The discovery of the North-west Passage

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Preface

TO

THE SECOND EDITION.

I HAVE no desire to take unto myself any credit for this work having so rapidly run through its First Edition; but it is a source of no small gratification to find that the discipline, endurance, and gallantry, evinced by British officers and seamen under no ordinary trial, which I have endeavoured to chronicle for the honour of my profession, are so warmly appreciated by our countrymen.

I am indebted to my kind friend Mr. Barrow, F.R.S., of the Admiralty, and to the liberality of Messrs. Graves & Co., for permission to copy the admirable portrait of Captain Sir Robert M*Clure, originally painted by Mr. Stephen Pearce, an engraving of which was published by them.

My gallant friend Captain F. L. M^Clintock has

A 4

VUl PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

placed me under deep obligations for the kind manner in which his valuable observations upon the Fauna of the Arctic Archipelago were made available. They are embodied with my own in an entirely new chapter.

To Sir Roderick Murchison my thanks are also due, on behalf of the " Investigators " as well as from myself, for his valuable papers of General Remarks upon the Geological Specimens and Fossils brought home by Captain Sir Robert M*Clure.

My opinions upon the abandonment of our ships in the Arctic Regions have been mistaken for those of Captain Robert M'Clure. I have therefore erased them from this work — the more willingly as it has been shown to me that the record of the greatest achievement of our day can be rendered perfect without connecting it in any way with the saddest tale in Naval History.

London: January 1. 1867.

PREFACE

TO

THE FIEST EDITION.

The annals of Arctic History afford so many noble illustrations of the spirit of enterprise and hardihood of our sailors, that in this point of view alone they can, it is to be hoped, never fail to interest the British people. It is easy to attempt to cast ridicule on any generous impulse of a nation or an individual, by speaking of it as Quixotic, foolhardy, and so forth; but if it be a weakness in English seamen, that for three centuries they have sought to win honour and renown in regions where the ordinary hardships of those whose business is upon the great waters are multiplied a hundredfold, it will assuredly be no joyous day for England, when her sailors shall be free from the charge of any such chivalrous extravagance.

Sir John Franklin and his hundred and thirty-

X PREFACE TO

eight gallant followers went forth to achieve the North-west Passage. They discovered it, and perished victims to their zeal ; and then came one worthy to follow in their footsteps — Captain Sir Robert Le Mesurier M^Clure ! He came, indeed, too late to save Franklin ; but at least he completed the search for him on one given line, by passing from ocean to ocean, and he secured to the Royal Navy and to Great Britain the imperishable renown of having successfully accomplished the enterprise so long attempted in vain.

The Editor feels that, in the following narrative, he has scarcely done justice to the many noble qualities of every individual forming the gallant company of the " Investigator"; but he has at any rate endeavoured to place on record some feeble acknowledgment of their heroic courage and self-devotion.

The delay in the production of this work has arisen from the Editor having been obliged to leave England upon active service ; and the many calls upon his time and attention have rendered perhaps still more imperfect the naturally unpolished style

THE FIRST EDITION. XI

of a sailor's narrative. But into the accuracy of this narrative the Editor challenges the closest invest!* gation; for his ambition is that the work may remain as the history of a great event in naval chronicles, and perhaps awaken in the breasts of future Franklins, Parrys, or M*Clures that love for perilous adventure, which must ever form a most valuable trait in the character of a maritime people.

The Editor has not indulged in wholesale praise, for it was no part of his task to write up every man as a hero who sailed into the Arctic Seas, and out again. Indiscriminate commendation is loathsome to all rightminded men ; and it would be poor reward indeed to those whose tale of suffering and gallantry is recounted in the following pages, to compare their successes with the failures as rife in the Arctic Seas as elsewhere.

For information on various points, and for assist* ance in the pleasing but anxious task of collating this narrative with various authorities, the Editor has been indebted to Captain (now Sir Robert) M*Clure, Commander Gumey Cresswell (whose

Xll PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

sketches enliven the letter-press), John Barrow, Esq,,F.R. S., Captain Washington, Hydrographer to the Admiralty, John Hay, Esq., of the Admiralty, and other kind friends, to whom he tenders his hearty thanks.

