Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1854-10-14
From the s. Francisco Herald, Sept 3lstl
Cruise Of the British SIoop.of.war Trinco.
malice.

Cruise Of the British SIoOp.ofs War Trinco.
malice.
We are indebted to one of the officers of The
Trincomalee for some interesting incidents Of her
voyage. This vessel remained at Honolulu from
May 18th TO June lst, during which time the
fnigate Diana was at the same port. Entire good
feeling existed between the British and Russian
officers, attending balls and frateTnizing heartily
together, notwithstanding it was supposed at The
time that war declared, although no official no
tce had been received to that effect. This made
no difference, however, as regarded the Trim
GONZALEZ. Being attached at the time to the Dis
covery squadron, and carrying supplies for their
relief she was, By the Usages Of nations, not liable
to any attack. AS, in the Ochotsk Sea, the ice
broke up much earlier In the Artic than usual, thus
relieving the Plover from her detention at Point
Barrow much sooner than expected. No news
had been obtained Of the Investigator, and there is
but little hope of the rescue Of these board from
this side Of the continent ami search for them is to
be abandoned after this season. II is to be hoped
that, like Capt. Mcclure and associates, shall
hear of them the Atlantic side of the continent.
Not word was hea rd of the missing whale ship by
any of the Arctic squadron, and the representations
made of the great scarcity Of provisions in that re-
gon in the winter time, very disheartening 10 the
friends of those on board.
The Trincumalee arrived at Port Clarence, sit
uated at the entrance of Behring's Straits, on the
southern side of Cape Prince of Wales, on the 25th
Oh June, lCO4 UdNIIlR pdsSeu tHIOugD ass Oh
the Four Mountains, one of which, bearing South
South-East, is a volcano: The SHOW caps these
Islands, which all aSstme cOnical form TO within
about forty feet of the water-the mean height of
the four being about fifteen hundred feet. This
Pass is recommended, there being less current than
in Amohtka or Segouan. The object of the Trim
coma lees voyage TO deliver stores to the Arc
tic squadron. The Rattesnake has built store
receive the provisions which must be left at Port
Clarence for II. NJ. Discovery ship Investigator.
As the Trncomalee bore orders for both the Rat
jlesnake and the Flower to return in the summer OF
! 1855, we may therefore conclude that should not
Captain COllnson5 vessel, or any OF her crew, fall
back oneiher Point Barrow, where the Plover win
tcrs, or be heard Of at Point Clarence, further
search will be made on the Pacific side beyond this
season.
An excursion was undertaken into the interior
from Port Clarence, by some officers of the Trinco
malee who succeeded in entering the River AgR-
puc in boats. The scenery Is very tame, consis-
/ ting of moorland,-not q bush or tree to be seen
for miles. The highest tree seen by the party
was after leaving their boats, which stood about
fifteen feet. Ptarmigan, wild duck, and hares, are
very numerous. To arrive at the River, there are
a series of Likes, ranging twenty miles from Port
Clarence, to be passed through.
| Situated on the Agepuc are some {" Ice Cliff"
containing Ma nmoth remains, some OF which are
in possession of the officers Of the Rattesnake.
| The TnncomaIee fell in with the ice off Norton
Sound, on the 24th Of June. IL had cleared from
Port Clarence fortnight before her arrival. The
Straits at that time were clear throughout. The
Rattiesnake was frozen IN the previous year about
the middle of November. Our informant says that
Port Clarence appeared better place TO winter
than Grantley harbo the pressure of the ice being
found less in the former place. The mosquitoes
are more numerous there than even In any part OF
Central America "a slight air carries them of, but
during a calm day il is impossible 10 walk without
thn hat inf at
he inhaled mouthfus. Salmon, salmon peal and
trout are taken in large quantities there.
The natives are extremely docie, and very in
telligent bit, as is the case with the Esqulmaux
generally, very lazy. The only wood they pro-
cure is that drifted from-no one knows where
out of which, by mana cement of walius tHsks and
whale bone, they -contrive admirable spears and
bows and arrows for killing the seal and bear, of
which animals their winter stock of food IS formed.
During the latter part of the winter, they
duced to n state of semi-starvatlon, and then are
even content TO eat the hides of animals, IN which
fare their dogs-a noble-looking breed-haVe
share. One mode they have of catching the bear,
lis by piece of frozen blubber, in which is doubled
a piece of whaebone the animal greedlly swallows
it-the blubber thaws the whalebone stretches, ami
the brute dies in agony.
Since the above was in type we have had an IL
lteryiew with an officer late of II. b. Ms Snip
Poyer, sent 10 the assistance of the Northern dis
lcovery ships, and have obtained from him the io.-
loving additional information.
! Their ship wintered at Point Barrow, in the Arc
tic. during the winter Of 1853 and 1854. While ly
ing there party from the ship made an excursion
as for as Point Bherings, few miles TO the east
ward of the river Covihe, where they fell in with
a party OF Indians, but not understanding their
language could not make inquiry OF them regarding
the Investigator, Capt. COllInson, K. B., OF whom
the P.over was in search, or of any wrecked ships.
They were frozen in at Point Barrow, Sept. 2}d
1853 and were entirely freed from the ice July 2fsl
1854, arriving at Port Clarence, Angus. LIST. A
bout tue Doth of July, off Point Hope, spoke ship
Gideon Howland, Bryant, of New Bedford, eleven
months out chad taken no oil in the Arctlc,) who
rave them information of the probability OF the
Europern war, and also the fact Of Capt Mcclure
discovery Of the Northwest passage. There were
hut few whales in the Arctic. OF Port Clarence
was boarded from the ship William Rotch. Nor
slander, of Fairhaven, which vessel had lost anchor
and taken one whale in the Arctic. The PlOver
after having received board her stores frum the
Iruncomaee, left Port Clarence for Point Barrow
where sire will pass the winter of l654-'55.
Our informant thinks that # any vessel had been
cast away near the shores of America, they should
have obtained some knowledge of the fact in theil
interview with the natives, who Rad evidently ira
veled from the point where shpwreched persons
would probably be- and ne IS OF opinion that u tne
nissng whaler Is ever heard from, 1t will be on The
AsIatlc coast.
Arrival Of the Discovery Vessel Rattlesnake
Interesting News.
The RattIesnake a British vessel sent out iron
England nearly two years since, to search ior oi
John Franklin arrived the 18th, and anehore'
at Sa6eelito. The health of the crew during tn
VOYAGE has been excellent. The Rattlesnake an'
the Enterprise are the last of the vessels sent on
III Erapklin They noyy upOn tleI