Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-04-05

towards the expeditions gus psrchs boat which was fond
highly useful occasion the material yielding 70 pressure
that would have in wood The following extracts give
IN idea Of boat work among the cs The Port Leo
pold, at the extreme northeast point Of Boothia:
al soon made my determination and directly touched
the ice all hands spvang upon the oe and commenced haul
ing the boat up To attempt any minute description Of the
difficulty here encountered Is beyond my power The in
terrupon to our free pa the water consisted Of
solid pack Of smooth ueced ice, which could
dragged the boat with comparative ease, but of numerous
heavy foes entirely ,ned to each other BY themselves
nor yet separated so as to ve any small channel OF water
but closely cemented were by very thick "brash
ce, to render the passage OF boat or canoe impossible
HeIs and there large piece was thrown upon anoher
and, occasionally, their partial separation left wide gaps Of
such breadth that neither by jumping nor BY taking cir
cuitous walk could we reach them otherwise than by the
boat And YET the boat all but incapable TO effect this
Tor wherever such presene me orash Ice ntevened
The explanation have already given tins sort Of ice will
enate ihe reader TO understand in sCemeasueo position
Added isth moreover the iac hat the rspy Of The
aetng fast Of the harbor upsn the inland swell Of
the causing Of the heav foes 10 have far
from pleasant motion lifting themselves upwards for
several feet and retiring from their respective neighbours and
then suddenly sprngng forward heJ descended close
to their fellows. 10 be them at such moment not
what cared for bat should the boat be between woof
them at such time, and in the boat, there would be
enough to look out for However, the thoug Of these matt
e-expaned here for the reader the
gave none of asthen much trouble. For mycs had de-
cded Confirmed in my decision by the opnionof the men,
and their eadnesso attempt y and therefore, needless OF
danger regard for SELF all with will began task
The boat heony thing that thought for and
child tendery handled than the sgrRa percha
by all of US that morning Occasionally lifted her when
any hummocky piece Of csor other membranes presented
obstruction her being dragged seng upon her heel then
would slide her carefully down into the sh when too
large gap interviewed; and the momsnt any Of the foes
peaed to rise come too cePles, and
own hands, thrust out on both sides to guard her,
AT first we had comparatively but little difficulty. Two
or three pieces were got over almost easily but wien we
got into the thick oft thought several times chould
not be able to get through at all In the sbras could
make her stir, Gnl motion Of the nearest caused
disturbance around and eased the density Of the sH that
stopped When among the smaller peceg Of Ice,
could get proper prize for our hooks and st push
her and at such times had TO spring upon the
pieces themselves while they sunk below the occasion
ally waist with US, and thus bodily pub the boat onward
AT this work Wilson, with his accustomed daring, rendered
himself conspicuous; and indeed there one Of the
who did not make self the last in bis Uoughts al
such moments and who was not in and out the boat
with the ghtness of fawn each second required
When the pieces became too lar apart and the bash slack
ened little, vigorous send given the boat and them
each watching the opportunity gave the last impulse
with his foot and threw hmsefon the boat the ice re-
coded from him. Sitting the gunwaes and the bow with
feet the side ready to jump the instant next would
heavier pieces where again the process Of hauling
and carrying was resor.ed and in this manner for nearly
an hour we worked, until at length got over the worst
poon and to the other side, where clearer
water was ready to receive US.
The following description Of American intentions and the
mode Of navigating American vessels gives striking picture
goahead habits of the people, and Of the which
attends such rash esolute determination. till falls
"They intended push wherever they could this way
that way, might be found best in the direction of Mel
vile Island and parts adjacent especially Banks Land and
they winter wherever they might chance be-
the pack out Of the pack Asong they could be moving
making any progress in any direction that might assist in
tho had still ha
going ON and, with the true characteristics Of the American,
cared for obstacles mpedmens that might arise in their
way. Neither fears the necessary caution which might
easily be alleged excuse for hesitation delay at PERIODS
when any thing like ancied danger appeared to deter
them Happy fellows! thought no fair winds opening
prospects will be lost with you dssensons or ncompt
tency among your executive officers exist to stay your pre-
gess Bent upon errand alone your minds set upoi
that before you embarked fes common danger vii
prevent you daring every thing for the carrying out Of your
mission Go then, brave Of America, and may at
least share of prosperity and success attend your noble
ssThe Advance extraordinarily fortified resist
any pressure Of the ice and to enable her to force her way
against such mpedmens those she encountered this
ing. Her bow solid mass of TIMBER believe am
right in saying, from the foremost. Her mbers in
In size and NUMBER that she might well be said to
have been doubled inside well out Her deck aho
doubled then ed and again lined inside, while her cabin
had in addition, sheaihng Of cork The after part Of the
vessel remarkably strong and movable bulkhead,
viii ch the forepar Of the cabin could at time
be unshpped afford free communication fore and aft when
needed The crew, remember rightly lived in strongly
built sround house Deck amdshps, end Of which
converted into cookhouse, called galley and
other the pantry. Ten formed the number Of the
working seanen there sce-masers,' regular
icemen but most Of the sailors long accustomed to
the ice. steward and cook completed the full compile
ment of the ship.
" The Advance manned by sixteen persons officers
included Her commander, Lieutenant de Haven, young
ofabout 26 years oage had served in the United States
exploring expedition, under Commodore Wilkes, in the An
tarcc He seemed fine specimen of and
rough and ready officer have Nor he at
all deficient in the true characteristics of gentleman al
though the cognomen is often misapplied and lunder
stood With sharp quick eye countenance bronzed and
apparently Injured to all weathers his voice unmistaka
bic signs Of energy promptude and decision There was
installing the man. He undoubtedly well fitted to
lead such an expedition, and felt charmed to see it.
ellis second in command (fo they very differently
organized from us still younger, and SLIM but wiha
of equally determined and sailoke appearance. Next
him was Junior officer, Of whom saw but little snd that
little was enough tell that the executives under Captain
de Haven would be efficient auxiaries him. Last Of all,
though not least among them, Of whom must be
excused for saying than casual word II
Dr. Kane, the surgeon, naturalist Journalist &c. Of the
petition. OF an exceedingly slim and apparently fragile form
and make and with features far suited genial cline,
and to the comforts Of pleasant home than to the rough