Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1850-05-18
THE POLYN ESIAN.
HONOLULU, SATURDAY. MAY ls.

4
/ ARCTIC EXPEDITION are Indebted
to Henry KelIett, Esq. Captain of Her Bri-
tanic Majesty's ship Herald, for late copies
Of English papers Containing much interest
ing matter in regardsto the expeditions fitted
out to render assistance to the Erebus and
Terror, under command of Sir John Frank
lin. In May of last year, we published
brief sketch of the voyage of the ''Herald"
up to that time. From the published Jour-
nal of Captain Kellett, we continue a sketch
of the cruise to the northward during ls49
our limited space not allowing the Publica-
tion of the entire account
Her Majesty's ship Herald,
Nov. 22d, 1919.
SIR:-Herewiih have the honor to trans
NIT, for the information of the Lords Com
missioners of the Admiralty, circumstan-
tial account Of my proceedings since leaving
Oahu on the 18th of May last.
Passing to the southwark of Oneehow and
Lisianky' s Island, and close to the position
of Byens's and Morrell's Islands, without
meeting with either of the two latter, we
sighted Kamtschatka at 6 a. IN. on the 22d of
June; there we picked up fresh gale off
the land, which ran me within mile of Cape
Gavarea, and left me in dead calm My
position would have been critical had | not
found at this distance bottom in 80 fathoms.
At daylight three ships were in sight off
the Point of Petropaulski, the mirage trans,
forming them into every imaginable shape
With light, variable winds, assisted by our
boats and a slight northerly current, we
reached an anchorage in the entrance, in l5
| fathoms, by Z p. m.
This voyage occupied IS days. and was
only remarkable for the lightness of the winds
the ineness of the weather, and the almost
entire absence of fog. "a hs1rs never having
elapsed without having obtained observations
either by day or night for the position of the
| ship.
The three vessels we have noticed proved
to be American whale ships that had also tow
ed in to an anchorage. boarded sne OF
them and learned that they had left the port
the day before, but having lost some men,
had returned to pick them up. From this
vessel also learned that the Plover had not
been to Petropaulski, but that report was
current of a vessel having wintered some
where at the northward.
This information determined me to 60 to
the anchorage with the ship, if could do so
without loss of time, getting at the same time
two boats ready to proceed there and obtain
information in case it should continue calm.
In our passage up the masters of the Amer
lean vessels came on board TO gain inforna-
L D,,br yyh
they were bound They informed me that
at least twenty American ships would pass
through those straits this year in conse-
quence of the success of one OF their vessels
last season. The master of the successful
vessel appears to have been an enterpris'ng
man. He having rowing commission. from
his owner, but having been neunsuccessiul 10
the Japanese Seas, and reading IN Captain
Beechey's voyage Of the number of whales
he had seen in the Arctic Sea, Determined
to 90 there. He did so, and succeeded, en-
tering the straits with clear ship, and re-
turning about six weeks after with four thou
sand barrels.
The Governor of Petropauski had not
heard Of vessel having swintered to the
northward, nor could he inform me from
what source such report could have sprung.
I / found lying here the Royal Thames
Yacht Club schooner Nancy Dawson, owned
and commanded by Mr.. Shedden, formerly
mate in the Royal Navy. He informed me
that his object in coming here was to GO
: through the straits, and as far north as pos
sible in search of Sir John Franklin s squad
ron.
| Atfa. m. 25th of June, weighed in calm
and towed out from the anchorage Got~a
light wind from the southwark, bringing with
it fog, though still not SO thick but tha'
both sides of the entrance could be SEEM
Continued beating out. In making stretch
. over to the eastern shore from Babouski Is
land the fog closed down over the rocks and
deceived me as to their distance. 81 hove the
shin in stays with the greatest confidence
bnt the whirls of the tide made her slack
and shot her on to the rocks before had time
to bring up with an anchor. !
The stream anchor and cable were laie
ont and.hove taught, and at I'D p. m. tne
shin was hove of into deep water, having
4 heen nearly three hours on shore. Fortu'
n.telv the water at the time was CLASSY
smooth. so that the ship lay perfectly quIe
: mill n short time before getting OH, whei
she lifted and struck heavily by the bow two
|, or three times, bringing away on each occa
: sion small pieces Of her false keel. Iht
shin made no water, and did not CONSIDER
her much damaged. Remained at anchor
( during the night. MT,
s. June 27.-At 10 a. m. we weighed, Will
light N E. wind. which took US clear OF TN q!
+ r shoals off the entrance and almost immed'
y a.ely we entered dense fog.
r
Running along the low land off Cape rs
+ nenbere. which we passed shortly after m,d
Is p;cht we had uninterrupted dayl'ght-th
= onlv difference between the light at mldnlgn
and noon being as the light of a Novemoe
day in England is to that ofs sumner 8 % one
a. we entered the sound, the wind gradu
,,lv l;phtened and veered to the eastward