Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-09
THE AMERICAN EXPLORERS III TfIri ARC.


TIC SEA-
The London Spectator makes copiSis extracts irom
volume by Mr.. Snow, giving narrative of the yoy.
age ofthe Albert, the vessel fitted GU, by Lady Frank
lin to go in search OF her husband Sir John Mr. Snow
was volunteer in the expedition, being great traveller
and wishing 10 inspect personally the Arctic regions
The Albert returned home without wintering in tina
frozen clime-the condition of the crew being such as
to render nexpedent and improper to prosecute the
voyage further
But MIR. Snow had the opportunity he sought
Without obtaining actual sight of the North Pole Ii
saw great deal ofthe neighborng country and the
cHcumlaeent waters--or rather mostly ce His de.
scIiptions drawn with ready hand in graphic
Sketches though rough ellis STYLE" says the Speea
tor lis vigorous; and the scenery and circum-
stances are so fresh, so wonderful and so excl.
ing to justify reflection. The snguiari.y ofthe sun
at midnight the alternate desolation and magncence
OF Arctic Scenery the wonderful operations of nature
by means OF avalanche cebergs, and almost perpetua
frost and snow, are not so hackneyed as 10 pail"
While IN the heart OF the Arctic region the Albert
Tell in with two American vessels engaged as then
n prosecuting the search for Sir john Franklin. Mr.
Snow seems to have been much struck with the bold
demeanor OF the Americans their spirit Of daring and
ss-reliance The following piquant narrative is well
told and is credabe both TO the narrator and 10 those
of whom he speaks:
The following description OF American intentions
and the mode OF navigating American vessels gives
striking picture ofthe ahead habits of the people, and
OF the the which attends such rash or oute
determination till it tails
"They intended to push on wherever they could, this
way rthat way as might be found best. in the drec-
ton of Melville Island and parts adacent. especially
Banks Land and they meant to winter wherever they
might chance TO be, in the pack OF the pack
As long ashley could be- moving or making any pro-
gress in any direction that might assist in the object for
| which they had come they meant still to be going
on, and, with the true characteristic OF the American,
cared for obstacles impedments that might arise
in their way. Neither fears nor the necessary caution
which might easily be alleged excuse for hest
tation or delay periods when any thing like anced
danger appeared to deter them. Happy fellows!
thought l. fair winds or opening prospects i'll be
| lost with you; no discussions incompeteney among
your executive officers exist to stay your progress
Bent upon Grand alone your minds set upon that
| before you embarked, no tribes nor common danger
will prevent you daring every thing for the carrying
out Of your mission Go on, then, brave Of Amer
ca and may least some share OF prosperity and sue
cess attend your noble exertlens!
"The Advance. was most extraordinarily fortified to
resist any pressure of the ice and to enable her force
ner way against such impediments those she encoun-
| tered this evening. Her bow was one solid mass of
;imber-I believe am right in saying from the fore
mast. Her tmbers were increased in size and number,
so that she might well be said to have been doubled
inside as well as out. Her deck also doubled then
feed and again lined inside, while her cabin had in
| addition, sheahng Of cork. The after part OF the
vessel was remarkab strong; and movable bulkhead
which the forepart OF the cabin, could any
time be unshipped to afford tree communication fore
and aft when needed. The crew, if remember right
| ", lived in strongly built round house on deck,
amidshps one end of which converted into cook
house, called a galley and another the pantry
| Ten men formed the number OF the working. seamen;
there no ice masters, nor regular ice-men; but
most OF the sailors were long accustomed to the Ice.
| A steward and cook completed the full complement
| of the ship.
"The Advance was manned by sixteen persons. off,
| GERS included. Her commander, Lieutenant de Ha-
ven Young man OF about &c years OF age had served
in the United States exploring expedition under Com
| modore Wilkes, in the Antarctic seas. He seemed
| fine specimen OF seaman, and a rough and ready
| officer, as have ever Nor was he at all def
Client in the true characteristics OF true gentleman, al
though the cognomen is so often msapplied and lun-
derstood. With sharp, quick eye, a countenance
| bronzed and apparently Injured to all weathers his
voice gave unmstakable signs OF energy, promputude
| and decision. There was mstakng the man. He
was undoubtedly well fitted to lead such an expedition
| and felt charmed to see 1t:
! ellis second in command Qor they very differ
emily organized from us) still younger, and more
| SLIM but whal of equally determined and sailor like
| appearance Next to him was junior officer of whom
| saw but little, and that little was enough to tell me
that the executives under Captain de Haven would be
efficient auxiaries TO him Last OF ALL though not:lcas
among them, was one OF whom must be excused for
saying more than a casual word or two.~ 1t was DR..
Kane the surgeon, naturalist list &c. OF the
petition OF all exceedingly slim and apparently fra
ge form and make, and with features Tar more suited
to genial CLINE, and to the comforts OF pleasant
home, than to the roughneSs and hardships OF arctic
voyage he yet very old traveller both by and
land. His rank surgeon in the American navy,
and ms appointment at three days notice to this SERVICE
were sufficient proof OF his abilities, and OF his being
considered capable OF enduring all that would have to
be gone through.
"Ifever vessel and her officers were capable of 90.
ing through undertaking in which more than or
binary difficulties had to be encountered, had doubt
it would be the American; and this was evinced 10 me
even while board. by the apparently reckle
way in VIII oh they dashed through the fheavy
ice running off from Leopold Island ! happened to
90 on deck when they were thus engaged, and was de-
lighted to witness how CALAMITY they put aside every
imp diment in their wav. An officer was standing on
the heel of the bowsprt, coming the ship and issuing
his orders the at the wheel, in that short, deci
sve, yet clear manner which the hemsman at once
well understood and promptly obeyed There was not
a rag of canvass taken in, nor moments hesation.-
The way before hem the stream OF ice had to be
either gone through boldly long deour made; and,
despite the heavness OF the stream they pushed the
eel through in her proper Two three shocks,
as she came in contact with some large pieces were
unheeded and the moment the last block was past the
bow the officer sang out, &c. steady she goes on her
course and came aft as nothing more than ordinary
sailing had been going on. observed Our own little
barky nobly following in the Americana wake; nd, as
afterwards learned, she got through it pretty we'll,
though without much doubt OF the propriety Of keep
ing on n such procedure after the mad Yankee, as
he was called by the mate.
eff had ever before doubted the daring and enter
prise Of the Americans, what saw and heard board
Of the Advance would have removed such doubt; but
these peculiar features in the children of the Stare and
Stripes were always apparent to me, and admringly
acknowledged was given brief history OF their
voyage the present time, also outline OF their
future pans.'
The Auburn Daily Advertiser says that Henry
s. Randall, esq, of Cortlandville, Cortland Co.,
has in course of preparation life of Thomas
jefferson. Mr.. R. has been at Washington and in
Virginia, during the greater portion of the past