H. M. S. " MedusaJ" Sea of Azov : April, 1856.

Chapter I

Introduction ..... Page 1

CHAP. n.

Return of the Arctic Squadron of 1848, and immediate Reequipment of the "Enterprise" and "Investigator." — Appointment of Captain M'Clure. — Preparations for speedy Departure. — The two Vessels pass the Nore. — Heavy Gales in the ChanneL — Put into Plymouth. — Engagement of an Interpreter. — Final Departure from England. — Appearance of Arctic Ships. — " Investigator " reaches the South Atlantic - - - - - - 17

CHAP. m.

Slow sailing of the Arctic Ships. — Reach Terra del Fuego. — H.M.S. V. **Grorgon" in Possession Bay. — Reach Port Famine. — Shipwrecked American Schooner. — American 6o-aheadism. — Sublime Scenery. — "Investigator" meets the " Enterprise." — American River Steamer in the Pacific. — Heavy Gale. — Captain M*Clure's Care of the Men 23

CHAP. IV.

Voyage continued to Honolulu. — Leak in the Bread-Room — Tx>neline8s of this Ocean. — Good Feeling between Officers and Men. — Arrival at Honolulu. — Replenishing and Departure. — Great Anxiety of Officers and Men to reach the Ice. — Passing the Aleutian Islands. — Dense Fogs. — The

XIV CONTENTS.

Arctic Circle crossed. — Meet the *' Plover " Depdt Ship. — Unfavourable Report of the State of the Ice. — Captain M^Clure's Plan of Operations. — Preparations for meeting

the Ice.— H.M.S. ''Herald" met with Captain Eellett's

Discovery ----- Page 31

CHAP. V.

The " Investigator " gives up the Hope of meeting the " Enterprise," and departs alone. — The first Ice. — Immense Herd of Walruses. — Mothers and Babies. — Value of the Walrus to the Esquimaux. — A Blind Lead. — Cape Barrow doubled. — Proceeding in a North-easterly Direction. — Great Excite* ment. — Three Esquimaux met with. — Their Astonishment at Sight of the Vessel - - - - -56

CHAP. VL

The Narrative of Captain Maguire. — The Esquimaux Report. — The Coast of America in this Region. — The Pack Ice and Floes. — Reach Jones* Island. — Visited by Twenty-four Natives. — Recognition of the Chief. — Simple Cunning of the Savages. — A Fair Malefactor. — Gallantry of the Investigators. — Hazardous and Difficult Navigation. — The Delta of the Mackenzie. — The Ship aground. — Serious Loss of Provisions - - - - - 67

CHAP. VIL

A Thunder-storm. — Slow Progress. — Signs of the near Approach of Winter. — Going ahead again. — The Ship runs into a Trap in the Main Pack. — Works out again. — Commander Pullen and. a Boat's Crew pass without being seen. — Landing at Point Warren. — Hostile Reception. — Reconciliation- - - - ' - - 81

CHAP. vra.

Approach to Cape Bathurst. — Whale-fishing of the Natives. — Celebration of their Victories over the Leviathan. — Esquimaux Charmers. — The Joys of Cape Bathurst —

CONTENTS. XV

The Land of the White Bear. — An Esquimaux Swindler. — Mode of settling Quarrels. — Judicious Missionaries desirable for these People. — Admirable Qualifications of Mr. Mierching ----- Page 90

CHAP. IX.

Cape Bathurst left. — Fires observed on Shore — prove to be Volcanoes. — Cape Parry reached. — New Land discovered. — Possession taken in the Queen's Name. — The *' Investigator" proceeds on a North-easterly Course — Barrow's Strait only Sixty Miles further. — Captain M*Clure's Journal ------ loO

CHAP. X.

