THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION UNDER SIR J. ROSS.
Perhaps no subject engaged the mind of the British people more sympathetically and powerfully than the fate of the brave men who formed the great Arctic expedition. Sir John Franklin was popular, and eminently deserved to be so; and the public desired that every effort should be made, and every risk incurred, for his deliverance—or, at all events, a satisfactory solution of the doubts which prevailed concerning his existence. For this purpose an expedition was sent out under Sir James Ross, with specific instructions to prosecute the search in a certain direction, which would not interfere with efforts elsewhere, so as to determine, at all events in one great field of exploration, if he yet survived. Sir James and his gallant crews arrived off Scarborough on the 3rd of November, and on the 5th the gallant officer presented his report at the Admiralty. The following account of that report, from official authority, will afford sufficiently full information of the result:—
“It is Sir James Ross’s confident opinion that neither Sir John Franklin, nor any of his brave companions, are eastward of any navigable point in the Arctic regions; and if there be any chance of their existence, it is in the supposition that he proceeded in a westerly direction, and in such case we can only expect to hear from the missing adventurers by the Mackenzie detachment, or by her majesty’s ship Plover, Commander Moore, by way of Russia.
“Sir James traversed at least two hundred and thirty miles on the ice, the bergs of which were frightful, much more so than any of the experienced Arctic voyagers had seen before. Sir James and his party penetrated as far as the wreck of the Fury, where he found the old tent standing, and everything about it in a state of the best preservation. At this point Sir James deposited a large quantity of provisions, and also the screw-launch of the Enterprise. The march of Sir James across the boundless regions of ice is truly stated as a most unparalleled feat in exploration. We are sorry to find, however, that it was in no way successful. The captain, officers, and ship’s company have worked together most harmoniously—a spirit of emulation having animated every one in the great philanthropic task of endeavouring to cany help and succour to their long lost friends. In the whole courses of his researches it is said Sir James Ross never met with a single Esquimaux.
“Sir James speaks most highly of all those who have been connected and associated with him. He is fully satisfied that all is done that could be done by the Admiralty, in the appropriation of the vessel, the selection of the crew, and the extensive equipment of each vessel, in stores, provisions, &c.”