The first message
28 of May 1847 H.M.S.hips Erebus and Terror Wintered in the Ice in Lat.
70°5'N Long. 98°.23'W Having wintered in
1846-7
at Beechey Island in Lat 74°43'28"N Long 91°39'15"W After having
ascended Wellington Channel to Lat 77° and returned by the West side of
Cornwallis Island. Sir John Franklin commanding the Expedition. All well
Party consisting of 2 Officers and 6 Men left the ships on Monday 24th May
1847.—Gm. Gore, Lieut., Chas. F. DesVoeux, Mate
The second message
25th April 1848 HMShips Terror and Erebus were deserted on the 22nd April
5
leagues NNW of this having been beset since 12th Sept 1846. The officers and
crews consisting of 105 souls under the command of Captain F. R. M. Crozier
landed here—in Lat. 69°37'42" Long. 98°41' This paper was found
by Lt. Irving under the cairn supposed to have been built by Sir James Ross in
1831—4 miles to the Northward—where it had been deposited by the
late Commander Gore in May 1847. Sir James Ross' pillar has not however been
found and the paper has been transferred to this position which is that in
which Sir J. Ross' pillar was erected—Sir John Franklin died on the 11th
of June 1847 and the total loss by deaths in the Expedition has been to this
date 9 officers and 15 men.—James Fitzjames Captain HMS Erebus F. R. M.
Crozier Captain & Senior Offr And start on tomorrow 26th for
Backs
Fish River
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