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

proportlOnaIly shortening any Northward
journey. Reaching the West coast at Cape
Hayes we travelled a'ong the land through
Kennedy Channel until the 18th of Nav,
when our provisions being exhausted we
were compelled to turn our faces South
ward The latitude attained upon that day
was 81 deg. 30 min, degree NOrthing
which be!irve not to have been exceeded
or equalled 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, aud the flag which
was useo upon TIE Ocea3lOn 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, aud il some pla-
ces Was entirely gone. Ia one extensive
poo. flock Of water fowl vas discovered.
entertain no doubt that the ice of K ennedy
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 a 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 vas luposSio.e during the present,
season.
The six weeks subsequent to my return
to Fort Fou'ke were occupied in preparing
toe vessel Tor sea. i'll completing some untin-
ished surveys, IN making magnetic and
other observations in collecting specimens
OF Natural history, in photographing the
scenery, and objects of interest in the vicin-
ity. iha 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, a large share Of the labor of
OF repairs tell upon Mr.. Mccormick
the sailing master OF the expedition, o:
whose ready ingenuity and practical skill
| cannot toowarmly express my acknowl-
edgmen,s. The ice broke up around the
vessel on the 10th of July, and we put to
sea OF the 18th.
After much difficulty aud two trials we
reached the West coast, twelve mi .es South
OF Cape Isabella and being unable to pass
the Cape we dropped anchor, aud on the
18th | made a journey to the North side
eIevation of six hundred feet obtained a'view
70 the n orthward. In that direction, IF
teen miles above Cape Isabella, the ice was
solid and unbroken as far as the eye could
reach.
TO the Eastward, the pack ice was heavy
and impenetrable. To penetrate the strait
under these circumstances with the view of
reaching a practicable point for future
sledge operations with my reduced force
(ior had only five Dogs was clearly I'M.
practicable, and believing that l was not
justified in mourning the heavy expense OF
another years absence, without a 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
ana 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 exp ora
tioDs. On the list OF September We reached
Gorham or Lievely, and were there similar
ly occupied. We were ready for sea az IA
on the 9th, but 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 Fare well
From that time until the 9th OF October we
encountered constant southery 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.
| have to Iregret that we could net &C
complish a 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 tied OF re-
search, although more limited than | had
expected, was, however, new, and my 90
servations in different departments of o.! Us
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 untmeiy death of Mr..
Sontag, caused a serious loss 10 lhe expedi
| ton The system of observations and eX-
perimeDts which we had p' uued 10 concert,
had already accomplished important add
items to Attic science, when death deprived
me of bis invaluable assS'an'e; and with
the duties incident to Attic explorations in
the field pressing constantly upon me, va.
not always able to execute the plans whc!
we had devised. My officers, however, OF
all occasions contributed their best asss
lance, aud l was by them relieved of many
onorous duties.
am especially indebted to MIR. RadcIil
assistant astronomer, for bis Jealous assist,