448 ABANDONMENT OF THE INVESTIGATOR. 



was at first inclined to favor M'Clure's plan of endeav 

 oring to save the Investigator ; but on the 2d May 

 Lieut. Cresswell arrived from her with the report of two 

 more deaths. Then it was arranged that Dr. Dornville 

 should go back with M'Clure and hold a survey on the 

 health of the crew ; that those who were unfitted to 

 stand another winter should be ordered home, and that 

 the healthy should have their option of going or re- 

 maining. The result was that only four men were will- 

 ing to remain, though the officers all gallantly volun- 

 teered to stand by the vessel. Boats, stores, &c., were 

 accordingly landed to form a depot for the use of Collin- 

 son, Franklin, or any other person who might happen 

 along, and on the 3d June, 1853, the colors were hoisted 

 to the mast-head, and officers and crew bade a last 

 farewell to the Investigator. They arrived at Dealy 

 Island on the 17th, and were accommodated on board 

 the Resolute and Intrepid. 



Kellett's plan was to send them down to Beechey Island 

 in the Intrepid at the first breaking up of the ice. More 

 than half his crews were out on searching expeditions 

 when the Investigator's men arrived. Parties under 

 M'Clintock, Mccham, and Hamilton, were searching 

 every foot of land to the north and north-web*fc of Mel- 

 ville Island. They all came in at last, having found no 

 traces of Sir John Franklin. Finding that nothing more 

 could be done in a north-west direction, Kellett deter- 

 mined to take both vessels to Beechey Island as soon as 

 the ice would admit. All his arrangements were made 

 for starting at any moment. lie built a store-house on 

 the island, stocked it well with provisions, and left in it 

 this record : 



" This is a house which I have named the ' Sailor's Home,' under the 

 especial patronage of rny Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 



" Here royal sailors and marines are fed, clothed, and receive double 

 pay for inhabiting it." 



