| Description | 7 pages of text.
22 Nov 1849 (received 22 Jan 1850) - Circumstantial account (dates 19th May to 19th October) from Henry Kellett, Captain, of the Herald to The Secretary of the Admiralty, London. Captain Kellett reports of proceedings (including technical navigational information) since leaving Oahu in search of the Franklin Expedition. He reports of arriving at the Point of Petropaulski after a voyage of 35 days in light winds and good weather. On encounters with American whalers he learns that the 'Plover' had not been to Petropaulski but that a vessel was wintered somewhere to the northward. He decides to make for the ship if he can do so without loss of time. Captain Kellett describes how he encounters the schooner 'Nancy Dawson' (Royal Thames Yacht Club) which is owned and commanded by Mr Sheddon, who has made his way from Hong Kong on the search for Franklin. On the 15th July he makes contact with the 'Plover' (Commander Moore), anchored off Chamiso Island and distribution of coal and provisions, and exchange of naval staff take place. Captain Kellet writes about the abundance of whales and whaling ships during the surveillance voyage between islands and the trade between the ships native inhabitants in their boats (baidars). 'Women selling their fur dresses and breeches for tobacco and beads'. He describes the ice conditions, the degrees of its impenetrability, and the wildlife; birds, walrus,' seals etc. Amongst the naval staff and sailors on board the 'Herald' are Mr. Goodridge, surgeon, and Mr Seeman, naturalist. Captain Kellett writes about the 8 (unnamed) plant and rock specimens collected from an unknown triangular shaped island measuring 4½ miles in extent east and west and approximately 2½ north and south (approached from the south east side in their two boats, in heavy seas) on which he and the first lieutenant (Mr. Maguire) hoisted the Union Jack in the name of Queen Victoria (Messrs. Seeman, Collinson, Goodridge and Pakenham are unable to alight due to high sea). Kellett writes that he thinks they had discovered 'an extensive land', the peaks of which could be a continuation of the range of mountains seen by the natives off Cape Jakan (coast of Asia), mentioned by Baron Wrangell in his Polar voyages. Captain Kellett reports on the difficult ice conditions which Liuetenent Pullen of the 'Plover' described the' Nancy Dawson' having had encountered and how the natives had come to Mr Sheddon's aid. The report also includes latitudinal instructions of where provisions have been dropped. Kellet states that he has sent copies to their Lordships of Mr Pullen's public and private letters from which they will gain further detailed information than he could afford. He also commends Pullen's great strength and endurance in terms of prevalence of weather conditions and managing risks as the season draws in. Kellett writes of providing carpenters from his ship to assist in building a house- winter quarters for the 'Plover' ( nder Choris Peninsula). Kellett differs in his opinion of the native of Elephant Point to that of Captain Beechey whose experience was less positive and Kellett writes the reasons as being to do with having an interpreter who could explain why they were there amongst them and the Russian settlement. The letter ends at Mazatlan where he notes the previous arrival of the 'Amphitrite' and the 'Nancy Dawson'.
25 Sep 1849 (received 21 Jan 1850) - From Commander Moore of H.M. Discovery Ship 'Plover', Choris Peninsula, Kotzebue Sound, to the Secretary of the Admiralty. In the opening of the letter Commander Moore informs the Lordships of the Plover's general proceedings under his command at this period. This is his first communication to the Lords Commissioners since his last report dated August 1848 (Woahu, Sandwich Islands). He details the geographical course he has charted, including the weather and sailing conditions during his voyage to where he sailed into a bay on the S.W. coast of Siberia where, he sends out Mr. Henry Martin (second master) to examine an observed indentation in the land which was thought to be a river but which proved to be an extensive harbour with safe anchorage where they would over winter on the north side of the harbour (28th October; he later names the anchorage as Emma's Harbour). He writes about deployment of men and provisions in dismantling the ship to leave nothing but the lower rigging, building a stone house including forge which was completed on the 8th November, the ship becoming frozen in finally on the 18th which allowed the friendly natives from different tribes to visit them on their sledges drawn by dogs. Captain Moore reports of successful communication with the different tribes by members of his crew who had applied themselves to gain some knowledge of the language. this enabled him to be confident that they would find out whether the Erebus and Terror had been seen during the past year by any of the natives. He commends the officers their perserverance to the Lordships to this end. He gives an account of a party which left the ship in February to look for the reported remains of a vessel near East Cape and whom became lost for 4 days in very severe weather and suffered deep privations through extreme cold (dispatched Mr. William H Hooper, acting mate; Mr Henry Martin, second master; Mr. William H Moore, masters assistant, with two native guides). Information gained was that a vessel with one mast had been seen on the coast some considerable time ago, it had been wrecked on the American side where her stern-frame is still to e seen on the beach. Commander Moore writes about general recreational/sport activities, procurement of provisions through exchange of goods and ongoing ships duties during their time up to April when the ice had begun to break away from the ship. In June the Plover was released of ice and was at anchor in the harbour, where she was refitted. He writes of sighting the Herald on the 15th June exchange of officers Pullen and Lee and meeting with Captain Kellett; they join the Nancy Dawson in continuing the search (a copy of Moore's instructions to Lieutenant Pullen enclosed). The letter to the Admiralty concludes that 'Although every opportunity has been take advantage of to gain information from the natives as to Sir John Franklin and his party, he regrets that their labours have yet been unsuccessful'.
