270 A rctic and A nt arc tic Exploration [part i 
intended to crowd all four crews on board the North Star, 
but luckily Captain Inglefield arrived in the Phoenix with 
the old frigate Talbot, so that there was little crowding. 
The court martial was obliged to acquit Belcher because 
his instructions gave him such wide discretion, but his 
sword was returned in a silence more damning than words. 
Sherard Osborn, whom Belcher had placed under arrest, 
and Lieut. May, against whom he had reported, were both 
immediately promoted. 
The ships would almost certainly have got free later 
in the season. The Resolute actually did drift out, was 
picked up by an American vessel in Davis Strait, and 
courteously restored by the United States to our 
Admiralty. 
These three search expeditions effected an enormous 
increase in the knowledge of the Arctic regions. Thousands 
of miles of unknown lands were brought to light, and the 
diligent collecting and observations of officers enabled a 
good general idea to be formed of the geology of the 
newly-discovered region and of the tidal phenomena. The 
discoveries also opened a new area for exploration to the 
westward quite distinct from the region of the Parry 
Islands. Like all great discoveries Prince Patrick Island 
pointed to further research. It is the complete examina- 
tion of the area now known as the Beaufort Sea which 
M'Clintock's discoveries indicate. Meanwhile the great 
sledge journeys stand alone and unapproached. 
Mecham's final sledge journey was perhaps the most 
brilliant achievement. Accompanied by Krabbe, Master 
of the Intrepid, he started with two good sledge crews on 
April 3rd, 1854. Advancing to Cape Providence they 
entered the first range of heavy hummocks, and forced 
their way through it for five miles. As they approached 
Banks Island they were constantly entangled during 
dense fogs among intricate hummocks and deep snow. 
On reaching the land Krabbe parted company for the Bay 
of Mercy, in order to report on the condition of the 
Investigator. He found her heeling over and with her 
orlops full of ice, and she no doubt sank soon afterwards. 
He was five days landing all her stores and provisions. 
Mecham proceeded down Prince of Wales Strait, and 
arrived at Princess Royal Island on May 4th. There he 
