508 THE FRANKLIN SEARCH— IS^S-bl. 



route the ships had arrived there, and by what other route they should 

 proceed on leaving the island, there were those who held the missing navi- 

 gators as in some sort excused for neglecting this ordinary precaution, on 

 the ground that the three graves were sufficient evidence of their having 

 wintered at Beechey Island ; while as to the route they were about to pur- 

 sue, as they could not tell in what direction they should be driven by drift-ice, 

 tide, and wind, they were unable to say anything definite on the subject. 



In the evening Penny sent away a boat party under the command of Mr 

 Stewart to examine Gascoyne Inlet and the shores of Cape Ricketts. The 

 boat party landed at Cape Eiley, where traces were found, but no documents. 

 Another party was sent on the 30th to examine a cairn that had been seen 

 on the south-west blufi" of Beechey Island. The soil was dug up with pick 

 and shovel, but nothing found. About this time it was suggested to open 

 the three graves, and to search these ; " but," s^ys Sutherland, " as there 

 was a feeling against this very proper and important step, the suggestion 

 was not reiterated." From this point onward to the spring of 1851, nothing 

 practical was achieved, either in geographical discovery, or in the search for 

 Sir John Franklin. The " Lady Franklin " and the " Sophia " on the 16th 

 September reached their winter quarters in Assistance Harbour, at the 

 southern extremity of Cornwallis Land, from which they were destined not 

 to be freed for nearly a year. 



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