1854.] RESOURCES FOR CAPTAIN COLLINSON. Ill 



spot, and if necessary, after releasing Lieutenant May at Cape Cock- 

 burn, desire him to leave instructions for its removal to Cape Cockburn. 



14. All the depots for the return parties should be on the mainland, 

 so as not to involve any water risk. 



15. Captain Kellett will of course make good the depots for any who 

 may follow up his track to Cape Cockburu, To that point I shall direct 

 our main supplies to be pushed. 



16. On your outward route it will very much conduce to the com- 

 fort of the travellers, as well as to their speed, if you designate four 

 distinct points between Cape Cockburn and Assistance Bay as caches, 

 for you must consider them to be laden with documents, instruments, 

 etc. ; say, Cape Cockburn, Frazer Point, Cape Eosse, and the eastern 

 point of Assistance Bay. These will ensure safe in-shore travelling, 

 " even if the water makes." 



17. On reaching Cape Cockburn on your return you will give such 

 directions to any officers, commanding sledges, as may appear to you 

 likely to aid the advance of the weak or invalids, either of ' Investiga- 

 tor' or ' Resolute.' If it be possible, I think that one large sledge with 

 provisions up to Byam Martin Island might be very grateful to the re- 

 treating crews. But these remarks apply more directly to the sick and 

 feeble, particularly to the crew of the ' Investigator.' They must form 

 the First Division. 



18. The Second will of necessity have to remain until the final 

 necessary duties have been completed ; and as they will advance, 

 forming caches, up to Byam Martin Island, you will assure them of 

 all necessaiy supplies from. Cape Cockburu easterly. 



19. I now arrive at a more difficult question; that is, the proba- 

 bility of finding, before you reach Cape Cockburn, information of the 

 movement of Captain Kellett last season, and of the unaccountable 

 non-appearance of ' Intrepid.' 



20. My general measures have been adapted to meet this peculiar 

 matter. Commander Fallen is instructed to cross the Channel to Cape 

 Bunny, and to move on to Port Leopold. 



21. You will then have to select such a route as will deviate com- 

 pletely from that pursued by him, taking probably that intended for 

 Lieutenant May ; and you will give him one over a deviating line, but 

 ensuring the visits of two or more officers to Cape Bunny, where I in- 

 tend to establish the southern turning-post, and divert any travellers 

 from Captain Collinson to Beechey Island, instead of the misery they 

 must inevitably encounter at Port Leopold. 



