The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-11-03


moon, produced a beauty, brlliancy and
grandeur, wholly inconceivable to those who
never made All excursion to these regions
These illumined scenes were generally edged
by black, scraggy and barren rocks, which
added to the mysterious subIlmity Of the
whole.
The first winter which this expedition ex-
perienced was remarkable for being one of
the severest and the longest in darkness ever
experienced by civilized man. When the
cold began to increase it was 10 deg. below
zero early in September, and as the season
advanced, although it proved to be a much
mllder winter than many described by the
natives, 40 deg, 50 deg. and even GO deg.
below zero We're recorded. Early in Nov,
if not on the last of October. at a tempera-
ture of 40 deg below zero old Monongahela
whiskey. so famous for its strength, was
converted into ice.
! A portion of the first winter passed very
smoothly. 1t was a period of rest and amuse-
ment; but as the light began to dawn and
the spring to draw nigh, preparations were
made for sledging.
AS early as the middle of March party
was sent out for the purpose of reaching the
west shore. The cold was intense, and the
grand obstacle was the hammocks that OBJ
structed the progress of the travellers.
Later in the spring. when the weather be-
came warmer. another party started, which
was led on by Dr. Kane. They started with
dogs and sledges. They crossed the sound ;,
and returned in safety.
Another party was sent ont to large gla-
cier of eighty miles in extent The extrem-
ity Of this glacier was the most northerlv
limit of the field of search. Beyond this
glacier the land altered its trend, it having
trapla1 from, tho Vi cinitv of StnGI,rl'c ba,l
about east. nearer east than north. Beyond
this it trended again to the north, ami when
the whole bay was froz n up, from IA short
distance north of this glacier was discover
ed a channel Of open water running north
and south. In and along this stream We're
, innumerabe cetacea (fsh of the whale ge-
nus) and birds.
The principal food of the travellers over
the ice was procured by the riff; it consis-
ted almost exclusively Of the pcmmican.
With reference to the channel above de
scribad, it is for those most convcrsant with
geographical theories and principles to de
termime whether or not it is an indication of
any highway of water beyond, or whether il
is merely one of those tide streams which
sometimes break the frozen surface Of nor
then estuary, known to the Danes IA race.
Whatever it is. one thing is certain-if it be
= the basis of a line of coast presenting some
thing unchangeab bic, something fixed, wheth-
/ er it be the water or ice, on which to travel,
that feature alone makes this apparently the
most eligible road to the north pole; and it
is an aspiration of American navigators that
the American flag shall not only be borne
/. triumphantly along this road, but thatit may
some day be planted on the point known TO
4 tradition as the pole that in fact the north
pole shall one day become the flagstaff of
: their countrys banner.
Early in the spring the New Foundland
dogs were exceedingly useful in carrying bur
dens they were indeed invaluable for short
excursions six of them would draw bur
= den varying from 800 to 800 pounds, at a
! dog -trot Of four miles an hour. They would
n travel 50 miles day for several days in sue,
:, cncrinn Ehncn 1ln1c hnnrnrnr t.,l