170 ALL THE FORCE DEVOTED TO ASSISTANCE. \April, 



of adequately provisioning the ' Resolute' for the requi- 

 site period, without the united exertions of the ivhole force 

 at rny command, and then merely on a chance of success ! 



But as regards this ship, everything was in favour of 

 her release and of saving her most valuable stores. Fur- 

 ther, if it should be the will of the Admiralty, sufficient 

 provision could be forwarded to this position, only fifty- 

 two miles from Beechey Island, to admit of a crew stay- 

 ing by the ship until it became prudent to retire for the 

 winter to Beechey Island. In such a case very few men 

 would be required, and those only to live in the tender. 

 My duty therefore, and on my shoulders alone would rest 

 all the responsibility, however advised, was clearly to save 

 all the stores and valuables that could be conveyed to 

 Beechey Island before travelling became dangerous or 

 impracticable, so that the force at the last moment should 

 direct all their energy to extricate the ship. 



My readers may imagine that all the summer months 

 are available for travel, but they may be sadly in error. 

 As the heat increases the floe becomes so covered with 

 water, even if not disrupted and exhibiting impassable 

 gaps or loose pack, that it is dangerous to attempt tra- 

 velling without stores, and this occurs at the very moment 

 that decision as to the dernier ressort is demanded. 



The circumstances in themselves left no sensible alter- 

 native, for the ' Resolute' and tender were beyond a rea- 

 sonable distance, or 180 travelling miles west of Beechey 

 Island, the post at which we do not anticipate open water 

 before the 22nd of August : and at that moment the 

 sudden arrival of a steamer, with as sudden orders to 

 abandon, and such orders given under the full conviction 



