224 ARCTIC SEAB, 



where he was only released at a period of the year too 

 late to allow of the resumption of the search. 



Meanwhile, however, the work was being vigorously 

 pursued by other hands ; and in 1850 no less than five 

 distinct expeditions started from England, and two ves- 

 sels, fitted out by the munificence of Mr. Grinnell, an 

 American merchant, from New York. Into the details 

 of these several explorations we need not enter ; but two 

 of them, of which the Grinnell expedition was one, divide 

 the merit of having discovered the first traces of the 

 missing ships. 



These were found in Beechey Island, at the mouth of 

 Wellington Channel, where it was discovered that Frank- 

 lin had spent the winter of 1845-6, and where the tombs 

 of three of his men, who had died early in the latter 

 year, remained. Curiously enough, not one record or 

 indication of any kind was found to point to the route 

 which had been subsequently pursued by them ; but it 

 was augured by many that they would follow a northern 

 course through Wellington Channel, and should be sought 

 for on the shores of the great Polar Ocean, indicated 

 by Penny and by Kane. 



In this dubiety as to their after course, the search went 

 on in various directions. Kane, in command of the 

 Advance, fitted out by the renewed liberality of Mr. 

 Grinnell, made that wonderful voyage to Smith's Strait, 

 which stands without an equal even in these stirring 

 annals ; Kennedy, accompanied by Lieutenant Bellot of 

 the French navy, wno fell a martyr to ma devotion in tiie 



