Returning to my manuscript:
At almost the most northerly point of the Sabine Peninsula Richards, upon reaching the promontory later named after him, made the following remarkable journal entry:
We were full of hope (although as yet no traces of the missing expedition had been discovered). We had examined 300 miles of new coast, and were good for 200 more. The people in good health and spirits; though it must be confessed somewhat lower in bodily strength than when they left the ship; and we had every reason to hope, that with the resources at our command, we should get to the westward of Melville Island, and find, at any rate, some indications of those we came to seek, should they have ever entered the Polar Sea. At [6:30 p.m.] we parted with the customary cheers; and the sledges were soon out of sight of each other…to our great surprise we crossed a sledge track, which appeared [to be] very recent. I immediately halted the sledge, and followed them back to the eastward. After an hour’s quick walking, we saw an encampment, and, on coming up to it, found it to be a party from the Resolute, under Lieutenant Hamilton. The surprise of himself and his party may be imagined, at being awoke from their dreams by the hail of a stranger.
Overcoming his surprise, Hamilton took great joy in informing Richards of the successful rescue of the Investigators, and that he had no further need to search to the north and west, because the Resolutes and Intrepids had already covered it. Richards could choose between heading back to the Assistance with Hamilton’s despatches and the news of the rescue, or rejoining Osborn and continuing to explore Cornwallis Island’s western coast.
There was nothing in Richard’s orders to direct him to go south or to reach Kellett in person onboard HMS Resolute. He could construe Belcher’s instructions about the sealed letter in a way that could compel him to deliver it in person, but the orders didn’t really read this way. He wasn’t meant to seek out a superior officer, only hand the letter over if he came across officers under either Kellett or Collinson. Perhaps he was curious about the Investigators? Perhaps he wanted to congratulate Kellett and his men on their success? Without any record of his reasons one can only speculate.
However, though Belcher had given him a great deal of latitude, he had ordered Richards to head to the north and west. Sledging to Resolute was almost due south, and added 200 miles to his trip. From his current location it was the same distance to reach Resolute, as it would’ve been to get ⅔ of the way back to the Assistance. So he must have had very strong motivation to subject himself and his men to this additional arduous travel. In the end, Richards’ desire to meet with Kellett outweighed all other considerations.
Hamilton’s orders from Kellett were to proceed down the eastern shore of Melville Island, but Richards, as the senior officer at their meeting, instead ordered him to overtake Osborn, using his smaller and faster satellite sledge, so he could fully inform him about the Investigators’ rescue. Richards set off toward the south along the western shore of the Sabine Peninsula. At 20:00 on 30 May, Richards saw a small encampment in the distance. He discovered it was a party led by Pim, en route to Cape Fisher to place a depot there for McClintock. Pim showed Richards the safest and quickest route to Resolute. Strong winds alternated with thick fog as Richards made his way, and by 1 June he reached Separation Ravine.
To his delight while standing on a high pass, Richards saw Resolute and Intrepid in the frozen distance about ten miles to the south, beyond the next ravine. Descending, the ravine narrowed until the men had to unload everything, and use block and tackle to pull the sledge on its side. It took them three tedious hours to get through. Then the mile wide beach they faced had very little snow cover, and it took three hours to cross it. Finally they reached the floe. Trying to advance with speed their many slips and falls slowed them right down again.
Richards hobbled on ahead alone, and Roche’s diary gives a humorous account of his surprising arrival at Resolute, since no one expected to see a single man approaching, hobbling along with a bamboo cane.
Richards hobbled on ahead alone, and Roche’s diary gives a humorous account of his surprising arrival at Resolute, since no one expected to see a single man approaching, hobbling along with a bamboo cane.
….those onboard were vey much astonished by the arrival of a stranger….A superstitious old quartermaster had the morning watch, and came on deck about 5 o’clock, when he was astonished to see a man or spirit stalking up and down the deck with a long pole in his hand. He [the quartermaster] immediately bolted below again, and didn’t mention the circumstances. So the ghost had to walk below and search the cabins, until at last he found one inhabited. He then transformed himself into Commander Richards of the Assistance…
Richards found the ships almost deserted: everyone was out sledging. The few men onboard seemed like strangers to him, as well they were, being the most seriously ill Investigators and not men who were originally in the Belcher Expedition. The only familiar faces were those of George McDougall, who was the highest ranking officer left in charge, and Emille De Bray. An hour later the rest of his Assistances arrived.
….those onboard were vey much astonished by the arrival of a stranger…A superstitious old quartermaster had the morning watch, and came on deck about 5 o’clock, when he was astonished to see a man or spirit stalking up and down the deck with a long pole in his hand. He [the quartermaster] immediately bolted below again, and didn’t mention the circumstances. So the ghost had to walk below and search the cabins, until at last he found one inhabited. He then transformed himself into Commander Richards of the Assistance…
Richards found the ships almost deserted: everyone was out sledging. The few men onboard seemed like strangers to him, as well they were, being the most seriously ill Investigators and not men who were originally in the Belcher Expedition. The only familiar faces were those of George McDougall, who was the highest ranking officer left in charge, and Emille De Bray. An hour later the rest of his Assistances arrived. De Bray departed immediately to tell Kellett of Richards’ arrival, Kellett promptly headed back to camp.