May 24, 1858.] 
OBITUARY. — ROSS. 
247 
wreck of the Fury, in Eegent Inlet, the Victory reached Cape Garry 
in August, 1829, and thence proceeded South-West to lat. 70° North, 
and long. 92° West, when an impenetrable barrier of ice finally 
compelled her to winter in Felix Harbour. During 1830 Captain 
Eoss could only move the Victory about four miles, and in the fol- 
lowing year merely gained a port fourteen miles farther, now 
named Victoria Harbour, where, after another winter, he aban- 
doned his vessel, in May 1832. Exposed to much danger, the party 
made their way northwards to about lat. 74° North, and long. 90° 
West, but want of provisions and the approach of winter obliged 
them to return to Fury Beach, which they reached on the 7th of 
October, about three years after the time they passed it on their 
outward voyage. Here they lived in a hut 32 feet long, made 
from the wreck of the Fury , and passed another dreary winter 
amidst privation and considerable suffering. 
On July 8th, 1833, Captain Eoss and his party made a last effort 
to escape. Dragging the sick to the boats, they embarked, and 
crossing the inlet to Cape York, reached a point East of Navy 
Board Inlet, where they fortunately got on board the whaler Isabella , 
formerly commanded by the gallant Captain himself, and in October 
they arrived in England, to the joy of us geographers, who, failing to 
induce the Admiralty to send out a searching vessel, had commenced 
a subscription for the purpose,. 
In the same year 1833 Capt. Eoss deservedly obtained the Gold 
Medal of this Society “for discovery in the Arctic Eegions of 
America,” and the Gold Medal of the Geographical Society of Paris, 
together with various foreign orders, including that of the Swedish 
Polar Star; and in December, 1834, he received the honour of 
Knighthood together with that of c.b. ; his patron, Mr. Felix Booth, 
being raised to a Baronetcy by King William IV., who entertained 
a personal regard for our deceased Associate. A committee of the 
House of Commons assisted by scientific men appointed to investi- 
gate the results of this expedition declared that they saw no reason 
to doubt that Captain Eoss nearly approached, and that Commander 
James Eoss had actually reached, the Magnetic Pole. 
Sir John Eoss was the author, among other works, of Letters to 
Young Sea Officers, Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord 
de Saumarez, and a Treatise on Navigation by Steam : he also 
translated and edited a Memoir of Admiral de Krusenstern, which 
was dedicated by permission to this Society. 
This gallant officer and persevering explorer was promoted to 
VOL. II. x 
