Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-02-02
The Open Polar Sea.

The Open Polar Sea.
The American Geographical and Statistical
Society of New York, held meeting on Thurs
day evening, to hear the conversation of DIR.
Kane ON the scientific results of his late expe-
dition. The distinguished voyager, on reach
ing the University, found, instead of only the
members of the Society with whom he expec-
ted to have a free and faiiar conversation III
their rooms, that large and highly inteliigeh'
audience had assembled in the chapel OF inc
building, in expectation of hearing an ADDRESS,
for which he had not specially prepared NM
self The Doctor, not without reluctance yiei-
ded to the entreaties of the Society 10 appear
before the audience an occupied and hour III an
interesting address, which was interspersed
with highly thrilling incidents. In the course
of his remarks, DIR. Kane spoke OF the open
Polar Sea-
We found before us a field of ice, and over
this we found an open Polar Sea. This water
appeared iceless. 1t was apparently without
ice. Not particle of ice lined its shores. At
an altitude of 800 feet, as far as we could see,
an open sea met our eye. A gale of long dura-
tion swept over this water, but brought no drift
with it. All animal life rescrted to these wat
ers. The seal was shot upon its shores, and the
duck resorted to it from every direction. We
could not tell the exact temperature OF this wa
ter, but it was warmer than any found below
In speaking of this sea 1 can, with propriety,
speak of tide streams. This term is known to
the Russians and the Danes. The abrasures Of
the tide sometimes leaves an open space in the
sea- The opposite of Greenland remained to be
explored to complete the circuit of Smith Sound.
We have here gone over route OF over ZOo
miles. 1t is hardly within the the province of a
geographical lecture to give the details of our
cruise. Upon getting back to our winter har-
Dor it was quite evident that our little vessel
could not escape. She had then nine feet Of
solid ice under her bows, the result Of one win
ter's freezing.
"When we resolved to leave our vessel in
preference to starving or submitting to the dam
gers from the natives, we found an unbroken
barrier of eighty miles to the south. Of the
policy of leaving our vessel, need not speak.
Our sledges were cut from the vessel and thus we
commenced our voyage to the SOUTH The Es-
quimaux natives, must say, at first our enc
mics, were now our firm friends and gave us
assistance, helped to carry our sick and lent or
gave us their dogs when ours gave out, and died
from what appears to be the lockjaw. We had
to depend much upon our guns to provide us
with food At times during this journey, af-
fairs looked extremely dreary. But there was
no portion Of the time that we were oppressed
by hunger. We were there compelled to con-
sumo more food than here. Eight ducks per
diem is there an ordinary allowance. But when
approaching Melville Bay we were threatened
with want but before we grew hungry seal
was seen upon the ice, and killing this, We were
supplied with all the food we wanted. We fin
ally again reached Uppernavic, and there first
heard of the kind action on the part of our gov
eminent for our assistance shall never forget
the manning Of the rigging, and the three hearty
cheers that welcomed us back to social life and
love-"
A gentleman here asked how far north the
Esquimaux were found.
DR.. Kane said that he had found them at 78
20. The Esquimaux were a migratory people.
He had seen their huts beyond that-at the
highest point they reached
@. How far north have you found the rein
deer?
DR.. Kane-As far as We went We found the
reindeer.
Mr.. Bancroft-How do you account for this
open water?
DR.. Kane-We can only consider it incident
to great open area at the Pole, or at point
farther North
Alderman Chauncy-Is it possible, in your
opinion, to reach the open sea with boats and
explore it! ~
Dr. Kane-That is coming rather near home
I tried as hard as could to reach it, but failed.
Laughter. only got an India rubber boat
there. [ think, with q proper organization,
however, it might be reached, aud have no
doubt it will yet be reached and explored. Zap
plause. raH-