Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-10-31

bay which interposes between it and Green
land have named after Mr. Peabody. 4 81
ass Peabody bay gives exit at its western
curve latitude so deg IL min to a large
channel which forms the most interesting
geographical feature of our travel This
channel expands to the northward into an
open and iceless area, abounding in animal
life, and presenting every character of an
open Polar sea- A surface of 800 square
miles was seen at various elevations free from
I ice. with northern horizon equally free. A
north wind, fifty-two hours in duration, failed
to bring any drift into this area.
g 1t is with pain that mention to the de-
partment my inability to navigate these waters.
One hundred and twenty-five miles Of solid
ice, SO rough as to be impossible to boats,
separated them from the nearest southern
land MY personal eforts In April and May
failed to convey one of the smallest India-rub-
Der boats to within 90 miles of the channel
"My party, including myself, were COM
pletely broken four of them had undergone
amputation of toes for frost bite; nearly all
were suffering from scurvy, and the season
had SO far advanced as to render another
journey impossible. To the north of latitude
81 deg. II min. the shores of the channel be-
came preoipitous and destitute even of passage
to the sledge William Morton. who, with
one Esquimaux and small team of dogs,
had reached this spot. lashed by heavy surf,
absolutely checked his progress.
1t was on the western coasts of this sea
that had hoped to find traces of the gallant
martyrs whose search instigated this expedi-
ton The splendid efforts of DR. Ray--now
first known to me-would have given such a
travel merely geographical value. Review
ing conscientiously the condition of my party,
it is perhaps proyidential that we failed in the
embarkation.
The land washed by this sea to the north
ward and westward has been charted as high
as latitude 80 deg. 80 min. and longitude 76
deg This forms the nearest land to the pole
yet discovered 1t bears the honored name
of Mr.. Grinnell
b .'As the season advanced it became evil
dent that our brig would not be liberated.
Our immediate harbor gave few signs of
breaking up, and one unbroken ice surface ex
tended 70 the sound. 1t was now too late to
attempt an escape by boats; our fuel was de-
fcient, and our provisions, although abund-
ant, were in no wise calculated to resist sour
Wy. At this juncture started with FIVE vol
unteers on an attempt to reach the mouth of
Lancaster Sound. where hoped to meet the
English expeditions, and afford relief to my
associates. During this journey we crossed
the northernlnost track of William Bafin. in
: but finding a solid pack extending
from jones Sound to Hakluyt island, with
dificuity regained the brig.
The second winter was one of extreme
trial We were obliged, asa measure of pol
icy, to live the lives of the Esquimaux, envel-
oped in walls of moss. burning lamps, and
eating the raw meats of the walrus and bear
At one time every member of our party. with
the exception of Mr. Bonsall and myself, was
PROSTATE with scurvy and unable to leave his
bunk. Nothing saved US but a vigorously or
ganized hunt, and the aid of dogs. in procu-s
ring walrus from the Esquimaux, the nearest
settlement of which people was go miles dis
tant from our harbor.
g With these esquimaux--a race of the
highest interest-we formed q valuable alli-
ance, snaring our resources. and mutually de-
pending upon each other They were never
thoroughly to be trusted. but by mixed
course of intimidation and kindness, became
of essential service.
:. l have to report the loss of three of my
enlnrades--hrave men who perished in the di-
rect discharge of their duty. Two of these
acting carpenter Christion Ohlsen and Jetfer-
son Baker-died of lockjaw; the third. Peter
Shubert, of abscess following amputation of
tlle lOob.s MI OulScu was u tdludDle duNlSef
and personal friend He acted IN command
of the brig during my absence upon the sledge
journeys.
:. Knowing that third winter would be
fatal, and that We were too much invested by
ice for an expedition from the Sound to Hber-
ate us in time for the present season, aban-
doned the advance on the 18th of May, and
commenced travel to the South. The sick,
four in number, were conveyed by our dog
sledge. I had to sacrifice, my collection of
natural history, but saved the documents of
the expedition. <
{. The organization of this journey was
carefully matured to meet the alternating CON
tiDgencies Of ice and water. It consisted of
boats Graded upon wooden runners. with les
ser sledges for the occasional relief of cargo.
With the exception of reduced allowances of
powdered breadstuf and tallow,s we depended
upon our guns for food but small reverse
OF Borden's meat biscuit was kept unused for
emergencies. Our clothing was vigorously
limited to our furs. We walked in carpet
moccasins 80 ~
z .sOur greatest difficulty was the passage Of
an extensive zone of ice which intcrvened be-
tween the brig and the nearest southern water.
Although this belt was but eighty-one miles
in linear extent, such was the heavy nature of
the ice and our difficulties of transportation,
that its transit cost US thirty DAYS of la
Dor, and an actual travel Of three hundred
and sixteen miles, r.
From Cape Alexander we advanced by
boats, with only occasional ice passages at the
base of glaciers At Cape York / erected q
cairn aud pennant, with dispatches for the
information of vessels crossing Melville bay;
and then. after cutting up my spare boat for