ch. xxvn] The Search for Franklin. L 255 
were seen in the offing. It was then that I made the 
acquaintance of Dr Kane on board the Rescue. But 
progress for that year was finally stopped. The American 
vessels were unprepared for a winter and parted company 
to return home. like Ross's ships, however, they were 
beset in Lancaster Sound and were forced to winter 
while being drifted down Baffin's Bay, their crews suffering 
great hardships and privations. Penny's brigs, and the 
little Phoenix with Sir John Ross on board, wintered in 
Assistance Harbour. 
The squadron of Commodore Austin — a brevet rank 
universally given to him by his followers — had to winter 
in the pack between Cornwallis and Griffith Islands, but 
within a short walk of the latter. Never, before or since, 
had so large a body of men assembled together in the 
Arctic regions, never for a nobler purpose, and never 
better organised. The arrangements for keeping the living 
decks dry and sweet, for bathing and washing clothes, 
for ventilation, and for exercise, were admirable, and 
perfect health was maintained. All hands were kept fully 
employed and amused. The chief work was the prepara- 
tion for the search by sledge travelling. There were 
various classes of instruction for the men, and a class for 
navigation. A fine theatre on the upper deck, with a 
beautiful proscenium and appropriate scenery, was erected 
on board the Assistance. There were plays every fortnight, 
one acted by the officers and another by the men, winding 
up with a pantomime and songs composed for the occasion. 
For the play-bills, printed on silk, wood blocks were cut 
of the Royal arms and other adornments. A monthly 
newspaper called the Aurora appeared on board the 
Assistance, the Illustrated Arctic News in the Resolute, 
and another more short-lived paper called the Minavilins. 
The Commodore revived the bal masque on board the Reso- 
lute, in memory of those in which he had taken part in 
the winter of Parry's third voyage ; and there was also 
the " Intrepid Saloon." Ashore the ravines of Griffith 
Island were explored in the winter walks, and collections 
of fossils made. 
Captain Austin had a permanent Sledge Committee of 
heads of departments. But he was a good judge of char- 
acter ; he had the great merit of appreciating M'Clintock, 