Signs of a rapidly approaching Winter. — Critical Position of the ''Investigator." — Made fast to a Floe. — Safe for the Present. — Winter begun. — Winter Clothing. — Driven with the Ice towards Barrow's Strait. — Arduous Toils. — The '' Investigator " reaches her most advanced Position — Beset at Last. — Dangerous Agitation in the Ice. — Preparations for Shipwreck. — Sweeping with the Pack against the Cliffs. — Imminent Peril. — Safe once more. — And stationary ------ 109

CHAP. XI.

Severe Pressure on the Ice. — Dangerous Nips. — Farewell to the Sun. — Housing the Vessel. — Good Health and Spirits of the Men. — Five Hundred Pounds of Meat found to be Putrid. — Winter Bambles on the Ice. — Perils arising in some of these. -^ An Excursion to view the North-west Passage. — Hard Labour and Insufficient Food. — Suffering from Thirst — The Passage seen. — Captain M'Clnre lost for a Night.— Betum of the Party to the Ship. — Success of Measures taken for the Health of the Crew - - - - - - 121

XVI CONTENTS.

CHAP. XII.

New- Year's Day 1851. — Relative Positions of the different Expeditions. — The increasing Cold relieved by the daily Augmentation of Solar Light. — Deer and Ptarmigan seen in the Depth of Winter. — The Theory of Animal Migration in Arctic Regions subverted. — The Raven leaves the Ship. — Return of the Sun. — Rambles on the Ice. — Revival of Health and Spirits. — Winter Sporting. — Preparations for Sledge- Parties in Search of Franklin's Expedition. — Depots established to secure the Safety of the Travellers. — Departure of the various Parties. — Hardships endured by Sledge - Crews in High Latitudes in Spring Journeys. — The Zeal and Courage of the Seamen. — The Scene of their Labours compared with Southern Latitudes. — The Position of the " Investigator " in 1 850. — Murder of Lieut. Barnard by

North-west Indians - - - - Page 153

CHAP. XIII.

Signs of Summer increase. — Shooting Parties are sent out. — Narrow Escape of Whitefield. — Lieut. Cresswell returns, having ascertained Banks Land to be an Island. — Curious Appetite of a Bear. — Lieut. Haswell returns, with Intelligence of Esquimaux being at hand. — Captain M'Clure visits the Esquimaux. — The Party under Mr. Wynniatt return. — June, in Prince of Wales Strait. — A Glance at the other Expeditions wintering in the Arctic Seas, under Austin, Penny, Ross, and De Haven. — A Midsummer Scene in Prince of Wales Strait.— The Polar Summer's Night.— The Floe breaks up. — "Investigator" again free. — Compasses refuse to traverse. — The Ship beset, and drifting to tlic North-east along the Eastern Shore. — Wood-Currents. — Tides.— No Passage found. — Ctiptain M'Clure decides to try another Course^ by going round Banks Land - .178

CONTENTS. XVll

CHAP. XIV.

The " Investigator " bears up, and goes round the South End of Banks Land. — RapM Progress up the Western Coast. — The Lane of Water diminishes. — Perilous Passage between the North-west Coast, and ponderous Packed Ice. — Extraordinary Accidents, and wonderful Preservation. — North-west Extreme of Banks Land. — No Glaciers or Icebergs West of Lancaster Sound. — Discovery of Ancient Forests. — Arctic Lakes. — Fresh-water Fish. — The " Investigator ^ drifts into the Pack in an Autumnal Gale. — Escapes and Struggles along Shore. — September Night Scene off Banks Land. — 23rd September, 1851, run ashore during the Night in the Bay of Mercy. — Ship Afloat. — Fail to get into the Pack of Barrow's Strait. — Winter Quarters, 1851-52. — Reduction of Allowance of Food. — Land found to abound in Game. — ^Want of good Hunters. — Acute Instinct of the Reindeer. — Arctic Hare, Wolf, and Fox. — Continued good Health of the Crew. — Cleverness of the Arctic Raven. — The Polar Bear, and its Habits. — Violence of Winter Snow Storms. — Christmas Day The Arrival of H.M.S. ''Enterprise ** in Prince of Wales Strait. — She fails in rounding Banks Land, and winters at the Esquimaux Settlement in Walker Bay ..... Page 204

CHAP. XV.

