An Arctic Journal (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. 295 Majesty's ship 'Erebus/ aged 23 years. 'Thus saith the Lord of hosts, consider your ways/" III. "Sacred to the memory of Jno. Torrington, who departed this life Jan. 1st, A. D. 1846, on board Her Majesty's ship Terror/ aged 20.'" Near the graves were also other unmistakable evidence of the missing expedition having passed its first winter here. They consisted of innumerable scraps of old rope and canvas; the blocks on which stood the armourer's anvil, with many pieces of coal and iron around it, the outlines of several tents or houses, supposed to have been the site of the observatory, and erections for sheltering the mechanics. The chips and shavings of the carpenter still remained. A short distance from this was found a large number of preserved meat tins, all having the same label as those found at Point Lines. From all these indications the inference could not fail to be arrived at that the "Erebus" and "Terror" had made this their first winter quarters after leaving England. The spot was admirably chosen for the security of the ships, as well as for their early escape the following season. Everything, too, went to prove up to this point the expedition was well organized, and that the vessels had not received any material injury. Early on the morning of the 28th of August, her Britannic Majesty's ship "Resolute/' Captain Austin, with her steam tender, arrived from the eastward. Renewed efforts were made by all parties to discover some written notice which Sir J. Franklin ought to have deposited at this place in some conspicuous position. A eairn of stones erected on the highest part of the island was discovered. A most thorough search with crows and picks was instituted at and about it, in the presence of all hands. This search was cont...