Arctic Blue Books - British Parliamentary Papers Abstract, 1856

1856. GREAT BRITAIN. (45249)

Further papers relative to the recent arctic expeditions in search of Sir J. Franklin, and the crews of . . . Erebus and Terror; including the reports of Dr. Kane and Messrs. Anderson and Stewart; and correspondence relative to the adjudication of £10,000 as a reward for ascertaining the fate of the crews of. . . Erebus and Terror.

In continuation of papers presented in September 1854-5, Presented to the House of Commons, 1856. London, Harrison and Sons. vi, 95 p. 2 maps, 1 fold. (Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Sessional papers, Accounts and papers, 1856, v. 41, no. 2124).

Contains correspondence on: the Second Grinnell Expedition to Smith Sound and Kane Basin, with Kane's report of proceedings (p. 1-18); also on the Hudson's Bay Company's expedition under Anderson and Stewart down the Back River with Anderson's report (p. 19-29); King's proposal to proceed down the Back River to Montreal Island (p. 31-34); recovery and disposal of the Resolute (p. 35-43); report on Franklin relics collected by Collinson (p. 45); correspondence on the Franklin Search reward (p. 46-91); Iists of U. S. officers and men entitled to receive the Arctic Medal (p. 92-95)

1. Eastern Arctic

Proceedings (p. 7-17) of the second expedition in search of Franklin, sponsored by Henry Grinnell and led by Lt. Elisha K. Kane, with the Advance; voyage from New York, May 1853 to Melville Bay, Smith Sound, and winter quarters on the Greenland coast of Kane Basin, with description of the coast, sledge journey north to Peabody Bay to lay depots, arrangements and routine aboard ship (p. 7-9); effects of low temperatures on various liquids (p. 10); minimum temperature ‹70š F.; death of dogs through disease; spring journeys around Peabody Bay, geological observations along the Smith Sound coast of Greenland, journey north into Kennedy Channel (p. 11-12); attempt to communicate by whaleboat with Belcher's supply base at Beechey Island (a failure), second, 1854-55, winter on short rations, outbreak of scurvy, abandonment of the Advance and retreat southward in whaleboats, with description of equipment taken (p. 13-15).

The natural history collection was abandoned at Anoatok (p. 15); Kane's party reached Upernavik 83 days later, and met Hartstein (USN) off Disko. Further details and correspondence concerning Kane's return to the United States are given (p. 1-6, 17-18), also (at end of vol.) map showing his discoveries.

2. Hudson's Bay Co. expedition

Down the Back River under Chief Factor James Anderson and Stewart in 1855, with general correspondence (p. 19-25), and report by Anderson, including encounter with Eskimos near Garry Lake in possession of daggers, beads, files and kettles, other natives at Lake Franklin with further tools, utensils, instruments, etc., and find of many relics on Montreal Island (p. 26-27); observations on fish and animals (p. 28-29).

3. Proposal of Dr. Richard King to proceed down the Back River (p. 31-34).

4. Recovery of the Resolute

(Abandoned May 15, 1854, off Cape Cockburn) by whaling Capt. James M. Buddington in Davis Strait, Sept. 10, 1855, who sailed her to New London, Conn. (p. 35-43), including account published in New York Herald on Dec. 27, 1855 (p. 36-38); rights of British Government waived (p. 38-43). Report on fragments of doors and iron collected by Capt. Collinson as from Franklin's vessels.

5. £10,000 reward for discovering the fate of Franklin

Offer in the London Gazette, Dr. John Rae recommended, Lady Franklin's protest against Rae and proposal that search be resumed (p. 46-63); views of Kane (p. 64), correspondence relating to claims of Rae (p. 47-64) and others: John Garland (p. 66-68), Capt. Wm. Penny, as advanced by John Roy (p. 68-69).

6. Bedford Pim claim (p. 69-73) with proposal for further search and list of sledge party equipment (p. 73-74), also (p. 75-78) Pim's journal, Mar. 10-April 29, 1850, of his journey from the Herald at Kotzebue Sound to the Russian post Michaelowski in Norton Sound; claims of Dr. Robt. M'Cormick (p. 79-87); Richard King (p. 82-85); A. K. Isbister (p. 86); Capt. E. Ommanney (p. 86-87).

Award granted to Rae and his companions (p. 88-91). List (p. 92-95) of American officers and men of De Haven, Hartstein and Kane's expeditions, to receive the Arctic Medal.

Maps (two) comprise:

• a rough sketch map (at p. 72) traced from an original drawing of a Wainwright Inlet Eskimo, depicting a river east of Point Barrow and indicating the burial place of some white men, reported by the natives to have been killed there;
• and (at end of vol.) map of the Smith Sound, Kane Basin, Kennedy Channel regions, showing discoveries of the Second Grinnell Expedition, 1853-1855, under Kane.

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