The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-01

The Arctic Expedition.
THE DEP Arturo OF THE ADvANCE-BI0GRAPHIcAL
SKETCH OF DR.. KANE, THE COMMANDER, ETC.
Dr. Kane and his intrepid sailed from this port
Yesterday the Arctic regions in search ehe lost
vigator Sir John Franklin The brig Advance, Of which
we have already given full description, was towsd into
the stream about nine o'clock in the morning, and an
chored sstsrn Of the EArdnian fgat where abe remain
ed two hours object of intense curiosity to hun
dreds of persons on the Battery.
About ten O'Clock DR.. Kane arrived board, and BE-
tween that and twelve O'Clock the hour Of her departure
he visited by considerable number Of his friends
all anxious to bid him farewell before leaving his noble
apd phianthropic but perilous enterprise. Dr. Kane,
himself, in excellent health and spirits, and his
officers and crew, who gallant company as ever
embarked on IN expedition, appeared to anticipate
the hardshps and difficulties which they must
counter with the feelings Of men bound upon . voy
age Of pleasure. As boarded her about two hours
before she was taken in tow, We had excellent
opportunity Of observing the preparations which had
been made the expedition. Nothing has been left
done to supply commander with every facility
sary for the prosecution Of his search In quest Of Sir
John Franklin and in making scientific Investigations
and discoveries in the Arctic regions Dr. Kane believes
that there probability of Sir John Frsnklins being
still alive and bases his convictions the fact that In
the most remote region yet penetrated by explorers
there is abundance Of animal life. "The OF
that region he says in of his lectures for the
support of e surprisingly greater than the public
are generally aware" He is supplied with provisions
for three years. although he thinks he viii not be longer
away than two years. at the utmost and he takes with
him lledgcs for the purpose Of travelling the
ice when his vessel is frozen in and unable to pursue
her voyage. These sledges are perfect curosities,
and would astonsh those who unacquainted
with the mode Of travel in the Arctic regions There
two kinds of which is about fourteen inches wide
fourteen feet long, and is drawn by twelve Esquimaux
dogs These used solely for the conveyance Of pro
VISIONS clothing &C.. while the other sledges which
nine and thirteen feet long by four in BREADTH win be
employed to convey the members of the expedition. Be-
sides these he is provided with wicker work boats covered
with India rubber which renders them completely i'm
pervious to water. With these they viii any open
ngs in the ice that may pede their As is
impossible fer them to coal while travelling in their
sedges, they furnished with excellent substitute
in the form Of alcohol Of which they have large sup
ply. They have also FORGE considerable amount Of
unwrought large number Of sabots wooden Shoes
and shoes, which they will find particularly useful
In pursuing their explorations foot Besides these
DR.. Kane is provided with extensive library and
complete set Of scientific instruments.
About hour before her departure, Judge Kane and
three Of his sons Captain Levy of the United States
Navy Colonel Meper, and Mr. Henry Grinnel, came on
board with several of the Doctors intimate friends It
was IL O'Clock before the Unon with the members the
New York Grand Lodge Of hasons came alongside and
then they greeted him with such cheer as Americans
only can give and which received hearty response from
those board the Advance. Soon after the towbost
an which volunteered gratui ousy for the service
by her owner arrived the anchor was weighed and the
gallant craft taken down the bay by her powerful
assistant followed closely by the Union 1t would be
both sides during the fact the enthusiasm Of
the Doctors friends appeared to know bounds When
the Advance about twenty miles from the Battery the
Union returned after giving nine hearty cheers and the
Titan continued down the bay about ten miles further
Then the hawser was parted and the noble commander
and his proceeded their solitary voyage in their
stout little craft while many Godspeed went with them
1t nearly quarter Of hour however, before she
got under way, and the Titan turned her prov oxard
New York. But before got out Of hsiling distance
another three cheers thrice repeated given when
the sailors Of the Advance up the rigging and re-
spended with three Then when the was lost
in the frightening distances mute farewell was waved
to those board the Advance, Dr. Kane remaining on
deck till he could longer be dsting uished among his
crew by those on the Titan. The last of his yes
sci she was under full headway 1t O'Clock be-
| fore the Titan landed her passengers.
econsder this particularly appropriate time to give
brief sketch of the life Of Dr. Kane now that he is be-
fore the world in conspicuous position than he
ever occupied before He was born in Philadelphia on
the Sd Of February 1922 that he is at about
thirty years old In 1s43 he graduated after seven
years Of studies at the Pennsylvania Med Uni
versi and after be entered the United States navy
as assistant surgeon While acting this capacity he
was appointed physician in the first embassy to China
from this country. His naturally adventurous DISPOSE
ton led him to project visit to the interior but the diff
fcuties we're so numerous that he could accomplish
his purpose as fully he desired. He however sue
ceeded In travelling large section Of the couutrv:
and before his return he visited the Philippines Ceyon
and other islands in that region and even succeeded in
penetrating into the interior Of India. His travels
through these regions full adventures and per
but perils to Of DR.. Kanes temperament appear
only to have the effect Of making them more attrsc
tive. While in India, he descended the crater of
the Iael OF Luzon, suspended by bamboo rope
from projecting srag which above the interior
scora and debris, two hundred feet This act of
daring nearly cost him his e for the natives regarded
it o. sacregous st. which could only be eaced by the
death Of the impious offender Dr. Kane however escap
ed their pous vengeance and afterwards went to the La
drone Islands with the celebrated Baron oe of
where he was attacked by whole tribe of the savage
inhabitants Of thote islands Against these he
fully defended himself but the hardshps he and his
panon subsequently more tn IN the latter
could endure, and he sunk under them Dr. Kane alone
passed over to Egypt assembled the Nile far as the
confines Of Nuba, and remained during whole Sc ason
among the ruins Of ancient Egypt in antiquarian research
Leaving Egypt he visited Greece next which he traversed
on foot returning to the United States in s46 When he
arrived his love Of adventure would allow him to
remain inactive, and he applied almost immediately after
his return, to the government for commission Next
co. Failing to obtain this, he accepted appointment
board Of United States vessel bound to the African
coast Arriving there he could not resist the TEN
to see the slave marts Of Whydah, but met in his
journey by that terrible enemy of the white mantle
African fever. He brought home 10 state Of ex-
reme Ill health and emaciaton; bat although almost
able to move, he made his way TO Washington from Phi
adelphia against the earnest entreaes Of his family,
presented himself with shaven head and totteng limbs
TO PRECEDENT Polk and demanded what had