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'ong 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. 35 min, a degree O; Northing
which belirve not to have been exceeded
or equalled by any explorer except Sir
Edward Parry. The land was taken DOS.
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
pool 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. Before reaching the YES
SCI lost all but seven of the remaining dogs,
and the ice having broken up around Cape
Ohlsen, further exploration to the North
ward was impossible during the present
season..
The six weeks subsequent to my return
to Fort FOulke we're occupied in preparing
toe vessel for sea, in completing some unfin-
ished surveys, in making magnetic and
other observations, in collecting specimens
of Natural history, in photographing the
scenery, and objects of interest in the vicn-
ity. The schooner had been much damaged
by the ice encounters Of the previous sum-
mer, and it was found impossible to restore
her original strength. Being without
carpenter, 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 l4th. ar
After much difficulty and two trials we
reached the West coast, twelve miles South
of Cape Isabella, and being unable to pass
the Cape we dropped anchor, and on the
18th made journey to the North side
OF the Cape in whale boat, and from an
elevation of six hundred feet obtained asview
10 the Northward. In that direction, if
teen miles above Cape Isabella, the ice was
solid and unbroken as far as the eye could
reach. fs ge
To 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
Qor had only five dogs) was clearly i'm.
practicable, and believing that was not
justified in mourning 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
barbor OF Upernavik on the 14th of August.
There we remained ten days, engaged DUR
ing that time in various scientific explora,
tions. On the lst OF September we reached
Gorham or Lievely, and were there similar
ly occupied. We we're 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 oil October we
encountered constant southerly weather,
with frequent gales. When of Halifax we
sustained serious damage, and were obliged
to put into that port for repairs. We are
now again ready for sea and expect to leave
this port to morrow.
have to regret that we could not &C
complish greater Northing, but situated
as VIC were with Smiths Straits to cross,
and with small force at command. l can
but regard the summer exploration as for
tunate and successful. The fed of re-
search, although more limited than / had
expected, was, however, new, and my OBJ
servations in different departments of phys
ical and natural science will, feel assured,
meet the appreciation of the patrons OF the
expedition.
/ am we'll 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 exs
periments which we had planned 10 concert,
had already accomplished important addi-
tions to Artic science, when death deprived
me of bis invaluable assistance and with
the duties incident to Attic 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 assis-
lance, and / was BY them relieved Of many
0n0rous duties. 8ea gsai.
am especially indebted to Mr.. RAdcliff
assistant astronomer, for his jealous assist.