The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-23

The Arctic EXpedft1On0s
THE PREPARATIONS OF DIR. KANE-THE ENGLISH
EXPEDITIONS.


EXPEDITIONS.
We are glad to hear that Dr. Kane has complete
ly organized his company, and will leave New York
on the 10th of April next on his important and haz
ardous expedition.
The American expedition is composed of four
scientific corps one astronomical department, four
watch officers, two Of whom were in the last exped
ton, and one, Bafiins Bay whaler, selected ON ac
count of his knowledge of ice navigation.
The gutta percha boats and the sedges are nearly
finished. To transport these DR.. Kane has secured
a sufficient number of dogs
Altogether, the expedition exhibits the greatest
energy on the part OF DR.. Kane.
from the London Atheneum Jan. 29.l
Our apprehensons that steam tender 10 the Rattle
snake would not be despatched by the Admiralty assist
the latter ship in her long and arduous voyage to Be
rings strait, are confrmed-the Admiralty having de-
cerei that they will not send vessel this important
service.
Bearing in mind that the object Of the Ratesnakc is
to convey provisions to the Plover lying at Point
Barrow which is several hundred miles north OF Behrng
Srats-and further that the Pover did not attain that
very high latitude without the greatest dihculty-t is
manifest that if be Of vital consequence that she should
be reinforced the strong arm of teamwhch is all but
omnpotent in the Arctic regions-shoud be employed to
assist in accomp hing this arduous undertaking. With
out such auxiliary power it probable that the object
cannot be accomplished at all
Is, indeed proposed, as we are informed by captain
Troope the commander Of the Rattesnake to tow his
ship by steam through the Strait OF Magellan bat it is
when the pack ice is encountered in Behrng Straits that
steam is wanted not where the sea is OPEN
Though the Admiralty, however, have determined
performing this work OF humanity in imperfect
ner, have it in power to announce that ndvi-
dual will do what is left officially undone and private
enterprise will again gil up the deficient Of pub
lie duty. That individual is Lady Franklin whose
win be handed down to distant generations in intimate
and honorable connection with the interesting history OF
the Arctic expeditions Failing in her earnest demands
on the Admiralty to despatch steamer to Behring's
Straits Lady Franklin conceived the project Of herself
sending out vessel of this description Grave monetary
and other difficulties against her. but these
lessened by intelligence which has lately reached her
from Van emens Land the effect that the friends Of
her gallant husband in that colonyover which, it will
be remembered, he presided Governor for five years
have, unsolicited, subscribed sum, exceeding, be
heve Ooo for the purpose of assisting his wife to de-
fray the cost of the private searching expeditions The
amount OF the subscriptions with aectonate address
signed by the authorities and principal inhabitants Of
to England This large and seasonabe reinforcement
her funds at once determined Lady Franklin to send out
steamer to assist may be more traly said, to
BILE the Arctic relief expedition Bebrng Straits to be
successfully carried out.
The ship that viii in all probability be selected for this
important service is the Isabel which has lately made so
dashing and successful voyage to the head Of Bann
Bay and to the mouth of Wellington Channel The
steamer viii probably be sent out about the middle Of
April 1t is intended, believe, that the Rattlesnake
shall be spatched the I'd February but she viii
be very deep in he water owing to her excessive load o.
steamer sailing in April win easily overtake her.
paragraph has appeared in the papers to the effect
that Capt Conson who has the command Of the search
ing expedition at Behring's Straits has been by
some American whaers who have arrived at the Sand
witch Islands from the Straits appears from inquiries
which have made that this report has through
Consul at Panama and is therefore entitled to
credit We do not however regard ali certain but
if turn out to be correct the fact Of Capt Mcclure who
is Capt Cointsons colleague, having as know, pens
trated far to the northeast renders the reprovsoning
Of the Pover depot ship at Point Barrow for his sake
well Tor that of Franklin and his comprehensive
may be working their way from Wellington Channel to
the west-of the highest Importance. The probability
that this has been necessary would be confirmed by the
alleged fact that Capt Colnson who according to the
last accounts had not succeeded in getting his ship
through the ice to the north his colleague had done
has been seen in the locality referred to.
We may mention, with reference to the physical geo
graphy Of Behring's Straits and the vicinity that Capt
Moore-who has recently returned to England from that
part Of the Arctic regonsdecares that to the best of
the north Of Point Barrow This affecting the question
Of open aea and northwest passage is Of the highest
importance.