The New Year, 1852. — Satisfactory* State of the Crew.— Deer obtained directly the Light admitted of their being seen. — Sergeant Woon, of the Royal Marines, saves the Life of a Shipmate. — Keen Sportsmen. — Wolves. — Boatswain's Adventure with them. -* Spring. — Captain M'Clure visits Winter Harbour, Melville Island. — Finds neither Provisions nor Vessel to help him. — His Return. — Finds large Quantities of Venison had been procured. — Scurvy makes its Appearance. — Increased Number of Sick. — Unfavourable Weather in July. — Venison expended. — Wild Sorrel found

a

XVlll CONTENTS.

in great Qur.iititics for a short Period. — 10th August. — Water seen in Barrow's Strait. — Measures taken in case of being able to Escape. — Relapse in the Weather. — Gloomy Prospect. — An early Winter commences. — Measures taken to save Ship and Crew, in the event of a similar Season in 1853. — Cheerful Conduct of the Crew. — Short Rations — Mode of Living. — Banian Days and Festivals. — Christmas and Conclusion of Year 1852 - - Page 243

CHAP. XVL

The " Enterprise." — 111 Success of her Travelling Parties. — Late Season. — Passage through Dolphin and Union Strait. — Winter of 1852-53 passed in Cambridge Bay. — Esquimaux numerous. — Traces of the Missing Expedition found. — Game and Fish abound. — Unfortunate Circumstance of no Searching Party having visited King William's Land. — The Bay of Mercy. — Reaction on Board the " Investigator" after Christmas Festivities. — Excessive Cold. — Want of Fuel and consequent Dampness. — Venison plentiful. — Large Sick List. — March, '53. — The Retreating Parties named, and their Routes appointed. — Captain M*Clure's Reason for sending away the Weakly Men. — Wolves, their Voracity and Cunning. — Anxiety of the Sledge-Parties as to Chances of safe Retreat. — Retrospective Glance at Measures taken in England to rescue the ** Investigator." — Mr. Cresswell's Letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty, and fortunate Result. — Captains Kellett and M^Clintock ordered to Melville Island. — They reach it in September 1852. — Accidental Discovery of Captain M*Clure's Despatches on the Parry Rock. — Help at Hand for the "Investigator." — April '53 in Mercy Bay. — The first Death. — Captain M*Clure addresses his Men to remove their Despondency. — The Dark and Bright Side of the Oloud. — The unexpected Arrival of Lieut Pim from the "Resolute." — The 'Investigators* rescued. — Excitement and Happiness of the Crew - - - - - - 2G7

CONTENTS. XIX

CHAP. XVII.

The Migration of Animals Theory — Impossibility of Arctic Animals migrating. — How the Fact broke upon us. — Accumulative Evidence. — The Reindeer of the Arctic Archipelago— Herding in the Autumn. — Curiosity of the Does. — Wonderful Providence of Nature. — Slow Process of Digestion.— Reindeer harassed by the Wolves. — Scent a Substitute for Sight. — The Wolves less harassing in eaily Spring.

— Musk Oxen. — The Haunts of the Oxen. — Captain Mecham*8 Observations. — Admirable Coating of the Musk Ox. -—Measurements of Musk Oxen. — Extraordinary Activity of these Creatures. — Ferocity of the Bulls. — Goatlike Power of climbing. — The Arctic Hare, and its Habits. — The Arctic Lemming, and its Habits. — Bears eat the Lemming.

— The Ptarmigan . - • . Page 293

CHAP. xvin.

