INTRODUCTION, xxxvii 



Upon the death of Franklin (nth June, 1847), Crozier 

 succeeded to the chief command. On him devolved the 

 terrible necessity of abandoning the ships, and endeavouring 

 to save their crews by a desperate attempt to reach the 

 Hudson Bay territories. 



Crozier's record — written upon the march — is dated 25th 

 April, 1848. 



The reader may perhaps picture to himself that last fearful 

 march, and the heroic bearing of its undaunted leader, whose 

 nobleness of character and warmth of heart had ever won 

 for him universal esteem and affection. 



Captain James Fitzjames entered the Navy as a mid- 

 shipman in 1825. After serving in various ships, he 

 was attached to Colonel Chesney's celebrated expedition 

 to the River Euphrates, and took an active part as mate 

 of the t Euphrates ' steamer upon that river. On the re- 

 turn of the expedition in 1838, and after two years and 

 a half of distinguished service, Mr. Fitzjames was promoted 

 to the rank of lieutenant. 



He served on board H.M.S. 'Ganges ' throughout the Syrian 

 campaign (1840), again particularly distinguishing himself. 



His next appointment was to the ' Cornwallis,' the flag- 

 ship of Vice- Admiral Sir Wm. Parker, the naval commander- 

 in-chief on the East Indian station. During the Chinese 

 hostilities in 1842, Lieutenant Fitzjames's brilliant conduct 

 was such that he was five times gazetted ! He participated 

 in all the operations on the River Yang-tse-kiang both afloat 

 and on shore, his conspicuous exertions and gallantry 

 repeatedly calling forth the warm approbation of the 

 General Sir Hugh (afterward Viscount) Gough, as well as of 

 the Admiral. At the storming and capture of Ching-kiang- 

 Foo, Fitzjames received four bullet wounds; one of these 



