Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 7.djvu/290

 danger, as the 'Bellerophon' was engaged yard-arm to yard-arm with the 'Aigle,' a French seventy-four, and during the action the poop where he was stationed was repeatedly swept by the enemy's musquetry. Out of forty companions, only six, beside himself, escaped without wounds or death.

During the subsequent two years, Franklin, who was now mate, served in the Channel Fleet and the Rochefort Squadron, under Admiral Cornwallis, Lord St. Vincent, and Sir Richard Strachan.

He then joined the 'Bedford,' one of the convoy which escorted the Emperor of Brazils to South America. Immediately afterwards, he sailed in the Expedition against New Orleans, where he distinguished himself particularly in the attack on the American gun-boats, on which occasion he was wounded. His heroic conduct in this gallant affair was prominently mentioned in the official despatches, and led to his being promoted to a Lieutenancy in the 'Forth' which ship conveyed the Duchess d'Angouleme to France on the restoration of the Bourbons.

In 1818 commenced the brilliant series of Arctic Expeditions with which Franklin's name is so honourably associated. From the moment of their having been projected he evinced the strongest desire to be engaged in them, and he was indebted to Sir Joseph Banks, at that time President of the Royal Society, for the gratification of his wishes.

It has been stated, that, with the view of proving himself qualified for surveying operations, Franklin surveyed a portion of the City of London by triangulations taken from church steeples and towers, and that he was in a great measure indebted to the successful result of this undertaking for Sir Joseph Banks's patronage and support.

Sir Joseph, who had considerable influence with the Admiralty in all matters relating to Arctic exploration, strongly recommended his young friend for Arctic service, and he was accordingly appointed to the command of the 'Trent.' This ship, with the 'Dorothea,' formed an expedition under the command of Captain Buchan, the object of which was to attain the North Pole, and to enter the Pacific through Behring's Strait. The ship sailed in the early part of 1818, and reached the latitude of 80° 34' North, when the 'Dorothea' became disabled by severe pressure from the ice, and was incapable of proceeding further. But, although dangers of the most appalling