76 EXAMINE BEECHEy ISLAND FOE TRACES. [Allfftist, 



Commander Pullen, and myself, that Erebus and Terror 

 Bay was not a safe position for the ' North Star,' and we 

 determined to seek a better, if possible. Next, if the 

 ' North Star' should have to " cut in," there would be 

 great doubt of her getting out until very late in August, 

 or by the 1st of September. This could not suit the 

 views of Sir John Franklin. With Union Bay the case 

 is quite different, and the ice may be cut or blasted, 

 by watching convenient moments. For two seasons we 

 know that it was free ; and now it is all but clearing out, 

 any aid would send it forth ; but great labour would 

 be required to cut in or out, to where the ' Erebus ' and 

 ' Terror' were supposed to have been. Sir James Ross 

 landed the 'Mary' yacht on the beach of Union Bay, 

 when Erebus and Terror Bay was as fast as at present. 

 But the most convincing evidence to my senses is, the 

 drift-lines of oakum, chips, etc. on the southern bend of 

 Union Bay. I found also in the washhouse (so termed), 

 but which I consider more likely to have been an hos- 

 pital, similar threads of oakum from the seams of some 

 vessel, with the pitch adhering ; but on the curvature 

 on the inner, or Erebus and Terror Bay, no drift what- 

 ever was noticed. Everything at the Point indicated that 

 to V.e nearest to the ships, the pile of preserved meat- 

 tins, the garden, etc. No direction-posts were noticed but 

 on the north and south lines of Union Bay. All opera- 

 tions discovered are on that coast, nothing on Beechey 

 Island, excepting the sheltered spot for forge and work- 

 shops. So perfectly convinced did I feel upon this 

 matter, that whilst we were examining the drift on the 

 beach, I observed, " Well, let us send two hands across 



