4 DISCOVERIES BY THE LATE EXPEDITION [Nov. 14, 1859. 



about 15 miles to the N.N.W., consequently they had drifted south- 

 ward only 12 or 14 miles in twenty months. The survivors, 105 in 

 number, under the command of Captain Crozier, landed at this spot, 

 and built the cairn which now exists, upon the site of Eoss's cairn, 

 which must have been taken down by the Esquimaux. 



Sir John Franklin died on the 11th of June, 1847, and the total 

 loss by deaths in the expedition, up to the date of their landing, 

 was 9 officers and 15 men. 



They had intended proceeding on the morrow for Back's Fish 

 River. The record was signed by Crozier, as Captain of H.M.S. 

 Terror, and senior officer ; also by Fitzjames, as Captain of H.M.S. 

 Erehus. 



The numerous remains found by this cairn, showed how greatly the 

 retreating party had overrated their capabilities of transport. For 

 WiQj had here thrown away stores of all kinds ; everything in fact 

 that was not absolutely indispensable. Lieutenant Hobson con- 

 tinued his explorations nearly to Cape Herschel, leaving records of 

 what he had seen to guide Captain M'Clintock, on that gentleman's 

 return journey. At one day's march, N.E. of Cape Crozier, and 65 

 miles from where Franklin's ships had been abandoned, Lieutenant 

 Hobson and Captain M'Clintock severally fell in with one of the 

 Franklin expedition boats, with clothing, watches, religious books, 

 &c., and two skeletons in her. This boat had evidently been pre- 

 pared and fitted up with the greatest care, for the ascent of the Back 

 River. There were some chocolate and tea in store, but no biscuit or 

 meat. On close examination the boat proved to have been abandoned, 

 not when going from, but when returning towards the ship. Captain 

 M'Clintock supposed when the strength of 'the party who took 

 her out began to fail, and it was found impracticable to drag the 

 boat farther, that the more vigorous pushed on and left the weaker 

 to return to the ship, for further supplies. 



No Esquimaux had visited. these shores since the disaster, as was 

 obvious from the numerous articles of priceless value, in their eyes, 

 that lay about untouched. It was truly fortunate they had not visited 

 the cairn which contained the record found by Lieutenant Hobson, 

 for, if so, they would have assuredly destroyed it. The Esquimaux 

 were found to have disturbed, and almost wholly pulled down, the 

 principal calms left by other expeditions. 



The whole western shore of King William Island was patiently 

 examined no less than three times, but the wrecks of the aban- 

 doned ships were not discovered. Captain M'Clintock concludes as 

 follows : — 



" After mature consideration upon all that I have seen I am of 



