98 



BUCHAN AND FRANKLIN. 



Dorothea was in a foundering condition. They made 

 the best of their way to Fair Haven in a sinking state, 

 where they repaired their damages as well as they 

 could ; it was obvious, however, there was an end to 

 any further attempt as regarded the main object of the 

 expedition. The Trent being the less damaged of the 

 two, Lieutenant Franklin requested that he might bo 

 allowed to proceed alone in the execution of the service. 

 This could not be acceded to, as, in the event which 

 had occurred, Captain Buchan was directed by his in- 

 structions to take command of the Trent, provided her 

 consort was rendered unserviceable ; had he done so, 

 the Dorothea, unaccompanied in her way home, might 

 have risked the lives of her crew in a ship so shattered 

 and unsafe. It was therefore decided that both should 

 return home ; and on the 30th of August they put to 

 sea, and on the 22d of October arrived at Deptford. 



WTUATIOK OF THE TRENT. 



