The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-04-26
a)AILY CRESCENT.



The American Explorers in the Arctic Seas.
The London Spectator makes copious extracts
from volume by Mr.. Snow, giving narrative OF
the voyage of the Albert, the vessel fitted out by
Lady franklin to 60 in search Of her husband, Sir
John. Mr. Snow was a volunteer in the expedi-
ton, being great traveller and wishing to have
an opportunity to inspect personally the Arctic re-
gions. The Albert returned home without win
tering in that frozen clime-the condition of the
crew being such as to render it inexpedent and
improper to prosecute the voyage further.
But Mr.. Snow had the opportunity he sought
Without obtaining an actual sight of the North
Pole, he saw great deal of the neghboring coun-
trv and the circumjacent waters-or rather mostly
ice. His descriptions drawn with ready
hand in graphic sketches though rough. His
STYLE" says the Spectator, is vigorous and the
scenery and circumstances so fresh, so wonder
full and so exciting as to justify reflection. The
singularity Of the sun at midnight, the alternate
desolaton and magnifcence Of Arctic scenery, the
wonderful operations Of nature by means of ava
lanche, icebergs and almost perpetual frost and
snow, are not SO hackneyed as to pail"
While in the heart of the Arctic region the AL
bert fell in with two American vessels now engaged
as then in 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 self-reliance. The fol-
lowing piquant narrative is well told, and is Gre
ditable 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 paris
adjacent, especially Banks Land and they mean!
to winter wherever they might chance to be, in the
pack or out Of the pack. As long as they could be
moving or making any progress in any direction tina,
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 obsta
Giles or impediments that might arise in their way
Neither fears nor the necessary caution which
might easily be alleged as excuse for hesitation
or delay, at periods when any thing like fancied
danger appeared, was to deter them. Happy fellows
thought no fair wind nor open prospects will be
lost with you; no dissensions or INCONSISTENCY
among your executive officers exist to stay your
progress. Bent upon one erand alone, your minds
set upon that before you embarked, no triAes nor
common danger will prevent you daring every
thing for the carrying out of your mission Go on,
then, brave sons of America, and may at least
some share OF prosperity and success attend your
noble exerti0ns!
"The Advance was most extraordinarily forti.
her to force her way against such impediments as
those she encountered this evening. Her bow was
one sold mass of timber-I believe l am right in
saying, from the foremost. Her timbers were in
creased in size and number, so that she might well
he said to have been doubled inside as well as out
Her deck was also doubled, then feted, and again
lined inside, while her cabin had, in addition, a
sheathing of cork. The after-part of the vessel
was remarkably strong and movable bulkhead,
which ran across the fore part Of the cabin, could
at any time be unshipped to afford free communi.
cation fore and aft when needed. The crew, if |
remember rightly, lived in strongly built round
house on deck, amidshps, one end of which was
converted into cook house, called a galey' and
another the pantry Ten men formed the num-
Der 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 stew
ard and cook completed the full complement OF
the ship.
"The Advance was manned by sixteen persons,
officers included Her commander, Lieutenant de
Haven, young man about twenty-six years of
age, had served in the United States Exploring
Expedition, under Com. Wilkes, in the Antartc
seas. He seemed as fine a specimen of seaman
and rough and ready officer as have ever seen.
Nor wac he at all deficient in the true character
istics of true gentlemen, although the coenomen
is so often misapplied and ill.understood With
sharp, quick eye, a countenance bronzed and ap-
parenty Injured to all weathers, his voice gave I'M
mistakeable signs of energy, promptitude, and de-
cision. There was no installing the man. He
was undoubtedly well fitted 10 lead such an expe
ditOn, and ] felt charmed to see it.
His second in command (or they were very
differently organized from usl was still younger,
and mere slim, but wiihal Of equally determined
and saior-like appearance. Next to him was u
Junior officer, of whom saw but little, and that
little was enough to tell me that the executives I'M
der Capt. de Haven would be efficient auxiliaries
TO him. Last of all, though not least among them,
was one of whom ! must he excused for saving
more than a casual word or two. II was Dr. Kane,
the Surgeon, naturalist, journalist, etc., of the ex
petition. Of an exceedingly slim and apparently
fragile form and make, and with features far more
suited 10 a genial cline, and to the comforts of a
pleasant home. than 70 the roughness and hardshps
OF arctic voyage he was yet very old traveller
both by sea and land His rank as Surgeon in
the American Navy, and his appointment at three
Of his abilities, and Of his being considered capa
bic Of enduring all that would have to be gone
through.
:" II ever vessel and her officers were capable
Of going through an undertaking in which more
than ordinary difficulties had to be encountered.
had no doubt it would be the American; and this
was evinced to me even while we were on board,
by the apparently reckless way in which they
dashed through the streams Of heavy ice running
off from Leopold Island. happened to 20 on deck
when they were thus engaged, and was delighted
to witness how CALAMITY they put aside every i'm
Peuitnent IN their way. An officer standing
on the heel OF the bowsprit, coming the ship and
issuing his orders to the man at the wheel in that
short, decisive yet clear manner which the helms
man at once well understood and promptly obeyed
There was not rag Of canvas taken in nor a mo.
ments hesitation. The way was before them the
stream Of ice had to be either gone through boldly
or long detour made; and despite the heayines,
OF the stream, they pushed the vessel through il
her proper course. Two three shocks. az sb,
came IN contact with some large pieces, were un
needed and the moment the last block was ma.
the bow the officer sang ont, So STEADY as All
goes on her course" and came aft as if nothin
more than ordinary sailing had been going ON.
observed our own little bark nobly following
the Americans wake; and as afterwards lea1nf
she got through it pretty well, though not witho,
much doubt of the propriety Of keeping on in su,
procedure after the mad Yankee, as she was call
by the mate
"If had ever before doubted the daring ar
enterprise Of the Americans, what saw and hea
on board OF the Advance would have removed SUI
doubt, but these peculiar features in the childr
OF the Stars and Stripes were always apparent
me, and admiringly acknowledged. | was Civ
a brief history Of their voyage to the present tin
as also an outline Of their future plans"
slSTERNS AND PACKING BOXES ma
d3ly @ John ii. BEHAN' a5 Camp st. near Julia
~ BROOKLYN Warehouses al Alviers onnsre Navt i,.s
are now IN readiness TO receive PRODI from hs W s
rhM MnhCnANDiSE from the MORT Ii, Intended for