Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-01-17
EK@2e's Open Polar Sea.


Further evidence has been received
through Captain r. Wells, of the steam.
whaler Arctic, cOrrOborating theSinteili-
gence given by Kane Of the existence Of
IAN open polar sea. Morton, who accom-
panied Kane's expedition, reached the eX-
IRENE northern part Of Humboldt's glacier,
Z on the eastern side of Smith sound, and
reported that he saw open water, rnbled
j by "white caps" Subsequently it will be
I remembered, Hay es, Sromthe opposite side
Of Smith sound, saw large fields Of "rot-
ten ice" and found an abundance Of deer
and other animals, the ship being supplied
with fresh provisions from this source DUR
ing his sojourn in that hyperborean re-
giOn. We copy from a private letter re
ceived by Henry GrinneH, Esq ;|of this
city, as follows:
4; REPORT oBiCAPTA1N RICHARD WELLS, OF
STEAMSHIP ARCTIC, DUNDEE.
Passed Conic&l Island, June 10, 1867,
there being SO much ice, and made fast for
a short time to the land ice, off Peetowak
glacier, where we rode sat-a gale of wind
flsm s SW. by compass; then We steamed
close along tho la1d, there being no land
foe. Passing Cape AthoJl within two
ships lengths, TWO natives came on board
Then got into open water, passing be-
tween 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 mainland. Went
ashore at Cape Perry and saw open walter
TO the north. of Ealkreyt Island Made
fast 10 land ice in Whale sound, and had
seven natives on board from Netilik. Next
day ste AIMED past Halkreyt Island. Within
"a quarter OF a mile OF 1t got into open
water and steered west (true) No ice to
TO seen from the mast head 10 the north
of Smith sound aud Talbot and Cadogan
ibiets- found very heavy ice, the pack
jammed tight upon it and impenetrable.
70 the southwark made fast to this west
land foe, and saw numerous white whales,
bears, seals, unicorns and walrus, then
sailed north in search OF fish, the land in
sight high and bold on both sides Con-
tinued north until we opened out Smith
sound, Humboldt glacier being in sight
from the glass from themasthead. When
we tackled to come TO south ward ther6 was
no indication of ice to the northward. SKY
blue and watery, and 'onlysa few small
streams of light ice to be seen. We were
then, TO the best of my belief mo Observa-
ton having been taken), about 70 degrees
north. Stood 10 the soutlward to attempt
passage to Ponds bay, and was for sew
gerai' days dgdging about IN this north
water. A heavy breezeoccurred from the
2 north, which raiscda considerable sea, so
heavy that we were compelled to twist our
boats close up, and l believe that, had We
not been upon whaling voyage, we should
have met with no difficulty in attaining TO
almost any extreme northern latitude.
This report has.been De oiared by me, and
20 it append my signature this 25th day
# November, 1857.
"At the time we were inoored of sPeeto-
ak glacier the crew went on shore to q
,0kery of reaches and saw several deer,
hite hares and foxes; were within twenty
lrds of some deer, they were sostames In
,ssing Cape Atholl With the ship saw
{ht reindeer from the mast head, and
lster OF white haresl and Numerous foxes
re seen daily upon the ice. There was
land foe north of Peetowak glacier, 1t
wing deesyed away. North Sta bay was.
ar of ice. The ice between Cape Atholl
Wolstenholm Island was rotten and
ry much decayed, the ship steaming
ely through rotten foes. The ice upon
3 esst side, excepting In Whale sound
,peared to have Gecayed away and parted
am the land as far Is the glass would car
and would offer no impeachment to the
.ogress of any steam whaler.
{, RIoHARp WELLS, Master, 80
"On board steamship Arctic, Dundee"
,Neso York Journal Of Commerce.