The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-01-22
Kane's 0nan Polar Sea

FROM the New York journal of Commerce, Dec 9th
Further evidence has been received through
Capt. K. Wells, of the steam whaler Arclic,
| cQrroboratng the intelligence first given bv
name OF the existence Of an open polar sea.
Morton, who accompanied kane's expedition
reached the extreme northern part of Hum,
boIdt's Glacier, on the eastern side of Smith
Sound, and reported that he saw open water,
ruffied by 'white caps.' Subsequently, it
will be remembered HAYES, from the opposite
side Of Smith Sound, saw large fields of '.rottcn
ice" and found an abundance Of deer and other
animals, the ship being supplied with fresh
provisions from this source during his soiourn
in that hypcrboroan region. We copy from a
private letter received by Henry Grinncl
Esq, Of this city, as foIlows
REECKT OF CAPTAIN RICHARD WELLS, OF STEAM
SHIP ARCTIC, DUNDEE.
Passed CUnical Island June 10Th, 1867
there bcin. SO much ice, aud made fast for a
short time to the land ice, of Petowa"k 5}acicr,
where We rode out gale Of wind from s. 5.
". by compass then we steamed close along
the land, there being no land foe. Passing
C*pe AIholl within two ships lengths, two
natives came on board. Then got into open
water, passing between rocks DA)rymple and
ArrabcIIa; then steamed to the westward, bat
found The ice imPvnetrabIv, Carey Island in
light. Took the ice edge, which led Us once
more back to the main land. Went ashore at
Cape Perry and saw open water to the north
off IIakreyt Island Made fast to land ice in
Whale Sound, and had seven natives on board
from NrtiIik. Next day steamed past Ha!hrryt
IsIand Within q qualtcr OF a mile OF it, got
into open water and stcrrcd west-true. No
ice to be seen from the masthead to the North.
Of Smith Sound and Talbot and Cadoyan in
lets found very heavy lee, the pack jammr!
tight upon it and ImptnctrabIt. 10 The south
ward made fast to this westIand foe, and saw
numerous white whales, bears, seals, unicorns
and wnlrus, then sailed north in search of fish,
the land in sight high and bold on both sides.
Continued north un:iI We opened out Smith
Sound Humboldt glacier being in ii. Int through
the glass from the mast head. When We tack
ed to come to southwark there was no indira-
ton of ice to the norlward. Sky blue and
watcry, 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, J
about 10 degrees north. Stood to the SOUTH
war,! 10 attempt a passage to Points Bay, and
was for several days lodging about IN tins
north water A heavy breeze occurred from
the north, which raised a considerable sea- SO
heavy that We were compelled to twist our
boats close up, and 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 append my
signature this twvnty-tilth day Of November
1867.
AT the time We were moored of reetowak
glacier the crew went on shore to a rookcry G
roachvs and saw several deer, white hares and
foxrs were within twenty yards Of some deer
they were so tame. In passing Cape AIho
with the ship saw eight reindeer from the
mast bead, and a cluster of white harts and
numerous foxes were seen daily upon the ice
There was a land foe north Of pcclowak 4|a
cier, it havin. dccnycd away North Sta Bay
was clear Of ice. The ice between Cape AlhoI
and WostcnhoIm Island rotten and very murI
dccayed, the ship s;v"nn3 easily through rot
ten foes. The ic" upon the east side; except
in5 in Whale Sound, appeared 10 have dccayct
away and parted from the land as far as tl'e
glass could carry, and would offer no imped
ment to the progress of any steam wh"'or..
RICHARD WELLS, Master,
"On Board Steamship Alc!jc, Dundee