INTRODUCTION. 



xix 



where the missing navigators could have been found ; but not 

 until Captain M'Clintock, of the British Navy, in the spring of 

 1859, visited Boothia and King William's Land, was any thing 

 for certain known. Then, at last, we were positively assured of 

 the locality where these martyrs to science had been, when, as a 

 discovered document proved, the ships were abandoned and the 

 majority of the crews had taken to the shore. This occurred in 

 April, 1848, and 105 men, as we are told, under command of Cap- 

 tains Crozier and Fitzjames, landed at a given spot, with a view 

 of making their escape, if possible, toward their native home. 

 What became of them, except two skeletons found in a boat, and 

 one other near the beach, has not yet been known. Supposition 

 alone has induced the world to believe them all dead ; and, de- 

 spite proof upon proof, from facts, experience, and sound logical 

 reasoning to the contrary, the government of England, and Brit- 

 ish naval officials, with some eminent exceptions, have discarded 

 all idea of farther search, though the truth could now so easily be 

 obtained, and the ground to explore so small and comparatively 

 so easy of access ! 



I will not trouble the reader now with my reasons for making 

 these statements, based, as they are, upon some years of careful 

 study and examination of all that has been said and written upon 

 the subject. Let me here briefly mention why I myself, with no 

 previous experience, and no past history of my own to help me, 

 took it up as I have done. 



In one word, then, it seemed to me as if I had been called, if I 

 may so speak, to try and do the work. My heart felt sore at the 

 thought of so great a mystery in connection with any of our fel- 

 low-creatures, especially akin to ourselves, yet remaining un- 

 solved. Why could not their true fate be ascertained? Why 

 should not attempts be made, again and again, until the whole 

 facts were properly known. Captain (now Sir F. L.). M'Clintock, 

 in 1857-9, had gone forth once more to seek for some elucida- 

 tion of this mystery, but still I felt that something more might 

 yet be attempted toward co-operating with that brave officer. It 

 was already known that his vessel, the Fox, had been caught in 

 the ice and delayed a whole year. It was possible that she might 

 still not be able to get through to her destination, and therefore I 

 fancied the work could be more effectually done by an independ- 

 ent expedition proceeding in some other direction, afterward to 

 join with M'Clintock, if need be, in his task. Accordingly, I (ion- 



