Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-04-16
THE AMERICAN EXPLORERS IN THE
ARCTIC SEA.
The London Spectator makes copious ex-

~--'
The London Spectator makes copious e1
tracts from volume by Mr.. Snow, givin
narrative of the voyage of the Albert, tn
vessel fitted out by Lady Franklin to 60 i
search Of her husband, Sir John. Mr.. SnoV
was volunteer in the expedition, being
great traveller and wishing to have an op
portunity to inspect personally the Arctl
regions. The Albert returned home with
out wintering in that frozen clime-the con
dition of the crew being such as to render
inexpedient and improper to prosecute tn
the voyage further.
But Mr.. Snow had the opportunity h
sought. Without obtaining an actual sigh
of the North Pole he saw great deal o
the neighboring country and the circumja
cent waters-or rather mostly ice. His des
criptions are drawn with ready hand il
graphic sketches though rough. "His style,
says the Spectator, "is vigorous; and the
scenery and circumstances are so fresh, SC
wonderful and so exciting as to justify re.
Election. The singularity of the sun at mid
night the alternate desolation and magnifi-
cence Of Artic Scenery, the wonderful -oPe-
rations of nature by means Of avalanche,
icebergs, and almost perpetual frost and
snow, are not so hackneyed as to pail
While in the heat of the Arctic region the
Albert fell in with two American vessels
now engaged as then in prosecuting the
search for Sir John Franklin. Mr.. Snow
seems to have been struck with the bold de-
meanor of the Americans, their spirit of dar-
ing and self-reliance. The following piqu-
ant narrative is well told, and is creditable
both to the narrator and to those of whom
he speaks:
+ "The Americans intended to push on
wherever they could, this way or that way,
as might be found best, in the direction of
Melville Island and parts adjacent, especi-
ally Banks Land and they meant to VIM
ter wherever they might chance to be, in
thepack or out of the pack. AS long as they
could be moving or making any progress 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 character
istic Of the American, cared for no obsta-
cles Or impediments that might arise in their
way. Neither fear< nor the necessary eau
ton which might easily be alleged as an ex-
cuse for hesitation or delay, at periods when
any thing like fancied danger appeared, was
to deter them. Happy fellows! thought I;
no fair wind nor open prospects will be lost
with you no dissensions or incompetency
among your executive officers exists to stay
your progress. Bent upon one errand alone,
your minds set upon haf before you embar-
ked, no trihes nor common danger will pre-
vent your daring every thing for the carrt
ing out ofyour mission. Go on, then, brave
sons of America, and may at least some
share of prosperity and success attend your
noble exertions!
''The advance was most extraordinarily
fortified to resist any pressure of the ice,
and to enable her to force her way against
such impediments as those she encountered
this evening. Her bow was one solid mass
of timber-I believe am right in saying,
from the foremast. Her timbers were in
creased in size and number, so that she
might well be said to have been doubled in
side as well as out. Her deck was also
doubled, then felted, again lined inside,
with cork. The after-part of the vessel was
remarkably strong; and movable bulkhead,
which ran across the forepart of the cabin,
could at any time be unshipped to afford a
free communication fore and aft when need
ed. The crew, if remember rightly, lived
in strongly built round house on deck
amldships, one end of which was converted
into a cookhouse, called galley and a.
mother the pantry Ten men formed the
number of the working seamen there were
no ice masters nor regular 'ice-men ; but
most of the sailors were long accustomed to
the ice. A stuart and cook completed the
full complement of the ship.
"The Advance was manned by sixteen
persons, officers included. Her commander
a., Lieutenant de Haven young man about
20 years of age, had served in the United
States exploring expedition, under Commo.
dore Wilkes, in the Antartic seas. He
seemed as fine a specimen Of seaman anc
a rough and ready officer as have ever seer
Nor was he at all deficient in the true char.
acteristics Of true gentleman, although the
cognomen is so often misapplied and i'll
understood. With sharp, quick eye, g
countenance bronzed and apparently inurec
to all weathers, his voice gave unmistakable
signs of energy, promptitude, and decision
There was no mistaking the man. He wa:
undoubtedly well fitted to lead such an ex.
pedition, and felt charmed to see it.
"His second in command (for they were
very differently organized from us was still
younger, land more slim, but withal 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 auxiliaries t.
him. Last of all, though not least amons
them, was one of whom must be excuset
for saying more than casual word or two
1t wos bf. han1' the 'uuScon, natua oiist
journalist, &c., Of the expedition. Of al
exceedingly slim and apparently fragil
form and make, and with features far NOR
suited to genial cline, and to the comforts
Of pleasant home, than to the roughnes
and hardships of an arctic voyage, he was ye
very old traveller both by sea and land
His rank as surgeon in the American navy
and his appointment at three days notic'
to this service, were sufficient proof OF HI
abilities, and of his being considered capa
BILE of enduring all that would have to b
gone through.
"If ever a vessel and her officers wer,
capable of going through an undertaking il
which more than ordinary difficulties had
be encountered, ] had no doubt it would b
the American: and this was eyinced to m