one tack, when she reached the margin of the ice, and got on its
eastern side into the open sea. On the 10th of October the Orkney
Islands were sighted, and on the 12th Captain Parry landed at Peterhead.

This last voyage to discover the north-west passage, though less
successful than the former ones, equally exhibited the courage,
perseverance, and hardihood which had before distinguished the officers
and crews employed; while we cannot help contrasting the admirable
discipline maintained with the sad want of it displayed in so many of
the voyages described in the preceding pages.

In 1827 Captain Parry commanded an expedition, which was fitted out in
the hopes of reaching the north pole by way of Spitzbergen, when,
accompanied by Captain Ross, he performed a long and hazardous journey
over the ice; but, after travelling six hundred miles, it was found that
they had only made good, owing to the drift of the ice, one hundred and
seventy miles.

As a reward for his laborious services, he received the honour of
knighthood, and Admiral Sir Edward Parry will ever be remembered as one
of the bravest, most sagacious, and enterprising officers who have done
honour to the British Navy.

The voyages of Sir John Franklin will now occupy us in succession to the
heroic Parry.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN'S EXPEDITIONS.

Birth and youthful career of Franklin--His service at sea--Appointed to
survey the Coppermine River--His expedition--His second expedition to
the Arctic regions--Made Governor of Tasmania--His return--The last
Franklin expedition.

Sir John Franklin, whose Arctic expeditions and their consequences will
form the subject of this chapter, was born at Spilsby, in Lincolnshire,
on the 16th of April, 1786. He was the youngest son of most respectable
parents and intended for the Church, but as he preferred the sea
service, his father yielded, and got him appointed a middy at fourteen
years of age. Young Franklin soon saw some service. He was present at
Copenhagen in 1801, and was appointed to the _Investigator_, which,
under his cousin Captain Flinders, explored the Australian coast. The
_Investigator_ went to grief, and when the crew were transferred to the
_Porpoise_ she was wrecked, the ship's company and officers living on a
sandbank for fifty days. After being taken off, Franklin was carried to
Canton, and when he eventually reached England he was appointed to the
_Bellerophon_, and was