The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-10-08
Arrival of the u S. Brig Advance, of the
Exploring Expedition.

New YoRK, Sept. 30.-Wo have the
pleasure of announcing the safe return of
the U. S. brig Advance, with her officers
and crew, from the Arctic Seas, and with
out the loss of single life, though all were
more or less attacked by the scurvy. The
Rescue is not yet in. They have, as the
English reports led US TO anticipate seen
nothing Of Capt. Franklin, and have heard
of nothing satisfactory, beyond what was
stated in that report. It is their impression,
however, as il has been of the officers of the
English expedition, that he is yet alive, hem
med in further north than they could get,
where life can be sustained on whale-oil
blubber, &c, ard fuel even can he had.
The time, however, appointed for their re =
turn having expired, as well as the means
of going further being exhausted. they have
returned TO MIR. Grinnel TO report Lrogrt IS
1t is now Mr.. G 5 impression that in order
to make any certain progress in these seas a
steam propeller must be used, by which, in
one month, enough can be done 10 result in
something far more satisfactory than we
have yet had. On Sept. so, 1850, Griilitbs
Island, the greatest westernng, was obtain.
Ell by Advance and Rescue, when they at
tempted to return, but they were frozen in
opposite Wellington Channel; then com
menced North drift, and the vessels were
carried 10 80; the greatest Noilherning
ever yet obtained in that meridian. AZ
terwards, about the latter part of Novem-
her, they reen.ered Lancaster Sound, un.
der the influence of the drift the ice then
closed upon them ard they were amid al
the horrors Of a Polar winter, but it was sub
ieet to repeated disruptions, effected b!
wind, storm and drifts.
During the months Of November, De
cember, January and FEBRUARY, the darkncs.
was perpetual. A Polar night, and the COM
fort Of such home, can be better imagined
than described. The men were then pre-
pared with knapsaeks for any emergency, nj
ono knowing when the fearful pressure oi
the ice would crush the little barks. Prcvi
Gus 0 this, however, and preparatory for it
the Rescue was deserted about Nov, 9th, Il
save fuel, &c. the thermometer being 4(
deg. below zero. In the meantime, con-
stant exposure TO wet and cold brought OF
scurvy, and notwithstanding the usual pre-
veniives, the disease assumed in some cas-,
an alarming form. Capt. De Haven became
severely afflicted, but by pouring hot watel
on dried apples, with some seasoning OF lem
on juice, preparation fol a drink was made
which soon restored all to health. Capt. d,
Haven was the most severely attacked. II
the spring May the Rescue was recover
ed with the loss OF bowsprt and cut water
Both vessels bad withstood the crushing o
the ice wonderfully well their small siz'
enabling them to Iise when the crushing be
gan, and their proligious strength saveC
them. On the 18Th Of January, 1851, the,
entered BafIin's Bay the Rescue then in
visible. They then drifed ont of sight 0
land, being about 90 miles oir-On the lotl
of June, they emerged from the ice. afie
months drifting in it-about 500 days
during ali which time they had been i'm
prsopei IN it, without the power 10 get Out
During this time they calculated they la,
drifted 1000 miles. With the exception 0
Captain Backs, this is the only like recor,
of Polar drift, and this withou, parallel q
to distance and exposure
Capt De Haven determined to process
north after he had emerged from the ice il
Jane, as before slated but in his effort t.