Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-06-09
ACCOUNT OF NEW DISCOVERIES.


Made by Capt. Haddington, in Tie North Sea-
In the month OF April last, the Royal So
ciety Of London held meeting with a
view TO further the researches made by
Capt. Parry, and TO ascertain 10 greater
extent the state Of the polar regions, Hith.
erto their efforts had been rendered abor.
tive by the obstruction of the ice; but the
meeting came TO the conclusion that one
more effort should be made, and if that
failed, the project should be abandoned
entirely. Accordingly they passed a vote
that $4,000 should be raised for this OBJ
ject, and that vessel should be fitted on
a new plan, and the command given to
Capt. James Haddington, an experienced
navigator, who had long been engaged in
successful whaling and sealing voyages. -
The ship was built of most sn bstaniial ma
terials, copper sheeted, and completely
enclosed in strong net work of iron, to
serve as defence against the wearing or
the conclusion Of ice; she was likewise
provided with two steam engines, one for
pIopelling her as occasion might require,
and the other for working set of saws, SO
adjusted as to move with astonishing force
and rapidly, and TO be capable of clear.
ing away the ice, without materially OBJ
structing the progress of the vessel. She
was called the Falmouth, and a more du-
rable ship was never launched.
Captain Haddington set sail from Fal.
mouth on the LIST Of May last, with $50
seamen; all hardy and experienced hands,
who had been employed in several voya-
ges TO the northern seas, Every man was
furnished with four thicknesses of stout
flannel TO serve as underdress, fur jack.
ct and over coat, cap, mittens, and neck
tippet. In the ships cabin were eight fur.
naces for the purpose of burning sea coal.
Accompanying the expedition were DIR.
WIN. Bentley, +. r. S. Mr.. John Colds.
bury, A. NJ. Of the Oxford University, and
several other scientific gentlemen OF high
attainments in geology and natural history.
The Falmouth arrived on The Southern
coast Of Greenland on the 30ih of June,
,houthavng met any unusual occurrence
all hands being in good health and fine
spirits. They stopped short time to re-
fit, some Of the hands in the mean time
amusing themselves with catching and
shooting bears. The weather, however,
becoming more intensely cold, they began
TO be more reluctant TO venture abroad,
and Capt. Haddington not wishing 10 de-
lay the voyage, set sail in north by west
direction. He was now compelled to make
use Of clearing engine, and found it to
answer very good purpose. In two or
three instances the ship came very near
being foundered by the icebergs, several
of which had reached the height Of eight
hundred feet. He, however, escaped by
passing rapidly between them.
The intense hrilIiancy Of The northern
lights enabled him TO prosecute his plans.
and although the thermometer was below
freezing point, yet such was the clearness
and serenity of the weather, that they as
yet experienced no Inconvenience. Ow.
ing TO the distractions Of the ice, their
progress was retarded. being enabled TO
make Roadway Of only about forty miles
in twenty-four hours, sometimes getting
into an open sea. and at others being i'm
peded by the ice. The men became a.
verse TO staying long upon the deck in con.
sequence of the increasing cold, and Capt.
Haddington found it necessary 10 change
hands al short intervals during the remain.
der of the voyage. He reached the nor
tbern extremity of Greenland on the and
Of August. Here the cold was so intense
that spirits froze in the cabin. and the
men were subject TO bleeding at the mouth
and nose The weather moderating, he
determined TO persevere, and succeeded
| with the utmost difficulty in gaining 500
miles farther than had ever yet been ex.
plOred,