The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-10-23
H!i5rfllunfaus.
Return of the Arctic Expeditions.

We announced yesterday the arrival at New
York of the propeller Arctic and the bark Re-
lease sent to the Arctic region in search of DIR.
Kane, bringing back that gentleman and his
long missing companions, with the exception Of
three, who had died. DR.. Kane sailed from
New York in the brigantiue Advance, on the
3lst Of Nav, 1853. for the Polar Seas, in search
of Sir John Franklin and his companions. taking
with him q variety Of instruments for scientific
purposes, and supply Of provisions sufficient
for three years cruise. His entire ships com.
pany consisted Of seventeen persons.
Lieutenant HartStein commanded the expedi
ton fitted out for the relief Of DR.. Kane, pursu.
ant to an act If Congress. which sailed from
New York on the 4sh Of june last. The expe
dition consisted Of tw" vessels, the propeller
Arctic, and the bark R''r;,S''.
The arrival Of the expedition at New York
on Thursday created intense excitement, and
hundreds focked down to the hart. DR.. Kane,
as soon as possible, jumped into a carriage and
proceeded to the residence Of Henry Grinnrll,
ESQ.,, through whose muni6cence this expedition
was fitted out. lie met with most hearty re.
ception from Mr.. G.
"I have no Advance with me-" said Dr. Kane
alluding TO the loss Of his vessel. which, as we
have stated, he was obliged to abandon in the
ice.
"Never mind that replied Mr.. Grinnell
$50 long as you are safe that is all we care about
Come into the parlor," he added, :and let lis
hear the whole story"
And Dr.. Kane proceeded at "nce to relate
the story Of his second voyage to the Arctic
regions, the perils and dangers to which he was
exposed, his wonderful adventures, and still more
wonderful escape. He was obliged, he said, to
abandon the Advance in latitude 7s.45, after
having penetrated as far $3.50, which was fur.
ther than any other navigator had gone, with
the exception Of Captain Party, who reached
the latitude Of s3.l5. While here he saw the
Poynva, or open sea, stretching away off to the
north farther than the eye could reach.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENT BY DR.. KANE. The
expedition succeeded in crossing Melville Bay,
reaching the headlands of Smith Sound as early
as the 9th of August, 1853. Finding the ice
to the north completely impenetrable, they were
forced to attempt temporary passage along
the coast, where the rapid tides-runnng at the
rate of four knots an hour, with rise and fall
Previous to taking this step, which involved great
Y,
to sacrificing the vessel, a French metallic boat,
with canoe Of provisions, was concealed as a
means Of retreat.
The penetration of the pack ice was attended
by many obstacles. The vessel grounded with
every tide, and but for her extreme strength
would not have been able to sustain the shocks
of the ice. She was twice on her beam ends {;
and once on FIRE from the upsetting of the stoves.
Some idea of this navigation may be formed
from the tact OF her losing her jib-boom, best
bower anchor and bulwarks, besides about 600
fathoms Of warpng line. They were cheered,
however, by small daily progress, and BY the
10Th Of September, 1853, had succeeded in
gaining the northern face Of Greenland-at a
point never reached before. Here the young ice
frose around the vessel, and compelled them to
seek . winter asylum.
The winter gave them degree Of cold much
below any previous registration on record.-
Whiskey froze in November, and for four months
in the year mercury was solid daily. The mean
animal temperature was FIVE degrees below zero,
summer and winter included. This, without a
doubt, was the greatest cold ever experienced
by man, rs the seat Of their winter quarters
was nearest the pole.
The scurvy WAS readily controlled, bu. the
most novel feature Of thi winter was :etanus,
or lock,jaw, which de6ed all treatment. l: car.
ried away ffty-seven Of their best sedge dogs,
and was altogether frightful scourge.
The operations Of search commenced as early
AZ March. The first parties, under the personal
charge Of Dr.. Kane, crossing the ice at tempera'
lures of minus 81 below zero. The loss Of their
dogs obliged them. as an only alternative, 70