Led by Lieutenant Edwin De Haven, the team explored the accessible areas along Franklin's proposed route.
In April and December 1849, Lady Jane Franklin sent appeals to American President Zachary Taylor that the search continue.
[4] Sighting Greenland on June 20, the expedition made harbor at the Crown Prince Islands (Whale Fish) in Disco Bay.
After casting off to open water the next day, steady progress northward was made along the coast towards Lancaster Sound where they encountered Inuit hunters near Cape York,[5] at nearly 76° north.
[6] On the 22nd, they met with Captain Forsyth aboard the Prince Albert, who suggested a joint sledge search of the lower Boothian and Cockburne lands.
The Rescue had regained control to the south, and De Haven, judging that the expedition had not reached a point from which the search could be resumed,[7] decided to attempt a return of both ships home with the information gathered.
By October 1, the two ships were prepared for the long winter, with the upper decks covered, sails stacked and stove pipes set.
Several crew members began showing early signs of scurvy, against which Kane hunted seals and foxes to provide fresh meat.
Eight of the crew now displayed the blackened gums of scurvy as morale declined in the perpetual Arctic night, despite an improvised Christmas theatrical.
As March began, the decision was made to refit the Rescue for service, including hull repairs in a drydock carved from the surrounding ice.
The increased daylight, exercise and liberal rations of sauerkraut and lime juice began to reduce the symptoms of scurvy among the crew.
They reached the Whale Fish Islands on June 16, and recuperated for five days with the Inuit at Godhavn before setting out north to resume their search for Franklin.
Setting out as the ice cleared, they encountered British whalers, exchanging news, mail, and fresh provisions before briefly visiting Upernavik.
Rescue and Advance continued their efforts to reach the search areas of the open waters of Wellington Channel as the summer season faded early.
By August 17, they had pulled themselves to open water for the first time in nearly a month, and De Haven resolved to return home before winter caught them again.
In his official report, De Haven concluded that Franklin had probably made north for an unknown open sea following the winter near Beechy Island.
De Haven, despondent over the premature conclusion of the expedition, regarded the voyage "with sad hearts that our labours had served to throw so little light upon the object of our search.
"[3] In 1853, Kane led the Second Grinnell expedition, failing to locate any new information regarding Franklin and ultimately abandoning the Advance to the ice.