ch. xxix] Discovery of the Fate of Franklin 277 
so named by M'Clintock, he landed at Cape Eyre on 
Prince of Wales Island and proceeded to explore the low 
and desolate southern coast. Finding that he had not 
sufficient provisions to reach Osborn's furthest and so 
complete the exploration of the great island with all his 
men, he sent back the rest with the sledge, in charge of 
Harvey, to Cape Eyre. He and Hobday went on with 
the dog-sledge, and on May 7th reached the table-topped 
hills seen by Sherard Osborn in 1851, and so completed 
the discovery. Young then made a gallant attempt to 
cross the channel to Victoria Island, but this was im- 
possible, it being a mass of stupendous hummocks with 
deep fissures between them, and a retreat was therefore 
made to the sledge at Cape Eyre. He then completed 
the discovery of the eastern shore of Prince of Wales 
Island as far as Browne's furthest in 1851. Next he 
crossed the channel to Ross's furthest, and completed 
the discovery of the west side of North Somerset thence 
to Bellot Strait, taking frequent observations for latitude 
and longitude. He and his men were nearly worn out 
by the long period of hardships when they were met by 
M'Clintock on June 27th. It was a splendid journey, rich 
in geographical discovery. 
The Fox was now got ready to return. The engines 
had been taken to pieces for the winter, the engineer had 
died, and the stokers knew nothing about the machinery. 
So M'Clintock tucked up his sleeves, went down into the 
engine room, and got the engines into working order with 
his own hands. There was no one else on board who 
could have done it. On August 10th, 1859, the Fox was 
freed from winter quarters, M'Clintock working the engines 
himself for several days, until the vessel was got under 
sail. She arrived in the Thames and was taken into the 
dock at Blackwall on September 23rd. 
The whole nation was full of admiration at the way 
in which this great and memorable success had been 
achieved. Lady Franklin was more than satisfied at the 
result of the expedition, and felt unable to express her 
admiration and gratitude for its Commander. His officers 
and men were devoted to him, and presented him with 
a gold chronometer, "reminding him of that perfect 
harmony, that mutual esteem and good will, which 
