The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-04
Kane. Open Polar Sea.

tFrom the New York Journal Of Commerce, Dec 27thl
Further evidence has been received through
Capt. X. Wells, Of the steam whaler Arctic, cor
roborating the intelligence first given by Kane of
the existence Of an open polar sea. Morton, who
accompanied Kane's expedition, reached the ex-
IRENE northern part of Humboldt's Glacier, on the
eastern side of Smith Sound, and reported that he
saw open water RULED by white caps" Sub
sequent y, it will be remembered, Hayes, from
the opposite side of Smith Sound, saw large fields
of "Totten ice " and found an abundance of deer
and other animals, the ship being supplied with
fresh provisions from this source during his So
journ in that hyperborean region. We copy from
private letter received by Henry Grinnen, Esq,
of this city, as follows:
REPORT OF CAPTAIN RICHARD WELLS, OF STEAM.
SHIP ARCTIC, DUNDEE.
Passed Conical Island June 10th, 1867, there
being so much ice. and made fast for a short time
TO the land ice, OF Petowack glacier, where we
rode out gale Of wind from s. s. w. by com
pass then we steamed clese along the land, there
being no land foe. 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 to the
westward, but found the ice impenetrable.
Carey Island In sight. Took the ice edge. which
led us once more back to the main land.
Went ashore at Cape Perry and saw open
water 10 the north of Hslkreyt Island. Made
fast to land ice in Whale Sound, and had seven
natives on board from Netilk Next day
steamed past Halkreyt Island. Within quarter
of mile OF 1t, got into open water and steered
west-true. No ice to be seen from the masthead
10 the North. OF Smith Sound and Talbot and
CadOgan inlets found very heavy ice, the pack
damned tight upon it and impenetrsble. To the
southwark made fast TO this westland foe, and
saw numerous white whales bears seals unicorns
and walrus, then sailed north in search of 4h,
the land in sight high and bold on both sides. Con
tinued north until we opened out Smith Sound,
Humboldt glacier being in sight through the glass
from the mast head. When we tackled to come to
southwark there was no Indication of ice to the
northwsrd. Sky blue and wstery, and only few
small streams Of light ice to be seen. We were
then, TO the best Of my belief (no observation
having been taken,) about 70 degrees north.
Stood to the southwark TO attempt passage to
Ponds Bay, and was for several days lodging
about in this north water. A heavy breeze
occurred from the north, which raised consider
able sea, SO 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 difficulty IN attaining 10 almost
any extreme northern latitude. This report has
been declared by me, and to it append my sig
nature this twenty.fifth day of November, 1867.
" At the time we were m0ored off Peetowak
glacier the crew went on shore TO rookery of
reaches and saw several deer, white hares and
foxes; were within twenty yards of some deer,
the ship saw eight reindeer from the mast head,
and cluster of white hares and numerous foxes
were seen daily upon the ice. There was land
foe north Of Peetowak glacier, 1t having decayed
away. North Sta Bay was clear of ice. The ice
between Cape AthOll and Wolstenholm Island
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 could carry, and would offer no
impeachment to the progress Of any steam whaIer.
RICHARD WELLS. Master,
On Board steamship Arctic, Dundee"