Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-10-26
The Kane Expeditiou.
In his official report to the Secretary of the
NAVY, DR.. Kane says:

In his Official report to the Secretary OF the
Navy, DR.. Kane says
"Greenland has been traced to its northern
face, the coast tending nearly due east and
west. IF. II deg. ny Its further penetra-
ton towards the Atlantic was arrested by
a glacier, which offers an i'm passable barrier
10 future exploration. This stupendous mass
OF ice Issues in 60 degrees west longitude. 1t
10 coincdent with the axis of the peninsula.
ard is probably the only obstacle to the IN
sularity of Greenland Ii rises 100 feet in
perpendicular faces and has been followed
along its base for so miles in one unhroken
escarpment. This glacier runs nearly due
north, and cements together by an icy union
the continental masses of Greenland and
America
alt expltins the broken and permanently
frozen character of Upper Smiths Sound, its
abundant icebergs, and to certain extent.
its rigorous climate. Asa spectacle, it WAS
on Of the highest sublimity.
'The northern land into which this glacier
merges has been named Washington, and
the bay which interposes between it and
Greenland | have named after Mr.. Pea
body.
Peabody bay gives exit at its western
curve latitude 80. degrees IL MINI to IL
large channel. which forms the most interest
channel expands to the northward into
open and iceless area, Astounding in animal
life. and presenting every character OF an
open Polar sea. A surface of three thousand
square miles WAS seen at various elevations
free from ice, with northern horizon equally
free. north wind, tftytwo hours in du-
ration, failed to bring any drift into this
area.
alt is with pain that | mention to the de-
partment my inability to navigate these wa
ters One hundred and twenty-five miles
OF solid ice, so rough rs to be impossible to
boats, separated them from the nearest south
NV failed to convey one of thu smallest
In iia-rubber boats to within 90 miles Of the
channel
MY party, including myself, were com
plctely broken four of them had undergone
amputation OF toes for frost-bite ; nearly
oil were suffering from scurvy, and the sea-
son had so far advanced as to render another
Journey impossible. To the north Of latitude
81 deg, II min. the shores o! the channel be-
came preci pitous, and de dilute eren Of
passage TO The s'edge. William Morton, who,
with one Esquimaux and small team OF
dogs, had reached this spot, pushed forward
ON foot until mural cape, dashed by a
heavy surf, absolutely checked his progress.
that had hoped to find traces of the gal
liant martyrs whose search instigated this ex-
petition. The splendid efforts OF DR.. Ray
now first known to me-would have given
such a travel a merely geographical Value
Reviewing conscientiously the condition Of
my party it lie perhaps providential that we
failed in the embarkment.
A reporter of the New York Herald has
cleaned among other facts the following
which greatly rebound to the honor of DR.
Kane:
The highest Acknowledgements are paid to
DR.. Kane for the skill ability ,resoluteness and
care Of his men which he exhibited. When Out
on sleighing excursions he took his place in
harness as well us the meanest OF his men
and when the Advance was finally abandoned
he supplied them with bread made with hi
own hands, travelling back to the vessel t.
bs ke it in the stoves. This he continued du
ring the whole thirty days that the party
was en- route to the open sea and lie ha'
travelled in his dog sleigh no less than eight
hundred miles on stretch, calling on hi
WAY ut IN Esquimaux hut, in which iour %
his men were sick, and depositing bread witt
them These same individuals he aiterwurd
carried in his sleigh, one by one, to the mail
party"
Some of the episodes encountered durin!
DR.. Kane's search, have wild interest. A
one time it became necessary to send IA iaugu
party with provisions, to assist the main par
~ under DR.. Kane in an attempt at passag
across Smiths Sound. This party was un
der the command OF Mr. Brooks first officer o
the expedition. lie was accompanied by Mr.
Wilson and other volunteers. During thei
travel they found the ice completely lmpene
br,1t lag ll
ovpr the foes. and in the midst of u heaS
gale from the north. the thermometer, to thei
dismuy, sunk to hity-seyen degrees belo'
zero. Human nature could not support tn
terrible cold. Four of the party, iucludin
Mr. Brooks and Mr.. Wilson, were prustratc
with frozen feet, and with great difficult
three of their companions, after encOunterin
great suffering, reached the snip and III
nounced the condition Of their comrades
Their chances of being rescued seemed e.
tremely small. They were in the midst Of
wilderness OF snow, incapable OF motion, Ir'
tected only ny canvass tent and with Il
landmarks by which their position could
known. Even to drag these MANNED NE
would have been under ordinary cir 3umstaI
ces a work Of difficulty, but to the slcnd,
party left at the ship, 1t seeemcd to bo in
pc ssible. DR.. Kane, with tho blldncss au
co irage which justified the warm attachmer
felt towards him by all under his euulman
in less than one hour organized rescuir
party, leaving on board only those who WEI
ne 3ossary to receive the sick, and started c
in the teeth OF terrific gale, steering by con
pass to rescue the sufferers Alter ninetct
hours constant travel, during which two
tbs party tainted, and others required to
Kept from sleep by force, they struck Il
tr'il of the lost party, AMI finally, staggeril
under their burdens, one hy one reached q
tent, which Was almost hidden b7 the sno'
The scene as DR.. Kane entered tho ter
WIS affecting beyond description, The par
buIst out into tears. \ blubber fire Was il