ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 281, 7 February 1849, Page 3

ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

From tbJ general anxiety felt (o hear intelligence of the Arctic Expedition, and of the voyage undertaken more recently by Sir Jattles Clarke Ross, to ascertain, if possible, the fate of Sir John Franklin and hit party, we are sure that nnjr account from that quarter, however meagre, will be gratifying. We are happy to say we have received, through the attention of a Stromness correspondent, notice of fcir James Ros*, and the pro* greas he had made up to the date of the 2d July. Of course it it premature as yet to expect news of Sir John, Franklin, as the ships that went in search of him, having left England only in May list, have hardly had time to penetrate the higher latitudes. The point, however, which they had reached at the date above mentioned and the cheering account of the condition of the crews, give every reason to hope that befbrc the lapse of other two months the object of Sir James Ross's %oyage of discovery may be attained. The information, we have received it derived through the arrival at Stromness, on Tuesday last, of a Hull vessel, the cutter Bee, Captain Weld on, which went out for cod fish, and has returned with 8,000. Fiom the log book of the Bee our correspondent copied the following intel1 genee :— '* July 16. Spoke the schooner May-flour, Smith, who had »een the American whaler M'Lenntin, of New London, Jackicn mailer, with forty tons of oil. The American reports her Majesty's ships, under Sir J. C. Ross, as having reached Lieveley, Disco Island, on the 2d initant, all well ; and Captain Ross had left despatches for the Admi-alty, to foe forwarded by the first Danish veisel for Europe, aad that Captain Ross immediately proceeded in seirch of hit friend Sir J. Franklin. The crewi were all well." Slender aa this intelligence is, it it gratifying as indicating the success which had up to that time attended the expedition of discovery. Disco Island lies on the west coast of Greenland, at the entrance of Baffin's Bay, nearly 70 degrees of latitude" . It is a. dreary spot withscaicely any vegetation, and inhabited principally by reiti-deer. The bay of that name is extensive, being about IGO m,les in circuit. A voyage of five or six degrees farther north would lead to Barrow's Straits, and those regions where intelligence of Sir John Franklin is most likely to be procured. The circumstances under which Sir James undertook hia exploratory adventure were most favourable. The two ships, the Enterprise of 4?O tons, and the Investigator of 429, were builc as strong as wood and iron could make them, with due regard to their sailing qualities. They are larger and more elegant in appearance than the Erebus and Terror, which, were fi ted with screws, worked by steam under high pressure. The disadvantages resulting from this plan were obvious, the valuable portion of the vessel being occupied with cumbrous machinery. In the prrSent expedition these inconveniences are avoided. To etch ship it attached a launch boat, fitted with a screw propeller ; and these boats are so constructed aa to be easily stowed amidships ; whil*t the 6tram machinery, which is light and portable, occupies but little room, and csn be shipped and unshipped in a very short space of time. The intention of the launches were for the double purpose of towing the vessels, and in exploiing open sea during a dead raloi* The ships were fully provisioned for three years, and amply supplied with instruments for magnetical and meteorological observations. It is to be hoped, however, that long before the prospective term of these preparations shall have expired, the expedition will have accomplished its object. The discovery of Sir John Franklin inusC be made in the course of the present year, if he is ever heard of at all ; and, therefore, we »ha 1 look with great anxiety for the arrival of Sir James Ross's next despatches.— Edinburgh Advertiser, ARMY. 55th Foot.— G. JH. Wynyatd, Esq. (Page of Honour to the Queen Dowager), to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Denne appointed to 10th Foot. — Gazelle, Augutt 15. 58th Foot.— To be Ensigns, without purchase i Ensign G. J. H. Wynyard, from the 55th Foot, vice Middteton, promoted to the 96th Foot ; A. J Ford, Gent., vice Barker, promoted to the 96<b Foot ; S. Mayne, Gent, vice Garstin, promoted to the 06th Foot. 96th Foot:— Brevet Lieut. Colonel W. Hulme to be Lieut. Colonel without purchase. St. Helena Regiment. —Ensign and Adjutant J, Hajei to have the unit of Lieutenant—^m^w*/ 18.