The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-03-14
The Open Polar Sea.

III. Grinnell, Esq, who has displayed so great in
terest in the matter of Arctic explorations, has re-
, ceived n private letter from Capt. Richard Wells,
of the steamship Arctic, Dundee, giving some in
teresting facts relating TO the open Polar Sea first
seen by Morton ON tine second Kane expedition,
and subsequently, by DIR. Hayes in his voyage to
the Arctic regions. We quote a portion of his
letter =
Passed Conical Island, June 10Th, 1867, there
being 50 much ice, and made fast for a short time
to the land ice off Petowack glacier, where we
rode out n gale of wind from S. 5. w. by compass !;
then we steamed close:long heland, there being no
land doe. Passing Cape Atholl within two ships
lengths, two natives came on board Then got
into open water, passing between rocks Dalrymple
and Arrabella, then steamed westward, hut found
the ice impenetrable. Carey Island in sight.
Took the ice edge, which led US once more back to
the mainland. Went ashore at Cape Perry and
saw open water to the north off Halkreyt Island.
Made fast to land ice in Whale Sound, and had
seven natives aboard from Netilik. Next day
steamed past Halkreyt Island. Within a quarter
of n mile oft got into open water and steered west
(true.) No ice TO he seen from the masthead to
the north. OF Smith Sound, Talbot and Cadogan
inlets found very heavy ice. the back jammed
tight upon it and impenetrable. To the south
ward made fast to this west land foe, and saw
numerous white whales, bears, seals, uniforms
and walrus. then sailed north in search of fish, the
land in sight high and bold on both sides. Contin-
ued on until we opened out Smith Sound, Humboldt
SiatiSI pCinS III siSht bhiouSh tHS SIaSo hOiA TIC
masthead.
Al the time we moored off Petowack glacier
the crew went on shore TO a rookery of reaches
and saw several deer, white hares and foxes were
within twenty yards of some deer, they were so
tame. In passing Cape Atholl with the ship | saw
eight reindeer from the masthead and, a cluster of
white hares and foxes were seen daily upon the ice.
There was a land foe north of Petowack glacier,
it having decayed away. North Star Bay was
clear of ice. The ice between Cape Atholl and
Wolstenholm was rotten and very much decayed,
the ship steaming easily through rotten foes.
The ice upon the east side, excepting in Whale
Sound, appeared to have decayed away and parted
from the land as far as the glass would carry, and
would offer no ~impediment to the progress of any
steam whaler."
When we tackled to come to the southwark,
there was no indication of ice TO the northward.
Sky blue and watery, and only a few small streams
of light ice to be seen. We were then, to the
best of my belief. (no observation having been
taken,) about 20 degrees north. Stood to the
southwark TO attempt a passage to Ponds Bay,
and was for several days lodging about in this
north water. \ heavy breeze occurred from the
north, which raised a considerable sea. go heavy
that we were compelled to twist our boats close
up, and / believe that, had we not been upon a
whaling voyage, we should have met with no DIFF
GeuAy an ATTAINING 10 almost any eltrene northern
latitude. This report has been declared by me-,
and 10 it / append my signature this twenty-ffth
day of : November, 1867.