THE 



LAST OF THE ARCTIC VOYAGES, 



UNDER THE COMMAND OF 



CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD BELCHER, C.B. 



CHAPTER I. 



Return of Osborn. Arrival of Despatches. Fate of Bellot. State- 

 ment of Survivors. No account of Western Division. The ' Brea- 

 dalbane' nipped. Departure of the 'Phoenix.' Preparations for 

 housing. Arrival of Shellabeer. Departure of Ricards. Ventila- 

 tion. Esquimaux Huts. Winter Fittings. Air-pumps. Hospital 

 Ship. Thermometers. Rupture of Ice. Loose Ice. 



September 15. FINE; temperature 17, with sharp west- 

 erly wind ; the outer ice in motion down channel, but our 

 icemen report large lanes of water can be traced outside 

 of them. At nine P.M. the ' Pioneer 3 was secured, but 

 too near. 



On the 17th, 18th, and 19th, officers were sent in ad- 

 vance, to relieve the return-sledge, under Lieutenant Os- 

 born. Eventually Lieutenant Cheyne, with a sledge- 

 crew of seven men and seven days' provision, was 

 directed to advance two days, and there deposit two 

 days', to remain until the fourth day, and then retreat 

 for further instructions to Cape Osborn. Had he not 

 then appeared, I intended to send Commander Richards 



VOL. II. B 



