Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-10-17


between it and Greenland, bears, we I'M
derstand, the name Of Mr.. George Pea
body, one of the projectors of the Expe-
dltion. This icy connection of the Old
and New Worlds, is feature of singular
and romantic interest.
The range of the sledge journeys may
be understood from the fact, that the en-
tire circuit Of Smiths Sound has been eff
fected, and it's shores completely cha ted.
THE OPEN POLAR SEA.
But the real discovery of the Expedi-
ton is the Open Polar Sea. The channel
leading to these waters was entirely free
| of ice, and this feature was rendered more
remarkable by the existence of zone, or
solid belt of ice, extending more than
one hundred and twenty-five miles to the
southwark. (This sea veri6es the views
/ of DR.. Kane, as expressed to the &C.
ographical Society before his departure.)
The flashing Of the surf against this
frozen beach Of ice was, we are assured,
Impressive beyond description. Several
gentlemen with whom we have conversed
speak Of it with wonder and admiration.
/ d.
was seen, entirely free from ice. This
channel has been named after Hon. J. p
Kennedy, late Secretary of the Navy
under whose auspices the Expedition was
undertaken.
The land to the north and west,of this
channel had been charted as high as
80 80. This is the nearest land to-, the
Pole yet discovered. 1t bears the name
Of Mr.. Henry Grinnell, the founder Of
the Expedition.
THE WINTER OF 1895.
The extreme severity Of the previous
season made it evident that the brig could
not be liberated before the winter set in.
She was fast imprisoned in the centre of
large field of ice. The provisions.
although abundant, were not calculated
to resist scurvy, and the fuel, owing to
the emergencies of the previous winter.
was deficient in quantity.
Under these trying circumstances, DIR.
Kane, with a party of volunteers, in an
attempt to reach the mouth of Lancaster
Sound, in hopes of meeting the English
expeditions, and thus giving relief to his
associates, passed in an open boat over
the track of Bufin's travel, riding out a
heavy gale. They found an uninterrupt-
ed barrier of ice, extending in one great
horse shoe from Jones' to Murchison's
and were forced, after various escapes, to
return to the brig.
During the winter that ensued, they
adopted the habits of the Esquimaux
living upon raw walrus meat and sur
rounding themselves with walls of moss
In spite of these precautions, the scurvy
advanced with steady progress, but by
the aid of a single team of dogs, DR.. K.
succeeded in effecting a communication
with the Esquimaux, seventy five miles to
the southwark, the coolest drive, accor-
ding to the Doctor, that he ever had
| By the system of mutual assistance, the
Expedition exchanged meat with the Es-
quimaux, and by organizing hunt, re-
lieved their party.
AT one time, every man in the Expedi-
ton, except DR.. Kane and Mr.. Bonsell,
was confined to his bunk with scurvy.
DR.. Kane had to cook, cut in ice, &C., and
Mr.. Bonsell had to do other mental SER
VICE By providential interference the
The great belt OF ice made it clear that
no relief expedition from the South could
reach the party in time to prevent their
imprisonment for third winter, which.
with their deficiency of fuel, would have
proved most disastrous and fatal. Under
these circumstances DR.. Kane wisely de-
| termined to abandon his brig, and at
tempt to descend to the South by com
bination of boats and sedges.
In accordance with this view, they left
the brig on the 18th Of May-the tempe
nature at that time being degrees below
zero. They crossed q belt of ice 81 miles
in diameter, dragging their boats behind
them, and carrying four sick comrades by
means of a dog sledge. After travel of
$40 miles, with 81 days of constant expo
sure, they reached Cape Alexander and
embarked in open water. Their guns
supplied them animal food, no provisions
being carried in the boats except powder
ed breadstnffs and talow.
From Cape Alexander they travelled to
theesouthward. sometimes over ice, some
times through water, shooting elder duck
and seal, and collecting enough eggs to
keep the party in good condition. At
Cape Fork they burnt up their spare boats
and sledges orfuel, and left the chase
Striking out into the open sea Of Melville
Bay, they then steered for the north Dan
ish settlements Of Greenland. Here they
providentially landed on the 9th of Au-
gust, in vigorous health, after a travel of
1900 miles, and eighty-one days of CON
slant exposure.
FALLING IN WITH HARTsTETN's EXPEDITION.
From the Upernayik the largest of these
settlements, they took passage in Danish
sailing vessel for England. BY great good
fortune, they touched at Disco, where, they
were met by Capt. Hartstein's expedition.
This last searching expedition had found
the ice of Smiths Sound still unbroken,
but having communicated with the Esqui-
maux, had heard of the departure of DR..
Kane, and had retraced their steps.
The Expeditions has to mourn the loss of
three OF its comrades, two Of whom per-
ished OF lock jaw, and one abcess, follow
ing upon frozen extremity. These men
may be said to have fallen in the direct
discharge Of nlble duty. Their names
are Christian Ohlsen, acting carpenter,
Jefferson Baker and Peter Schubert vol
unteers.
Some OF the ohcers who were on board
hn n l,.ox L.. -.