The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-11-02

expedition. The following comprises the
substance Of the official report -
DIR. Kane, U. S., Navy, John w. Wilson,
Amos Bonsall, DR.. j. j. Haynes, Augustus
Sontag, Henry Goodtclow, George Ste
phcnson, William Norton, Thomas Hickey,
Christian Ohleson, Jefferson Baker, and
Peter Schubert, left this por. on Tuesday,
the 3lst Of May, 1858, just two years and
seven months ago, on board the brig Adj
vance in search Of Sir John Franklin.
After some bold and difficult sailing due
North, the Advance reached il bay on the
North coast Of Greenland, the hca,llauJ
Of which is in lat rs .lcr. so min. They
entered this bay on the 10th of September,
1853, and there the ice surrounded the BRIG
and set her fast. At this point the compa-
ny commenced their search for Sir John
Franklin.
The winter was of degree of severity
never before recorded. Wlskcy frozc. The
sun was absent one hundred and twenty
days asronomically, and really, owing to
the elevation of the hills, there were One
hundred and thirty days Of darkness. This.
therefore, must be further north than the
company OF any expedition have ever before
wintcrcd. 1t WAS Il time Of extreme hard
ship. The chief enemy was tc.anus, or
iockjaw, caused by the severe cold. The
scurvy was easily sublucd.
The coast Of Greenland was explored TO
a point where it entirely faces tie north,
and the progress of the coast towards the
A'lant'c was followed until the immense
glaciers Or iccbergs arrested the progress Of
these daring adventures. One glacier was
followed along its base a distance of eighty
miles, where it WAS discovered to cement
Greenland to All uncxpIored and hitherto
undiscovered continent running to the North.
The party surveyed theehtne shores of
Smith sound, which is believed to be a gulf
or bay.
\ new channel was discovered tending
due North, entirely free from ice and open
ing into the Polar sea.
The discovery of the Polar sea is regarded
by DR. Kane as one Of tho most important
and Interesting results of the expedition.
The zone Of ice extended in one solid
mass southwark, so that it became evident
that tic Advance could not bo liberated.
Under these circumstances, DIR. Kane volun-
tcercd communication with the English
at Lancaster sound. lie made his Journey
with five volunteers in an open whale boat.
but found solid ice to the southwark. By
tins time the second winter set in. 1t found
them with abundant provisions, but dcs,i-
tute of anti-scorhutics and deficient in fuel.
At this juncture, unable to pursue navipa.
ton, they adopted the habits of the Esnni-
mauS. They returned to the brig, which
they envelopcd in moss. They organized
Il hunting expedition, and lived on raw
meat. The winter was SO severe and this
diet SO unwho!esome, that at one time the
whoc crew, except two, were upon their
backs with the scurvy. Three of their
brave comrades died at this distressing sea-
son. DIR. Kane mentioned to us this circum-
stance with evident emotion for said he
Il feel great distress at the loss of our
three comrades. We were all companions
together in this enterprise, and had become
good friends"
Two Of the deceased died of lockjaw, and
one Of abscess following amputation.
Several amputations were performed
the toes Of those who had not been North
before being frost-bi'tcn.
Finding that liberation was impossible,
and that no expedition in search of them
could penetrate the ice in time to avoid a
third winter, DR.. Kane determined as the
only measure of safety to abandon the brig
and travel to the South by alternately trav,
elling in sledges and in boats. The sick
were conveyed in dog slcdges under the i'm
mediate care Of DR.. Kane in person, who
attended to them with ali the assiduity of
his generous nature. The distance travelled
was neary one thousand four hundred miles,
three hundred and sixteen of which were
performed in dog sledgcs and the balance
in boats. 1t was aperiod Of great exposure
and suffering. The party sustained them
selves entirely by their guns.
On the 9th Of August, 1855, the party
entered the Danish settlements and took
passage in the Danish brig Mary Ann, bound
for England. They touched at Disco on
the 9th of September last, whore they were
happily met by the expedition under COM
mand of,Capt. Hartstein. DR.. Kane i'm
mediately withdrew bis contract for passage
i'll the Mary Ann, and proceeded home BY
those vessels as above described.
Captain Hartstein said that he had with
difficulty forced his way into. Melville Bay,
and found Smith Sound clothed with ice.
He had learned Of the Esquimaux Of the
departure Of DR.. Kane. He, then returned
and met DR.. Kane at Disco, just twenty -four
hours previous, to the time fixed upon for
the departure Of; the Mary Ann for England.
The expedition has travelled in lower