208 



Inasmuch 



Franklin s 

 Overland 

 Journeys, 

 1819-22 



1819 and Liddon, in the Hecla and Griper; of Parry 



182 i and Lyon, in the Fury and Hecla ; of Parry on his 



fourth attempt; combined to enlarge exper 

 ience and knowledge of Arctic lands, seas, and 

 conditions, but left the long-sought passage still 

 the object of speculation and desire. 



During the same period Franklin made his two 

 overland journeys. The first started from Hud 

 son Bay to explore the Arctic Coasts in the vicinity 

 of the Coppermine River. At York Factory, 

 Franklin met fur traders from the Mackenzie 

 River, encouraged by their reports he set out by 

 the Saskatchewan route to Fort Chipewyan on 

 Athabasca Lake. Thence he proceeded to Fort 

 Enterprise on the edge of the Barren Lands, from 

 which the distance is 334 miles to the mouth of 

 the Coppermine River. The shores of Bathurst 

 Inlet and Coronation Gulf were surveyed as far 

 as Point Turnagain. On the way back disaster 

 almost overwhelmed the party. With game 

 scarce and provisions exhausted, half of its 

 number died of cold and starvation. The sur 

 vivors, succoured by Indians, finally reached the 

 Hudson Bay post on Great Slave Lake. 



1825-27 For his second overland effort, Franklin, 



profiting by his experiences, made careful and 

 sufficient preparation. The route chosen was 

 by the Mackenzie River to its mouth; and the 

 Coast was surveyed Westward to Return reef, 

 beyond the Northern end of the Rocky Mount 

 ains. At the same time, a section of the ex 

 pedition, under Dr. Richardson and Lieutenant 



