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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