8 PREPARATIONS FOR HOUSING. [September, 



all probability, be at Beechey Island, or possibly Pond's 

 Bay, where, from the intelligence lately furnished by 

 Commander Inglefield, as to his meeting with a tribe 

 from that locality, it is highly probable that information 

 of a highly important character might be obtained from 

 the natives, particularly as to whether the 'Erebus' and 

 ' Terror' had been seen sailing out of Lancaster Sound. 

 I have also strong hopes that Captain Penny may be able 

 to afford further light on this matter from, the natives at 

 the Clyde, where, had our Squadron been released, it was 

 my intention to winter, taking with me Mr. Miertsching, 

 the interpreter of the ' Investigator.' The Navy List, 

 and an official letter received by Commander Osborn 

 from the Secretary of the Admiralty, announcing his pro- 

 motion, although no notice reached me direct, induced 

 me to give him an acting commission ; and Mr. Ricards, 

 Assistant-Surgeon of this ship, for duty in ' Pioneer,' re- 

 ceived his acting appointment as Surgeon of the ' North 

 Star,' vice Mr. M'Corniick, gone home. Mr. Toms, as- 

 sistant of this ship, lent to ' North Star,' was ordered up 

 to do duty in ' Pioneer.' 



September 27. The ice had now thickened consider- 

 ably, and some few preparations were made, but not 

 without suspicion, towards housing, but with express in- 

 junctions that " the tilt covering must be ready to furl at 

 any sudden emergency." The interior house-framing and 

 building was still proceeded with. Late as it was, I did 

 not feel authorized to proceed further until the spring 

 tide, about the 3rd of October, which would, I imagined, 

 afford us some criterion as to the security of the ice. 



From the tenour of my despatches to the ' North Star/ 