27 Sep 1849 - From Commander T.E.L Moore, Her Majesty's brig Plover, Choris Peninsula, Kotzebue Sound to Captain Henry Kellett, C.B., Her Majesty's ship Herald. This is a letter calling to the notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty commending the advancement of Messrs. Martin, Hooper and Lindsay for their services and conduct in performing the various overland expeditions in the previous season's inclement weather. He praises Mr. John Lindsay in acquiring some of the native language which in his opinion 'greatly facilitated communication' by which they were provided with 'much useful information'.
17 Jul 1849 - A short section which summarises a long correspondence between the commanding officers with logistical and practical proposals in their exploration of the coast (Cape Lisburne) with enough provisions (70 days) to proceed as far as prudent in the search for the Franklin parties. The first of the letters is dated (17 July 1849), and is addressed by Commander Moore of the Plover, then lying off Chamisso Island to Captain Kellett of the Herald lying off Cape Krusenstern.
19 Jul 1849 - This is Captain Kellett's reply to Commander Moore while Kellett's ship the Herald is at sea off Cape Krusenstern (July 19 1849) whereby he refers to the orders from the Admiralty and alignment of what is proposed to do with the boat expedition along the coast of Georgia. Kellett refers to Commander Moore's 'matured opinion' to do with the 'navigation oficebound coasts' which would seem to slightly differ to their Lordships instruction in particular where the Plover should winter (instructed Kotzebue Sound) and the difficult sea conditions (cites example of the Fury), and perferred proposal of Grantley harbour. He concurs with Moore on the manner of examining the coast by the boats northerly. He recommends that the boats should be ordered to return to the Plover by the 21st September (in consequence of Sir George Simpson's letter relative to the resources of the Hudson Bay posts on the Mackenzie river). Kellett judges that he has written freely on his feelings and opinions about deployment of the ships in safety once he and Moore have decided on winter quarters for the Plover; the Herald's time after that in examining the ice line westerly, and of the shoals marked in Captain Beechey's chart. He ends the letter expecting that Commander Moore reply in similar way.
19 Jul 1849 - In reply to Captain Kellett, Commander Moore urges that for safety sake the boats should on no account be at any time out of sight of the ships. Setting out his objections as to why they should not proceed to Wainright's Inlet directly which is to do with concerns in change in the weather and loss of time.
4 Aug 1849 - Lieutenant Pullen writes of his current position and confidence in reaching the Mackenzie. He acknowledges Captain Moore's order to ake his way to York Factory and report to the Admiralty from where he shall go home with the Hudson Bay ships. The journalof Lieutenant Pullen's proceedings (August 4th - 24th) forwarded to Commander Moore by the returned decked-boats details, how they eventually got underway on Tuesday 7th, navigational and weather conditions, provisions (100 days worth) and men (14 in all). On coming to off Point Barrow for provisions and fuel Wednesday 8th (4a.m.); 5p.m. Mr Dunn Chief Officer of the Nancy Dawson yacht coming on board, having lost and recovered the bower anchor and some chain due to pressure of the ice. The journal gives brief information on the ambivalent nature of the relationship/ communication between themsleves and natives.
4 Aug 1849 - Commander Moore writes to Captain Kellet from sea complaining of the bad sailing qualities of the Plover, by which he is prevented from keeping within proper distance of any points of rendezvous for the boats without risking the safety of his ship. He uses this anxiety as his motive for placing his vessel in safe winter quarters as soon as possible. He writes again on the 26th September of his intention on the breaking up of the ice in Kotzebue Souind (where he then is), in 1850, to proceed to the northward, leaving informationof his position on Chamisso Island and on Choris Peninsula. In the postscript Commander Moore states his intention of communicating with Point Barrow in the ensuing year, and returning about the end of July.
22 Nov 1849 (received 21 Jan 1850) - Captain Henry Kellett, Herald, Mazatlan to the Secretary of the Admiralty, London. Whereby Captain Kellett asks if their Lordships deem it necessary for him to despatch another boat expedition to the Mackenzie River? And what quantity of provisions their Lordships wish to have deposited within the straits?
22 Nov 1879 (received 21 Jan 1850) - Captain Henry Kellett, Herald, Mazatlan to the Secretary of the Admralty London, informing of his intention to leave port at the end of the month for Guaymas where he shall refit and make a survey of the port, and the different ports and anchorages in the Gulf of California before 'returning here again for orders in March' from when he will sail for Oahu (Sandwich Islands) to provision for his northern voyage.
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