FURTHER SEARCH FOR SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 636, 19 May 1852, Page 2

FURTHER SEARCH FOR SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

Dr. Shaw, the Secrefaiy to the Geographical Society, read the following uiteieiting communication from Cant. Beatson, proposing anew plan of search for the missing expedition: — " Moorgate-street. Jan. 12, 1852. "Sir, — The subject of search for Sir John Fianklin having been so frequently discussed by the inembeis of

this scientific society and others well acquainted with the navigation of the Polai legions, 1 think it would be presumptuous in me to attempt an explanation of my reisons for commencing the seaich from the north-west of Behnng's Straits. 1 believe that manyarpof opinion that a liigli northern latitude may ho reached through the open wntei seen by Wrangel, and that subsequently an eastern passage may be forced by a screw-steamer. I may, lion over, be peimitted to mention that this is no hnsfy idea of mine, but one which 1 have had in contemplat on for above two yen ri. On my airival from Africa at the cJose of i 8 19, after the return of Sir James Ross, I began to think seriously of the piobable causes of Sir John Franklin's detention, and while in Russia last winter, in speaking upon the subject with some officers of the Imperial navy who had been in the Arctic Seas, I found that their opinions were exactly the bfimo as mine, namely, that Sir John would pass to the northwaul of the Pairy Islands, and never think of turning back till in the meridian of Bebring's Stiaits. 'I hey were al->o of opinion that when he anived thus far lie would be pi evented getting to the southward by a chain of islands extending fai to the westward, a continuation, in fact, of the Pan v Islands. Supposing now, Fianklin to have succeeded in getting so far to the westward, and [being stopped there, it cannot be imagined that he would telinquish the attempt to go tbiougb this List bainer to all Ins hopes, and the realization of the passage into the Paciiic, to retrace his steps from a point which may have taken four y ears to reach. What would a brave man do in such a case? Certainly not to retreat in two or even three years, paiticuldily if, n& we hope, they have met with sufficient animal food tosuppoit them. I believe Sir John Franklin to be somewhere to the nor.h of Bahnng's Straits, and certainly not f,u to the eastward ; and in that belief I wrote to Lady Franklin in October last, stating my plan and soliciiing her assistance, which I am happy to say, was immediately given. 1 have since then excited myself in selecting a suitable vessel, which I have puicbased, and which is now in dock undergoing 1 the necessary alterations. She ia a schooner of neaily 200 tons, but capable of carrying a much larger quantity. 1 intend fitting her with three separate engines of eight horse power each with separate boilers by which arrangement I can effect an immense saving of fuel by only working one or more engine as circum stances may require. In addition to this, J take a steam launch, with an engine of live horse power. My crew will consist of only 15 men and myself. I shall, by a careful .selection of piovisions, be enabled to take enough for five yeais. The whole of these arrangements I expect to have completed and be able to leave England by the end of next month, and to proceed direct to the Sandwich Islands, whence, having filled up with coal, &c, to push on for the Straits, -which I hope to be able to enter by the middle or latter end of July. When there, of course I must be guided by the condition of the ice. If there is a possibility of getting to the noith, on or about the meridian of the Straits, I shall do so ; otherwise, 1 intend pushing my way to the northtwest till I ariive at the open water seen by Wrangel, when, perhaps, I may be able to get to the north and then to the east. Should I not succeed in getting so far along the coast this year, I might employ the spring (before the bieaking up of the ice) in an attempt to reach that land seen by Captain Kellett from Herald Island, and thus be enabled to perform one part of the scheme proposed by Lieutenant Pirn. I would next in the spring push away to the north and east, in which direction I believe I shall eventually find some traces of our missing ships. I consider it would have been desirable (and in fact it was my fiist intention) to have bad another smaller sciew steamer as a tender, and of far greater power. lam sorry to say that I am not able to accomplish this, but am, nevertheless, determined to go in tha best way I can. " I have the honour to be, Sir, 11 Your obedient humble servant, " Donald Beatson. " Sir R, Murchison, President of the Royal Geogi aphical Society." Captain Fitz Roy, Sir Woodbine Parish, the President, and Mr. W lnto, addressed some observations to the meeting, in all of which a hope was expressed that Franklin and some at least of his brave companions | might still be alive. The plan of Captain Beatson was most favourably ! received, and a resolution was unanimously adopted, " That his generous and noble devotion deserved the countenance and support of the society." It was announced that a subscription list in aid of Captain Beatson's undertaking would be opened at the Society's rooms, and that handsome coniubuhons had been made by Lord Kllcsmere, Admual Beaufort, Mr. Barrow and others. The chief cost of his enterprize will, however, fall upon Captain Beatson himself.