'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎45] (156/258)

ON ARCTIC DISCOVERY— 1853-54.
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In June 1853 again Captain Inglefield was despatched in command of the
phmix steamer with provisions for Sir E. Belcher. Lieutenant Bellot, who
had accompanied Lieutenant Kennedy in the Prince Albert from Aberdeen
in 1852, and rescued that officer from the ice, volunteered his services
on board the Phoenix. He carried with him a large collection of mag-
netical instruments, Captain Inglefield himself being an eminent mag-
netican and first rate mechanic, and much was expected in this division
of research. He was accompanied by the Bredalbane transport, afterwards
nipped and lost amongst the ice. From the enormous quantity of ice met in
with, and the delay occasioned in towing the Bredalbane, it was the 8th August
before Beechy Head was attained. The condition of the ice was such as to
render it impossible either to land the stores or to reach Sir E. Belcher, with
the ships, and Captain Inglefield himself leaving the duplicate despatches for
that officer with Captain Pullen of i\\e North Star resolved to go in quest of him
overland with the originals. He started with a whale boat and a month’s provi
sions on the 10th August. On the third day of their journey they were com
pelled to return from the openness of the water. They took five days to
Beechy Island, having traversed 1*20 miles during their absence. In a second
attempt to convey the despatches. Lieutenant Bellot was precipitated from an
iceberg, on which he had drifted from the shore, and drowned. In May the
people of the North Star learned with delight from Captain Kellettthe safe
ty of Captain McClure and particulars of the voyage of the Enterprise.
Captain Pullen, from the North Star had meanwhile succeeded in com
municating with Belcher, so the end was equally served, and Captain Ingle
field resolved on returning to England, his instructions precluding him from
remaining through the winter: he left on the 24th August, and reached Thurso,
in the North of Scotland, on the 4th October, bringing with him the joyous
tidings of the discovery of the North-West passage.
In 1854 the ships were moved about half a mile by blasting, but this was all
that could be effected. In the month of August of that year, the pack of ice
betwixt the ship, and the nearest open water was computed at from twenty
to thirty miles. On the 24th the Phoenix was in communication with the
Resolute and Advance, and the ship were next day abandoned.
On the 6th of May 1854 Captain Inglefield once more started in command
of the screw steamer Phcenix, with the tenders Talbot and Diligence, to carry
provisions and instructions to Captain Belcher, and to assist m the search.
Great latitude of discretion was allowed him. If the crews of the Enterprise
and Investigator (Collinson and McClure) should have reached Banks Land
they were to abandon their ships, make, if possible, for Beechy Island, and
return for England ; if these officers and their men, should already have beeu