Whale Fish Island
July 4th 1845

My dear Jack,

I do sincerely hope this will find [you] recovered from the effects of your most unfortunate accident often indeed have I thought of it since knowing that it was your kindness in executing my commissions led you into such a trap – There is no excuse for them at the Ship, in that I have no patience with such carelessness.
Well old boy we were a long time getting clear of the coast of England & Orkneys our passage across was very boisterous however we are safely moored here & busy clearing the Transport – How full we shall be but I am still in hopes we shall be able to stuff into her three [next page] years provisions from the present time. Our steering is decidedly improved by the alterations in the counter we now sail much more evenly with Erebus which is advantageous to us in many ways. Bergs are numerous this year but we did not stand far enough to the west to make the packed Ice on our passage up Davis Straits.
We were two days at Stromness. Steamers towed us about 50 miles to West’d of Land – Rattler towed the two Vessels at about 5 miles an hour – not bad I think – I would rather be on a Sailing Vessel I mean as a Command. Well Jack I wonder when we shall again meet – some years no doubt – this season will have a good deal to do with our future operations if we can only make a good hit at the first, it will be most glorious – All going on as well as I could wish, every one has fallen very speedily into their places and things are progressing quietly.
My time I find is fully occupied with observations of various kinds which I have not as yet instructed our youths in although they are full of zeal and anxiety to do well. Living alone is the great drawback to me, but I know well it cannot be otherwise. I belong to the gregarious tribe of animals I believe but I do not pine much when alone. My Tea and Sugar has not yet turned up the latter is to me a great loss – however that will be a triffle [sic] if we only make a good season work of it – I am sending three men home in Transport reducing my compliment to 62 from 68 which we know is quite enough too many [page] I would say still. In Fury if you recall we had only 58 or 60 but now we have more officers which would make us about the same number of working men – If you see anything in newspapers about us send one old Boy to my Sisters 2 Sandford Place Dublin. I mean if it is so that it would give them a favourable impression as to our movements.
I intend writing a line to old Bird before we leave. God bless you old Boy and that you may not have any bad effects from your unfortunate accident is the prayer of your Loving friend

[signed] F R M Crozier

[Envelope addressed to: John Henderson, Esq., 2 Lower Eaton St, Pimlico, London
Henderson was Midshipman with Crozier on HMS Fury in 1821-2.]

Administrative / biographical background
John Henderson had been a midshipman at the same time as Francis R M Crozier and James Clark Ross on the first voyage of the FURY into the Arctic in 1821 under William Edward Parry. The three midshipmen were promoted to lieutenant with seniority dated 26 December 1822. Henderson did not progress any further in his career in the Navy and was still listed as a lieutenant in 1845. The Arctic Navy List (compiled by Clements Markham) states he was part of the company of the Royal Arctic Theatre and had Cape Henderson named after him on Somerset Island.