Captain M'Clure proceeds to Melville Island to see Captain Kellett. — M'Clure's Views — His Letter.— Captain Kellett only gives Leave for healthy Volunteers to remain in " Investigator." — Medical Survey unsatisfactory. — Abandonment of H. M. S. " Investigator." — Dep6t of Provisions formed at Mercy Bay. — Arrival on Board H. M. S. ^* Resolute " and ** Intrepid." — Searching Parties under Captain M*Clintock, Lieutenants Mecham, Hamilton, ^c. unsuccessfuL — Captain Kellett decides upon falling back upon Beechey Island. — Unfavourable Season. — Squadron blown out of Winter Quarters. — Arrested at Byam Martin Channel. — Large Supply of fresh Meat procured. — '- Resolute "and " Intrepid " caught in the Pack. — Winter in the Pack. — The "Phoenix" arrives at Beechey Island, and takes home Lieut. Cresswell. — 1853. — The * Investigators ' pass a Fourth Winter with Impunity, and then leave the " Resolute " for Beechey Island. — The last of the "Investigator." — Captain Sir E. Belcher orders the " Resolute " and " Intrepid " to be abandoned. — News of Collinson, in 1852, having pushed

a i

XX CONTENTS.

ou into the Ice. — " Assistance " and " Pioneer " ordered to be deserted. — "Phoenix*' and "Talbot" arrive with Provisions and fresh Crews. — All return Home. — 'Investigators' rewarded in 1855 - - - Page 323

CHAP. XIX.

Gloomy Prospect in the Autumn of 1854. — ^Revival of Desponding Tales. — Sudden Arrival of Intelligence from Dr. Rae. — ^A Party from Franklin's Ship heard of — Dr. Rae's Report.

— Relics and Proofs of both « Erebus " and " Terror " being in Existence. — The Russian War prevents a Naval Expedition being sent to Barrow's Strait. — The Admiralty direct the Hudson Bay Company to send Mr. Anderson. — Mr. Anderson proceeds in 1855 to the Mouth of the Great Fish River. — Verifies the Fact of a Party from the lost Expedition having been there. — No Light thrown upon their Fate.

— Neither Bodies, Graves, Clothing nor Arms discovered. — Remarks upon the Relics discovered. — Probable Course adopted by the * Forlorn Hope.' — Hopes exist of the Mystery still being cleared up. — ^Distance the Party could have travelled. — Position of the lost Expedition. — How lost. — Reason why Fury Beach was not visited by them. — Creditable to England that the Search has never been stayed. — The Admiralty reward Dr. Rae for giving us Information of Franklin's Position. — General Revival of Interest in the Question 355

Table showing Mean Temperature and Barometric Observations -----. 397

Tables showing Quantity of Game obtained - - 398

Appendix

Geological Remarks by Sir Roderick I. Murchison, D.C.L., FR.S., &C- - - - - - - 402

Narrative of Commander Maguire - - - 409 mtim

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of Captain Sir Robert M*Clure, 1 ^ _,. ,

^^ Vto face Title page.

Map illustrative of the Narrative - - „ page 1

Smoking Cliff - - - - „ „ 100

Discovery of Princess Royal Island - „ „ 132

Position of H.^LS. "Investigator" on

the 20th of September, 1851 - ,, y> 220

Distant View of Melville Island from

Baring Land - - - 99 >> 323 a d

XXlll

A List of the Officers and Crew of H.M.S, " Investigator^^ toko performed the North-west Passage,

Name.

lUDk or Rating.

Remarks.

R. J. Le M. M*Clure

Commander.

Wm. H. Haawell -

Lieutenant.

Samuel G. Cresswell

do.

rDied on board H.M.S.

"Resolute," off Cape

H. H. Sainsbury

Mate

i Cockbum, Barrow Straits, 14th Nov. 1853.

Robert Wynniatt -

do.

Stephen Court

Second Master.

n9th April 1853, rated Acting Master.

Alex. Armstrong, M.D.

Surgeon.

Assistant Surgeon.

Clerk in charge.

Greorge J. Ford - -

Carpenter.

George Kennedy

Actmg Boatswain.

Richard A. Ross

Quarter-master.

24th Dec. 1850, disrated A.B.

tFohn Davies - -

A.B.

/ 15th April, 1853, rated

quarter-master. 'Died 13th April, 1853, at Bay of Mercy,

John Kerr - - -

Gunners* Mate.

Banks Land, on board H. M. S. " Investigator."

Henry Bluff - -

Boatswain's Mate.

Samuel Mackenzie -

A.B.

