264 Arctic and Antarctic Exploration [part i 
off the Princess Royal Isles in Prince of Wales Strait in 
1850-51. The following summer the ship passed round 
the south of Banks Island, worked her way with great 
difficulty up the west coast, and wintered in a harbour 
on the north coast which M'Clure named the Bay of God's 
Mercy. From this haven she was destined never to move, 
the winters of 185 1-2, 1852-3, being passed there. Banks 
Land had only been sighted by Parry at a great distance. 
M'Clure's discovery of the great island was an achievement 
of the first rank. These proceedings of Collinson and 
M'Clure were of course unknown in England when it was 
resolved to despatch the four ships again, the Assistance 
and Pioneer to go up Wellington Channel, the Resolute 
and Intrepid to press onwards to Melville Island. The 
Franklin search could in no way be furthered by sending 
in directions he could never have taken, but the relief 
of the Investigator proved to be a service of the utmost 
importance. 
Common sense pointed to M' Clint ock and Sherard 
Osborn as the proper leaders for the two divisions. Both 
possessed unequalled recent Arctic experience, both were 
men of tried ability, liked and respected by all who had 
served under them. The Admiralty, however, preferred 
an old officer with bad health, no Arctic experience, and 
the reputation of being the most unpopular man in the 
navy, Sir Edward Belcher. It would have been enough 
that he should bring misery, disaster, and failure on his 
own division, but both were under his orders. Sherard 
Osborn was with him in command of the Pioneer, The 
officer to command the second division, Captain Kellett, 
was also old and inexperienced, but fortunately very un- 
like Belcher. He had been a distinguished surveying officer 
in his time, and now he wisely left things to his staff. 
Hearty, joyous, with a charming manner, Captain Kellett 
gave pleasure wherever he went. M'CHntock commanded 
the Intrepid, Mecham was Kellett's first lieutenant, Vesey 
Hamilton was Mecham's friend and supporter — the very 
cream of the rising Arctic generation. 
The expedition left the Thames April 15, 1852, and 
M'Clintock acquired great skill in handling the Intrepid 
in the ice of Melville Bay, where the Resolute received a 
very severe nip, and was raised 8 feet out of the water, 
