SIR J. C. ROSS'S EXPEDITION. 285 



June. They forced their way through various diffi- 

 culties, and arrived at the ships on the 23d. They 

 were so worn and injured, that every man of them, from 

 some Cause or other, went into the doctor's hands foi 

 two or three weeks. One of the assistant surgeons 

 too, had died ; several men of both crews were severely 

 ailing ; and the general health was far from good. 



During the absence of the large exploring party in 

 North Somerset, three small ones were despatched by 

 Captain Bird in other directions. One, under the com- 

 mand of Lieut. Barnard, went to the north shore of 

 Barrow's Strait ; another, under the command of Lieut 

 Browne, went to the east shore of Prince Regent's 

 Inlet ; and the third, under the command of Lieut. Rob- 

 inson, went to the west shore of that inlet These 

 parties were comparatively a short time away ; yet 

 all especially the last, who penetrated several miles 

 beyond Fury Beach suffered from snow-blindness, 

 sprained ankles, and debility. 



Preparations were now made for leaving Port Leo- 

 pold. The season was far advanced, and a strong 

 desire was felt to have the ships as soon as possible st,t 

 free, in order to push them on toward the west. But 

 something further was first done to extend the appli- 

 ances of the place as a refuge for the missing adven- 

 turers. A house was built of the spare spars of the 

 ships, and covered with such of the housing-cloths as 

 could be wanted. The depot of provisions and fuel 

 was raised to a sufficient quantity to serve for a 

 twelvemonth. And the Investigator's steam-launch 

 was lengthened seven feet, and made a fine vessel, 

 capable of conveying the whole of Sir John Franklin's 

 party to the whaJe-ships. 



The crews were ill able to work the ships out of the 

 oarbor, and to set them once more before the breeze ; 