Charles Steel - - -

A.B.

David Harris - -

A.B.

Edward Fawcett - -

Boatswain's Mate.

James Evans • - -

Caulker.

George Gibbs - -

A.B.

James Williams - -

Captain of the Hold.

Peter Thompson - -

Captain of the Foretop.

Samuel Relle - -

A.B.

fDied on board H.M.S.

Thomas Morgan - -

A.B.

"North Star,'V at 1 Beechey Island, 22nd { May, 1854.

a 4

XXIV

List of the Officers and Crew of H.M.S. ** Investigator " — continued.

Name.

Hank or Rating.

Remarks.

fDied nth April, 1853,

1 Bay of Mercy,

John Eanies - -

A.B.

<{ Banks Land, on board II.M.S. " In- L vestigator."

William Batten

A.B.

Charles Anderson -

A.B.

Isaac Stubberfield -

Ship's Cook.

Frederick Taylor

A.B.

Henrj Gauen - -

Carpenter's Mate.

Greorge Brown - -

A.B.

r24th Dec. 1850, rated |_ quarter-master.

Cornelius Ilulott

Captain's Coxswain.

William Whiteficld -

Carpenter's Crew

Michael Flynn - -

Quarter-master.

Mark Bradbury

A.B.

James Nelson - -

A.B.

William Carroll

A.B.

George Olley - -

A.B.

John Colder - -

Captain of Forecastle.

John Ramsay - -

A.B.

Henry Stone - -

Blacksmith.

Henry Sugden - -

Sub. Officers' Steward.

Henry May - -

Quarter- master.

Joseph Facey - -

Sailmaker.

James McDonald

A.B.

Georc^e L. Milner

Gun-room Steward.

^7

John Wilcox - - -

f Pay-master and Paymaster's Steward.

Robert Tiffeny - -

Captain of Maintop.

Died 6th April, 1853,

John Boyle - - -

A.B.

Bay of Mercy ; the

first death. Lieut.

^ Pirn arrived next day.

Thomas Toy - - -

A.B.

*

Samuel Bonnsall

A.B.

Ellis Griffiths - -

A.B.

Mark Griffiths - -

A.B.

John Keefc - - -

A.B.

Thos. S. Carmicliool -

A.B.

John Woon - - -

Sergeant of Marines.

J. B. Farquharson -

Corporal „

George Parfitt - -

Private „

Elias Bow - • -

Private „

1 1

XXV

List of the Officers and Crew of H. M. S. ^ Investigator " — continued.

Name.

Rank or Ratiag.

Remarks.

James Biggs - - -

Thomas Bancroft * Thomas Kine « - James Saunders

Johan A. Mierching

Private of Marines.

Private „ Private „ Private „ f Esquimaux Interpreter.

f 15th April 1853, rated \ corporal.

SAILING ORDERS

From the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Capt, C0LLIN8ON9 C.B., of Her Majesty's Ship *^ Enter prize f* dated 15 January 1850.

Bj the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

1. Whereas the efforts that have been made during the last two years to relieve the *' Erebus ** and " Terror " have failed, and all access to the Parry Islands has been prevented by the accumulation of ice in the upper part of Barrow Straits : And whereas it is possible that the same severity of weather may not prevail at the same time in both the eastern and western entrances to the Arctic Sea, we have now determined, in a matter of such moment, to send an Expedition into the Polar Sea from the westward ; and, having a full confidence in your zeal and skill, we have thought proper to appoint you to the command of Her Majesty's ship '^Enterprize," and also to place under your orders Her Majesty's ship '* Investigator;" both of which vessels having been duly fortified against collision with the ice, equipped for the polar climate by warm-air apparatus, and furnished with provisions for three years, as well as a large supply of extra stores, you are now required and directed, so soon as they are in all respects ready for sea, to proceed to make the best of your way to Cape Virgins, in order to arrive at Behring's Straits in July.

2. At Cape Virgins, the Commander-in-Chief in the Pacific has been desired to have a steam-vessel waiting for you, and by her you will be towed through the Straits of Magellan, and the Wellington Channel, and on to Valparaiso.

