The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-01-23
kaness Open Polar Sea.

Further evidence has been received
through Captain r. Wells, of the steam
whaler Arctic, corroborating the intelli-
gence given by Kane of the existence of
an open polar sea-. Morton, who accom-
panied Kanes expedition, reached the ex-
IRENE northern part of Humboldts glacier,
on the eastern side of Smith sound, and
reported that he saw open water, ruf1ed
by white caps" Subsequently, it will be
remembered, Hayes, from the 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 Grinnell, Esq, of this
city, as follows: -
REPORT OF CAPTAIN RICHARD WELLS, OF
STEAMSHIP ARCTIC, DUNDEE.
Passed Conical Island, June 10, 1867,
there being SO much ice, aud made fast for
g snort time to the land ice, off Peetowak
glacier, where we rode out gale of wind
from s SW. by compass; then we steamed
close 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 be-
tween rocks Dalrymple and Arrabella
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 On board from NetiIik Next
day steamed past Halkreyt Island. Within
quarter Of q mile of it got into open
water and steered west (true) No ice to
be seen from the masthead to the north.
Off Smith sound and Talbot and Cadogan
inlets found very heavy ice, the pack
jammed tight upon it and impenetrable.
To 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 the mast head. When
we tackled to come to southwark there was
no indication Of ice to the northward. Sky
blue ed watery, and only a few small
streams Of light ice to be seen. We were
then, to the best of my belief, (no observa-
ton having been taken), about 70 degrees
north. Stood to the sOutaward to attempt
passage to Ponds bay, and was for sew
eral days lodging about in this north
water. A heavy breeze occurred from the
north, which raised considerable sea, so
heavy that we were compelled to twist our
beats 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 declared by me, and
to it I append my signature this 25th day
of November, 1867.
I" At the time we were moored off Peeto-
wax glacier the crew went on shore to q
rookery of reaches and saw several deer,
white hares and foxes; were within twenty
yards of some deer, they we're so tame. In
passing Cape Atholl with the ship saw
eight reindeer from the mast head, and a
cluster of white hares and numerous foxes
were seen daily upon the ice. There was
a land foe north of Peetowak glacier, it
having decayed away. North Sta bay was
clear of ice. The ice between Cape Atholl
and Wolstenholm Island 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 car
ry, and would offer no impediment to the
progress of any steam whaler.
RICHARD WELLS, Master,
"On board steamship Arctic, Dundee"
-Neso Tosk Journal Of Commerce..