The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-01-11
New Expedition to the North Polar soas under
DR. Kane.


AT meeting of tho American Geographical
and Statistical Society, held Mt New York, on
an access to an open Polar Sea by North
American meridian. during which he stated
that Mr.. Grinnell had placed at is disposal
the Advance, and the Sccretagy Of the Navy
had assigned him TO special dnty for tho con-
duct ola new expedition, the details and ont
lines Of which he described. His plan OF
search is passed upon the probable extention
of the land masses of Greenland to tho faI
nortb--a view yet to be verified by travel, but
sustained by the analogies of Physical Geog-
raphy. Admitting such an extension. they
would, he saysshaye tho following induce
ments for exploration and research:
l. Terra frma as the basisof our operations
obvlates the accidents characteristic OF ice
travel.
2. A due northern line, which throwing aside
tho influences of terrestrial radiatic \. would
lead sooner to theopen sea. shonld .%.sh,exist
| 3. The benefit OF the fan like the abutment
ofland, on the north face Of Greenlan, to cheek
tho ice in the course of its southern or equato-
rial draft; thus obviatod the drawback of Par
nv in his attempt to reach the Pole by the
| Spitzburgen sea.
4. Animal life to sustain travelling parties.
8. The cooperation of tho Esquimanx settle
ments Of Greenlanders, having been found as
| high as Whale Sound. and probably exten-
ding still further along the coast. The point
I would endeavor to attain would be tho high
est attainablo point of Baffin's Bay, if possible,
pursuing the Sound known as Smiths Sound,
advocated by Baron Wrangeel, as the most
eligible site for reaching the North Pole.
As point of departure, this is two hundred
and twenty miles to the north of Beechey Island
tho starting point of Sir Edward Belcher--
nd ,,,.lo &c t,tp q,
seen or recorded in wellington Channel.
The party will consist of some thirty men,
with couple of launches sledges. dogs and
gutta percha boots. The provisions will be
pemmican--a preparation of dried meat, pack
cd in cases, impregnablo to the appetite ofthe
| Polar boar DR.. Kane, after stating that his
expedition will leave the United States in time
TO reach the Bay at tho earliest season of nav
| igaton. says:
After reaching the settlement of Uppernavik
we take in supply OF Esquimaux dogs. and n
| few picked men o take charge Of the sledges.
| We then enter the ice of Melville Bay. and il
successful in its penetration hasten to Smiths
| Sound, forcing our vessels the utmost naviga-
| bic point, and there securing her for the win
| ter. The operations of search. however. are
not 10 be suspended. Active exercise is the
best safeguard against the scurvy: and al
favor am convinced that with the exception,
perhaps, of the sosttial period of maximum
obscurity we can push forward our provision
deposits by sledgc and lunch, and thus prepare
for the final effort of our search.
Tn this | am strengthened by the valuable
opinion Of nv friend, Mr.. Murdaugh, late the
sailing matter of the Advance He has advo-
Gated this very Sound rs basis Of land ope-
rations. And the recent journey of VIM. Ken
nedy, commanding Lady Franklin's last expe-
dition, shows that the fall and winter should
no longer be regarded rs lost months.
The sedres, which constitute so important
feature of our expedition, and upon which
not only our success but our safety will de-
pend. are to be constructed with extreme care
Each sledg1 will carry the blanket, bags and
furs of six men, together with a measured al
lownnce of Pcmican. A light tent of India
rubber cloth. Of new pattern, will be added
but for our nightly halt tho main depcndance
will be the snow house of the Esquimauy. IL
is almost Incredible in the face of obsticlos, to
what extent n well organized sledge party can
advance. The relative importance Of every
ounce Of weight can be calculated. and the sys-
tenn Of advanced depots of provision organized
admirably.
Alchohol or talow is the only fuel, and tho
entire cooking apparatus, which is moro for
thawing the snow for tea-wator than for heat
ing food--can be carried in little bag
Lieut.. McClihtock. of Commander Ansten's
expedition, travelled thus 500 miles; tho col
lective journeys of the expedition equaled sew
eral thousand, and Baro Wrangel mado by
dogs, 1853 miles in "a days, and this over
vast frozen ocean.
But tho greatest sledge journey upon record
is that ofmy friend Mr.. Kennedy, who accom-
plished nearly 400 most of it in mid d-winter,
withou: returning upon his track to avail him
self of deposited provisions, His only food
and we may here learn the practical lesson of
tho traveller to avoid unnecessary baggage
was Pemmican, and his only shelter the Snow
House.
1t is my intention TO cover each sledge with
gutta percha boat-a contrivance which the
experience Of the English has shown to be per-
fectIy portable. Thus equipped, we follow
the tread ofthe coast, seeking the open ,Cdter.
Once there, If such reward await us, We
launch our little boats, and, bidding God speed
US, embark upon its waters. (Appaus.)