156 PRESENT STATE OF THE SEARCH. 



Wellington Inlet, he would undoubtedly have left 

 a memorandum at Cape Riley, assigning reasons for 

 departing from his instructions. 



On the 25th of August, 1850, the "Assistance" 

 and " Intrepid " were well over towards Cornwallis 

 Island, and a little to the north of Cape Hotham. 

 Captain Penny with his consort were standing up 

 the west side of Wellington Channel, Sir John Ross 

 was making for Cape Hotham, the " Rescue " was 

 near the head of Wellington Sound on the east side, 

 land being visible from Cape Riley, crossing the 

 Sound just beyond her, and the " Advance " was 

 lying under Beechey Island, having grounded on 

 a shoal; but Lieutenant De Haven, expecting to 

 get his vessel off without difficulty, declined the 

 assistance from the "Albert" which was offered. 

 Captain Austin, with the " Resolute " and " Pio- 

 neer," was at that time examining the south side 

 of Barrow's Straits. He had visited Possession 

 Bay on the 18th, and then intended to look into 

 Pond's Bay. He has not been seen since, and it 

 is probable that he passed the " North Star" and 

 "Albert" without being descried, in the thick 

 weather that prevailed when they were coming 

 out of Lancaster Sound. 



Such was the state of the search in August, 1850. 

 As Sir John Ross intended to return in 1851, after 



