moored to an iceberg, in 74 degrees 48
minutes north latitude, and 66 degrees 13 minutes west longitude, by a
Hull whaler, the _Prince of Wales_, Captain Dannet. The ships had then
on board provisions for three years, on full allowance, or even four,
with the assistance of such game as they might expect to obtain.
Everyone on board had resolved to persevere to the utmost in pushing
their way through any channel which might offer a prospect of success
towards the west; but the letters of Captain Fitzjames especially seemed
to point clearly to Wellington Channel as the passage they would most
probably first attempt. No news of the expedition having reached
England up to the year 1847, some slight apprehensions began to be felt,
though the general hope was that Sir John had pushed on perhaps into the
Polar basin, and might make his appearance by way of Behring's Straits.
However, it was thought right in 1848 to despatch another expedition to
search for the missing ships. Two vessels were commissioned for that
purpose, and placed under the command of Sir James Ross, an officer who
has been nearer the northern and southern poles than any other human
being. The ships were not ready for sea till the 12th of June. They
were fitted to contend with the dangers of the Polar seas in a way no
former ships had been, and every means that could be devised for the
comfort and convenience of their crews were liberally supplied; while
the officers and men were influenced by an earnest zeal to discover
their missing countrymen, and to rescue them from the forlorn condition
in which it was too probable they were placed. Such have been the
motives which have induced, year after year, numbers of other gallant
officers and men to volunteer their services to encounter the terrific
dangers and hardships of a Polar voyage to search for Sir John Franklin
and his brave followers. Who also has not heard of the noble efforts
and sacrifices the late Lady Franklin made to despatch expedition after
expedition in search of her gallant husband? and with what untiring
zeal, and deep, earnest devotion, she and his faithful niece laboured
on, month after month, and year after year, with talents, mind, and all
their best energies devoted to the cause? All honour be to those noble
ladies, worthy to be loved and reverenced by all who love and respect
the British navy, and admire the gallant spirit which imbues it.

But to return to our narrative. Our sp