Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1855-11-01

NnH'J eetiu thickness Ihey sklrted this pack
to the eastward. making repeated Efforts 70
bore through it.
This effort endangered their boat, upon
which their lives depended, was given up, af-
ter reaching the east coast Of Bafins Bay OF
Whale Sound. Here other efforts were made
to bore the ice without success.
Winter among the Icebergs. party
Then returned to the ship, having made up
their minds to spend the winter with old Bore
as.
This winter was spent as the winter before
on shiPbOard, with the exception that having
by this time consumed all our coal. we were
obliged to burn all the spare woodwork about
the ship, and cOnfne ourselves to the smallest
part Of the ship. for the purpose OF OfecOnomizing
the fuel. Things at this period were extreme.
y dark. During this winter, to add to the
other horrors of our situation, we were all at.
tackled with the scurvy, and at one time, Dr.
Kane and Mr.. Bonsel we're the only persons
able to move about and attend to the duties of
the ship and nurse the sick.
The scurvy gradually disappeared with the
return OF the sun and the increased warmth
We owed our recovery to the free use of raw,
frozen walrus meat procured from the wild Es-
quimaux, in return for which we gave jack.
knives, needles, pieces of iron, &C.. the only
currency OF this country. Upon the opening of
spring, it seemed evident that the ship would
not be liberated during the year. and it was
known to be impossible to spend another wiut-
er in her, as the provisions had given out, and
the fuel was all gone. excepting the bulk of the
ship.
After mature consultation it was determined
to abandon the ship. aud endeLvor to make our
way to the southwark by means Of boals.-
These boats yet remained to US. These, to-
gether with simply change of clothing, about
$50 pounds OF pork fat, 6OO pounds of bread
and 100 pounds of Bordons meat biscuit which
we found TO be an invaluable article of food,
we transported over the ice, distance of $50
miles, to open water,
We took farewell of the ship in her ice bound
prison on the Goth of May, 1855. We gained
open water near Cape Alexander and turned
our bows southward and for home, our chanC-
es being desperate and against US; but with
stout hearts aud full of hope, we never for a
moment thought Of despairIng. On the 2Ist
of June we were aAoat and giving three cheers
for home. every oar did its duty for the south.
During this joueney we we're in constant bat
tie with the ice until we reached Upernaylk,
the most northern Danish colony on the vest.
ern coast of Greenland, We were many times
compelled to carry our boats across the ice
from one pool to another. We travelled dis
tance of l.8OO miles to reach Upernavik, sub
siSting most of the time on game, such as birds
and seal, procured by our trusty fowling piec-
es.
We reached Upernavik on the 9th Of August.
when our hardships were over, and we all, for
the first time, dared to feel that we we're per-
iectly safe. In the mean time we had heard
nothing Of the expedition sent in search of US.
which must have passed or escaped US in Mel
vile Bay.
We of.en discussed among ourselves the
probability of an expedition being sent for US,
and it was generally believed that Uncle Sam
would extend to US this succor. and consequent
ly watch was always kept up for friends, but
our expectations we're never sufficiently strong
to justify us in remaining by the ship in wait
ing for this relief. Our separation from our
ship was an act of desperation, and our last
stake for life.
At Upernavik we took passagein the Danish |
ship Mariana, Capt. Amondson. of COpenha.
gen. To Capt, Amondson we are much obIig. |
ed for many civilities and for bis generous sue
cor. In this ship we reached Disco, or Good |
haven and in twenty.four hours more would
have been on our voyage to Europe, when we
first learned that our friends from home in
search of US we're near al hand.
Godhaten is known as Leavely also, and
here have remained until the 10th of Sep
tember last, receiving, while we stayed, the
kind and generous hospitality of the Danes
To inspector 0lvie, Of Moth Greenland. and
to Governor Anderson we are greatly indebted |
for their kindness to us.
1t may here be added that on the way to
Upernavik from our ship. our carpenter, Chris
tian ohlsen, who was much respected and be-
loved by all his company died. from a
strain acc asoned by too hard labor at the boats
in getting through the heavy ice. He was bur-
led on Lltleton island, where, perhaps he will
ever repose.
Geographical Results.-I. Greenland has
been followed and charted by DR.. Kane toward
the Atlantic with a coast line pointing due