The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-01
SAINT PAUL FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 1, 1861


last few years, broke out among the dogs,
and of the fine pack which l had taken from
the Danish settlements only eleven animals
remained alive on the Goth of December.
You are well aware that my plans of exploe
rations wssswholly based upon dogs as a
means of transport across the ice, and stu
ated as was-on the East side of the strait
and ninetymies further South than had
anticipated, ! became seriously apprehen.
sive for the success OF the approaching
effort. II
Ny party being necessarily small, could
not send into the field more than boats
crew of Sble bodied men, and these had
always considered as merely auxiliary to the
dogs, and without the dogs, altogether un-
availablegfor the services to be performed.
My anxiety was fully shared by Mr.. Son.
tag, the astronomer to the expedition, and
my able Second in command. He early
volunteered to go south to endeavor to open
communication with the EsquiEaux of
Northumberland Island, with the hope of
obtaining dogs. His former experience
when With DIR. Kane had famiiarized him
with all the phases of Arctic travel, and no
one could have been better fitted for the
task. Besides the usefulness of the pro.
posed journey, it was peculiarly in harmony
with his active and enterprising spirit.
His IoffersWas accepted, and be left the ves-
sci on the 22d of December, with sledge
and nine dogs, accompanied by the Esqui-
maux Hens intending to make the journey
and tur$during the moonlight period then
setting In. 1t is my sad duty to inform you
that be died while absent.
1t appears that from Hans report, that
the immediate cause of Mr.. Sontag's death
was cold Hans, upon his return, stated
that they travelled the first day to Suther-
land island, where they camped in a snow
hut, and were there detained two days.
Their next camp was at Sorfalik, deserted
EsquimalW station on the coast, fifteen miles
below Cape Alexander, where they built
another snow hut. They set off next day
directly for Northumberland Island. The
ice, although covered with light snow, ap-
peared to be sufficiently strong. Mr.. Son.
tag walked in advance of the sledge, and
when about five miles from the land be came
upon thin ice and broke through. Hans
assisted him out of the water, and they i'm,
mediately put back for Sorfalik. Before
that plaze was reached Mr.. Sontag was 10.
sensible, and he died soon afterward. His
remains were subsequently brought to the
vessel, and were inferred near the observ.
atory.
Hans succeeded in reaching the Esqul.
maux; but by over driving and ipjudicious
management, five of the dogs were killed,
and the remaining four were permanently
injured. l had now only six animals. The
Esquimaux came to the vessel some weeks
later, and from them obtained by purchase
sufficient number to make two teams of
seven each.
1t was not until late in March that the
ice formed around Cape Gibson, and the
land being too mountainous for sledge trav-
cling, l was not, until that time, able to
set out northward. At that period made
preliminary journey to Fog Harbor, and
there established provision depot. avail
ed myself Of this opportunity to visit Rens.
selaer Harbor, DR.. Ksnes winter quarters.
No vestige of the Advance was discovered.
She has probably drifted out to sea with
the ice. During this journey the coolest
temperatures of the cruise were recorded.
On one day the thermometer sank to 66h
degrees, and on another to GO degrees below
zero. We camped at night on this, as well
as on all subsequent journeys, in the snow
hut of the Esquimaux.
Active preparations had been making
since January, for the spring campaign, and
we were ready tor the final start on the 4th
of April. The chief equipment consisted
of metallic lifeboat, twenty feet in length,
mountedupo runners, provisions for boats
crew of six persons for five months, pros
visions for seven persons and fourteen dogs
for six weeks, together with careful al
lowance stock of fuel for the above named
period. We started from the vessel on the
above mentioned date, with our entire equip.
ment, the boat and its cargo being drawn
by the whole available ships company and
fourteen dogs. Mr.. Radcliff with two men
was left in charge of the vessel
Upon reaching Fog Harbor we made
nearly due north course, intending to reach
the west coast and travel thence upon the
land ice. We soon encountered hummocked
ice of extraordinary thickness, through
which it was often necessary to break pas
sage with axes and shovels. 1t finally be-
came evident from the slowness that the
entire summer would be consumed in reach
ing the west land, even if the boat could be
transported to it at all. Being well assured
that nothing could be accomplished with
the boat expedition, / sent the main party
back on the 28th of April, and continued
northward with three companions and two
sledges. a# Essa
The ice grew worse as we advanced, and
we were fourteen days 10 reaching the West
coast, distance in direct line of only
forty miles. From this fact you can form
some estimate of the character OF the ice
over which we travelled. The severity of
the labor broke down the dogs, and 1 was
compelled to feed to them q double ration
! thus consuming rapidly the provisions, and