Peel Strait was
navigable; of another year (McClintock's)
when it was not nsvigsble, and of a third
year (Allen Young's) when it was partially
navigable. In my opinion, this strait, to-
gether with its southern continuation, is
probably nsvigable once in four of flve
years, and II a steamer could then make her
way through it before the close of the month
of August she would be able to complete
the passage from the one ocean to the other
before the navigable season was over. Here
let me refer you TO my narrative of the voy-
age of the Fox Oster editions, pages 1851
for my own opinions, as they were
WRITTEN DOWN AT THE TINE
Young's attempt to accomplish the North
west Passage was as bold and skillful a one
as was ever made. He persevered, not only
after all hope seemed sxtinguished, but
dered his retreat impossible; and here, at
the most critical moment of his voyage,
consider that he exercised the soundest
judgment and discretion in effecting his
escape. Had his attempt been successful he
would not only have accomplished the
Northwest Passage, but would also have
achieved another object which he had in
view-namely, that OF searching the shores
of King Williams Island, at the only season
when they are free from snow, for further
relics OF Sir John Franklin's expedition,
which persisted there in 184S.
THE OBJECTS REALIZED.
But, although baffled in the main objects
OF his voyage, other important and useful
has done it. He has brought us intelli-
gence of our Arctic expedition OF very
great interest. By it we know that they had
surmounted all the difficulties of Baffin's
bsy navigation, had crossed the dreaded
Melville bay with hardly check, and that
as early as July 20 they were within loo
miles of Smith sound, where their work OF
exploration was to begin, and that they
were favored with an unusually good sea-
son. But for Allen Young in the Pandora,
this good news could not have reached US
for another year at the least. The country
has been spared years doubts and mis-
givings, and trust that Mr.. Young has re-
ceived from Official quarters an acknOwl-
edgment commensurate with the great
public service he has thus rendered a. so
much personal hazard and cost.