THE

ARCTIC REGIONS,

AND

Polar Discoveries

DURING THE NINETEENTH CENTURY:

WITH THE

DISCOVERIES MADE BY CAPTAIN MCCLINTOCK
AS TO THE FATE OF THE FRANKLIN

EXPEDITION.

BY

P. L. SIMMONDS, F.R.G.S.

LONDON:

ROUTLEDGE, WARNE, AND ROUTLEDGE,

2, FARRINGDON STREET.

NEW YORK: 56, WALKER STREET.

1860.

203, d. 254.

SAVILL AND EDWARDS, PRINTERS, CHANDOS-STREET,

COVENT GARDEN.

PREFACE

TO THE NINTH EDITION.

Or the many gallant exploits and daring adventures by land and by sea, which have added to the reputation and noble deeds of Englishmen, there is none of which we have greater reason to be proud than those perilous explorations in the Arctic Regions, which will ever render the nineteenth century a marked era in the history of Nations.

Dangers and hardships seem rather to attract than to appal the adventurous Englishman, and private and public explorations have followed each other in such quick succession, during the past ten years, that it has been somewhat difficult to keep pace with the record of them. Every succeeding voyager and traveller seems to have striven to outdo his predecessors in acquiring fame, and in the boldness and daring with which he has prosecuted his researches. If we have had little opportunity for the display of heroism in the competitive war struggle on the ocean of late years, our naval officers have at least sought and gained reputation in the icy fields of the Arctic Regions, in the extended search for our lost countrymen under Sir John Franklin. The Chart of the Polar Regions will ever be a striking memorial of what can be done by brave hearts and willing hands. The highly wrought pictures of fiction fade before the simple and stern truths of reality, and the narratives of Arctic Discovery have an exciting interest and thrilling pathos, which will ever render them deeply attractive to both old and young in all ages. Even when the melancholy personal interest which is now felt by those who mourn for relatives and friends lost in Arctic voyages shall have subsided, the stirring history recorded in these pages will have an interest for future generations when all who have taken part in them shall have passed away.

The love of adventure is inherent in the breast of the Englishman, and shows itself in a hundred varied shapes, but in none more prominently than in the desire to explore unknown countries and distant regions. Maritime discovery has been the peculiar field of British enterprise and British glory, and in no quarter has it found a more

xi

enduring faith.-Ber letter to the American
w American expedition under Lieutenant
by Mr. Grinnell.-Heartless fabrications and
orts promulgated.-Deserted ships alleged to
on an iceberg off Newfoundland.-Contradic-
thereon.-Franklin's expressed intentions.-
om his ships.-List of provisions supplied to
-Provident care of Sir John to provision his
ives to perseverance.-Franklin's observations
licable to his own case.-Mr. Hilton suggests a
search by Spitzbergen.-Mr. Petermann sub-
vises a similar plan of operation.-Exploration
3 by sledges, &c., found the most effective.-
as to their probable safety.-Dr. Rae's personal
of supporting a large party.-Important geo-
iscoveries of the past three years.-Indigenous re-
he Polar Regions.

the North-west Passage

Clure reaches Melville Island from the westward.—
of the officers of the two expeditions.-Another Ameri-
pedition. The mystery of the North Pole.-Dr. John
rrives in England with information and relics of Frank-
party.-His report to the Secretary of the Admiralty.-
er to the Times.-Discussions at the Royal Geographical
iety. Connecting links of information.-Probable truth
some former disbelieved reports.-Safety of the Enterprise.
Further precise information of the death of Sir John Frank-
and his party, with records and relics brought home' in
eptember, 1859, by Captain M'Clintock, of the Fox.-His
eport to the Admiralty.-The Resolute found and presented to
the Queen.

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