Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-31

DR.. Kane.

The New York American Geographical
and Statistical Society held q meeting ON
Thursday evening, to greet DR.. Kane on
his return from the "open Polar Sea-
Bancroft, the historian, Henry Grinnel, and
other distinguished members of the soeietx
were present, together with 8 large audience
OF ladies and gentlemen. rather to the surpriss
of the intrepid navigator. He had not ,,eei.
ally prepared himself, but with reluctsucs
yielded to the entreaties of the society 70 an
pear before the audience, and occupied an
hour in an interesting address, which wa. in
terspersed with highly thrilling incidents. In
the course Of his remarks DR. Kane spoke sC
the Open Polar Sea
We found before us 4 field Of ice, and over
,his we found an open water, which has since
been called the open Polar Sea This water
appeared iceless. 1t was apparently without
ice. Not particle Of ice lined its shores. AT
an altitude Of 300 feet rs far as we can see. an
open sea met our eye. A gale Of long dura-
tion swept over this water, but brought NO
drift with II All animal life resorted TO these
waters. The seal was shot upon its shores,
and the duck reSorted TO it from every direc-
ton. We could not tell the exact temperaturs
of this water. but it was warmer than anv
water found below. In speaking of this sea
can, with propriety, speak Of tide streams.
Ihls term is known to the Russians and Danes
The abrasures of the tides sometimes leave an
open space in the sea. The opposite Of Green.
land remained to be explored to complete the
circuit OF Smith Sound. We had here gone
over route Of over 2, 700 miles Ii is hardly
within the province Of a geographical lecture
10 give the details Of our cruise Upon get
ting back to our winter harbor it was quite
evident that our little vessel could not escane
She had then nine feet of solid ice under her
bows, the result Of one winter freezing.
When we resolved to leave our vessel in
preference to starving or submitting 10 the
dangers from the natives, we found an m
broken barrier of eighty miles TO the ,outb
Of the policy of leaving our vessel need not
speak. Our sledges were cut from the vessel
and our boats were placed upon these sledres,
and thus we commenced our voyage u the
south. The Esquimaux natives, / must say,
az first our enemies, were now our firm friends
AID gave Us assistance, helped carry our sick
and lent or gave us their dogs when ours gave
out, and died from what appeared 10 be tho
lockJaw. We had to depend much upon our
guns to provide US with food. At times,
during this journey, affairs looked extremely
dreary. But there was no portion Of the time
that we were oppressed by hunger We were
there compelled TO consume more food than
mere. Elght DUCKS per diem is there an orli-
nary allowance. But when approaching Mel
vile bay we were threatened with want: but
before we grew hungry a seal was seen upon
the ice, and, killing this, We were supplied
with all the food We wanted. We finally again
reached Uppernayic, and there first heard of
the kind action on the part of our government
for our assistance. L shall never forget the
manning Of the rigging, and the three hearty
cheers that welcomed US back u social life
and love.
gentleman here asked how far north the
were found.
Dr. Kane said he had found them AZ Ts.2
The Esqulmaux were a migratory people lie
had seen their huts beyond that-at at the high
est point they reached.
z How far north have you found the rein
deer?
DIR; kane-As far as we went we found tho
reindeer
Mr. Bancroft-HOw do you account for thi.
open water
Dr. hane-Ne can only consider il incident
70 great open area at the Pole er at a point
farther north.
alderman Chauncy-Is it possible. in your
OPinlon, To reach this open sea with boats ana
explore it
Dr. hane-That ID coming rather near home
l tried as hard as / could 20 reach IL bur
.aileI. Laughter. only got an I,diu
rupoer boat there L think, with a proper or
SanlzatIon, however, il might be reached. anl
have no doubt it will yet be reached aud ba
explored Applause