3. At that port you will use the utmost despatch in watering and refreshing your crews, and in fully replenishing your bread and other provisions and stores ; and having so done, you will again use your best exertions to press forward to the Sandwich Islands.

4. There is only a bare possibility of your reaching those

XXVIU SAILING ORDERS.

islands in time to meet Her Majesty's ship '^ Herald," under the command of Captain Henrj Kellett ; but if that should be the case, you will receive from him, not only every assistance, but much useful information touching your passage to the Strait, and your further proceedings to the northward. It is still more improbable that Her Majesty^s ship " Plover " should be there ; but wherever you may fall in with her, you are hereby directed to take her and Commander Moore under your orders.

6. At the Sandwich Islands you will find additional orders from us for your guidance, which we propose to forward from hence by the Panama mail of next March ; but if none should arrive, or if they do not in any way modify these directions, you will enforce the greatest diligence in re-victualling your two vessels, in procuring, if possible, the necessary Esquimaux interpreters, and in making all requisite preparations for at once proceeding to Behring's Straits, in order to reach the ice before the 1st of August.

6. An examination of the several orders issued to Captain Kellett, will show that it is uncertain where he may be fallen in with. You may probably find the " Herald" and "Plover" together.

7. We consider it essential that, after entering the ice, there should be a depot, or point of succour, for any party to fall back upon. For this purpose the " Plover " is to be secured in the most favourable quarter, as far in advance as can be found — such as Wainwright's Inlet, or the Creek, at Hope Point ; but if they be unsafe, and none has been discovered nearer to Barrow's Point, then at Chamisso Island, or any part of Kotzebue Sound, which may afford the necessary shelter.

8. Considering, however, the nature of the service in which the " Plover ** will already have been employed, and that a portion of her crew may be unfit to contend with the rigours of a further stay in those latitudes, you will call for volunteers from that ship, and from the " Herald," if in company, sufficient to form a crew for the " Plover ; " taking care that the men to be selected are men of good character, and that they do not exceed in number what is actually required for the care of the ship, and for defence and security against any treacherous attack on the part of the natives of Norton Sound.

9. The petty officers' ratings that may be vacated by men invalided are to be filled up by men volunteering to remain ; such volunteers are to be subjected to a strict and careful survey by the medical officers of the several ships ; and those only are to be retained who would seem to be in all respects fit to encounter this extended service ; and the remainder necessary

SAILING ORDEKS. XXIX

to complete the crew is to be made up from the " Enterprize ** and "Investigator."

10. Such crew having been formed (to continue under the command of Commander Moore, and with the officers now in the "Plover," or with those who may volunteer for the service), the "Plover," if the "Herald" should be in company, is to be filled up bj Captain Kellett with all the provisions, fuel, and stores that can possibly be spared by Captain Kellett, who will bear in mind not only what may be required for the use of the "Plover's" crew until the autumn of 1853, and the contingency of parties arriving on board from Sir John Franklin's Expedition, but also the possibility of any party from the "Enterprize" or " Investigator " having to fall back upon the " Plover."

11. In providing for this necessary equipment for the "Plover," attention will be paid to the numbers left in the " Herald," and the supplies necessary to carry that vessel to Whoahoo ; and having received from Captain Kellett any baidars, or light boats, that he may be able to spare, and which may be likely to form a useful addition to your own boats, or those of the "Investigator," when searching parties may be detached from the ships in the spring, the " Herald " will return to the Sandwich Islands, there to fill up provisions, and from thence proceed to Hong Kong on her way to England, in pursuance of our orders of the 14 th December last.

12. On detaching the "Plover" to take up her winter quarters, you will direct Commander Moore to remain there until you join him, or failing your return to him, until the end of the summer of 1853 ; when, but not until it is absolutely necessary for securing the " Plover's " passage through the Aleutian group of Islands, he is to quit Behring's Straits, and make the best of his way to Valparaiso (touching at the Sandwich Islands for refreshment), where he will receive further instructions relative to his return to England from the Commander-in-Chief.