The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-01

proportIonally shortening any Northward
journey. Reaching the West coast at Cape
Hayes we Travelled a aong the land through
Kennedy Channel until the 18th of May,
when our provisions being exhausted we
were compelled to turn our faces South
ward. The latitude attained upon that day
was 81 deg. 80 min., degree Northing
which l berve not to have been exceeded
or equailed by any explorer except Sir
Edward Parry. The land was taken pos.
session OF in the name OF the United States
with the usual forms, and the flag which
was used upon the occasion has covered the
most Northern known land upon the globe
Although thus early in the season, the
ice in Kennedy channel was everywhere
much decayed and unsafe, and in some pla-
ces was entirely gone. In one extensive
| poo flock Of water fowl was discovered. I
entertain no doubt that the ice of Kennedy
channel was broken up and dissolved at a
very early period of the summer. 1t was in
this channel that Dr. Kane discovered an
open sea at period six weeks later, in the
summer of 1854 Be ore reaching the yes
Sc lost all but seven Of the remaining dogs,
and the ice having broken I'D around Cape
Ohlsen, further exploration to the North
ward was impossoIe during the present
season.
The six weeks subsequent to my return
to Fort Fou'ke were occupied in preparing
toe vessel ior sea, in completing some unfn-
ished surveys in making magnetic and
other observations, in collecting specimens
OF Natural history, in photographing the
scenery, and objects of interest in the viciu-
ity. ihe schooner had been much damaged
by the ice encounters of the previous sum
mer, and it was found impossible to restore
ner original strength. Beng without a
carpeater, large share Of the labor of
OF repairs fell upon Mr.. Mccormick,
the sailing master OF the expedition, OF
whose ready ingenuity and practical skill
cannot toowarmly express my acknowl-
edgments. The ice broke up around the
vessel on the 10th of July, and we put to
sea On the 18th.
After much difficulty and two trials we
reached the West coast, twelve mics South
OF Cape Isabella, and being unable to pass
the Cape we dropped anchor, and on the
18th made a journey to the North side
OF the Cape in whale boat, and from an
elevation of six hundred feet obtained a'view
70 the Northward In that direction, fif
teen miles above Cape Isabella, the ice was
solid and unbroken as far as the eye could
reach.
10 the Eastward, the pack ice was heavy
and impenetrable. To penetrate the strait
under these circumstances with the view of
reaching practicable point for future
sledge operations with my reduced force
(ior had only five dogs was clearly I'M.
practicable, and believing that was not
Justified in incurriDg the heavy expense OF
another years absence, without prospect
of corresponding results, reluctantly
abandoned the field and turned Southwark.
Taking Whale Sound on the way, com-
pleted the survey of that remarkable inlet
and obtained there an excellent set OF mag
netic determinations and some photographs
of the natives, the glaciers, and other obs
jects of interest.
After boring through the ice of Melville
Bay tor one hundred and fifty miles We
reached the southern water and entered the
harbor OF Upernavik on the l4th of August.
There We remained ten days, engaged dur
ing that time in various scientific expo ora,
tiOns. On the tst OF September We reached
GOrham or Lievely, and were there similar
ly occupied. We were ready for sea again
on the 9th, but a succession of southwest
gales detained US until the 18th, when we
again put to sea. We were on the 22d, 200
miles to the southwark of Cape Farewell.
From that time until the 9th OF October we
encountered constant southerly weather,
with frequent gales. When of Halifax we
sustained serious damage, and were obliged
to put into that port tor repairs. We are
now again ready TOR sea and expect to leave
this port to morrow.
l have to Iregret that we could not ac
compish greater Northing, but situated
as We were with Smiths Straits TO cross,
and with small force at command, can
but regard the summer exploration as for
tunate and successful. he fed of re-
search, although more limited than had
expected, was however, new, and my Ob
servations in different departments of phys
ical and natural science WILL | feel assured,
meet the appreciation of the patrons OF the
expedition.
/ am well satisfied that they will be found
fully to justify the labor and expense which
they have cost. The unfortunate accident
which occasioned the untImely death of Mr..
Sontag, caused serious loss TO The expedi
ton. The system of observations and ex.
perimeDts which we had plluned 10 concert,
had already accomplished important add-
tions to Artic science, when death deprived
me of his invaluable assistance; and with
the duties incident to Artic explorations in
the field pressing constantly upon me, was
not always able to execute the plans which
we had devised My officers, however, on
all occasions contributed their best asss-
tance, and l was by them relieved of many
0norOus duties.
/ am especially indebted to Mr.. Radcliff,
assistant astronomer, for bis jealous assists