Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-23

an exner;enced crew Of Nantucket seamen with
such an open sea before them!
The results of the recent attempts OF hoss,
Parry, and Franklin, are well known, ana tue
reasons Of the suspensions OF their enortS We n
altogether unconnected with the necessary ORR
culties Of their situations
They effected enough, however, to show tna',
with the advantages of the experience acquired
through their enterprises, a much more eHlcieh'
attempt might now be made.
Hitherto, the objects proposed by all these
polar voyages have either been for the improve
ment of the whaling business, or tor the DISCO
very of Northwest passage. In consequence
whereof. one set of explorers have been led at
once to the borders of the field ice, for the pur-
nose of seeking the objects Of their trade, while
others. engaged in seeking for a passage, have
naturally endeavored 10 find it by scrutinizing
the BAYS and coasts of the Northern parts OF the
continent. Thus, both have been unavodably
withheld from advancing beyond certain de-
Gree. bv the necessary formation OF ice, which
extends from the shore for many leagues into
the main ocean.
II is impossible, therefore, that voyages thus
conducted should be more successful than the
preceding, but, instead of pursuing this course,
the exploring vessels, setting out IN the most
favorable season Of the year, and keeping, as
far as possible in md-ocean, might advance
much farther to the North or South, without
the imDedimenls experienced while creeping
around the indentalions of the coast, or making
way among numerous Islands, each OF which
serves as point OF retardation, by aHording the
means of support and extension OF the earliest
ice which forms.
\, nc
fore the expiration of the summer season the
farthes, point is attaintd-the prospect OF pass
ipp the winter in safety there is equally great
if not greater, than it would be near to the shore
of any part of these regions; and alter one win
ter passed in such situation, the succeeding OPP
era,iye period might, it is believed, be employed
TO much greater advantage than 1t could posi-
bly, be according to any OF the attempts hither-
| TO made.
| The first and most interesting question to be
determined, is, whether the figure Of the earth
at the poles is that of an obate spheroid, as has
been so long maintained, or whether it may NOS
| be some other shape, which may more satlslac-
torily account for many circumstances and phe-
nomena now apparently inexplicable
| The settlement Of this question is connected
immed ately with world of important and
useful investigation, which would exercise
| pervading influence in every department OF hui
man science and industry.
| Secondary to this great object, such an e1pe-
dition could scarcely fail to lead to the most sa-
tisfactory and useful observations on natural
history especially concerning the winter re-
treats Of those sea animals which are peculiar
ly interesting, as sources OF commercial pros
Derity The hunting OF the whale and seal,
heretofore carried on with SO much vlgor, has
produced the natural and necessary consequence
Of rendering those animals timid and fewer in
number, by their destruction, without reference
10 season.
This makes it extremely desirable that new
situations should be explored, where these ami
mails may be found in greater abundance, and
procured with less uncertainty and risk. The
result of the voyages, heretofore, show satisfac-
torily, that the objects of value to this branch
of commercial enterprise are to be found with
great facility in the remote polar regions.
Parry informs us that the number of whales,
in high ATTITUDES, was astonishing; that not less
than fifty were seen in the course Of one watch;
in other places, they seen sporting in shoals
like porpoises.
We NAV also state, that human beings have
been found as far North or South as explora
tons have yet been made.
The discovery of Islands>of great size or e.
ven Continent to the South, is not 100 much
to be hoped for, if we may be allowed to draw
any inference from the obvious indications at
forded by analogy, the observations Of expe-
rienced navigators, or the natural signs presen-
ted by currents, sc. already known to exist in
those regions. The great probability that
such discoveries may be made, is coupled
with certainty, that the profit to be derived
from them, in commercial point ofview, espe-
cialIy in animal furs, OIL &c. may hereafter be
pursued to the great advantage Of our common
country.
We venture the assertion that the land Of
the Sea Otter will be found in the South.
But, abstract from all theoretical ideas, the
following conclusions may be deduced by every
impartial observer of the facts hitherto collec-
ted on this subject:
|. The expeditions hitherto fitted out, have
not returned because it was impracticable to
proceed further.
9. Those who have gone farthest have, in
more than one instance, put back with an open
sea before them.
3. The experience acquired by preceding at
Of oh a on az paHI