To the highly important direction northward up the unknown channel of Byam Martin Island, and which, as Lieut. Aldrich very properly thought, would intercept the course of Franklin, should he, from Wellington Channel, have sailed north about for Behring's Straits, two sledges were told off under that officer:
| Long-party sledge | Lady Franklin | Faithful and firm |
Lieut. R. D. Aldrich, 7 men. |
| Supporting sledge | Hotspur | In Deo confide |
Mr. R. R. Pearse (mate), 7 men. |
Lastly to Melville Island, on which route a dépôt, forty miles in advance, had already been placed in the autumn, and renewed in the spring, the following party was appointed: Lieut. M'Clintock, on his reaching the said island, acting as he should judge fit as to despatching Mr. Bradford along the northern shores, whilst he prosecuted the search to and beyond Winter Harbour:
| Long-party sledge | Perseverance | Persevere to the end |
Lieut. M'Clintock, 6 men. |
| Do. | Resolute |
St. George and merry England Onward to the rescue |
Dr. Bradford, 6 men. |
| Supporting sledge | Excellent |
Respice, prospice |
Mr. W. May (mate), 6 men. |
| Do. | Dasher | Faithful & intrepid. |
Mr. Shellabear (2d master), 6 men. |
| Do. | Parry | Endeavour to deserve |
Mr. Cheyne (mate), 7 men. |
Mr. M'Dougal, I have before said, started during the first week of April with his sledge, the "Beaufort,"—
That future pilgrims of the wave may be
Secure from doubt, from every danger free.
He had to replenish the dépôt formed for Lieut. M'Clintock, and then to connect the search round a deep bay, which connected Bathurst and Cornwallis Lands, for separate islands they were proved by him no longer to be.
DIVISIONS OF SLEDGES.
Thus fifteen sledges, manned by one hundred and five men and officers, were equipped for the search, leaving on board the four vessels of the squadron, seventy-five souls, which number was afterwards further reduced by Mr. R. C. Allen being sent to search the islands to the westward with the sledge "Grinnell" and seven men.