1876 PLANS FOR SPRING EXPLORATION. 255 



land would probably not be found to stretch in the 

 desired direction, elected to take command of the party 

 whose duty it was to ascertain the nature of the pack- 

 ice to the northward. 



I then arranged for Lieutenants Aldrich and Giffard, 

 with fourteen men, to explore the coast of Grant Land, 

 whilst Commander Markham, with Lieutenant Parr 

 and fifteen men, supported by two additional sledges 

 until they left the land, were to advance directly 

 towards the north over the ice. Captain Stephenson 

 and the officers and crew of the ' Discovery ' were to 

 explore the northern coast of Greenland, endeavour 

 to ascertain whether Petermann Fiord was a channel 

 leading to an eastern sea, and to examine Lady 

 Franklin Sound, which was reported to be a channel. 



The ' Discovery ' being upwards of two hundred 

 miles north of the arranged rendezvous at Cape 

 Isabella, I considered that sending a party there would 

 be so much strength thrown away ; for in the event of a 

 ship from England visiting Cape Isabella during the 

 summer of 1876, and finding that we had not com- 

 municated with the post at the southern entrance of 

 Smith Sound, it would be at once understood that our 

 two ships had advanced far to the northward, and were 

 well placed for exploration. Sir Allen Young on 

 visiting Cape Isabella in August at once drew this 

 inference. 



In order to communicate my intentions to Captain 

 Stephenson, Sub-lieutenant Egerton was prepared to 

 proceed with the dog-sledge to Discovery Bay, as soon 

 as the sun returned, carrying the necessary instructions. 

 As Lieutenant Eawson would be employed in the 



