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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D8760/F/FSJ/2/1/1
Former ReferenceD3311/53/86
TitleJournal excerpts, in the hand of John Franklin, relating to the expedition to find the North Pole
Date27-29 Jun [1818]
DescriptionDisappointment at being constrained by ice. Describes boat being surrounded by walruses, four of which were killed. Men up all night pulling on the boats. Describes overland pursuit and killing of deer: hopes for divine forgiveness for killing them on a Sunday. Describes search, in company with Mr Fisher, for a suitable place for landing instruments: constrained by fog: proved too late for optimum sighting.
The text bears successive dates: Saturday 27 July [sic - presumably an error for June]; Sunday 28 June, Monday 29 June. Content indicates the year 1818.
Extent2 items
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
SenderJohn Franklin
Sender LocationNo address
RecipientNo recipient
Recipient LocationNo address
Archive CreatorSir John Franklin (1786-1847)
Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Transcript or IndexSaturday July 27th

The men we had this day of the Ice(?) gave very little very little encouragement to our anxious hope and wish of getting immediately to the Northward – such a continued ____ ______ extending from Clover Cliff – Westward as far as Eye could reach – after the late robust(?) gales we have had – was no small disappointment – to all – to myself I confess a great one – for I had fondly endulged the hope they would at last have opened such streams as to enable the ships to to advance many miles ^North^ Eastward of our present position(?) – after noon the current was observed to have changed and the Ice(?) which had past in the morning fast returning & by remaining when we the ships were then abreast of Clover Cliff about 4 miles distant – It(?) was my ____ they would soon have been ____ ____ and the wind had completely gone – dark heavy clouds to the SW led us to expect it would come from that quarter. The ships were surrounded by I have remarked however seen we have been among the Ice(?) ^that^ clouds are by no means to be considered as ^the infallible^ ____ of bad weather or wind – which they are in other situations. Those seen this Evening to the SW mustered(?) ____ any other wan(?) to in any other ^place apart from the Ice^ have caused the ships to reef and prepare for a gale – but here having experienced and learnt that Ice is ^the^ greatest macerrator(?) of ____ it was not thought necessary to take those precautions. Advantage was taken of the calm to attack some of the numerous ____ by which the ships were surrounded. ____ ____ __ out of Four killed by our Boats. The Commodore(?) made the signal about 8PM(?) to that he should anchor – and we perceived by the directions in which he was steering that he had determined on doing so – between ____ ____ and Clover Cliff – we of course(?) prepared – and followed him in the light air and later it was in we made but slow progress and were obliged to have the assistance of our Boats to ____ us – as we approached nearer the Land it was perceived a current also assisted - __ __ their ____ we did not reach the anchorage before 4AM and then had some in bringing the ship up on account of the drift Ice which pressed heavily against us – before the anchor had got good hold – we were secured about half past four. We had soundings from 22 feet(?) / ____ then abreast of the points of bagel(?) ____ Clover Cliff 18 17 15-12-9 keeping nearer to the ____ side which I apprehended is the best ____ we however increased again to 10-12 13 15 & 18 ____ ____ by the current before a place was sufficiently clear of Ice to anchor let go the anchor with the hope of its reaching the bottom – we got that at length and anchored in 17 ____ with a sandy Bottom about ½ mile from bagel(?) ____ - This anchorage appears to me to offer shelter against any winds but ____ and particularly desirable for any ships situated as we are whose object is to narrowly watch the movement of the Ice and ____ be ^helping(?)^ ready for taking immediate advantage of any openings – From the Hills you can Command a far more extensive ^view^ than from a ship mast head miles in advance of that position and and the different channels between the other Islands ensure your getting out with any winds – The only thing ^____^ to be apprehended I think is that the drift Ice may start your anchors – and if not anchored with chains ^are not ____^ the cables be ____ injured.

Sunday June 28th.

The weather this morning was lowering(?) and unsettled wind varying very much – but generally blowing from SW with sleet & snow. From the circumstance of the men having been up nearly the whole of last night, pulling in Boats ^& very fatigued^ We had not divine service - - Some Reindeer were seen on the Rocks fast(?) opposite a party of officers went after them - and though those as ___ get were they successful in bringing on board two others – many more were seen afterwards and different parties went in pursuit of them. The Deer were so truly valuable as provision and refreshment that I waved the objection I should otherwise certainly have had against ^any^ devoting this day to the purposes of such amusement. I trust the almighty Father will pardon this transgression against his positive command to hallow his Sabbath ________________ and if an error pity(?) the weakness of my judgement The diversion afforded infinite ____ gratification to those who partook in it and no small amusement to those who remained(?) onboard the ship. The latter were in general Eyewitnesses of the whole proceeding of the former – and often saw the Deer ____ before the ____ for us on, onshore(?) and one party went finding the Deer decrease on the side facing to the ships went round the Point and on climbing up the mountain discovered on ____ of six which they of chased ever to the Top – and there their ____ would not allow them to cease but placing themselves in a sitting posture they followed them down a gulley filled with snow which reached to the bottom, to the great astonishment of all onboard who witnessed the ____ with some no inconsiderable apprehension for their safety – but they were perfectly indifferent to any such apprehension, and worse(?) or two were observed to fire at the Deer from(?) that posture in their descent(?) - ^so keen were they^ a party were luckily at the base to take advantage of their ____ and ^seeing the Deer^ were ____ for them three were in consequence killed out of the six, but none I believe by the men who so richly deserved the Prize – a Deer was taken alive in the act of swimming from the Island – it would appear from that and other instances we saw had ____ they immediately have no hesitation in resorting to the water whenever either pressed hard(?) or wounded – they were immediately shaved(?) – and prepared for Eating.
I went onboard Commodore(?) and found he had intention of landing the Instruments and that Mr. Fisher was gone in search of a convenient place. This was particularly pleasing intelligence to me, for I had considered it very desirable since it the gale had had no effects of in(?) opening a passage and that unfortunately there was ^yet^ no prospect of getting snow(?) Northwards not(?) we should occupy our time in making those observations which by some ^of our friends^ were anxiously expected – while the Fair weather might be expected to last -_- Mr. Fisher assured(?) snow – and arrangements were made for landing the Instruments on the next day –

Monday June 29th

The morning was beautifully fine – the bright sun shone perfectly clear – Mr. Fisher ____ and myself left the ship with the ____ intention of taking sights for ____ on the Island. Mr. F. had on the ____ ____ Evening(?) fixed on as the best situation for erecting the observatory it appeared however at so great a distance as to preclude(?) the probability of getting there reaching it in time for favourable sights and we landed on the SE end of ____ ____ not without hoping that might offer from thence we might obtain all the observations and task(?) sights = ____ was procured(?) the ____ would interfere with Evening observations – and it become necessary to remove to some other place. The most = favourable appeared to be an Island due South about 2 miles distant – on which it was clearly seen the C(?) would be visible throughout the day – we immediately directed our course for it – but unfortunately reached too late forgetting any sights to determine the error of the watch(?) and consequently – had not the opportunity of putting the transit immediately at the Meridian(?) – some attitudes were taken in the ____ hope of getting equal ones in the afternoon – but before that time – a dense ____ spread over the Sun and its limits were scarcely distinguishable – to be distinguished – nor could any single ones be afterwards be obtained on which the best ____ could be placed.
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