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IN T R O D U C T IO N .
M E M O R A N D U M A C C O M P A N Y IN G T H E IN S T R U C T IO N S .
“ We deem it advisable that the ship should be in Beering’s Strait
by the 10th of July, and that she should remain at some appointed
rendezvous until the end of October, or to as late a period as the
season will admit, without incurring the risk of being obliged to winter
there.
“ At present we know of but one place on the eastern shore of
the strait which we can recommend as a rendezvous for both parties,
viz, Kotzebue’s Sound; there it appears the ship may remain with all
winds. Desirable as it is to take up a more northerly position than
this, in order that the voyage of Captain Franklin’s party in open
boats may be shortened; yet, admitting the possibility of deep inlets
on the coast, it is evident that the boats of Captain Franklin would
have more difficulty in searching for the ship in them than in proceeding
at once to the above-mentioned sound; and the certainty of
finding the ship at a fixed point would be more satisfactory to Captain
Franklin.
“ In order, however, to lessen as far as possible the difficulties of
the land party (still preserving the fixed rendezvous), it is recommended
that a party, well armed, and having a supply of provisions
and fuel, shall be left at Chamisso Island with a boat; or, if it be necessary,
the defences of the island may be strengthened by the two forecastle
guns, which, with a strong boat’s crew, will be sufficient to protect
the only landing-place in the island against any force the natives can
bring, should they be hostile *.
“ Leaving this party at the rendezvous, the Blossom may proceed
to examine the coast, assisted by her decked launch, keeping in-shore
of her; and signals then can be regularly placed on every conspicuous
cape or height, according to the mode agreed upon, for the purpose of
• T h is erroneous idea was suggested by Captain Kotzebue’s account o f the island,
arising no doubt from a bad translation.
directing Captain Franklin’s attention to bottles containing written
information, which will be buried at each station.
“ In this manner it is proposed, circumstances permitting, to navigate
from Kotzebue’s Sound northward, and then eastward as far as
the state of the ice will allow, following up every opening, and never
quitting the main shore. The distance to which the ship can proceed
to the eastward will be limited by the lateness of the season, and the
necessity of avoiding the hazard of being beset in the ice and obliged
to winter.
“ Fog-signals and night-lights will of course be established between
the launch and the ship; and should the launch part company with the
ship, it will proceed to the last formed signal station, and there await
the junction of the ship; but if she does not arrive there in five days,
the launch is to prosecute the voyage along shore, in search of Captain
Franklin, but not to go so far as to put the certainty of returning to
Chamisso Island by the 30th of September at any risk, by which date
the ship will also have arrived there; and Captain Franklin will proceed
to the same place should he not have met either the ship or launch
before.
“ During the time the Blossom remains in Kotzebue Sound, a
party will be directed to proceed inland on a north course, if practicable,
in order that should the coast of the Polar Sea be within reasonable
distance, signals may be erected upon the heights for Captain Franklin,
whose party may by this means be spared a long journey round the
N . W. promontory of America. At this and every other station where
information is deposited of Captain Beechey, it is advisable that a
request in the Eussian language be also placed, that this information
be not taken away, or the signals disturbed.
“ Since the transmission of the above, Captain Franklin has received
his instructions from Earl Bathurst, the contents of which have been
made known to Captain Beechey, and the only addition which we think
necessary to make is, that in the event of Captain Franklin arriving
at an early period at Icy Cape, or at the N . W. extremity of America,
or in the longitude of Icy Cape (161“ 42' W.), and returning the same
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