Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-11-13
The Arctic Expedition.

We are informed that when the Adrdnce and
Rescue were liberated from the ice after their
confinement of nine months, fresh gale watt
ed them along at rapid rate, and, there being
considerable sea on at the time, almost every
person on board was taken sick; old salts,'
ocean for many years were among the worst
sufferers. They were all taken aback by this
unmistakable evidence of greenhorn at sea
each one endeavoring to conceal his own case
for fear of the jibes and jeers of his compan-
ions but at last the bowels which had yearned
for disagreement obtained the mastery, and
the moment that one commenced his career of
casting up accounts, the majority of the crew
as if relieved from heavy responsibility, and
it seemed as if by common CONSENT sympa-
thetlc, npheavng, sickening consent-rushed
almost to man for the bulwarks Of the vessel,
and then and there gave full flow to their 'pent
up feelings without murmur of reproach
from any one. The scene was truly unpleas-
ant and comicaly ridiculous in the extreme
The change from their late floating sea in
colder latitude, with their manner of living
probably, is the only way this uncommon oc-
currence caa be accounted for. 1t was a ia
vorable termination for them, however, after
their sufferings from that epidemic, the scurvy,
and undoubtedly the fine healthy appearance of
all on board is more or less indebted to this
SicE fhair stnunacbS hai, n, aJ tbair
system was ready to receive fresh vitality from
every thing around, and last, though not least,
the prospect of being soon with their friends at
home.
The amusements of the crew while frozen
up in the ice were not of an extended or varied
nature, but nevertheless served to whilo away
the dull monotony of their Imprisonment, and
prevented the crew from relapsing into ndiffer
ence as regarded their fate and the objects of
their voyage, and also prevented any dissatis-
faction. These amusements, which consisted
of theatrical representations, skating, playing
at football, &C., were participated in by the
officers and crews of both vessels, they all hav-
ing taken their quarters on the Adrance-the
Rescue being entirely abandoned until on such
time as there was prospect of escaping from
their perilous situation, which at that time
seemed very improbable. The deck of the
vessel was housed in, and was the place of ex-
hibition, green room, SC. the quarter deck
was the stage, (not all the worldly and the
crew the actors. On the 4th Of July, 1850, off
Devils Thumb, in latitude between 70 and 73,
and surrounded by an archipelago of icebergs,
ranging in height from $50 to 200 feet above
water, the scene was sublime and terrific As
far as the eye could reach, large bodies Of ice
rose towering towards the sky, one above an
other The effect upon one unacquainted with
such scenes, at first sight, can only be imag-
ined, not described. Many were ascended and
measured, but with the greatest difficulty. AT
this time was the warmest day experienced in
that region-the mercury 40 deg. below zero
The coldest day was on the 22d of February,
Washington's birth day, and averaged Al deg
below zero during the day.
The Danes are settled up north as far as
Upper Maria, but no farther have they ventured
The Esquimaux are very few in numbers be-
yond that.
The Esquimaux are represented as being
rather intelligent looking; but, upon becoming
acquainted with them, it was ascertained tha,
they knew but little aside from their fish
ing having no connexion whatever with any
other part Of The world, excepting through
their intercourse with small number of Dane.
who have settled there, they consequently fee
but little interested in anything that transpire
in other parts of the globe. Money could no
induce one of them to 60 to sea in vessel :
this seems strange, when it il considered tina
their chief and almost only employment il con