The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-06-16
Vhe Nane EIelief Expedltion.


the two ships that have just started to the
Polar regions i'll search of DR.. Kane and his
crew, who two years ago sailed from New
York for the purpose of ascertaining what
had become Of Sir John franklin:
1.-The propeller Arctic is of about $50
tons register, was built at Philadelphia, and
was originally intended for light ship service.
but was purchased for this expedition a a.
cost of S30000 The barque Release meas
ures 327 tons, and is almost new. having
only made two voyages. She cost 1927, 600.
Both vessels have been fitted up with every
view to substantial service both Of them
have been strongly braced to enable them to
sustain large amount of lateral pressure
with heavy sister kelsons, four bilge kelsOns,
and too heavy breast hooks; forward they
are strengthened by heavy athwart-ship
beams and knees running fore and aft ale
heavy beams, l3 by 9 inches. five feet apart,
each beam strengthened by four dagger knees,
two forward and two aft, and two hanging
knees each sampson post amidships has
two heavy iron rods running through it and
boled through the sister and main kelsons
to keep tie decks from buckling up the
stancheons fore and aft have each four extra
knees. and on each quarter heavy live oak
beams have been let in.
The decks are double planked and caulk-
ed, and the inner surfaces Of tie decks and
sides are covered with cork to prevent the
condensatiOns from free zing. The bows are
filled with every conceivable variety of tim
ber- bracing, and are divided off from the
rest of the vessel by substantial watertight
bulkhead so that in case of collision with
icebergs, or should the bows by any chance
be stove in or nipped off-as is not unfre-
quently the case-the vessel would still
+ float if not long enough to bring the crew
! back to port, certainly for a space Of time
sufficient to allow those on board to proviS-
ION and prepare their boats and sledgas, and
escape over the ice or by water, before the
vesse! would sink. The outside of the yes
sci has, in like manner, been substantially
strengthened.
The crew of the barque will be lodged on
deck, being furnished at option with winter
quarters below. The winter quarters of the
officers are on half-d below the spar-deck,
and q bout four feet i'll height. The propeLer's
crew will lodge III the tOp-gallant tOreCaStle.
The expedition is proyisioncd with rations
for two wears, which, with the extras, will
last three years cruise. The food of Off
GERS and men is alike and consists mainly OF
concentrated meat, soups, patent meat bis
cult, self-raisng flour, limejuice, cabbage,
=. preserved potatoes, pickles, whiskcy, &c.
The supplies include about 900 pounds Of
dried meats and soups, and $4,000 pounds OF
preserved vegetables.
A large quantity of clothing suitable to
the Arctic climate will also be taken out.
among which are about 800 pairs of woolen
stockings. Together, the vessels take out 300
tons of coal for the purpose of heating and
the use of the propeller, which consumes
: about five tons daily.
For the navigation of the northern sea
many curious implements have been pro
vided-each vessel carries full complement
of ice anchors, of from Is to 100 lbs. weigh
t -india-rubber boats, sledges, dogs and whale
boats-indeed, everything which ingenuity
can invent for the success of the enterprisins
mariners has been furnished and effected.
Mr.. Henry Grinnell with his usual solici
tude has personally superintended the pre-