2 ADMIRALTY INSTRUCTIONS. [1852. 



search for Sir John Franklin, you are, whenever such ships shal] be in 

 all respects ready to put to sea and proceeding down Channel or " north 

 about," make the best of your way to Barrow Strait, calling at Disco 

 (if in your way) for such replenishments as the place affords, and for 

 a supply of dogs for sledging purposes. 



2. We have entrusted you with this command in the full persuasion 

 of your thorough acquaintance with its obligations, and of your judg- 

 ment and ability to meet them. 



3. We do not therefore consider it necessary to encumber you with 

 minute instructions for your guidance at each step of your proceedings ; 

 but furnishing you with papers which point out the views of the Ad- 

 miralty, as successive expeditions have been despatched from this coun- 

 try, and those also relative to the difficulties occurring to oppose those 

 views, we leave it to you to decide as the case shall present itself. 



4. We deem it right, however, that a certain course of proceedings 

 should be pointed out to you; and adopting the recommendation of the 

 Committee appointed in October, ]S51, to inquire and report upon a 

 previous expedition, the plan of future operations there proposed is to 

 be considered as the basis of your proceedings. By that plan, Beechey 

 Island is the point indicated as the basis of your operations, and you 

 are to consider it as the grand rendezvous to which you are to push 

 forward, there to establish the 'North Star' as a general depot. 



5. Arrived at this point, two great objects will engage your atten- 

 tion : 



1st. The endeavouring to pass up Wellington Channel with one 



sailing-vessel and one steamer. 

 2nd. The advance of a similar force towards Melville Island. 



6. The object of the first of these expeditions will be, the endeavour 

 to recover those traces of Sir John Franklin which ceased at Cape 

 Bowden, to the north of Beechey Island ; and to follow up such traces 

 if they should be found. The object of the other expedition will be, to 

 deposit, if possible, at Winter Harbour, Melville Island, or failing that, 

 at Byam Martin Island, a supply of provisions, fuel, and clothing, for 

 any parties that might reach such positions from Captain Collinson's 

 or Commander M'Clure's ships. 



7. As regards the first-named Expedition, and the possible con- 

 tingency of coming upon Sir John Franklin's track, we cannot too 

 strongly impress upon you the necessity of your establishing along your 

 line of route cacketfes of provisions sufficient to supply your crews 

 and those of the missing ships, should any accident happen to your own 



