Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-04-05
SHOWS VOYAGE OF THE PRINCE ALBERT AND
THE AMERICAN EXPLORERS.

I, SHOWS VOYAGE OF THE PRINCE ALBERT AMI
THE AMERICAN EXPLORERS.
| FHoM TIE LONDON SPECTATOR
Mr. Stow is Englishmsn, who for the greater pan
his life has knocked about the world in various regions from
the Arctic to the Antarctic circle and though by profess
sion mariner, he rate any day an able seaman.
When the less Official expeditions in search Of Sir John
Franklin planned additions those out by Gov
ernmen he fastened from America, where he was then re-
sidng with the prospect Of serving volunteer in the
sells under the command of the celebrated whaer Penny.
He was late by few days but he Offered bis services in
the expedition fitting out Lady Franklns EXPENSE aided
by public subscriptions, and accepted The Albert the
vessel purchased for the voyage, originally built for the
fruttrade with the Azores, and fraction less than
ninety resembling, indeed, the little craft in
which the early mariners made their discoveries than the
goody ships Of modern days. She carried FOURTEEN men,
two mates and MI. Snow who discharged mnlfhrous
functions including those of soIskeepe amateur DOCTOR
and assistant navigator sort Of combination Of the master
and first lieutenant The Albert commanded by Cap
tain Forsyth Of the navy and primarily intended to
party wnterquarters in the neghbohood of Booha
in order boat expedition for the purposes Of thorough
search The vessel had been strengthened for her Arctic
voyage and she amply found By Of the fund
and by presents from various quarters including the AID
mirslty
So far as the voysge concerned the expedition was
successful The Albert indeed experienced some Of the usual
delays and difficulties Of Arctic navigation She had good
deal Of bad weather of Cape Farewell in Greenland,
sometimes delayed by cams and sometimes npeded by ice
She however, overlook all the other paesRos Penny, the
American ships and the Government squsron by
of the of which last she towed long way
her IN Tn One If tho uuinfay
quarters fixed upon Benord Bay, in the Inlet but the
Albert unable reach on Of the ice Other
places however, accessible but Captain Forsyth de-
termned to England and Mr. Snow approved Of
the decision The for this proceeding given
but they to have had reference to the state Of the
The chief somewhat advanced in life and cautious
to tmdiy; the men, though active, daring, wing
and Of them thorough whaers men-of wars
men, pracsed in naval discipline subject to its laws and
far regarded naval officers Captain Forsyth stood alone
for Mr. Snow held nautical position The commander
probably thought rskfu undertaking winter in the
Arctic regions under these circumstances He might posi-
bly, think that his remaining would be Of little real and
think too. In the voyage home the Albert proceeded
westward far Cape Riley in Wellington Strait in about
100 Of north latitude and go west longitude In that
vicinity she left part Of the Government fleet the American
vessels and Penny ships all bent upon holding long
Government ships were exploring in other directions in adj
don which there the land expedition For satisfac
tions sake, close exploration Of Bootha and every other
place would be desirable. Rescue, conceive, only be
expected in the Northern Ocean, between Barows and Ben
rings Straits the land stretching norhward from that
towards the Pole. If Frankns crews from whatever
cause had to abandon their ships and take refuge
part of the continent Of America, they would most likely by
next spring be beyond all human aid
Mr. Shows volume interesting narrative of inter-
esng expedition, made through scenery, under cir
cumstances for the meetings with various whaers and with
the ships engaged in the search themselves give life
to what usually solitude ITSELF Mr.. Snow is rough and
ready writer not measured in his expressions than he is
in his exerions when called for and somewhat given to pour
his thoughts But his style vigorous and the scenery
and circumstances fesh wonderful and exciting
to Justify reflection The snguarity Of the at mid
night the alternate desolation and magni6cence Of Arctic
scenery wonderful operations Of by Of
lanche cebeg, and almost perpetual frost and
hackneyed pail but there things in Mr.
Shows volume and Of them steampower in the Arc
tic seas -.n ss, ael # fs %#atst.
The Felix was taken in tow by the Resolue and, to-
geher the whole feet passed through heavy Of loose
ice and bergs the north and northwest at the rate Of about
four miles hour At eleven A. M. we came to heavy
nip, and all the vessels had to be made fast 10 foe until
passage could be cleared. 10 effect this the were
brought into play in the manner have previously alluded to-
The Pioneer Lieutenant Commander Osborn Immediately
casting off the Resoutes directed to dash
the impediment under full power. This she did boldly
and earessy rushing stem ard fairly digging her bows
into it in most remarkable manner Backing instantly
asen and then again going ahead she performed the same
maneuvre, fairly lifting herself end like prancing war
horse But this time the nip heavy be broken
though both the had previously cleared many similar
impedments in that II now however, neces
say resort TO other and accordingly parties from
every ship the ice to assist in blowing up, and
removing the fragments they got loosened The same
plan that believe adopted in blasting rocks here
pursued. Powder sunk certain depth, slow match
applied, and at given signal gnted. Due time was
allowed and then the would be seen ia
convusve movement though shaken by volcanic erup
on until piece upon pecewas sent in the air. and the larger
bodies completely rent into innumerable fragments.
The then dared forward and with waps dragged
the immense blocks that had been thus discovered One
of those blocks (more like small berg than aught es was
brought alongside Of the Assistance while was board Of
her In the gun-room. II hollow at the top, and
taned some excellent water which conveyed board
replenish livestock. 4
Several efforts bad be made by blasting and forcing the
ice before passage could be cleared and during the whole
time was quite pleasure how both officers and men
worked at it. Captain Austin himself was busy any
one Directing and handling, and increasingly working
Neither falls nor rough knock and then did he for
but maintained his post the Goes and pieces Of Ice until
be had made passage for his ships, and the two little
ones he had so kindly taken in charge.
had before made mention Of the remarkable stiffness
which may be observed midnight in these regions but
until did it upon with such force and in such