'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎40] (151/258)

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DK. G. BUIST
Pullen, the Advance, Captain Kellet, and the Intrepid screw steamer
Commander McClintock.
The fate of Captains Collinson and McClure, who had sailed from Eng
land in January 1850, and not been heard of from the time of entering Bher-
ing’s Straits, was beginning to become matter of deep anxiety ; and inqui
ries after them were now to form a portion of the new expedition, added to
those after the fate of Franklin whom the Officers just named had been sent
to look for. Beechy Island was the first point to be attained, and here the
JSorlh Star was to remain as a store ship. Sir E. Belcher was then direct
ed to endeavour to pass up Wellington Channel with one sailing ship and one
Steamer, with a view to obtaining tidings of Franklin, and to send a similar
force to Melville Island to inquire after Collinson and McClure. He was only
to remain two years out; but on the remonstrances of Lady Franklin with
the Admiralty, it was in March 1853 resolved to send instructions to him to
continue, if deemed necessary, his search for another year.
He found fittting winter quarters near Cape Beecher, lat. 76 ° 52’ N.
long. 97 ° W., where he left his ships in the end of August, and proceeded
in a whale boat and sledge expedition across the ice, reaching as far north as
a group of islands 78 ° 10’ N. He found the Sea open here as early as
May the following year. In the spring of 1853 an excursion of above 1000
miles in length was made from the ship, in which numberless difficulties were
surmounted, but no discovery made worthy of particular notice. Commander
Richardson and a party had simultaneously with this, made a journey southward,
and fallen in with despatches expected from Captain Pullen. During his ab
sence he met with an Officer from the ships of Captain Kellet who announced
to them the tidings of the discovery of Captain McClure and his people, Capt.
Belcher, proceeded on a second journey in June, when he had the fortune to
meet Captain Pullen from the North Star.
The Advance, Captain Kellet, and Intrepid screw Steamer, Commander
McClintock, had accompanied Sir E. Belcher as far as Beechy Island, and
then pushed to the westward, wtth a view of penetrating Barrow’s Straits and
reaching Melville Island. They parted company on the 9th August 1852, and
got into winter quarters in September. Here they remained fast in the ice
till ISth August 1853, when they were liberated by a storm.
So soon as the season permitted, sledge expeditions were undertaken in
opposite directions by Captain McClintock, and Lieutenant Meecham, the
former officer accomplishing a detour of 117 miles in 106 days. On the
April 1853 a great exploring expedition started from the ships. Captain Kellet
tor a short distance accompanying it. Captains McClintock and Houston