1854.] RECOVERY OF THE CREW. 153 



leaving the 'Resolute' and tender involved another at 

 Beechey Island. Fortunately, all the sick reached the 

 ' Resolute' safely, and by the judicious arrangements of 

 Captain Kellett and Dr. Domville, by employing them 

 detached in tents, killing game and consuming it fresh 

 on the ground, they derived the double advantage of the 

 true unfermented juices of the meat before they were 

 deteriorated by freezing, as well as healthy and exciting 

 exercise for body and mind in an atmosphere rendered 

 more salubrious by the progress of summer vegetation. 



Mr. Sainsbury (late Mate, but promoted to Lieutenant) 

 had, from being considered in a hopeless condition, so 

 far rallied and progressed towards convalescence as to be 

 able to take exercise and witness the games in which the 

 crews were enjoying themselves at Dealy Island on the 

 day the vessels were blown from their winter quarters, 

 that eventful 18th of August which afforded us a safe 

 haven at Port Refuge and cut off the ever-to-be-lamented 

 and heroic Bellot. 



To Captain Kellett's letter I must refer the reader for 

 further information. Nothing westerly, at all bearing 

 upon the traces of Sir John Franklin, has been disco- 

 vered, and I think we may safely now assert that these 

 regions eastward, westward, and northwards even to the 

 Polar Sea, contain not a trace ; and from my own obser- 

 vation I never have ceased to think, from August, 1852, 

 that he never passed northerly from Beechey Island. 



As to the chances of his having passed into the Polar 

 Sea without leaving a record, I have but too frequently ex- 

 pressed my opinion that if such an event occurred, search 

 is beyond that discretion which any sensible man would 



