Smyrna times., 1855-10-24


S OF Smith Sound has been effected, and its shore
: completely charted.
IHE OPEN POLAR SEA-But the real dis
y coVery OF the Expedition is the Open PoLul
e sea. The channel leading to these water,
was entirely free from ice, and this feature was
: rendered more remarkable by the existence O
t zone, or solid belt of ice, extending more than
r one hundred and twenty y-five miles to the south.
ward CFhis sea veriies the views of Dr.
f Name as expressed to the Geographical Society
before his departure)
f The lashng of the surf against this frozen
oeach ot Ice was, we are assured, impressive
, beyond description. Several gentlemen with
whom We have cOnversed, speak of it with
wonder and admiration
An area of three thousand square miles was
seen entirely free from ice. This channel has
been named after Hon. John p. Kennedy. late
secretary OF the Navy, under whose auspices
the Expedition was taken. The land to the
horth and west of this channel has been chart
ed as high as 81 degs. 30 Minis. This is the
nearest IdRd to the Pole yet discovered. If
bears the name Of Mr.. Henry Grinnel. the
founder of the expedition which bears his
name.
The WINTER OF 1854 -'55-The extreme
severity of the previous season made il 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 re.
slst scurvy, and the fuel, owing to the emer
gencles OF the previous winter, was deficient
In quantity.
! Under these trying circumstances, DR.. Kane.
with party Of volunteers, in an attemut IN
reach the mouth of Lancaster Sound. in homes
of meeting the English Expeditions. and Tins
giving relief to his associates, passed in am
open boat over the track OF Baffin's travel
riding out heavy gale. They found an unin-
terrupted barrier of ice, extending in one great
horseshoe from Jones' to Murchlson's Sounds
aud were forced, after various escapes, to return
to the brig.
During the winter that ensued, they adopted
the habits of the Esqumaux Aring uDou r0,,
WdfruS me0t, and surrounding themselves with
walls OF moss In spite of these precautions.
the scurvy advanced with steady progress, but
by the aid OF u sing e team OF dogs, DR.. Kane
succeeded IN eltectlng communication with
the EsqulmauX, seventy mi es to the southwark
(the coolest drive, according to the Doctor that
he ever hdd.) BY the system of mutual assis-
lance, the Expedition exchanged meat with the
Esqumaux, and by organizing a hunt relieved
their party.
At one time, every man of the Expedition.
except DIR. Kane and Mr.. Bonsell, we're con-
hned to their hunks with scurvy. DIR. Kane
had to cook, cut ice, &c, and Mr. BOnsel had
TO do other menlal service. By Providental
interference the party escaped without single
death.
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 dsastr and
fatal. Under these circumstances, Dr. Kane
wisely determined to abandon his brig, and at
tempt to descend to the south by a combination
of boats and sedgcs.
In accordance with this view thew left the
brig on the 18th of May-the temperature at
that time being > deg. below zero. They cross
ed belt of ice 81 miles in diameter, dragging
their boats behind them, and carrying four sick
comrades by means of u dog sledge. After
travel OF BIG miles, with 81 days of constant
exposure, they reached Cape Alexander and
embarked IN open water. Their guns supplied
them with animal food, no provisions being car
ried in the boats except powdered breadstulfs
and tallow.
From Cape Alexander they travelled to the
southward, sometimes 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 for fuel, and lett the coast Striking
out INTO the open sea of Melville Bay, they
then steered for the North Danish settlements
OF Greenland. Here they providentially land
ed on the 9th of August, in vigorous health.
after their travel of 1900 miles aud eighty-one
d0yS Of constant exposure!
FALLING IN WITH HARrsTENEs EXPEDITION.
From Upernavik, the largest of these settle
ments, they took passage in a Danish sailing
vessel for England. BY great good fortune.
they touched at Disco, where they were metby
Capt. Hartstene's expedition. This last search
ing expedition had found the ice of Smiths
/ Sound still unbroken, but having communicated
with the Esquimaux, had heard of the depar-
ture of DIR. Kane, and had retraced their steps.
The expedition has to mourn the loss of three
! of Its comrades, two of whom perished of lock-
jaw, and one from absccss, following upon a
frozen extremity. These men may be said to
have died IN the direct discharge of a no.
bic duty. Their names are, Acting Carpenter
Christian Ohlsen, Jefferson Baker and Peter
Schubert, volunteers.
Some of the officers who were on board the
Advance, have also made statement, from
whchawe extract the following items:
About the latter part of November, 1853.
the days grew extremely short, dark and cold,
so that our travelling was prevented entirely
by the latter part of November and from the
first of December to the first of January we
could not see to read. We were extremely
anxious about some of our sledge parties, who
were not heard from for some time, but they
eventually returned, having made all practica-
bic preparations for the spring operation SO
we were obliged to settle ourselves for the win
ter. 1t was extremely cold, the thermometer
being between 60 and rs degrees below zero,
though the mercury alternately froze and thaw-
) ed. Whiskey froze in November. Brandy
froze so as to pour out like molasses and in the
coolest weather we were astonshed to find
that calorc and other ascetic ether also froze
slightly. The mean temperature of the wea-
, ther, while we were there, was four degrees
lower than ever before registered Pure alco-
f hol did not freeze but got quite thick.
f On the 4th of June, 1851, party went out
-, conopoond Of M -. - Al.