The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-10-23
The American Expedition in Search Of
Sir John Franklin.

The American Expedition in Search of
Sir John Franklin.
The Advance, one of the two vessels sent out
by MIR. Henry GrInnell, in search Of Sir John
Franklin, in May, 1850, returned on Tuesday TO
this port, and is at tn, Navy Yard.
On the 18th of September, the American left
the British expedition for the purpose Of return
ing home, and the British expedition having been
divided into several parties, explored on sledges
Wellington chanaei, and the land which might be
found at the head Of that great inlet. They trav-
elled much by land and sea, but did not succeed
in obtaining any further trace Of the missing ships
Erebus and Terror. In fact, none were iound,
such would warrant the risk of a second win
ter, and the Lady Franklin, Of the English expe-
dition, returned home.
On the night Of the 3th Of September, after
parting with the British ships, the Advance and
the Rescue were frozen in by the ice, opposite to
Wellington channel, and from this point, drift
of ice commenced which is without precedent
The vessels were carried to IS deg. 80 nin north
lalmade, the highest ever attained by any vessel
on that meridian. Thence they were carried on
the drift south to Lancaster Sound. which they
reached in November, when the thermometer
fell to Al degrees below zero. Such was the COM
motion Of the fields Of ice that they could not
light FIR 8, while the bedding Was frozen, and
icices hung from the ceiling OF the cabin. Even
the soup and cifec froze. Here it was that sour
Wy first broke out among the crews, being produ-
ceJ by extreme moisture combined with extreme
cold Their gums were badly affected, and ii re-
qnired all the Of Surgeon Kane and his as
sstant TO arrest the progress Of the disease. All
were attacked, except three. To the credit Of
the doctors, have the great pleasure of stating
that not death occurred IN either vessels, from
scurvy any other disease; and both crews are
all well. AT least the crew of the Rescue were
well when the vessels parted company in storm
on the 18th of September, off Newfoundland.
| The drift OF ice continued along Lancaster
Sound till 1t broke up against the Capes, and the
most fearful commotion was the consequence.
Two plains Of ice, in meeting together, would
crush to pieces an ordinary vessel; but the YES
sells Of this expedition strong, that the re-
suit was that, instead of beng smashed, they
were forced up out Of The water six feet seven
inches, with list Of two feet TO one side. This
was on the llth Of November, and the crew were
all out on the ice, with their sledges prepared
and clothing and provisions, to start for the land.
They lost all hope Of ever returning TO the ships.
In the end however, it was deemed advisable to
stick to them. The Rescue had her cut water
taken away by the ice, and was otherwise injured.
As a matter of policy, rather than of necessity
the crew Of the Rescue abandoned her, and took
up their quarters in the advance. They were
thus enabled to keep warmer than if they were
separate. On the Sth Of December and on the
18th of January they again assembled on the ice
with the Intention Of taking to their sledges, fear
ing that they would get locked in or dashed to
pieces by the chahng masses of ice. On many
other days they had severe trials; but on these
dates, matters looked frishlful in the extreme.
People residing In our climate, can have no con
ception of the dreariness of such a scene. Just
imagine these brave fellows assembled On the
e,
ing for land amidst the solitary desoaton and
darkness that surrounded them For eighty -one
days they had lost the sun, and the pitchy dark
ness of this long night was such as Americans
who have never been in that region, cannot have
the least idea Of
On the evening Of the 18th Of January, the ice
again became solid, and the ships were frozen in
fast, and it only the 10th of June, that
they emerged from it in Batfin's Bay, in latitude
65 deg. 80 min, after drift Of thousand miles,
and an imprisonment Of nine months. This is the
greatest polar drift on record. Capt. Backs ia
nous drift in Hudson's Bay, was less than this.
and in open ice; yet, strange to say, only imma-
terial damages were done to the vessels in this
perOus voyage.
After emerging, Captain De Haven turned to
the North again, and made effort to re-enter
Lancaster Sound, but without success. He sue
ceeded in reaching the upper Melville Bay region,
but was once more coDhned t0T a Time IN the e,
and after narrow escape Of being shut in for The
present winter, and finding the season on the 10Th
Of August, so far advanced as TO preclude all hope
of reaching the scene of action, he determined to
return home. Fresh meat was procured at Green
land, the crew restored to health, and on the
9th of September, they left on their return voy-
age for this port. Nothing of interest took place,
except the gale on the l3ih, already referred 10,
which separated the two vessels, and since that
time they have not been in sight of each other.
The Arctic regions, even when the light of the
visits them, are dreary aud desoIate in the ex-
trcme-not blade Of yegeiation-nothing to be
The sailors behaved most manfully under all
their privations, though they We're only under Or
dnary, instead Of double pay, which the British
ships receive on such service. II was found
that abundance of exercise was the surest way 10
preserve them against the assaults Of the intense
cold. OF course (urs were worn, and it was upon
this description Of clothing. they had to depend,
as nothing else could maintain the vital heat.
The Advance has brought with her many sps-
cimens Of northern furs, and some Esquimaux
dogs.
Great praise is due 10 all the officers and sea-
men of the Advance and Rescue. They have
acted in manner worthy Of the flag they bore,
and have done credit to the noble hearted and
benevolent gentleman who fitted out the expedi-
ton. .- A. .-- ... f
The officers Of this expedition are convinced
that il is possible for Sir John Franklin to live
many years in those regons; there il plenty Of
game to be had, and means of protection at