The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-30
From the Ne,oark ~. ~ Aduertiser, May goth.
Naval Expeditions.

From the Ne.oark nv. ~ AdUertiser, May goth.
Naval Expeditions.
One expedition, that of Commodore Perry, to
Japan, has already sailed, though sadly crippled
in its power, and two more, all projected by the
late administration, are about to depart. One OF
these is Or. Kane's, consisting of the Advance,
belonging to Henry Grinneli, who hos fitted it
out the second time to search for Sir John Frank
lin, and explore the regions within the Arctic
Circle Dr. Kane has been appointed by him to
this command, and the Secretary of the Navy has
ASST gned him to especial duty' in the conduct o.
the expedition. His plan of search is based on the
probable extension of Greenland to the far North
Instead of being congeries of islands, as con-
jectured by Geseke, Greenland is in fact Pc
ninsula.
Believing in this extension of this peninsula,
and believing il is better to attempt to attain the
open sea to the north by Smiths Sound than
through Wellington Channel, he will take that
line of search, hoping that the highest protruding
head land will afford some trace of the lost party
This sound is situated in the northern part of Baf
fms Bay; there DR.. Kane proposes to land and
pursue his journey over the country with dogs.
By tbis method he will have land and not ice for the
basis of his operations, and animal life to sustain
travelling parties; together with assistance from
the Eaquimaux :, and other advantages. The party
dogs, and gutta. percha boats. The brig of Mr..
Grinnell has been strengthened and equipped to
sustain the peculiar trials of the service The Es
quimaux dogs are to be taken in at Uppernavik,
with few picked men to ia Ike of the sledges.
Much depends upon these sledgee; they have &C.
cordingly been constructed with extreme care.
Each will carry the blanket, bags and furs Of six
men, with an allowance of pemmica n, and light
tent of India rubber; but for the nightly halt the
main dependence will be the snow house of the
Esquimaux. Alcohol or tallow is the only fuel;
and the entire cooking apparatus which ID chiefly
by tina wing snow for tea water, may be carried in
little bag. Each sledge is to be covered with a
gutta percha boat Thus equipped, they will fol-
low the track of the coast, seeking the open
Once there they will launch the boats, and embark
upon the waters round the pole Thermal science
and terrestrial magnetism, it is hoped, will he adj
vanced where such opportunities will be enjoyed,
even if the humane objects Of the expedition shall
fail of being accomplished. As the Advance ought
to reach the bay at the earliest season of navga-
ton. she cannot delay her departure many days.
The other expedition mentioned as about to sail
is that under the command of Commander Ring
gold, which, though possessing less ofsxomance
and sentiment in its origin, is more substantially
important in its designs. 1t consists of five yes
sells, equipped, rugged and manned for the peculiar
service to which it is destined which is the exam.
nation and survey of the North Pacific ocean,
Behring's Strait, and the Arctic sea, together
with the adjacent coasts of America and Asia.
This work has for it's objects the promotion and
security of commerce and the whaling business.
Both nave largely increased OF late from the acQu
sition of California and the daring enterprise of
the whalers; and terrible have been the disasters
especially to the latter mertorious Glass; from the
want of that intelligence which the labors of this
feet will supply. Various Islands likewise lie in
the track of the shipping trading the North Pa.
cidc, which ought 10 be visited, accurately laid
down maps, and surveyed.
The officers detailed for this useful and honorable
service are Commander Ringgold. who Ia at it's
head, and commander of the Porpoise in the
Exploring Expedition under Commodore Wilkes;
Lieutenant Rolando, commander of the Vincennes,
the flag ship; Captain Davis, now commanding the
Porpoise, was also an officer under Commodore
Wilkes; Lieutenant Stuart, the secretary and as.
sisant astronomer, the draug htsman of the
Exploring Expedition; Captain Rodgers, now com.
handing the steamer John Hancock, is gentle
man of science. This, though found united with
the other practical accomplishments of the gentle.
men to whom this expedition ia committed, will
not be suffered to overiay its invaluable naval and
commercial objects
The five vessels composing the expedition are all
armed The Vincennes sloop of-war, now con-
verted to barque, las long $685. finch shell
guns, brass pivot howtzers, and one IL FOUNDER,
field piece to take on shore, if wanted. There
are also small arms for the of the seamen. The
steamer John Hancock, of about 800 tons, is barque-
rgged has armament of one 24-pound and two
IL pouud brasa pivot howitaers, and smaller arms
The brig Porpoise ia similarly armed, with the ad-
and supply ship John P. Kennedy, with the excep.
ton of the 32-pound cannon. There ia a 30 the
schooner Fenimore Cooper, pilot boat of 80 tons,
armed with one IL pound brass pivot gun, and
small arms These vessels supplied with boats,
buoys, life .preservers, astronomical, surveying
mag netic instruments, and about thirty chronome
tiers. Most of all these are of American manufac-
ture. Beside complement Of officers of the navy,
who will have charge, under the direction of Com
mander Ringgold, of the asronomic, photographic
and magnetic departments, efficient scientific
corps is attached to the expedition. Among the
scientific gentlemen ia photographer, chemist.
taxidermist, artist, and mathematical instrument
maker. Each officer, besides, is familiar with more
than one branch of science.
Thus ia this noble expedition, which is expected
to sail c-day from Norfolk, in no way connected
with either of the others, appointed with all the
needfu elements of success in its eminently useful
enterprise We cannot help expressing pride in
the undertaking, and are not sorry that this and
the others their birth to the truly national
spirit Of the administration of President Fillmore.